Here are the questions that I was asked to prepare for and my answers below.



1. Who is the 2027 listener? What are the biggest changes you’re seeing in how people consume audio and media?

They have more choices than ever before. They’re moving between streaming services, podcasts, YouTube, social media, and traditional radio to what’s capturing their attention. Radio’s competing with everything that occupies someone’s time and attention. Radio’s competing for a place in someone’s life.


2. What isn’t changing? Even as technology and listening habits evolve, what fundamental needs are listeners still looking for Christian radio to meet?

People still want to feel loved. They want to feel understood. They want encouragement. They want hope. And they want to know they’re not alone. One of the things I remind people I coach is that we’re not talking to a group of people. We’re talking to an individual who has real life happening. Someone’s dealing with a difficult marriage. Someone’s worried about their kids. Someone’s struggling financially. And someone may just be having a great day. Radio’s opportunity is to meet people in those moments. The technology delivering the message will change, but the human heart receiving it won’t.


3. How is music discovery changing? Where are listeners finding new music, and what role can Christian radio uniquely play?

Music discovery isn’t owned by radio anymore like it used to be. And I think we need to be comfortable acknowledging that. But there’s a difference between discovering a song and developing a relationship with it. Christian radio has an opportunity to help listeners connect with the meaning behind the music. You can introduce the story behind a song. You can share how a particular lyric impacted someone’s life. You can create emotional connections that go beyond simply playing the next song. That’s where on-air personalities can make a big difference too. An algorithm can introduce you to a song. A great radio personality can help you fall in love with it.


4. Why choose Christian radio when every song is available on demand?

I think this is one of the most important questions we should be asking. Listeners can build their own playlists. They can skip songs. They can listen without commercials. And they can hear exactly what they want whenever they want. So, what do you offer that a playlist doesn’t? Radio offers companionship. You offer a sense of community. You offer shared experiences. And you offer personalities who can become familiar, trusted voices in someone’s life. The music gives people a reason to tune in, but the relationship they develop with the station can become a powerful reason to come back. Humanity, authenticity, personality and connection ARE SO IMPORTANT in an increasingly algorithmic world.


5. How is the role of the on-air personality changing? In a world of algorithms, AI, and unlimited content, does human connection become even more important?

I think the on-air personality is becoming more important, not less. But the expectations are changing. For years, we’ve coached personalities on being concise, being relevant, and making sure everything they say has a purpose. Those things still matter. But I think authenticity is becoming more important, especially to Millennials and Gen Z. They want vulnerability when it’s appropriate. They want honesty. They want someone who understands what they’re experiencing. Not being so polished is okay. If you’re not already, start becoming someone listeners genuinely want to spend time with. AI can help DJs prepare content, research ideas, and become more efficient. But it shouldn’t replace the personality’s perspective, lived experiences, or ability to connect emotionally.


6. Are we thinking too narrowly about what it means to be a listener? How should we value someone who connects through social media, YouTube, podcasts, apps, or events?

I think we absolutely need to expand our definition of a listener. Radio has defined success by how many people listen to your radio station and how long they stay. But what about someone who follows your morning show on Instagram, watches videos every week, attends your events, and shares your content with friends? And I think this is especially important for on-air personalities. The relationship with you doesn’t have to end when someone gets out of the car.


7. What three things would you start doing now to prepare for 2027?

1. Invest in developing your personalities. I would spend more time coaching your personalities to create content that is authentic, relatable, and emotionally engaging. Deepen relationships with listeners.
   
2. Rethink how you connect beyond the radio show. I would look at every opportunity to extend the relationship beyond the radio. Whether that’s video, social media, podcasts, or community events, create opportunities for people to connect with your personalities and your mission throughout their day. You can’t chase every platform. I’d focus on the places where you can build genuine relationships.
   
3. Become obsessed with understanding the listener. What are they worried about? What brings them joy? What challenges are they facing? What are they talking about with their friends and family? The better you understand their lives, the better equipped you’ll be to create content that matters.


HERE’S THE TAKAWAY

Invest in your people. Extend your relationships. Understand your audience.

The post Preparing for the 2027 Listener first appeared on CMB.

The post Preparing for the 2027 Listener appeared first on CMB.

