Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I don`t know if this is the right place to post this message.  I am looking to help some friends who have a radio show that is internet based.  They have been doing the show for a number of years, and have a small following that listen to them via the internet or through podcast.

Typically they have paid for airtime and studio time from their own pocket, and have a number of best selling authors as guests on their show.  I would like to help them take their show to the next level. 

Since they are small, they haven`t had any advertising.  They will need that  to move forward.  However, being a internet-based small show, they don`t have any geographical ties since their listeners are generally all over.  Their listenership is small (somewhere around 600 internet listeners, and probably somewhere in that neighborhood of podcast listeners). 

Where would you suggest they go for funding to move their show forward?  They would certainly like to move this into full-time mode, but now it is still a hobby. 

Thanks,
- BigTop
"It`s always a circus!"

Bigtop,

Some things need to be determined before one can answer your question including -

1. How much capital is needed?

2. What is the best strategy for acquiring it?

Robert Johnson

 

 

-------------------------

Business Growth Masters, LLC -
Capital Catalysts for Entrepreneurs
Home of the Scalable Business Plan and QuikStart Capital Programs
http://www.bizgrowthmasters.com
info@bizgrowthmasters.com

Determine who is their listener and what habits that listener would likely have. Find small internet based companies who sell or produce those items.

Create advertisments that could be inserted into their website.Check out http://www.hayhouseradio.com/ .

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"If you`ve got a frog to swallow, don`t look at it too long. And if you`ve got more than one to swallow, swallow the biggest one first"--Danny Cox

Robert,
I wish I had some concrete answers to your questions.  I will give it my best shot.

1.  Capital?  As much as possible.  :-)  My (uneducated) thoughts would be to have a small amount of capital streaming in, and as the show builds in popularity the capital will gradually grow.  At this point the owners of the show are able to continue at their current pace for a few more months.  I believe they would want to gradually move forward.  They want to move this from a non-profit show to a profit show.  So I don`t really have a hard number for you.  At this point a few thousand would be good, but as they gain popularity...a few hundred thousand would be needed.

2.  Advertising seems to be a good avenue, but without a geographical center it seems that will be harder to come by.  They own a website, so generating revenue and directing folks to that seems to be another avenue.  Beyond that, I am looking for ideas.

Thanks,
BigTop
"It`s always a circus!"

RvDebby you are right on target!  The radio format is more spiritual - kind of a cross between Art Bell`s Coast-to-Coast and Wayne Dyer - sometimes it slants to more metaphysical...sometimes more science...but always spiritually oriented.

I think you run into to many of the issues you present. However, the show could build its income from its listeners. You may want to think about viral marketing the show. There should be away for someone to forward the show to someone else. Next, the songs they play should appear with a buy now button. Their listeners could purchase the song to help the radio station. The radio station could have some auctions through eBay on memorabilia from the show to help its finances. Just some ideas.

Raise Capital presents some good ideas. Before you can do memorabilia you have to have created some memorys. I do like the idea of sending a sample program via email. Since it sounds to me you are doing talk format, you should also look at www.tut.com It is a free subscription sight with items for sale incorporated into the site.

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"If you`ve got a frog to swallow, don`t look at it too long. And if you`ve got more than one to swallow, swallow the biggest one first"--Danny Cox

Look up for inspiration.

 

No not that high, I meant to the satellite radio services, how many thousands of channels have they got to fill with airtime 24/7. The non geographical boundaries thing sounds like a good values match.

 

Secondly with the rise of podcasting there has been a sharp rise in the demand and availability of cheap equipment at guitar stores for home studios, a new computer, mixer and mikes with pop filters, software package and your on your way with a product as close to professional as you can get. Run the numbers it might work out cheaper than studio time.

 

Just like optimising Google metatags it might be worth looking at the itunes and podcast pickle type aggregators to make sure that the most number of relevant searches will pick them up and that the blurbs provided are first rate.

 

There are also a few podcasts out there who actively cross promote with other podcasters the mypodmentor podcast comes to mind. This approach would allow you to reach a wider audience than you currently have on a pro–bono basis.

 

Why not have a multi levelled podcast structure, a short free podcast each week a mid length podcast and forum service for basic subscription with a longer podcast with extra Features  for the premium subscribers. Reaching out to the team at the motivation to move podcast may steer you in the right direction.

 

Good hunting

J

 

 

 

 

If you need funding for early stage or start up business, I would suggest looking into angel investors. To get in contacted with some of the best of these angel investors that I have found would be at www.breadstreet.com .