Better Radio Websites

Jim Sherwood

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TECHNOLOGY
UPDATED WEEKLY

Better Radio Websites

The podcast for radio professionals who want to see their website generate more traffic and revenue. Each week your host, Jim Sherwood, and his special guests give you time-tested tips and secret tricks to ensure your radio station dominates digital in your market.

5 DAYS AGO

Your Radio Station Should Be Podcasting on YouTube

Edison Podcast Metrics published a study last month showing that 31% of weekly listeners (ages 13 and up) choose YouTube as their top platform for podcasts. This surpasses both Spotify and Apple Podcasts. For more in-depth show notes, visit https://www.skyrocketradio.com/podcast/your-radio-station-should-be-podcasting-on-youtube. You may not have realized that YouTube has quietly emerged as the most popular platform for podcast listening in the U.S. Why should podcasting on YouTube matter for your radio station? Whether you’re already podcasting or just considering it, understanding how video podcasting can amplify your reach, especially among younger audiences, is critical. However, it’s not enough to simply podcast—adding a video component can be a game-changer, especially on YouTube. Video podcasts allow listeners to see your station's personality, creating a deeper, more personal connection. This is particularly effective for engaging younger audiences like Gen Z, who gravitate toward visual platforms. According to Edison Research, 84% of Gen Z monthly podcast listeners engage more with podcasts that include video. Nearly half of them say video helps them better understand context and tone through visual cues like facial expressions, while 45% feel more connected to podcasters they can see. When radio stations embrace video, they’re not only producing content—they’re creating an experience. This multifaceted approach allows you to draw in younger listeners who value being able to see hosts’ personalities, expressions, and reactions, fostering a real connection that traditional audio often can’t deliver. YouTube is a powerhouse for engagement and visibility, and YouTube offers significant advantages for radio stations. First, it’s free. Second, it’s an ideal search engine for younger audiences who treat YouTube as both an entertainment hub and a discovery tool. For those already podcasting, it’s worth asking: Is your current approach missing out on these YouTube benefits? If you’re not using video, now is the time to consider it. Your audience is more visual than ever, and YouTube’s metrics prove that listeners are spending more time on the platform than on traditional podcasting apps. Don’t think your videos must be well-produced. Many YouTube creators fail to get started because they don’t have a TV-like presentation, camera, or lighting. All you need is great content and a webcam to get started. Just video what you do on-air. So how does podcasting on YouTube benefit my station website? Podcasting, and especially video podcasting on YouTube, opens up a whole new avenue for bringing in listeners who might not otherwise visit your site. Here’s how: - Increased Visibility through Backlinks - Content Variety Keeps Visitors Coming Back - Improved SEO and Search Rankings - Increased Ad Revenue and Sponsorship Opportunities - Building a Community Around Your Content - Driving Newsletter Sign-ups and Engagement If you’re not yet podcasting, take this as your sign to start. Podcasting is a chance to build your radio station’s brand in the digital space and reach an audience that may never tune in live. And if you’re already producing podcasts, think about how video could elevate your reach and engagement. My hope is that you’ll see how it transforms your reach and reinforces your station's presence, both on YouTube and on your website. Please like and subscribe to this podcast on YouTube. Leave us a comment and share it with your radio colleagues. And, if you need help with your radio station website, we’d love to partner with you in that. Reach out to us at https://www.skyrocketradio.com.