But what if there are other fundraising gifts waiting to be unwrapped? I’m speaking of Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and the last three days of the year.

On the afternoon of December 24, most personnel walk away. Automation takes over. The staff goes home for ham (which is good—please go home). But we inadvertently close the door on listeners who are, sometimes suddenly, ready to give.

Donation platforms tracking December one-time gifts have found that as many as 1 in 6 can arrive in the 72 hours before Christmas. In one survey, Christmas Eve exceeded Giving Tuesday in charity.

Christian radio is about companionship, especially on Christmas. Listeners are driving between family visits, sitting in a quiet living room, or working a lonely night shift. They feel a connection to your ministry. Many would love to express their appreciation with a Christmas offering—if we simply invited them.

Then there is the opportunity you already know: the last three days of the year. Up to 12% of annual revenue arrives in these final 72 hours.

Here are some ideas on how you can provide stewardship opportunities that honor their desire to give, but are in keeping with the reverence of the season. Here is how:

1. Play Silent Night But Don’t Be Silent.

Lifeway Research found 84% of Protestant churchgoers make an extra cash gift at Christmas. That money is already in motion toward their church or someone they know. What was not prioritized? Your station. Only 18% name a local Christian ministry. Ask generous Christians—especially lapsed donors or those new who’ve discovered your Christmas music—to consider a gift that impacts the whole community and beyond.

2. God Rest Ye Merry, Mobile Gift

People giving late in December aren’t sitting at desks. Up to two-thirds give on a phone, and over half use digital wallets like Apple Pay. If it isn’t already, ensure your giving page is a one tap effort, perfectly mobile-responsive, and is clearly presented to a website visitor. Promote your Text-to-Give keyword on-air without hype but consistently, even on December 24 and 25. You’re just acknowledging the existing desire of many to be generous when the Lord leads.

3. Deck The Halls Of Email Early

We know the final days are huge, but the 29th specifically brings larger gifts (average text gifts on the 29th are roughly triple the size of the 30th or 31st). The 30th gets the best email engagement because by the 31st, the inbox is a chaotic blur of nonprofits. The 31st brings volume, but mostly from deadline panic. Optimize communication for each separate day.

When you treat December as a season rather than a month, you give Christians a greater opportunity to be the blessing they’ve been praying to be.

Now pass the ham, and don’t be stingy with the au gratin potatoes.

Doug Hannah is a Christian media leader with over 40 years of experience in programming, on-air, leadership, and fundraising strategy.

The post The Data is In: Listeners Want to Give While You’re Eating Christmas Ham first appeared on CMB.

The post The Data is In: Listeners Want to Give While You’re Eating Christmas Ham appeared first on CMB.

Carly Ann Taylor – I love “The Wonderful Blood” by Tiffany Hudson because it speaks a simple truth in a fresh and vulnerable way. It’s a beautiful and sweet expression of deep surrender and worship of Jesus as our friend and Savior. This song has brought me so much healing and tranquility. I think more people need to experience this song and the anointing on Tiffany Hudson.

Charity Gayle – “BE MY” by Ryan Kennedy

Hope Darst – “Praise You All The Same” by Erik Nieder

Jason Gray – If I could add one new song to radio (besides mine ), I’d add Josh Wilson’s “How Loved You Are” for a few reasons: it’s already proven that it resonates on social media, its message seems to meet listeners right where they are, and Josh is an artist whose work deserves to be heard. He’s a loving and wise songwriter—and one of the best human beings I know.

If I could add two, I’d also add Ross King’s “Faith Alone” because it’s one of the most truthful songs I’ve heard in a while, born out of what he learned through his wife’s cancer journey and death. If we aren’t playing deeply honest music that encourages people toward deeper truthfulness, then what are we doing?

And if I could add three, I’d add Switchfoot’s “Two Twins.” It’s meaningful, smart, and resonant, from one of the best bands and one of the best songwriters in our genre. What a gift Switchfoot is to our time and place.

Zach Williams – “Different Story” by Christian Hohn

The post If Artists Picked the Playlist first appeared on CMB.

The post If Artists Picked the Playlist appeared first on CMB.

Would you want to work for you?

