Happy Friday, everyone!
Here is this week's poll question:
Does your station have a community "Swap Shop" call-in show? How is it sold to advertisers?
Looking forward to reading your replies!
Yes, WSLM has a SWAP SHOP show that has aired consistently on our stations for 40+ years. I'm not sure if my father created the concept, but I know it was the first such program in the Kentuckiana area.
The show is one air daily and allows listeners to call in with items to buy, sell or trade. Some stations in the area call the show, Tradio.
Sponsors pay for the time and we ask our callers to identify a sponsor when they call in and we also play one spot during the hour. We have 20-30 callers per day. Of course, it's a personal show in which there is some conversation with each caller. Which gives it an added entertainment quality.
It's one of our more popular show and we keep 10-15 sponsors on the show each month and have had some sponsor on there for 40+ years.
I have aired "swap Shop" on a number of stations over the years .. seems it becomes harder and harder to sell and we tend to have a lot of the same call each week. Not sure if they are buying things at yard sales and calling the swap shop to try and resell. We are looking for some new twist to the show to try and generate some new enthusiasm for the show. Any thoughts?
I agree that there are some repeat callers. I have heard one station owner who told me he allows items from callers for one week and then they have to wait a week before calling again and that allows new people to call in. But we have added a Facebook page and an online page where people can list items free and add up to 10 pictures. We do not allow handguns or real estate listed by a realtor unless that realtor is a sponsor. We don't allow "personal" ads or adult material. We also limit each caller to five items.
Yes, WLNG 92.1 FM does have a Swap & Shop since 1963.. It is one of our most popular shows on the air, and we do charge a different cost for advertising.. It can be very entertaining to listen to, especially some of the items they try to sell or swap...
We have a Facebook page and have listeners post their items. We promote it heavily on the air, and we read the latest items Wednesday mornings. We have a sponsor, and it has a great following.
Yes! We've hosted Swap Shop for more than 25 years on Sioux County Radio. We sell five sponsor spots for each weekday; each sponsor pays $30 for their :30 second ad to air once during one program. In addition, all items called in on our Swap Shop program are listed on our website where we sell space to clients to sponsor those pages - each weekday has it's own page.
Our Swap Shop rules are light, we don't allow business to use it and we don't allow vehicles (RV's are ok), just about anything else goes. Hugely popular for our small rural towns and two larger communities in our listening area!
We do NOT have this on our station, but I did at KNIA-KRLS in Pella/Knoxville, IA (worked there in 2001 & 2002)
FUN STORY ABOUT THAT!
I had a "Thrift Store" that I wanted to work with. He said "Radio Can't Help Me" so I asked if I could set up a time to share somethings that I could GUARANTEE results! (this got his interest)
I met with him about five minutes before the "Swap Shop" show started. I brought a radio (just in case) and a yellow note pad. We talked a little for a few minutes then I shared my idea with him. I said he should SPONSOR the Swap Shop.
We listened to the show together... every item people were "looking for" I asked him "do you have one of those?" to which he said YES on almost every one! I would write down their name and number.
When the meeting was done he had about 10 "hot leads" and I had a new client! He was on with a message that said "We have so many unique items, that we PROBABLY have what you're looking for... call us and ask. We can also help you clear out the things that DON'T sell... and we'll appreciate your donation.
John Small
CloudcastRadio.com
What type of businesses are sponsors? I haven't heard of anything like this on radio and am VERY interested in how this works
Years ago I worked for a station that did a Tradio with retail only. Terms were half cash, half trade.
John,
That's one of the best uses of a demo I've heard. Terrific!
Rod
