If you're scratching your head trying to uncover how to generate additional revenue and engagement with your station website, local content is the answer. 

Need help with your radio station website or local news hub? Reach out to us at https://www.skyrocketradio.com.

New Year, Same Struggles? Every January, radio stations set ambitious online goals, but how many of them actually stick? In this episode, we’re breaking down the "Top 10 Online New Year’s Resolutions Most Radio Stations Will Break."

From neglected websites to untapped digital revenue, we’re diving into the most common missteps—and how to avoid them.

Want the full list and actionable tips? Get more in-depth show notes at https://www.skyrocketradio.com/podcast/top-online-new-years-resolutions-most-radio-stations-break.

Highlights Include:

Don’t let your resolutions slip away. Need help with your radio station website? Reach out at https://www.skyrocketradio.com.

Making local news a main highlight of radio station websites has been our goal since we started ten years ago. Many of our clients have grown their revenue by offering a local news website in addition to the station websites or by including their stations within a news portal.

Need help taking the next steps? Reach out to us at https://www.skyrocketradio.com.

Pete Pachal is a seasoned journalist and media executive with over two decades of experience in technology and artificial intelligence. He has led AI initiatives at CoinDesk and held senior editorial roles at Red Ventures, Mashable, and NBCUniversal. Pete’s insights have been featured in Fast Company, Forbes, TIME, PC Magazine and many other outlets.

I’ve been listening to “The Media Copilot” podcast for some time. We’re thrilled to have him share his expertise on AI and its impact on media, specifically radio stations.

Discussion on the growing expectation for AI tools to support multimodal functionalities, such as interpreting images and browsing the web.

Pete suggests that fear of job replacement, concern over content quality, and doomsday scenarios are common reasons for resistance.

Pete explains how newsrooms are transitioning from experimenting with AI to implementing it systematically.

The quote, "AI won't replace people. People with AI will replace people without it."

Mention of studies on reader perception of AI-generated content.

Future of AI in Newsrooms:

Pete highlights the importance of human connection in audio content and the challenges AI faces in replicating that.

As we wind down 2024, we're looking back at the best episodes of 2024.  If you haven't, please go back and check out our previous episodes.  This is one of our favorites.  According to our analytics, it was one of yours as well.  

For more in-depth show notes, visit https://www.skyrocketradio.com/163.

Today, we’ll be talking with Melissa Boswell Townsend, the owner and General Manager of Boswell Media in Kosciusko, MS. Born into radio, Melissa is a fourth-generation broadcaster, following her father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. A graduate of Mississippi State University, Melissa and her husband Drew have four children and a son-in-law.

Melissa shares the importance of a radio station website to the daily operations of a station and discusses how Boswell Media's websites, BreezyNews.com and Kicks96News.com, have become essential elements of their business. She dives into the journey of starting their digital presence back in 2000, the significance of local content for driving traffic, and the creative ways they monetize their websites.

Additionally, Melissa provides actionable insights for radio professionals looking to successfully launch and maintain their station websites even with limited resources. The episode emphasizes the symbiotic relationship between radio content and a robust digital presence, affirming the necessity of adapting to digital trends for wider audience reach and increased revenue.

Need help with your radio station website, reach out to us at https://www.skyrocketradio.com.

Every radio station has a unique identity that sets it apart—whether it’s being the go-to source for severe weather coverage, supporting local causes like animal welfare or veterans, or connecting the community through local events and entertainment. But is your website reflecting what makes your station special?

For more in-depth show notes, visit https://www.skyrocketradio.com/162.

In this episode, we’ll explore how to effectively showcase your station’s strengths online. I’ll share insights inspired by my recent experience at a state Broadcasters Association “Bosslift” event, where I joined radio and TV professionals to see the incredible work of the National Guard up close. This experience reminded me of how stations can use moments like these to strengthen their connection with the community.

We’ll cover actionable tips, such as creating dedicated website sections for your station’s focus, using visuals and multimedia to tell your story, and collaborating with local organizations to enhance engagement. I’ll also share examples of how other stations have successfully highlighted their efforts and discuss missed opportunities that could have helped amplify their brand.

If you want to build deeper connections with your audience and make your station’s mission shine online, this episode is packed with ideas and best practices you can put into action.

Need help with your radio station website? Visit https://www.skyrocketradio.com.

Creating engaging post and page titles is a skill every radio station website should master. Titles are the first thing your audience sees in search results, and they’re the gateway to capturing attention, driving traffic, and engaging visitors. Think of them as book titles—if they’re not compelling, your audience might not even click to learn more.

Full show notes and additional resources: https://www.skyrocketradio.com/161,

In this episode, we break down best practices for writing titles that work for your blog posts, news articles, events, and contests. You'll learn how to anticipate your audience’s search habits, incorporate keywords effectively, and create titles that don’t just stand out—they drive results.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

- Why are titles so important for SEO and user engagement?

- How to anticipate what your audience is searching for.

- Tips for keeping titles short, engaging, and to the point.

- How to avoid common mistakes like keyword stuffing or misleading titles.

- Practical examples of attention-grabbing titles tailored for radio stations.

Why You Should Tune In:

Your titles are the key to getting noticed online. Whether you're promoting the latest music, sharing community news, or inviting listeners to events and contests, strong titles make all the difference. Don’t leave your traffic to chance—discover how to craft titles that bring listeners to your site and keep them engaged.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to stay updated with more tips like these.

Need help optimizing your radio station website? Let us help: https://www.skyrocketradio.com.

Imagine walking into a store that sells everything from candles to car parts, but nothing is organized. Overwhelming, right? Now picture a radio station homepage just as cluttered—or worse, one with nothing but a logo and a streaming button. Neither scenario invites listeners to stick around.