Would you know what was expected of you, and what winning looks like?

Would you feel trusted to make decisions, try something new, and occasionally get it wrong?

Would you hear when you’re doing a great job, or mostly hear when something needs to change?

Would you feel like your ideas were welcomed and your voice mattered?

Would you believe your leader cared about developing you as much as they cared about what you produced?

And maybe most importantly: Would you know that you mattered beyond the work you do?

In Christian radio, we spend a lot of time thinking about the people on the other side of the speakers. Boss’s Day might be a good opportunity to think about the people on the other side of our office doors, too.

None of us gets leadership right all the time. But we can keep asking ourselves the hard questions. Are we listening? Are we developing our people? Do they know we trust them? And, maybe most importantly, do they know they matter?

That might be worth thinking about this Boss’s Day.

The post Would You Want to Work for You? first appeared on CMB.

The post Would You Want to Work for You? appeared first on CMB.

The air personality talking about Jesus? Of course! The person praying with a listener? Absolutely!

But what about the engineer driving to a transmitter site? The person in Finance working on a spreadsheet? The production person working on version 17 of a promo? The person processing a donor’s gift?

Who’s doing ministry?

All of them!

I’ve been thinking about this because of a chapter in the Bible I’ve probably skimmed more times than I’ve actually studied: Nehemiah 3.

It’s basically a list. This person repaired this gate. That person repaired that section. Then somebody else repaired the section next to them. And there are a lot of names that are really hard to pronounce.

But when I slowed down and really looked at the chapter, I realized it gives us a pretty great picture of ministry.

Everybody Had a Section

Jerusalem’s walls were in ruins, and Nehemiah challenged the people to rebuild.

Nobody rebuilt the entire wall. Everybody had a section.

And they weren’t all builders. There were priests, goldsmiths, merchants, government officials and families. There was even a perfume maker.

I love that. Someone essentially said, “We need to rebuild the wall,” and a perfume maker said, “Okay. Give me a section.”

Different people. Different skills. Different assignments.

Same wall.

That sounds a lot like what we do in Christian media.

We recognize ministry when it happens behind a microphone or when someone prays with a listener. But ministry can also look like fixing a transmitter, building a budget, scheduling music, writing code, processing a gift or staying late to get something finished.

We’re all doing ministry.

We’re just building different sections of the wall.

Your Section Isn’t the Wall

There’s a phrase that keeps showing up in Nehemiah 3. Someone repairs a section, and then someone else repairs the section “next to them.”

Their work was connected.

So is ours.

Think about everything that has to happen for one listener driving home to hear the right song at exactly the right moment.

Someone keeps the signal on. Someone researches and schedules the music. Someone creates the imaging. Someone raises the money. Someone processes the gift. Someone keeps the technology working. Someone puts the right person behind the microphone.

Eventually, someone sitting alone in a car hears something that reminds them:

God hasn’t forgotten me.

Most of the people who helped make that moment happen will never know about it.

But they were part of it.

This is also something I have to remind myself of as a leader:

My section isn’t the wall.

My department isn’t the wall. My station isn’t the wall. My strategy isn’t the wall. My idea isn’t the wall.

It’s a section.

It matters. I should build it well. But it’s still just one section connected to everybody else’s.

None of us gets to say, “I built this.”

We get to say, “I got to be part of this.”

God Notices Faithfulness

This is probably my favorite part of Nehemiah 3.

God could have summarized the whole chapter with one sentence:

“The wall was rebuilt.”

But He didn’t.

He recorded the names of the people who built it.

Priests. Goldsmiths. Merchants. Families. People most of us have never heard of. Some of them never show up anywhere else in Scripture.

But their names are there.

God notices faithfulness.

We tend to notice the finished wall.

God noticed the people laying the stones.

That’s worth remembering in an industry where we measure almost everything. Ratings. Streams. Downloads. Followers. Donors. Revenue.

Those things matter. We should measure them. We should learn from them. We should always want to get better at what we do.

But not everything that matters shows up on a dashboard.

God sees the overnight personality encouraging one listener. He sees the engineer keeping the station on the air. He sees the person taking extra time with a donor who really just needs somebody to listen.

He sees the work nobody else sees.

