Thanksgiving is already next month and every time it comes around, I think back to the infamous WKRP in Cincinnati Turkey Drop. One of the best moments in television history dealt with a radio promotion that went completely awry. Even if you’ve seen this episode (I’ve linked it in this article) this will be a fun promotion that hopefully doesn’t end in turkeys raining down on the public.

The norm now is to do everything online, so why don’t you! Your station can host its own competition by having contestants send in videos of themselves singing.

With instant gratification at its max, waiting for your favorite song to play on the radio is a thing of the past. Something their “grandparents” did. How do we bring in listeners who can stream the latest Cardi B in five seconds?

With the political and moral climate as it is, this isn’t a day you want to skip.

This could make a huge impact on the students AND the community.

Brainstorming sessions need to happen yesterday and pitches need to be made to sales last night. So what are we doing this year?

You know in your heart that a call-in-to-win contest doesn't work. The days of lighting up the phones with “Caller #9” mechanics are over. Worst of all, they’re a terrible listening experience for the other 98% of your audience. Yet, contests still have power—if we evolve the execution. It’s time to turn contests into games. And yes, they are different.

When I was in school, maaaaany moons ago, I remember we had morning announcements done over the P.A., but it was in the style of morning news. It sounded like a radio morning show. We all loved it! Made listening to announcements a lot easier and, well, we ACTUALLY listened. I’ve seen this trend dissipate quickly. I don’t know of any schools that still have a student radio-esque style announcement crew.

This noble-sounding rule punishes your most passionate fans—your P1s—while rewarding the disengaged. And that’s not just bad policy. It’s bad business. “Letting Others Win” Is Killing Your Contests.