I think it is a great opportunity to expand our web sales.
Here is what I am pitching to my station:
Add a segment to the website where we can advertise businesses.
There will be a "deal of the day" just like these "Groupon" sites. BUT here's the catch...
Let's say you're selling a campaign to a restaurant (new client)....
--- set up their regular commercial schedule(they have to advertise with you to take part)
---tell them you can guarantee them ten new customers, all they have to do is provide you with ten discount gift certificates (ask them what the lowest they can go is)..
---you advertise this on your website as the "deal of the day" and you need to have a minimum of 10 buys (for those gift certificates.
---If you don't sell all ten, the client pays nothing
If you DO sell all ten, figure out a price you would like to charge based on your station (ie. 10 percent)
*Remember, you already HAVE an established website that people visit, (so you know what kind of traffic you're getting), why wouldn't a local business want to advertise with YOU instead of a random website that can't guarantee the same exposure to potential customers?
Like I said, I think it's a grat opportunity, and I hope my station agrees
This concept is an updated version of the old Bid for Bargains on-air programs. We began adding an on-line component three years ago, gradually reducing the on-air programs. Now, we're web only with increased sales.
Our radio station websites have loyal visitors. We can promote the site and the on-line bargains as much as we want. That's where the advantages are.
You must be careful that you don't end up with product no one wants or that you sacrifice cash for this. Competitors are out there everyday telling customers that they can trade for radio but they have to spend cash with them.