Make Sure Your Team Knows

And for those of us who lead people, I think there’s a challenge here too.

Make sure your team knows their section matters.

From the janitor to the CEO.

And don’t assume they know it.

Tell them.

Then tell them again.

Connect what they do every day to the mission.

Tell the engineer why keeping that transmitter running matters. Help the person staring at a spreadsheet see the listener on the other side of those numbers. Remind the person processing donations what those gifts make possible.

Tell the stories.

Connect the dots.

And recognize the work that usually doesn’t get recognized.

People shouldn’t have to guess whether their work matters to the mission.

And those of us in leadership need the reminder too. Being the CEO, GM or PD doesn’t make our section of the wall more important. We may carry different responsibilities, but we’re still building a section.

Sometimes people simply need someone to come alongside them and say:

“I see what you’re doing. It matters. Keep going.”

If God thought the individual builders were worth naming in Nehemiah 3, we should probably make sure we’re noticing the names around us too.

We’re Building Next to Each Other

I think this applies beyond our individual stations and organizations too.

As an industry, we’re building next to each other.

Different call letters. Different networks. Different markets. Different strategies.

And sometimes the exact same song at the exact same time.

We may compete for listeners. We may disagree about strategy. We should absolutely push ourselves to be excellent at what God has given us to do.

But we’re not building different kingdoms.

We’re serving the same King.

Your station has a section. Mine has a section. The station across town has a section.

Most days, building that section isn’t glamorous.

It’s meetings. Music logs. Budgets. Production orders. Donor conversations. Technical problems. Emails. Deadlines.

I imagine Nehemiah 3 felt pretty ordinary too.

Stone after stone.

Day after day.

One section at a time.

And God used all of those individual sections to rebuild the wall.

So don’t underestimate your section.

Don’t spend so much time looking at somebody else’s section that you forget to build yours.

Build it well. Build it faithfully. Build it for Jesus.

You don’t have to build the whole wall.

Just take care of the section God has put in front of you.

Then, trust Him with the rest.

Jeff Evans
VP of Radio / Hope Media Group

The post Build Your Section of the Wall first appeared on CMB.

The post Build Your Section of the Wall appeared first on CMB.

Our research consistently uncovers five topics and attitudes that listeners don’t want—and frankly, don’t expect—from their favorite Christian stations.

Coming in at no. 5: Sarcasm. Apparently, “just kidding” doesn’t make everything funny.

No. 4: Hard News. Listeners aren’t necessarily anti-news. They just didn’t turn on CCM Radio to get another news briefing.

No. 3: Sports. Yes, people love sports. But there are plenty of places to get the score without turning the Christian music station into SportsCenter.

No. 2: Political Commentary. Red, blue, donkey, elephant… listeners would rather leave the whole zoo outside.

And the runaway no. 1: Hollywood/Pop Culture. Celebrities may dominate the headlines, but they don’t dominate the reasons listeners choose CCM Radio.

Bottom line: They came for spiritual encouragement—and music. Keep the rest out of the rotation.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance (patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 NIV

The post 5 Things CCM Listeners Would Happily Leave at the Door first appeared on CMB.

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If seasonal listeners discover your stations through streaming/social/search, what happens next? 

Lara Dykes – Digital Content Supervisor, The Light FM (WMIT)

We put a heavy emphasis on-air for folks to sign up for Advent text messages throughout the month of December. We bring daily devotional thoughts/verses/videos from air talent and artists we play on The Light FM, as well as a weekly (Sunday) devotion, when people opt-in for Advent. After Christmas is over, we invite folks to continue their faith journey with The Light FM by downloading our Going Deeper 365-Day Bible Reading plan. Additionally, we just try to provide the same content year-round. Whether it’s Christmas themed or during any other season, our focus is sharing Jesus, encouraging the audience to follow Him and make them laugh a little (or a lot) while we’re doing it. The question is always ‘how can we lead them deeper?’

Beyond the music, what are listeners actually coming to Christian radio for at Christmas? 

Randy Fox – Program Director, KSBJ

I think nostalgia is part of what many people want from the Christmas season. For Christian radio specifically, I think they also want to experience Christmas through a lens that reflects their values. We don’t need to be overly religious about it, but we should convey that Christmas is about more than buying gifts and going to parties.