- How a well-structured homepage improves listener engagement.

- Clear Calls to Action (CTAs): What they are, why sliders don’t work, and how to rotate CTAs effectively.

- The Stream Player: Placing it strategically, ensuring usability, and enticing users with song/show metadata.

- Key Content: What to prioritize—latest news, events, or hyper-local content like obits and mugshots.

- How Design Matters: Using visual hierarchy to guide visitors naturally and keep menus intuitive.

- The power of contests and promotions to retain listeners.

- How strategic ad placement drives revenue without alienating users.

- Learn how to measure homepage performance, refine CTAs, and evolve with listener needs.

One of the biggest challenges radio stations face is keeping their websites updated with fresh, engaging content. When you're already juggling multiple responsibilities to make great radio, the website often takes a backseat. But what if you could repurpose the amazing content you’re already creating and use AI to make your online presence stronger than ever?

For more in-depth show notes, visit https://www.skyrocketradio.com/podcast/how-radio-stations-can-use-ai-to-transform-on-air-content-into-online-gold.

In this episode, we’ll explore:

- How AI tools can transform your radio content into compelling online articles.

- 14 creative ways to repurpose and expand your on-air segments for the web.

- Examples of how AI can enhance listener engagement, generate social media buzz, and drive more website traffic.

You don’t have to spend hours brainstorming new ideas—AI can help you work smarter, not harder. Whether it’s expanding short segments, creating evergreen content, or generating detailed event guides, these strategies will help you grow your audience and provide more value to advertisers.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. Expand Your Content: Turn news, weather, and traffic reports into detailed articles.

2. Event Spotlights: Use AI to craft engaging local event guides.

3. Interview Highlights: Repurpose on-air interviews into blog posts, Q&As, and pull quotes.

4. Music Programming Ideas: Create behind-the-scenes stories, countdown playlists, and trivia posts.

5. Boost Social Media: Use AI to summarize, enhance, and create visually engaging posts.

6. Streamline Website Updates: Generate FAQs, daily content, and enriched sports coverage.

7. Multilingual Reach: Translate your content to expand your audience.

Tools Mentioned:

- AI platforms like ChatGPT

- Our “AI Content Helper Pro” extension

Pro Tips:

- Start small: Pick one or two ideas and try them out.

- Focus on content that aligns with your station’s brand and listener interests.

- Experiment with AI-generated visuals, social posts, and long-form content for added engagement.

If you’re struggling to keep your website updated or want to unlock the potential of your on-air content, this episode is for you. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more tips on growing your radio station’s online presence. Let us know how you’re using AI in your station—we’d love to hear your success stories!

Let us help with your radio station website. Visit https://www.skyrocketradio.com.

Edison Podcast Metrics published a study last month showing that 31% of weekly listeners (ages 13 and up) choose YouTube as their top platform for podcasts. This surpasses both Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

For more in-depth show notes, visit https://www.skyrocketradio.com/podcast/your-radio-station-should-be-podcasting-on-youtube.

You may not have realized that YouTube has quietly emerged as the most popular platform for podcast listening in the U.S. Why should podcasting on YouTube matter for your radio station? Whether you’re already podcasting or just considering it, understanding how video podcasting can amplify your reach, especially among younger audiences, is critical. However, it’s not enough to simply podcast—adding a video component can be a game-changer, especially on YouTube. Video podcasts allow listeners to see your station's personality, creating a deeper, more personal connection. This is particularly effective for engaging younger audiences like Gen Z, who gravitate toward visual platforms.

According to Edison Research, 84% of Gen Z monthly podcast listeners engage more with podcasts that include video. Nearly half of them say video helps them better understand context and tone through visual cues like facial expressions, while 45% feel more connected to podcasters they can see.

When radio stations embrace video, they’re not only producing content—they’re creating an experience. This multifaceted approach allows you to draw in younger listeners who value being able to see hosts’ personalities, expressions, and reactions, fostering a real connection that traditional audio often can’t deliver.

YouTube is a powerhouse for engagement and visibility, and YouTube offers significant advantages for radio stations. First, it’s free. Second, it’s an ideal search engine for younger audiences who treat YouTube as both an entertainment hub and a discovery tool. For those already podcasting, it’s worth asking: Is your current approach missing out on these YouTube benefits? If you’re not using video, now is the time to consider it. Your audience is more visual than ever, and YouTube’s metrics prove that listeners are spending more time on the platform than on traditional podcasting apps.

Don’t think your videos must be well-produced. Many YouTube creators fail to get started because they don’t have a TV-like presentation, camera, or lighting. All you need is great content and a webcam to get started. Just video what you do on-air.

So how does podcasting on YouTube benefit my station website? Podcasting, and especially video podcasting on YouTube, opens up a whole new avenue for bringing in listeners who might not otherwise visit your site.

Here’s how:

- Increased Visibility through Backlinks

- Content Variety Keeps Visitors Coming Back

- Improved SEO and Search Rankings

- Increased Ad Revenue and Sponsorship Opportunities

- Building a Community Around Your Content

- Driving Newsletter Sign-ups and Engagement

If you’re not yet podcasting, take this as your sign to start. Podcasting is a chance to build your radio station’s brand in the digital space and reach an audience that may never tune in live. And if you’re already producing podcasts, think about how video could elevate your reach and engagement.

My hope is that you’ll see how it transforms your reach and reinforces your station's presence, both on YouTube and on your website.

Please like and subscribe to this podcast on YouTube. Leave us a comment and share it with your radio colleagues.

And, if you need help with your radio station website, we’d love to partner with you in that. Reach out to us at https://www.skyrocketradio.com.