The Relatables Test

There are only two kinds of content -- content that everyone is already talking about ... and content you create for people to talk about.

Successful brands and personalities focus on these two areas to be topical, and to connect with the audience. 

Now, you may be saying ... if everyone does this, then what separates one from the other?
The answer would be personality, localization and customization.

By integrating personality into these "top of mind" stories, or creating something relatable that others can talk about, you give the story a unique perspective that is all your own. By making it relevant to where they are at the moment, or allowing them to create part of the experience, you help them to understand it on a much deeper and personal level.

The gateway is the content.

Many years ago, I came across this great test that one of my radio stations used to help our staff stay focused on what mattered with the audience. It was called the Relatables Test. I'm not sure exactly where it came from, but it was a good tool to localize communication and be plugged in to what everyone is talking about now. 

I have updated it here to represent the paradigm shift where social, texting, search and more are part of that conversation. 

Relatables Test

The key is to name a "Best," or recognized "Favorite" in each category. Use the answers as a spark to ignite conversations on-air, online, on social pages and more. Use personality, localization and customization to bring the answers to life through your own unique content.

DAILY

Hot Search Trends___________________________________ (http://www.google.com/trends/hottrends)

Online Video Trends__________________________________
(http://youtube-trends.blogspot.com/)

Twitter Trends_______________________________________
(http://whatthetrend.com/ **search form your city local trends in right navigation)

MEDIA

Television
Local_________________________________________
Cable_________________________________________
Premium______________________________________
Network_______________________________________
Show_________________________________________
Series_________________________________________
Personality_____________________________________
Anchor (male/female)____________________________
Sportscaster____________________________________
Weatherman____________________________________

Radio Station
AM ___________________________________________
FM ___________________________________________
Satellite________________________________________
Internet________________________________________
Talk Show______________________________________
DJ/Personality___________________________________

Print
Columnist_______________________________________
Magazine(s)_____________________________________
Newspaper______________________________________

Online
Podcast ________________________________________
Blog___________________________________________
Blogger_________________________________________
Games__________________________________________
Website(s)_______________________________________

Social
Who to follow on Twitter____________________________
Great local deals (sites like Groupon, Living Social)_______
What is being discussed on social pages________________
Hashtags to know__________________________________
Video to watch_____________________________________
People/Pages to "Like"_______________________________

GOODS/SERVICES

Department Store _________________________________
Furniture Store ___________________________________
Health/Athletic ____________________________________
Men’s/Ladies Shop__________________________________
Car Dealer ________________________________________
Pharmacy _________________________________________

FOOD/DRINK

Restaurant (overall)__________________________________
Atmosphere_________________________________________
Lunch Place _________________________________________
Romantic ___________________________________________
First Date ___________________________________________
Late Night ___________________________________________
Family_______________________________________________
Best Service__________________________________________
Burger_______________________________________________
Mexican______________________________________________
Cuban________________________________________________
Pizza_________________________________________________
Seafood_______________________________________________
BBQ/Ribs______________________________________________
Italian ________________________________________________
French ________________________________________________
Chinese ________________________________________________
Steak __________________________________________________
Raw Bar ________________________________________________
Salad Bar _______________________________________________
Bar ____________________________________________________
Happy Hour _____________________________________________

ENTERTAINMENT

Attraction ________________________________________________
Place to Dance ____________________________________________
See Art(s) ________________________________________________
Beach/Lake _______________________________________________
Best Thing to Happen in Town ________________________________
Best Place to Watch People ___________________________________
Best Place to Meet People ____________________________________
Best Freebie _______________________________________________

PEOPLE

Local Hero__________________________________________________
Local Politician _______________________________________________
Local Celebrity _______________________________________________

MISCELLANEOUS

Suburb(s)_____________________________________________________
New Building __________________________________________________
Bargain_______________________________________________________
Romantic Spot _________________________________________________
Weekend Getaway ______________________________________________
College(s)/University(ies)_________________________________________
Sports Team(s) _________________________________________________

You get the idea. Now, add your own ideas to the list to make it fit your personality, your location and more ... so it’s customized for you. Do it daily and the ideas will really start to add up as you share more of what everyone is talking about, and create some great content that others will want to follow and share with their networks.