I’ve been working with our local radio station to create a social network service on Ning (http://kpfz881.ning.com). For those of you new to social networking, here’s a definition from Wikipedia:
A social network service focuses on building online communities of people who share interests and/or activities, or who are interested in exploring the interests and activities of others.
A social network service could be very useful for KPFZ. It could, for example,
- Allow conversation from shows aired on the radio to continue after a show is over.
- Permit live Internet chats while a show is airing (yet another way for listeners to connect with the radio station)
- Act like a virtual mall (since we really don’t have a physical one here in Lake County) where Lake County residents could “hang out” and get to know each other better online (and offline!)
- Allow show hosts to build community around their show, and get material for new shows
- Allow local businesses an on-line place to meet and reach their customers
Blending media approaches is a great way for a radio station to connect with its listening audience. As many people catch KPFZ shows while they’re driving around the county, it’s not always convenient to call-in during a live broadcast. The social medial site allows listeners who didn’t want to call-in, couldn’t get through to talk, or just plain didn’t want to call-in an opportunity to join in the conversation around a particular show or topic of interest.
Pretty soon local newspapers may be on their way out and replaced by other more relevant and current media sources. One view of how this scenario might play out can be read in this article in today’s online version of the New York Times. Another possibility is social media network services catering to local communities, such as KPFZ’s Ning site.
Stop by and check out the KPFZ Social Networking Site on Ning – all comments and suggestions welcome!
