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10 Questions with ... Miss Sarah
February 16, 2015
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
When I first started as a morning show intern at WAJZ in Albany, NY; I realized my childhood dreams of being Venus Flytrap from WKRP were coming true and I wouldn't leave. So they had to start paying me.
Soooo ... while in Albany, at Pamal Broadcasting, I worked with WKBE (100.2 The Point), WFFG (Froggy 107), WZRT (Z97)/Rutland VT; WZMR (104.9 The Cat) ...and now I've found my way south with the Cumulus Fayetteville family doing middays on Fayetteville NC's flagship station WQSM (Q98).
1) Who do you consider your radio mentors?
The listeners. Everything I do I try to do for THEM! But inside the business, I've had incredible teachers including: Big Ray, Paige Neinaber, Kevin Callahan, Jackie Donovan, and even one PD/GM in particular (who shall remain nameless) who taught me even when someone does everything in their power to break me, I simply become more flexible.
2) What makes your market unique? How does this compare to other markets or stations you have worked at?
Fayetteville is a mostly military town as it is home to Fort Bragg. Moving here was a HUGE culture shock. Things move a little slower and there are no tall buildings. But theres also no snow! LOL! :)
3) Please tell give us an idea of a day in the life as Webmaster and Digital Director for your cluster?
Are you sure you want to hear this? "Hey Sarah! Four station web sites need graphics, contesting links and links to social media for event XYZ by close of business!"
"Hey Sarah! There are 16 POs, each with seven rotating spots in creative that need trafficking into the stream."
"Hey Sarah! Can you whip up a logo for A, B, C and W?"
"Hey Sarah! I have a few spots that need written and produced ..."
Yes. Yes I can!
4) How do you work with your on-air staff, promotion, and management to drive traffic to your websites?
A lot of "VIP" contesting is done through our web sites. Show info, community calendars, news stories, and weather. I try to keep our web sites as fresh and interactive as possible. Listeners can get music news, links to our social media, links to our personal RDIO playlists. The web site gives them a very well rounded look at who, and what we are.
5) How are you using social media to market your radio station and your show?
Our listeners are online, so we need to meet them there. Interacting on social media and highlighting them on our web sites. Everything we do in the physical is also in the digital. Technology has made "theater of the mind' a little easier, and you can give your listener instant results. Teasing a story on the air and directing them to the web to give their input is priceless.
6) What can we be doing with our station web sites to better our stations as a whole?
Keeping things fresh! Our graphics need to catch the eye of not only the target demo, but their family and friends too. Having as much info there as possible, without overwhelming. Take off your programming or sales glasses and put on listener glasses. What would YOU want from your favorite stations website?
7) How do you stay in tune with your audience?
By BEING my audience. Listening like a listener, I am integrating myself in their world.
8) How do you prep yourself for your radio shift?
LOL! I don't do a shift, I do a SHOW! Everyone here knows my routine: Come in, work on some stories, plan out my show, go smoke a cig, potty, then its show time! If those things don't happen in that order, well, good luck.
9) What is the most rewarding promotion or activity your station has ever been involved with to benefit the community or a charity?
Every year our cluster has the "DAY OF GIVING." It's in December and we work with a group called the Fayetteville Urban Ministry who really does SO much for our community. This year we filled three school busses in about nine hours! :)
10) What is the one truth that has held constant in your career?
If you want it, you'll make it happen.
Bonus Questions
How did you get your on-air name?
When I first moved to Albany, I was running an after school program for the YMCA and my students called me Miss Sarah. It just kind of stuck. Some of them are in their late teens and 20's now and still call me that.
Who is the most amazing talent you've worked with?
Wow. There are so many! But I'd have to say Paige Neinaber. The man has serious issues. My goal is to be the Paige of radio social media.
What has been your station's biggest accomplishment?
Well, finding me, of course!
What was the biggest gaffe you've made on air?
HA! One particular Saturday, a few years back. I was on four stations at once. One was live, and the other three were voice-tracked. I can't remember which one I was doing at the time, but I definitely said the wrong station on the live show... and the wrong name on a tracked show!
Tell us what music we would find on your phone or MP3 player right now and what is it you enjoy about that particular selection?
Kanye, Nicki Minaj, M.O.P., Kirk Franklin, Jay Z, Dixie Chicks, Pavarotti Mr. Vegas and Bob Marley. It's sooo varied, like me!
What's the best liner you've ever heard?
One of my show promos LOL! "Hey Its Miss Sarah, and you can stay UP ALL NIGHT with me but I have to warn you, I'm more than likely to offend you at some point. And I say F*ck a lot. Like, A Lot!"
What's the best sweeper you've ever heard?
On Q we had a promo about giving away a bunch of money for a shopping spree at a local mall, and this really snotty ditzy girl was on it. Then voice guy says " Don't let lisa win free money." My PD, Jeff Davis, is pretty crafty with that stuff!"
What's the best piece of advice anyone's ever given you? The worst?
Best: "Be you." The Worst: "Try the liver."
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