How To Convert Listeners To Raving Fans

If a radio station, show, or podcast only cares about fans, it’ll be perceived as an “insider club” by everyone else. Newbies won’t stick around very long if they feel excluded.

It happens when DJs name drop without explaining who the relationship is in their life. For instance, someone might say, “Cathy will be excited.” Casual or new listeners have no idea who Cathy is and can feel out of the loop. Consider explaining who Cathy is like, “My wife, Cathy, will be excited.”

Also, if a show is riddled with “secret audio handshakes,” like running jokes out of context that only fans understand, you’ll miss opportunities to build layers of depth with casual or new listeners. They’ll move on to something else if they feel left out.

HELP THEM STICK AROUND

You can avoid those pitfalls by intentionally super-serving the groups of people below. Each group has different needs in order to develop a deeper connection with you. You should take the time to uncover and understand those needs.

Potential listeners
New listeners
Regular Listeners
Fans
Customers/Donors

Unless your communication method is targeted and segmented to a specific group, I recommend all conversations occur with the lowest common denominator in mind…like Pat Sajak does.

WHEEL OF FORTUNE

Watch a few clips of Wheel of Fortune on YouTube.

Observe how Pat Sajak over-explains every show so that anyone new can understand. He’s done it that way for over 30 years too! Yet within that framework, he’s witty and funny while interacting with the contestants. You get a feeling that the show’s not about him either; it’s about rooting for the contestant to win that big prize.

HERE’S THE TAKEAWAY

The goal of any show or brand is to create layers of depth over time.

People don’t become raving fans because they understand you.

They become raving fans because you understand them.

After spending 25+ years working at some really great radio stations, Todd launched a coaching and consulting business, Beyond615.com, on March 15, 2021. There he strives to help others build confidence so that they can connect on a deeper level. He also serves as the Contemporary Christian Format Editor at AllAccess.com. He and his family live in the (615) area code, aka the heart of the CCM industry