13 min
4 NOV

The Ultimate Checklist for Rebranding Your Radio Station Online

Many radio stations across the country have rebranded this past week. Rebranding your radio station is always an exciting time, especially when it includes a format change. As radio professionals, we're often so focused on how the station sounds that we might overlook updating the logo in some places. Have you ever meticulously changed your logo everywhere you could think of, only to realize months later that you missed a spot? Get deeper show notes at ⁠https://www.skyrocketradio.com/podcast/the-ultimate-checklist-for-rebranding-your-radio-station-online⁠. Let’s explore every possible place your new logo might appear online, so you don’t miss any. Full disclaimer: I used AI tools to help me generate this list and I’m not embarrassed to say that I missed a few in rebranding this podcast. Where to Update Your Logo Online 1. Website 2. Social Media Platforms 3. Podcast Platforms 4. Email Communications 5. Online Advertising 6. Mobile Applications 7. Online Directories and Review Sites 8. Third-Party Websites and Partnerships 9. Digital Documents and Presentations 10. Streaming and On-Demand Services 11. Merchandise Stores 12. Content Management Systems and Tools 13. Online Forums and Communities 14. Cloud Services and Collaboration Tools 15. Digital Signage and In-Store Displays Useful Tips - Some of these online locations might take a few days for the change to be visible, so be sure to check back with those. - Use tools like Brand24 or Mention to find where your old logo might still be appearing online. - Set up Google Alerts for your brand name to catch outdated references. Rebranding your radio station used to be for mainly for bumper stickers and ads that we placed around town. Today, you want that new logo to be everywhere your audience is online. By meticulously updating your online presence and paying attention to the details, you'll ensure a smooth transition that revitalizes your brand without confusing your loyal listeners. Need help with your radio station website? Visit https://www.skyrocketradio.com

13 min
21 OCT

Bad Website Design Can Hurt My Radio Station?

YES! Bad website design can hurt your radio station. Today, we’ll give you six ways that it does and six ways to ensure your website looks good and loads fast. For more in-depth show notes, visit ⁠https://www.skyrocketradio.com/podcast/bad-website-design-can-hurt-my-radio-station⁠. I’ve worked on radio station websites for the past 26 years, and one thing has been consistent. Radio people often start with a well-designed, fast-loading website but unintentionally compromise it over time. Good intentions like adding more content, flashy elements, or excessive widgets usually lead to cluttered designs, slower load times, and a less professional appearance. Let’s explore six different ways bad websites can negatively impact your station and why an experienced, streamlined approach is crucial. 1. Loss of Traffic 2. Poor User Experience (UX) 3. Reduced Listener Loyalty 4. Poor Search Engine Optimization (SEO) 5. Loss of Credibility 6. Loss of Sales and Revenue Hiring a professional web designer is not feasible for most radio stations. However, there are cost-effective ways to maintain a clean, fast-loading website that performs well: 1. Learn from Professional Websites (not just radio stations) 2. Avoid Overcrowding the Homepage 3. Optimize Media 4. Simplify Navigation 5. Focus on Visual Hierarchy 6. Test Site Speed Regularly: Use ⁠Google PageSpeed Insights⁠ and ⁠GTmetrix⁠ Radio professionals often unintentionally complicate their websites in the pursuit of making them more engaging. However, a professional look paired with fast performance is essential for building trust, increasing traffic, and driving revenue. By focusing on a clean, streamlined approach, you’ll ensure that your website enhances your radio station’s brand rather than holding it back. Need help with your radio station website, reach out to us at ⁠https://www.skyrocketradio.com⁠.

22 min
14 OCT

10 Essential Rules for a Successful Radio Station Website

Your radio station’s website is just as important as the on-air broadcast. It’s a direct extension of your brand, your connection to online listeners, and a critical piece of the puzzle when it comes to generating revenue. For more in-depth show notes, visit https://www.skyrocketradio.com/podcast/10-essential-rules-for-a-successful-radio-station-website. To help you maximize the potential of your station’s online presence, we’ve crafted 10 Essential Rules for a successful station website. These guidelines are designed to help you think beyond traditional radio and unlock the full potential of your digital platform. 1. Think Like a Listener, Not a Radio Person 2. Treat the Website as a Radio Station 3. Keep Your Website Fresh 4. Don’t Try to Be Everything to Everybody 5. Think Mobile First, Always 6. Make Navigation Easy – Don’t Make Them Think 7. Use Visuals That Represent Your Brand 8. Optimize for Search Engines 9. Encourage Engagement – Make It Interactive 10. Track and Measure Everything With these ten essential rules, you can better align your radio station’s website with the needs of your audience and the goals of your station. I started this with the statement, “Your radio station’s website is just as important as the on-air broadcast.” This should have been included on this list because too many radio stations have a disconnect here. By treating your website as an integral part of your brand strategy, you’ll see more engagement, stronger listener loyalty, and new revenue opportunities. Keep these guidelines in mind as you develop and manage your station’s digital presence, and you’ll be well on your way to a more successful online strategy. Need help with your radio station website, visit us at https://www.skyrocketradio.com.

