The bottom line is, the Facebook mission is one piece of the puzzle.  It’s one example for advertisers etc.
We (Q101) have leverage and negotiating power if we can provide proof of performance from the audience.  That means web traffic, facebook interaction, email club members, SMS subscribers, etc.

The old way that mattered was ratings.  Ratings used to be king.  When Q101 had Mancow, they had ratings.  Then they learned ratings didnt matter, they actually needed SALES.  The sales people went to 7-11 or Lowes and tried to sell Limp Bizkit and Mancow and they say HELL no.  So Q101 dropped both…. and then sold.

So what else can you do?  If everyone does these things regularly, we’ll be able to get on the radio and/or we won’t NEED to be on the radio.

1. Visit Q101.com everyday (this keeps the traffic steady and lets the world know we’re here to stay)
2. Spend some time on Q101.com (this demonstrates our audience is engaged and no fickle)
3. Join our email VIP list (this allows us to tell you about Q101 and share offers and deals.  It also allows us to bring you with to a new dial position if/when the time comes rather than *hoping* you FIND us)
4. Follow Q101 on all social media. (this is the new way of connecting and it is not going away.  If you can connect on whatever social channels you use, you can be an ambassador of Q101 and on the WEB it makes a HUGE difference)
5. Use the Q101 sponsored links and spend your money with Q101 sponsors (this is the real game changer.  If our audience uses the businesses who support Q101 *whenever you can* they will continue to support us because they will see it pays off for their business)
6. Contribute to Q101.com (blog with us, or refer someone you know to blog with us or take pictures, videos and share what your enjoy about chicago, the music scene the station etc)
7. Download the Q101 App and listen everyday (if you have an android, blackberry, or apple device the app is free)  This shows our listening is strong and further demonstrates our tech savvy audience is mobile friendly.  Mobile device ARE radios.  If you don’t have an Android, Blackberry or iPhone and you want one FREE we’re working on a deal to make that happen.
8. Listen to the station on your computer everyday at Q101.com (this does 3 things, builds traffic to the site, keeps you connected to Q101, AND keeps the stream listening stats high)
9. Tell EVERYONE you know (this is why social media is so powerful, but email works, texts work, phone calls work, letters work!  Just tell everyone you know about how much you love the station and the website etc.  People listen to you!)
10. Come to Q101 events.  (We’re going to be tweeting and emailing about events big and small so if you can stop by please do.  When you do, it shows we have reach and loyalty among our Q101 fans.  This is powerful as you know and sponsors need to see how awesome the Q101 audience is)
11. Buy Q101 merchandise (this will be the biggest way we pay the bills.  As long as we can pay the bills, we’ll reinvest in Q101.  Right now, we’re paying the bills out of our pockets, and we’re glad to do it.  When we have merch for sale it will be a HUGE help in supporting Q101 and growing.  It also helps spread the word as people will see you WEARING Q101 stuff and it might spark a conversation!)

You asked for it!  lol….

These things seem so little, but it’s the little things that kill!  If we master the little things above we have the power.  When we’re in a board room with the media buyers for Taco Bell, we can show them how AWESOME the Q101 fans are with actual data.  When we’re in a board room with CBS or Citadel, we can show them how Q101 will perform better for them than station X or station Y.  They will be chomping at the bit to get Q101 because they will see what we ARE DOING without a radio signal is beating what THEY ARE doing WITH a radio signal.

This is how the fans win.  Because once this occurs, the fans get the best of both worlds.  The Q101 interactive and event world is really involved and connected, and the broadcast is back on a radio frequency.  Another side effect is, once we master these things together, we won’t need a radio frequency.  We’re working on a way to put a smart phone in every Q101 fan’s hand FREE.  When that happens, you have Q101 in your car, at home, at work, etc….just like before.

Feel free to share this email with your friends.  Mind if I post yours (without your email and last name on Q101.com so everyone can read both?)

Thanks Sophia!

Matt
Partner Q101