You need listeners and fans. The larger the fan base, the higher the ratings. And if those fans are raving, passionate, loyal fanatics, shows can become bulletproof from dramatic rating fluctuations. Here’s a recommendation everyone can implement: Just being nice wins fans.
Being nice isn’t hard. But it does take time and discipline. And more than a little patience.
The Advantage Of Just Being Nice
When is the last time you went the extra mile to connect with a listener? Maybe it was a caller with a question or someone at an event that wanted to chat about the show. Or a listener interested in winning a prize, but she didn’t understand how the contest works.
Everyone is busy. There are a million things to do. And fans take up far more time than is convenient. That’s why they are rushed off the telephone when they call. Or worse, the phone is not answered at all. At appearances, we shake hands without eye contact. Some don’t even do that. They hide in the back of the station vehicle to avoid interacting. I’ve even heard personalities laugh at prize pigs in front of other fans. What impression does that leave?
Doesn’t it make sense to interact and win fans at every opportunity?
Disney Customer Service
Disneyland is known as the Happiest Place on Earth. That’s not just a positioning statement or marketing claim. The commitment to customer service is ingrained in every employee from their first day of training.
A family was celebrating their child’s birthday with a character breakfast at one of the Disney resorts. But the family was late and missed their reservation. All later seatings were full. It wasn’t Disney’s fault, and they had a restaurant to run.
So there they were, looking sad. But Team Disney didn’t ignore them. An employee noticed. She asked what was wrong, then sprang into action.
Not only did they get in for breakfast, but they were treated to a front-row table. And the birthday boy’s favorite character led the entire restaurant in singing Happy Birthday.
You might think this employee was a supervisor. She was a custodian. Her job was sweeping and dusting. But her responsibility was making magic for fans. She knew that serving the audience was the responsibility of every employee.
Mr. Rogers
In the movie A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood, Fred Rogers (played by Tom Hanks) shows what it means to nurture individual relationships.
Mr. Rogers changed Lloyd Vogel’s life by taking an interest in his life. Vogel was the New York Times writer played by Matthew Rhys.
In one scene, Rogers tells Lloyd:
You’re the most important person in the world to me because I’m talking to you right now.
Wow. Just being nice turned a skeptical writer into a fan.
Conclusion
Most personalities could be better in these areas. Little things mean a lot in converting casual listeners to fans. Do everything possible to make a positive impression. Take a minute to engage listeners at every opportunity.
Just being nice can be a tremendous advantage.
