Are We There Yet?

One of our goals, when we came over here, was to eventual make everyone say, "man you guys are everywhere!". Not sure if we are there yet, but we have something going on almost every single weekend from now through October here in the Valley, and our plan is to be there. To sweeten the pot a little is being an Old Towne Ridgecrest business. The difference between working for a regional station and actually being here is that we participate in these events at no cost to the merchants here because, simply, we are one of them. I have to tell you, that during the Summer Stroll, we haven't felt that validated as a community radio station as we did that night. Not monetarily, but just on a community basis. A lot of small market owners would say we are nuts by not attaching strings that would make us money, but my philosophy has always been to by intertwining yourself in the community gets you two things. First more listeners, because they will always want to know what's going on, and then of course advertisers will follow because you are a happening place that people tune into for the community.

The final part of this radio equation is that you can actually do things like get normal people who might not participate in the activities of BEING a small community interested in something to better the community. Everyone wins. This is not, I repeat, NOT a theory. I have seen it work. Back in Texas, and yes, here in Ridgecrest. I think if there was one thing I missed being down the street, over the last several years was not keeping this plan in motion. And worst of all about that, was that it is not just possible in one community, but in all that you cover. Is it hard work? Damn right it is. Is it rewarding? You bet.

convoluted and wordy as it was, I am hoping that the community that is the Indian Wells Valley will get out and support the Small Business Expo this weekend. It will validate you as a member of the community and validate the people who make this place tick everyday. Whether we actually see it in action or not.

Plus you can win some cool prizes. (ok....I will appeal to a different sensibility if the other stuff didn't work)

-Eric