GETTING PERSONAL

As you know, I work as the Production Director of a Christian radio station, WJYO, 91.5 Kingdom FM, heard all over the world online at www.kingdom.fm.

Radio is a unique medium.

With no pictures, radio becomes "theater of the mind."

So many times people have come up to me and said something like, "I have tried to picture you as I listen."

Then they usually say, "You're not at all the way I pictured you."

I never know whether or not that is a compliment.

The point is, radio becomes very personal to listeners.

They like the idea of a person guiding them through the music and programs of Christian radio.

Our afternoon announcer, Steve Gimbert, is one of the best I've ever heard at making you feel like he's in the passenger seat next to you as you drive here and there. (He's on from 3:00 PM to 6:00PM EST)

When radio stations just play one song or program after another, with no personality evident, the listeners are most likely to punch the button for another, more personable, station.

Christian radio should take advantage of this tendency by being sure that the listener has someone with him/her at all times.

Not to do so, thus causing people to tune elsewhere, affects a lot of things, not the least of which is the contribution level.

If your Christian station plays long stretches of music or programs without personality, and then complains because their giving level is low, you might suggest to them this important piece of the listener support puzzle.