lol every big label & sponsors i talk to what a to know my business plan lol and a media kit to

This thread reminded me -- I've had this link on my desktop for ages:

http://rad10.olib.co.uk/management/writ … ent_radio/

Never read it -- maybe it's time. It's for student radio, but I'm sure it will give me some basic ideas for writing one for my non-profit.

A business plan is important and essential if you want more than a hobby station. There are lots of guides but the basic concept is simple.

What do I want to accomplish
How will I accomplish what I want to accomplish

There are lots of avenues to pursue with a internet radio business plan, number 1 of course is listeners. You have to sell that 1st or there is no interest in your product.

This of course leads to how to get  listeners. We all know about the big directories, but you need massive listeners to be credible to advertisers.

It's too much for me to write in the forum, but I'll try to compile a list of optional ways to grab listeners to enhance your plan.

There are many avenues to follow, I'll name some as I write.

I assume you know the basics like the iTunes and Windows Media directories. With that said lets look at some other ways to get listeners that I have used that could be in your biz plan.

Many stations want to get local listeners. The problem is it's internet radio, you have no real local broadcast per say, but there are indeed ways.

1. There's local newspaper ads. Not so sure your ad by itself it will get much attention but if you can coordinate with local events that have music and share their ad space, maybe even as a sponsor you get some attention.

2. Local cable channels for city and county. Most of these channels play music when they don't have a live feed. They can easily pipe your station through their channel, especially if you focus on local things within the community.

3. More local cable tv stuff! Most people don't realize how inexpensive it is to run commercials on cable. For this you need to be a business because you need a biz license. You can usually get a biz license online in your state for identification purposes only. That means no tax reports because you are only using it to identify your station as a business. I called and got rates for my 30 sec commercials through charter for only my county. The rate was $1.00 to a max of $10.00 per spot, dependent on what channels I wanted them on and what times. That's mass communicating

Added: If you don't have the ability to create a commercial (.avi files are acceptable) my cable company  would create it with all the bells n whistles for $500.

4. Offices, supermarkets, convenience store, clubs and bars. Most of these type businesses have background music playing. If you have the kind of music they already play, they would likely play your station. Almost all have internet access and a pc now. At one time I had my station being piped through a supermarket chain, they had a couple hundred stores. Was piped from their main office, pretty cool. Keep in mind these places already pay royalties, no foul. I have also done live shows from clubs since they had internet, great boost because the bands kept telling the crowd we are live on my station with the url.

These outlets require work on your part, but the rewards can be huge
for the serious broadcaster. They hear you there and and want more, they go to your site and get it. Lets not forget when local business owners and event coordinators see your station on tv they are more inclined to be sponsors to offset your costs.

These are a few things I have done, hopefully others can add to this list.

Last edited by wildun (2010-08-24 11:46:58)