It’s easy to get into the habit of only creating promotions that will generate money. When this happens, we can lose sight of what we’re really trying to do…and that’s get out in the community and be seen by our listeners. They want to see the fun side of the on air staff! Listeners want to see what we’re really like in public. When we’re at remotes and promoting a business, yes, we can be goofy, but not REALLY goofy like we’d want. How do we escape the mindset of “money money money?”
Start thinking outside the box! What’s something you think would be fun and easy to film and throw up on socials? A couple years ago I saw a video on Tik Tok of a guy who brought a couple water guns downtown. He would slide one to a stranger and just stand there to see what they would do. Most of the time, the other person picked up the water gun and an epic water gun fight ensued between two complete strangers! I thought, “I CAN DO THAT!” So I did. I grabbed a promotions team member and had him film me downtown. I randomly walked up to people and either handed them the water gun or slid it to them. It turned out AMAZING! One guy was dressed in a really nice dress shirt and pants. Tie, glasses, the whole bit. He looked stressed so I slid him the water gun. He stared at it for a minute and then WENT OFF! He was laughing and smiling the entire time! This can change the course of the day for some people. It, also, gains listeners when they find out who they just battled! This is a fun and creative way to get out in the public!
I use Tik Tok for a lot of promotions ideas. Another great video I’ve seen done over and over is the person who is standing in a park and holding a sign that says “Free Hugs.” This one can get a little emotional, but it’s such a great feel-good video. Again, super easy but gets you out there. It can be right out front of the studios for not even half an hour. Just long enough to get footage for a short clip. However, make sure it’s a male and not a female jock doing this.
Again, LOTS of ideas come from viral Tik Tok videos. You can get great concepts from social media or even YouTube! My kids watch a lot of Unspeakable and some of the challenges they do might be fun promotions ideas. Get creative! Take a page out of some of these influencer’s books.
Photo courtesy of FreePik