What reasons are you giving your listeners to choose your station during the holidays? What does that look like?

Brandi Reichert – Director of Strategic Marketing, JOY FM

We LOVE Christmas!  Not only is the music different … there are so many amazing Christmas concerts and events to promote and invite listeners to!  So, we are very active in the community during this time. In November, we are planning a Home for the Holidays promotion, where someone will be able to fly a loved one home for the holidays!  Stories will be submitted online and one lucky winner will win transportation, hotel (if needed) … plus a gift certificate to help with meals and Christmas shopping to make Christmas extra special this year. In December, we go share JOY with places that may not be very joyful … places like the DMV, Salvation Army Rehabilitation Center and Assisted Living Communities.  We have also gone to visit big not for profits or organizations who are helping others, but may not be thought of during this time, like Mercy Hospital and the St. Louis Area Foodbank. We bring a DJ or two … a special giveaway or activity that feels intentional and appropriate for each of the different places we go.  Plus, we partner with Chick-fil-A for this, so we bring food and the Chick-fil-A cow (which is a big hit)!

This may be someone’s first encounter with your morning show. Are you giving them reasons to connect and come back? What does that look like?

Keith Stevens / Morning Show Host, KTIS

We have the unique position of being the “commercial free” Christmas station in the market!  We’ll attract new listeners  by offering up  top testing  familiar Christmas songs 24-7, a large billboard campaign, and playing zero commercials or “marketing partner” spots. Connecting with our new listeners through our “Christmas Blessings” promotion gives them a memorable reason to feel connected locally, compassionately, and emotionally, while hearing songs they love! That’s my aim each morning; providing spiritual encouragement and hopeful stories that make people feel the goodness of God. The pure emotion of “Christmas Blessings” is like no other campaign and truly represents Christ’s compassion through the radio.  “Christmas Blessings” is my morning centerpiece, a way of fulfilling the needs of our audience, nominated by our listeners, and connecting the nominator and recipient together on the air. The stories often go viral and are the showcase of the morning show. In addition to Christmas Blessings, we keep our talk breaks concise, obvious, and profound. Along with my co-host, Pam Lundell, we share  stories that are Christ centered and inspiring,  with real life connection. This strongly creates a warm, welcoming atmosphere for new listeners to return and want more. 

Christmas naturally opens doors for generosity and service, but how do you do that without adding to the noise? 

Matt Wall – President & CEO, Carolina Christian Radio

The team at Life 90.5 in Wilmington, NC looks at the Christmas season as our time to shine the light of the gospel into our community.  We run a huge billboard campaign beginning the last week of November that attracts the eyes of the whole family during the busy start of the Christmas season. Moms, dads and grandparents are looking for the best Christmas experiences for their children and grandchildren. Life 90.5 goes 100% Christmas including Rudolph and Frosty and O Holy Night from the Bing Crosby / Nat King Cole / Elvis classics to the new CCM modern Christmas hits.  This presents such an awesome opportunity to provide these experiences for the kids and families and share the hope of the gospel between the songs to those who are lost and broken.  During this season, there is also the opportunity to invite listeners into generosity as a way to spread the hope they are experiencing.  But how do we invite without disrupting the message?  Our team has developed a unique on air fundraising calendar that has proven to enhance the experience rather than disrupt it.  The 3- week on-air fundraising calendar begins the Monday after Thanksgiving in the form of “pop-up” fundraiser hours with heart warming stories of spiritual impact mostly voiced by listeners.  There is 1 pop-up hour of fundraising per daytime daypart.  This has proven to prevent listener fatigue as well as create the right amount of urgency… “Only 1 hour to fundraise this morning / midday / evening.”  Also, this has worked so well to prevent the host fatigue that can so easily come across on the air with the traditional consecutive hours approach. 

We asked everyone the same question, “You’ve spent weeks bringing in new listeners. What is your plan for December 26? How are you turning Christmas listeners into year round listeners?”