24 min
7 OCT

7 Ways a Corporate Blog Can Attract New Radio Advertisers

Want the most cost-effective way to attract and engage with new advertisers to your radio station? Start a corporate blog. Today, we’ll give you seven reasons why it’s important and tell you how to do it most effectively. For more in-depth show notes, visit https://www.skyrocketradio.com/podcast/7-ways-a-corporate-blog-can-attract-new-radio-advertisers. We’ve maintained a corporate blog on our website since 2018. It’s allowed us to be discovered by radio stations all over the world without paying for banner ads or search placement. A blog can be a powerful tool for radio station managers and sales teams looking to expand their reach and generate more revenue. By providing valuable content, a corporate blog can transform how your station connects with new and existing advertisers, creating new opportunities for growth and success. The 7 Ways a Corporate Blog Can Help Your Radio Station/Group Increased Online Traffic Improved SEO Transform Visitors into Loyal Customers Increase Your Marketing ROI Differentiate Your Station/Group Provide Extra Value to Advertisers Support Your Sales Team Blogging Best Practices To make the most out of any blog, it's essential to maintain a consistent posting schedule and be persistent. Publishing regularly keeps your audience engaged and signals to search engines that your website is active. Start with a realistic schedule—whether it's weekly, biweekly, or monthly—and stick to it. Remember, quality content combined with consistency is the key to building a loyal audience and achieving long-term results. If you’re stuck about what to write about or think you don’t have to time to do any of this, AI tools like ChatGPT can help generate ideas, draft content, and even tailor posts for specific audiences. To help your station craft blog posts explicitly targeted at potential and existing advertisers, try this ChatGPT prompt: “Act as our radio station’s corporate sales and marketing manager tasked with creating fresh blog posts that educate our existing advertisers while encouraging new advertisers to trust us. To start, we want to create two blog posts each month. Create a monthly content plan for the rest of the year. Provide engaging titles that include keywords that advertisers may be searching for.” or "Create an engaging blog post that demonstrates the value of advertising on our radio station. Highlight the benefits of reaching our local audience and include creative ideas on how businesses can use radio ads in combination with digital promotions to achieve great results. Make sure to keep the tone persuasive yet approachable and focus on why partnering with our station is a smart investment." Conclusion Starting a corporate blog can transform how your radio station connects with listeners and advertisers. It’s an opportunity to broaden your reach, build relationships, and generate more revenue—all while setting your station apart from the competition. Not sure where to begin or need a website to start this new blog on? Reach out, and let’s talk about how Skyrocket Radio can help you create a website that drives engagement and revenue: https://www.skyrocketradio.com.

19 min
30 SEPT

Preparing for AI's Disruption in Radio with Henry Hays

This week, we talk about how radio stations can prepare for AI's disruption with Henry Hayes, co-founder of Disrupt Ready. This interview was recorded on the floor of a recent Mississippi Association of Broadcasters annual convention. Get more detailed show notes at https://www.skyrocketradio.com/podcast/preparing-for-ais-disruption-in-radio-with-henry-hays. Henry explains his journey into AI, starting with his fascination with disruptive innovation, such as the closing of Blockbuster and the rise of Netflix. He delves into the transformative impact of AI on industries, likening its influence to major technological shifts of the past, and highlights how legacy businesses need to adapt to avoid being left behind. Takeaways - AI is rapidly evolving, and businesses must be proactive in adapting to avoid being left behind. - Practical steps to begin with AI include experimenting with ChatGPT and exploring AI tools that improve efficiency. - Henry shares insights on how radio stations can leverage AI to optimize customer interactions, manage data, and improve business operations. - A free AI prompt guide and resources are available for listeners who mention the "Better Radio Websites" podcast who reach out to him. Resources - Disrupt Ready - ChatGPT - Free ChatGPT Ultimate Guide on LinkedIn: Henry Hayes Are you ready for what's next? We're here to help with your radio station website. Reach out to us for help at https://www.skyrocketradio.com.

