Rush Limbaugh ratings slide: analysis, predictions

On the Ed Schultz radio show:

“Write yourself a postcard from the future.”

Sharethough.com CEO Dan Greenberg‘s SUPERB Streaming Media East session “The Secret Strategies to Native Video: How to Create Great Content People Watch & Share” was about…video. But his advice SURE also applies to podcasts. And, because word-of-mouth is such currency, it applies to radio programming.

Ask yourself: “What will people say when they share it?”
Begin by crystalizing THAT, as a goal.
Then plan your content accordingly…what radio calls “show prep.”

And as you CHOOSE your content, think “trendjacking.”
You’ve heard the expression: “Find a parade and jump-in-front-of-it.”
Or as Greenberg says: “Identify memes, and make content that reacts.”

He figures people share content for 3 reasons:
1. Identity & self-expression.
Accordingly: “When a user shares this, what are they saying about themselves?”
2. Emotion.
“Does my video evoke a feeling that people need to share?”
“Avoid sad. People don’t share sad videos.”
3. Information. “Present information in a way that allows for greater understanding, and it will be shared…ESPECIALLY if it is controversial.”

Admittedly it’s less without his narration, but you can click through his presentation slides.

Media consumption — of all kinds — UP!

Among headlines from 20th Arbitron/Edison Research study: Heavy users of new non-radio media are heavier-than-average radio listeners.
You will see obvious opportunities when you read this important study.
And the-most-ravenous media consumer of all?
The super-consumer your advertisers want to meet most, Moms!
Read the Arbitron/Edison Research “Moms & Media 2012″ study.

Many — maybe most — radio stations use Facebook wrong.

“Social Media is NOT ‘broadcasting…’”
“…it’s engagement,” according to Arbitron’s Digital Media Manager Jacquelyn Bullerman and DMR’s Trip Eldredge, co-presenting “Let’s Get Engaged,” at the recent Arbitron Client Conference.
They summarized a study of how 45 stations employ Social Media, and demonstrated some important do’s and don’ts.

The most-common, most-fundamental mistake stations make? Using a tool like Facebook as another one-to-many transmitter. “Social media is NOT about the station. It’s about ‘them’ [listeners who Friend you].”
And “listeners are using Facebook as Customer Service.” It’s “a very public, very transparent consumer dialogue;” and those who take the time to post are likely P1s (so-called “First Preference” listeners, those who listen to your station most), mathematically your most-valuable listeners.

Common Facebook faux pas:
Pushing the station’s agenda. “Contests, talking about the station, etc., are not ‘engagement.’”
Another no-no: Inviting questions and not responding, “like not showing up for a date.” Facebook requires attention.
Others: Ignoring direct questions. “Everyone sees that you do!” Or not-expressing-interest-in what’s being posted.
Worse: Ducking tough questions. One laughably-bad example: a station deleted all the negative posts about a fired DJ and posted an advertiser’s coupon. Ouch. A more useful response: transparency, have the conversation.

All-of-the-above are typical of how stations misuse Facebook: “No clear strategy;” the station is there “because everyone else has a Facebook page.” Better than not being there at all? Yeah…but not much.
More, including how smarter stations use Facebook, in my Arbitron Conference notes, below…

I almost NEVER do this…

…but with change now SO disruptive, I’ll make an exception.
I’ve seldom offered my newsletter for single-issue purchase.
It’s usually only available as a 12-month subscription.
But this month, I’m making an exception…because the stakes are now SO high.
Every…single…day, we read of new job cuts.
Think THIS round of Consolidation is brutal? Wait’ll you see the next one.
What happens next?
In my January newsletter: my notes from FOUR recent conventions I attended.
You can’t hit ‘em all, so I must.
What you are about to read will give you clarity.
Click here for an instant download, just $20.12…unless you’d prefer FREE…

If you couldn’t make it to Baltimore…

…for the Arbitron Client Conference/Jacobs Media Summit, two things:
1. Help yourself to FREE downloads below, of various presentations. GOOD STUFF…but one warning: You could experience info-overload. Thus…
2. Do NOT miss an-especially-meaty January HC newsletter, in-which I summarize what it all means to your station and your career.
Arbitron’s “Top Performers” study, from Arbitron/Edison Research/Scarborough Research
“Moms and Media,” from Edison Research
“The New PPM Benchmarks,” from Research Director, Inc.
“Politics and Radio: A Look at Radio Formats and the Political Viewpoints of Their Listeners,” from Arbitron
“Let’s Get Engaged: Ratings & Social Media,” from Arbitron and dmr
“Social Media Do’s and Don’ts,” from Arbitron, important guidelines for station staff
“The Road Ahead: Media and Entertainment in the Car,” from Arbitron/Edison Research/Scarborough Research

“The Future of Radio in the Car…”

…is NOT music.
In-car Internet is NOT “the future.”
It’s now! I’ve got that cord many listeners have. Plug one end into what-we-used-to-call “the cigarette lighter;” plug the other end into iPhone or iPod or whatever, and find a quiet FM channel. THAT’S “music radio” in-car now.
What IS the future of car radio? That was my presentation at the LA Talkers Regional Forum. Read a summary in my November newsletter. And download research on my homepage.