SOCIAL & DIGITAL

Lara Dykes – Digital Content Supervisor, The Light FM (WMIT)

The Light FM’s main focus during the Christmas season is telling the Christmas story through our own Christmas memories. We retell our favorite memories and the emotion behind them! Then – the rest of the year, we do the same thing (just without the Christmas part and a little less jingle bells). We try our best to tell such authentic stories both on air and online, that folks feel nostalgic and want to keep that feeling all year. December 26 is back to regularly scheduled story telling – we just want to tell whatever Jesus story we have and invite our listeners and viewers along (and give them space to tell their stories, too).

MUSIC & PROGRAMMING

Randy Fox – Program Director, KSBJ

Throughout the Christmas season, we’ll run imaging that highlights what we offer all year: hope, encouragement, and music that’s not just Christian, but powerful, uplifting, and fun to listen to. We’ll also launch our 7 Day Challenge, encouraging those listeners to stay with us beyond Christmas and experience the difference listening to us can make. I have some great stories from people who first started listening because of the Christmas music. It is a great way to bring in those who would normally never listen.

MARKETING

Brandi Reichert – Director of Strategic Marketing, JOY FM

In January, we will kick off the new year with More JOY Everyday on JOY FM.  As listeners come back to normal schedules, they will be invited to tune in every day for a different prize package that will help bring more JOY to their days!  The contest runs for three weeks.  Each day’s giveaways are valued at over $500 and are created to help people spend more time with family and friends (or even just treat themselves) … concert tickets, packages of sports tickets, staycations, jewelry and more!  

ON–AIR

Keith Stevens – Morning Show Host, KTIS

On the morning show, I’ll share a “key word” daily during Christmas programming for “new listeners” to text!  When they do, they’ll get an opportunity to reply with their name, information and tell a little bit about why they listen and how they found us.  After Christmas, I’ll call a new listener each day, welcoming them to the station, and invite them personally to listen every morning. As a surprise and delight, not mentioned on the air, we’ll send them some welcoming swag in the mail and hope to begin a new relationship with them. I’ll select a new 

name each day throughout January.   And of course, the fabric of compelling stories, and spiritual encouragement they enjoyed in December, will continue throughout January and beyond. Consistency and authentic delivery is Key! I’m so excited to see what God will do! 

FUNDRAISING

Matt Wall – President & CEO, Carolina Christian Radio

Immediately after Christmas and into the New Year, the pivot goes to an opportunity to engage in the community impact of spreading the hope of Jesus through our Valentines from Jesus program where hundreds of listeners sign up to participate every year. They are invited to sign up for a number of Valentine balloons with a small heart shaped box of chocolates and a printed Valentines card from Jesus with John 3:16 printed on the card.  Listeners are engaged and spreading the joy and hope of Jesus on Valentines Day. The team at Life 90.5 has witnessed year after year of great momentum with this Christmas / New Years / Valentines Day cycle.

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A special thank you to Kelly Brandon of The Light FM and Clint Lewis of KCBI for helping us celebrate and encourage some of the teams hosting fundraising efforts this fall.

Is your station hosting an upcoming fundraiser? We’d love to pray for you and your team! Email us at info@cmbonline.org and let us know how we can be praying.

 

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The post Praying for Fall Fundraisers first appeared on CMB.

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We asked a few leaders in Christian radio to share what they’re seeing. Here’s what they had to say…

“The Fall Fundraiser starts this week and our leadup has been solid so far, trending ahead of the 25 Fall Fundraiser pre-drive. For fiscal 27, (Started July 1) overall we are up in revenue from the previous year, but actual ministry partners are down slightly from this point in fiscal 26.  Really, that’s no surprise for general giving across most organizations and of course in the industry, for years it’s been less people giving more money.  Still, given the economic situation that has changed from a year ago and fear and confusion that is rampant in this world, to be up at all at this point is a tremendous blessing from God! We continue to ramp up storytelling, especially for all the “value added” parts of the ministry above and beyond radio. It proves once again that even in tough economic times, people WILL support an organization that supports them through that tough situation.  In other words, people will sacrifice and reach out to help ministries to make sure they (and others) can easily reach for God.” – John Brock, Senior Fundraising Strategist (Intentional Living Ministries / Family Life Radio)

