Undefined Content Category
There's a third category of station yet to be invented. But let's start by talking about the two existing categories.
Commercial
A commercial radio station is paid to air advertisements for products and services, or to schedule specialty programs by outside producers.
Non-Commercial
Commonly known as public or educational stations, these stations are not-for-profit community radio serving the public interest through donations, grants, and underwriting.
Undefined Third Category
KDX is pioneering something different. We will broadcast messages about things we like at no cost. Example, we like railroads and will freely provide airtime to Amtrak for spots they'd otherwise have to pay for. We are highly impressed by the new artificial meats made entirely from vegetable products, and are eager to run promotions for such products. We heard of a new doctor's group that plans to provide medical services based on published price lists without hidden charges nor deceptive insurance policies. They deserve strong free publicity via KDX radio and website.
What isn't known at this early stage is whether this kind of airtime giveaway is legal or whether the tax codes contain some unexpected penalty. Maybe commercial stations will be unhappy when they think KDX is stealing business by providing ads for free. Noncommercial stations likewise might blame KDX for taking potential underwriters.
On the plus side, even though it wouldn't be expected or required, perhaps Amtrak might be inclined to give KDX a free boarding pass for unlimited travel, and our Upper Management Lounge could be stocked with free samples of food, wine, and florals.
Oh, wait a minute, I may have just re-invented the trade-out.
Let's give this some more thought.
I tried to reply. Got this.
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A potentially unsafe operation has been detected in your request to this site.
It was a simple, all text reply.
Between the slowness of the site and the constant issues with posting this is really becoming a PITA to use.
TIB
You might be interested to know that WTAN in Clearwater, FL operates very heavily in barter - breast implants traded for promotion etc.
Oh I Don't Know
AMRadioLegend means well: "breast implants traded for promotion etc."
I've never really considered breast implants. I mean, what would it do? Would more people listen to my program if I had something in the way of breasts?
Not much unlike the way my station operates. Commercials for businesses that are within the coverage area get free spots. Businesses outside the coverage area pay 30 cents a spot. Most buy a hundred for thirty bucks.
So I promote local businesses and the community for free.
Being in a town that is 1/4 mile long and 4 blocks wide, I have good solid AM coverage to the whole city.
I run between 16 and 20 paid spots and hour. Works for me.
TIB
Living Proof
Tim in Bovey is doing The Real Thing!
He shows the world that a Part 15 Radio Station can become part of the town where it resides and succeed as a small business!
For most part 15ers it's only a wish or a dream, but it's good to know IT CAN BE DONE.
Perhaps the biggest lesson is that it helps to be in a good location.
A station can make a go of it if the station strongly identifies with the physical location where it exists, which could include a small town, a neighborhood, an apartment building, a commercial area.
If the surrounding terrain is mostly open land and empty lots a station is probably in the wrong place.
"..30 cents a spot.. ..I run between 16 and 20 paid spots and hour. Works for me."
If your station does that all 24 hours a day it's over $100, nice supplement to say the least. How's the spots provided? Are they simple announcements or produced commercials and how long is a "spot"?
Most of the spots are provided by the client. 30 cents covers a spot up to one minute long. If it's longer I charge a bit more accordingly. If I need to produce a spot for them I charge $5 for production, use it on the air and also send them an mp3 with the rights to use it wherever they may want to. Some current clients include a company that buys real estate for cash (like if Grandma dies and family wants to unload the house quick for cash, etc), a company promoting a virtual reality video website, an author selling a murder mystery that is set in Minnesota, a medical supply company, an "advanced" oil additive, a drone sales company, Slice soda (they're bringing it back!), a company that sells home security products, a web designer, etc... See how nearly all of these do business via mail order or web. Authors of course direct people to Amazon, etc. That's just quick sampling of the sort of spots running presently. Of course local stores and businesses invite people to stop in. Whenever possible I have the local store owner record their own commercial. I go to their business with a portable digital recorder. That way they get a little personal kick out of it and people come in and say "I heard you on the radio".
TIB