Developing an effective marketing strategy requires identifying the various channels available to reach the target audience. Brands need to explore more options to get the maximum output. One of the most useful media vehicles available is the radio that can reach a vast section of consumers.
Radio has a number of inherent attributes that makes it more adaptable and agile. Radio reaches almost every corner of the country, making it a widely accepted medium that’s also cost-effective. Radio’s basic strength includes lower avoidance rates by consumers, and high utilization at peak periods of the day. It’also non-intrusive as it plays in the background.
Today’s generation has an inherent affinity towards music, irrespective of age, place or gender. Radio plays a very important role in bringing the music to its listeners along with important and substantial information. So if a consumer is listening to the radio, it is obvious that any message coming through it will not be missed. Its ability to be heard uninterrupted makes it a friendly medium for all the marketers.
Amidst the wide array of options, why would a marketer choose radio?
Lets read about plans to make an effective radio campaign
Radio might seem like playing second fiddle to more conventional mediums; however, it comes with advantages that are hard to beat.
Resilience
Radio has been around for quite a while, and is unlikely to disappear even if today there are stronger mediums that employs advancement in technology. Right after the creation of television in the 1950s, there were speculations that radio might take a backseat. But not only has radio adapted to the changes, keeping up with the times but also managed to retain its larger audience. In today’s world radio uses the power of social media and technology to complement its programs. Radio has always proved that it is here to stay.
Local Radio Stations
Radio stations always reflect the kind of listeners or community it serves. And since radio is widely used in every nook and corner of the country, understanding every strata of the society and their needs is vital. Thus radio stations from different local areas and states come in handy for getting a better idea of the audience. This way a marketer can assess the target audience demographically and customise the campaign accordingly.
Target Pinpoint
Finding the right area and understanding the needs of the target audience is highly required to get better results. Once this information is sourced, choosing the right radio station becomes an easy task.
Room for Creativity
Since radio is an audio-medium, one can eliminate the worries of visual delight and camera work and the toil that follows. However, the audio content can be explored and developed in various interesting ways. With the right the message, the listener’s imagination can be invoked.
Cost-Effective
Production cost for television or print ads are inevitably higher than radio. Radio, with only sound effects and dialogues keeps the budget in check.
Accepted and effective medium
During rush hours, when people are commuting radio is like a friend in need. This makes it an ideal medium to reach them, and build a relationship.
However, it is mandatory to do the groundwork first to deploy an effective radio campaign with maximum success rate:
Budget Establishment
Before starting, it is important to establish a budget based on the business size and the promotional and advertisement needs. The budget should not only include the on-air time cost but also need to facilitate the production of the campaign and hiring of the right media professional to strategize, boost and enhance the campaign.
Know your Audience
Knowing your customers and their needs is essential; so is striking the right chord. For a radio campaign, marketers need to take into account various factors like demography, age group, gender, economical background, and the time slot for maximum effectiveness.
Choosing the Right Time Slot
Just going on- air with an extremely well-established campaign might not work if the target audience is not able to listen to it. Hence, timing is very important. The airtime needs to be used intelligently with maximum results. Getting the time right, when the maximum target listeners will be listening and are receptive to your message is mandatory. Also, the right consistency and frequency, meaning the right message to the right audience at the right time repeatedly till it registers can work wonders.
The Right Radio Station
Choosing the right radio station as per the needed coverage area and the available bulk rates and discounts is important. Knowing the coverage area is required as that would facilitate in choosing the right station accordingly. Rates and discounts can help in cost-effectively making strategic plans.
Hiring the Right Ad Agency
Choosing the right agency is everything for a marketer. They can channelize the campaign in the right direction, boosting the net results. Their expertise can help in reaching the right audience effectively and can also provide discounted promotional packages as well as airtimes on radio stations.
Being Creative
Creative and unique approach can always bring home the best results. In a radio medium, visuals are absent. Therefore, it requires content that is unique, relatable and engaging. Capturing the need of the target audience accompanied by catchy slogans and jingles can make all the difference.
Analysis of the Campaign
It is very important to analyse the campaign and then improve accordingly. It is highly recommended to check the number of times the required ad has been broadcasted and which channel brings the best result. This would also give an overview of the success rate of the campaign amongst the audience.
In the era of the social media giants that are leaving their footprints all over the world, radio advertisements may not seem very attractive. But a marketer needs to look past such prejudices and explore as many mediums as possible to reach the set goals. Various radio advertising agencies are now making strategic plans to execute the right campaign. Creating a radio campaign can be highly effective if done in the right way. It can enhance your businesses and boost the numbers because of its resilient nature and high acceptance rate.
