I recall vividly listening to radio growing up in the 1970s. As a kid, I enjoyed listening to the local radio “jocks” playing music and waxing poetic in between Top 40 songs. Radio personalities like Casey Kasem made a name (and a brand) for themselves in those days. As the decades passed, I also started regaling in the opportunity to listen to sports talk. As a sports junkie, I listed to all the local radio “jocks” opining their own thoughts as well as taking calls from listeners. For all the years of avidly listening to some format in radio, the “working end” of the interaction was always hidden. Like the Great Oz behind a curtain, we had no idea what anyone actually looked like; only identifying with their voice. The joke was always, “He has a face made for radio.”
That’s all changed…
Today you can literally watch your favorite radio personalities go about their business. The genre doesn’t matter – sports music, politics, news – it’s all available either live on TV or streaming online. The industry has basically lifted its curtain and let you in to its lair. For example, every morning after I get back from the gym, I watch the Dan Patrick Show (popular sports journalist and host) being broadcast live from its New York studio. I see all the producers; all the equipment; listen to them speaking to someone on the phone; and often watch live interviews. On Patrick’s show, they even show the breaks and interactions between the staff.
You might be asking, “So what, who cares, what’s in it for me?” What’s this mean for you and your business and career?
Plenty. If you want to build your brand, you must be visual. Our society has changed from static yellow pages advertisements to You Tube promotions. You can’t bank on the fact that hiding behind a phone or email will be the accepted method of communications now or in the future. I spent 60 minutes on a business call with a colleague in Florida on Google video conference. I didn’t even shave, but my beard masks all those facial flaws anyway…
Here’s the deal – find ways to make your company and you more visual. Learn how to utilize videos as part of your website marketing, your blogging, and your messaging. Use images in your speaking to enhance your presentations (note I said images, not text). Become skilled in video conferencing for webinars and client/prospect calls. Many customer service platforms in the insurance industry now offer video chats. Can you do the same? You need to throw back your own curtain and be prepared to have your market see you in all your glory.
Video killed the radio star back in the mid 1980s when MTV and VH1 emerged. It’s progressively evolved in entertainment and business. If you stay static and unseen, you’ll end up going the way of the yellow pages. If you commit to being cutting edge and creative when it comes to showing off your business, you’ll become the next rock star in your world.
© 2015 Toro Consulting. All Rights Reserved
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jbI9ifZwMY]
Practicing what I preach – check out my latest video blog.