18 min
23 SEPT

Repurposing On-Air Content for Podcasts

You’re likely sitting on a goldmine of online content—everything that happens on-air. Whether it’s an engaging interview, a lively morning show, or a thought-provoking discussion or interview, the content your station produces daily has immense potential beyond its initial broadcast. For more in-depth show notes, visit https://www.skyrocketradio.com/podcast/repurposing-on-air-content-for-podcasts. By repurposing that on-air content into various online forms, such as podcasts, blog posts, or social media clips, you can extend the lifespan of your best material and reach new audiences who may have missed the live show. One of the simplest ways to begin repurposing is through podcasting. Taking your most compelling on-air segments and packaging them as podcasts allows your listeners to engage with your content on their terms, whether they're commuting, working out, or relaxing at home. This approach not only broadens your station's reach but also strengthens your online presence, which is increasingly important as more listeners turn to digital platforms. Another advantage of repurposing on-air content is that it requires minimal additional effort. You’ve already done the hard work of creating valuable, engaging content. Now, with a few edits, you can share that content across multiple channels to drive more traffic to your website and build deeper connections with your audience. Our guest this week is Breck Riley. Breck is the morning show guy and news director for Boswell Media in central Mississippi. You’ll hear Breck speak to all of the things they are doing to repurpose what they do on-air into engaging online content that lives far beyond the initial broadcast. You can reach out to Breck on all socials @breckriley or check out their content for yourself at https://www.breezynews.com and https://www.kicks96news.com. Repurposing your on-air content into digital formats like podcasts not only extends the reach of your radio station but also enhances your overall brand presence. With today’s tools, it's easier than ever to transform live segments into lasting, shareable content that can engage your audience across multiple platforms. Need help with your radio station website? We’re here to help at https://www.skyrocketradio.com.

28 min
16 SEPT

Importing Free State & National News with Jerry Lyles

Hopefully, you want to make money from your website; content is the key. Fresh content is one of the most crucial steps to a successful website. Get more in-depth show notes at https://www.skyrocketradio.com/podcast/importing-free-state-national-news-with-jerry-lyles. Content drives traffic to increase your SEO, which ensures more visitors see your content. More visitors equals more revenue once you sell website banner ads and sponsorships. Many people-strapped radio stations find it challenging to add fresh content, so they turn to RSS feeds. We will always discourage displaying RSS feeds, as they do nothing more than send visitors away from your website. When visitors leave quickly, your SEO scores drastically decrease. The alternative to displaying RSS feeds is importing them so the visitor stays on your website. You cannot just pick any RSS feed and import the content on your website. Doing that has several copyright issues, the most prevalent being image copyright. Jerry Lyles is Franklin News's VP of syndication and distribution. We're looking at “The Center Square, " news service. Several of our affiliates are already importing their news content. The Center Square can be a great news resource for your radio station. We do not recommend importing RSS news only - or filling your website with news from every state. Importing too much news that is not relevant to your audience can hurt your website’s SEO. For the best results, only import additional content to supplement the local news and other content you create. Check your Analytics to see if visitors are consuming that content. If most do not visit those news stories, stop importing them and put a more significant focus on what they are consuming. Need help with your website? Reach out to us at https://www.skyrocketradio.com.

24 min

The podcast for radio professionals who want to see their website generate more traffic and revenue. Each week your host, Jim Sherwood, and his special guests give you time-tested tips and secret tricks to ensure your radio station dominates digital in your market.

Creator

Jim Sherwood
Years Active

2021 - 2024
Episodes

157
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Jim Sherwood
Show Website

Better Radio Websites