So you have a traditional radio ad, internet radio station, show or podcast, and now you need to know how to turn newcomers into loyal listeners. This article outlines the most essential steps for your brand’s listeners to want to tune in regularly.

Meet your ideal listener

Inventing show concepts is an art form. Beyond that, it’s imperative to know exactly who would tune in to your concept. You’ll want to explore which listeners are likely to tune in each week, and also which companies and brands might want to target them if you’re considering getting sponsors. Basic demographics to consider are geographic areas likely to tune in, race, music preference, gender, and age. Once you’ve outlined your ideal listener in these more general areas, you can consider their interests and lifestyle further. Google photos of what your ideal listener would look like and post them around your station or in your home, where you’ll likely see them before you go broadcast. Over time, you can use real footage from real listeners of your show!

Reply to “Mail” and associate with your favorites

Building a show that your audience will love will require some audience participation, and you should listen to their feedback. Positive and negative comments, emails, reviews or postal mail should be responded to regularly. As it grows in popularity, you may not be able to access all of them. Just let your listeners know that you take the time to read them. Satisfy listeners by trying to associate yourself with their favorite role models, companies, and brands, whether in the form of an interview, commercial, offer, or event.

Promote a sense of community

The company Emodus Research made a commitment in 2013 to further understand the link between NPR and its listeners. According to the study, listeners who are more emotionally connected to a station have a stronger bond than to traditional local stations that prompt them to donate at a rate of 4 times more than satisfied listeners. This is the difference between satisfied listeners and brand loyal listeners.

You can achieve these results by first completing the two tips above and continuing to make the station interactive to listeners in innovative ways that others may or may not be doing.

Give them more ways to devour your content

Media.info director and radio futurologist James Cridland says: “Don’t waste time on which platform is the future, because the answer is: all. The future of radio is a multi-platform future. The right platform, for the right person, right now.” Blogs, videos, individual Facebook accounts and forum user accounts, articles, newsletters and email campaigns are all ways for your fans to stay connected on a more personal and regular basis, further strengthening their level of loyalty to the brand.

Promote your program!

Many radio personalities think that sitting through a show is enough to attract listeners and the truth is that it is not and much less fun. Go out and meet people at events! Donate airtime so you and your listeners can create! Show off your achievements and the happiest and most fulfilling moments on air on your social media accounts! Promote your show however you want, but promote your show/station.