“We kicked off a great season last week. The station we were serving raised more during their own air event than they have in the previous three years, despite a crazy economy and high gas prices and also despite it being the anniversary of the killing of Charlie Kirk and 911. Sharing about the Ministry Impact is obviously key to people engaging. But the two things we are seeing that seems to be new are these: (1) Simplify the ask. Tell people what you need, why, and ask for it. (2) This seems to be a very important one. Have fun! Many people commented that it sounded like we were having a great time and they wanted to be a part of the excitement.” – Jack Eason, President (Heart Share)

“There are lots of mechanics to consider in fundraising, but we’ve found that when we communicate our love and joy for the mission of sharing Jesus, the invitation to support it feels less like an ask and more like an opportunity to belong and participate in something they deeply believe in. People want to know they’re contributing to something meaningful and helping make a real difference. They want to be a part of something that matters.” – Suzanne Happs, Sr. Director, Media Ministries (Northwestern Media)

“It turns out the stations seeing the strongest fundraising results aren’t relying on earth-shattering programming insights… just a few shared habits that keep proving themselves. First, they champion a mission that listeners actually want to join. The wording may change from station to station, but the heartbeat is the same: when people believe in what you’re trying to do, they naturally want to help you do more of it. Second, they don’t treat fundraising like a once‑or‑twice‑a‑year “on‑air event,” but as something that can happen anytime. That shift alone opens the door for more listeners to give on their terms instead of ours. Third, they make the impact unmistakably clear. When a station shows donors exactly what their gift accomplishes, the donor suddenly sees where they fit in the mission. And once they see that, every on‑air story becomes a little window into the return on their investment, a reminder that God is using their station to do something with eternal weight” – Jon Hull, Consultant, Audience Growth (Finney Media)

“It’s challenging, no doubt because of the economy and other issues, however, people are stepping up and helping to meet the goals. Stations that are connecting with your audience still have their audience wanting to give. I’m personally looking forward to a phenomenal fundraising season.” – Bill Scott, Chief Client Officer (Vidare Creative)

“The Bridge launched a special fundraising campaign this year in celebration of our country’s 250th anniversary. This campaign was about more than giving. We invited our Bridge family to help grow the ministry by introducing new listeners to The Bridge and sharing stories of how God has used The Bridge to make an impact in their lives. We were blessed to exceed our financial goal and incredibly encouraged by the response. We are grateful to see our Bridge family come together to help expand the reach and impact of this ministry. – Jeff Twilley, President/General Manager (The Bridge)

The post What’s Working in Fundraising Right Now? first appeared on CMB.

The post What’s Working in Fundraising Right Now? appeared first on CMB.

Here’s the dilemma. Most artists rely on radio songs to sustain a touring career where much of their money is made. I’ve seen articles and videos about this very topic recently, and they all support the concept of successful touring tied to radio. Reach out to a booking agency and they’ll confirm this.
Yes, there are exceptions including Forrest Frank.

It seems like many of the decisions shaping an artist’s career are being made through a digital lens only, which overlooks the role radio can have in building an artist and connecting them with listeners. 

RADIO PDs ARE GATEKEEPERS

Yes, radio program directors ARE gatekeepers. PDs have curated the best songs to serve their listeners for decades. There’s a reason a format is called TOP 40 and not Mediocre 40. In my opinion, on the CCM Top 20 chart there may be six to eight great songs at any given time. The rest are just good.



Oh, and PDs, including myself, aren’t immune from constructive criticism. They can be fickle, set in their ways, and unwilling to change. PDs have more tools than ever to make song add decisions with greater confidence.



HERE’S THE TAKEAWAY



Data reveals that radio still matters to the listener. Radio matters to an artist’s longevity. So, let’s make sure that the very best songs are being released and also played on the radio.

In 2021, Todd Stach launched Beyond 615, a coaching and consulting service, where he strives to help others build confidence and discover their full potential. He has led over 1,900 coaching sessions with radio shows. At the time of this article, he serves 34 shows at 12 radio stations. Todd has also written 200+ free articles to encourage on-air personalities and program directors. He and his family live in the (615) area code, aka the heart of the CCM industry.

The post Streaming is Growing. Does Radio Still Matter? first appeared on CMB.

The post Streaming is Growing. Does Radio Still Matter? appeared first on CMB.