Hello everyone, im very glad that i got to be a member of RSC. Im guessing i might be one of the first members from Ethiopia, so i hope i'l have interesting things to share you guys. I've started working as a sales officer in a big radio broadcasting company since this past june. One of my tasks is looking up all national and international holidays and, and finding sponsors that relate. Now, this might seem all that easy, but the thing is you dont want to use the same format u used for last christmas again for this year, it gets boring. For example there's world tourism day come september, and im busting my mind trying to come up with a captivating format to generate a big revenue. My second task is thinking of ideas that need attention from the public and organizing some sort of seminar or panel discussion. But here's the catch: the panel wont be relevant unless it results in finding sponsors that are willing to cash in for the cause. So, i do i consistently come up with new ideas? Keep in mind this is my first sales job
Hi Seid,
My name is Roger Burke. I have been to Addis, and other beautiful Ethiopian villages. It is from your country we recently adopted a precious young girl named Amsalech. I am enamored by all things Ethiopia, especially your coffee. I hope you enjoy America, it is not as beautiful as Ethiopia, and the people here do not smile as much because our endless seach for prosperity has robbed us of joy. But, this is where we live, and can choose each day how much of this pursuit we will allow to intrude itself into our lives.
As for your questions, the RAB, (Radio Advertising Bureau) is a great resource thru which to learn about the myriad lesser and greater national holidays. You will learn for instance that July is National Ice Cream month. You will also learn July 4th is the day America celebrates independance from Britain. If you work for an RAB member station you have access to RAB's Promotional Calendar. If not, there are other ways you can find such information such as doing an internet search for North America's significant/celebrated days of the week, month, year. The RAB is also where you can access plenty of useful promotional ideas associated with holidays.
As for finding causes that people can get behind. You are the perfect person to promote clean water in Africa. People in America are willing to help financially with global needs. I do not know where in America you live, but if a major city, you could recruit members from different cultures to host tables at an event hosted by your station. Each represented country/culture is responsible, (if you can secure a food permit) to serve indigenous food, dress in culturally-specific clothes, and provide information/needs/opportunities unique to that area. For your Ethiopian table you could roast coffee, and serve with popcorn. You might even have some injera. People would love it.
For idea generation you do not need to be terribly creative, you do however need to get into the American psyche. I ask myself what is it that I would like to see, what would interest me enough to attend an event, and possibly spend money. I find this a useful starting point for generating ideas, including writing advertising copy. Conversely I do not think like other people very well, it is tiring, and very difficult, I would much sooner just use my own needs, wants, interests to inform what others might also like. Just think like a consumer, (this will come naturally in time believe me).
Hope that helps.
God bless you.
