Well, not that we don't try to kick butt daily here, but you know you've been there too. A little complacency sets in. The whole fat and happy thing. You drop off your game a little. It's amazing, doing this "boutique" style (as they say in L.A.) the domino effect that happens when you kick it in gear. The Small Business Expo is a perfect example. We have come through many crossroads on our little radio adventure, and so far, mostly correct turns. This was certainly one of them. I was proud when Peggy, who owns the Swap Sheet asked us to join in. It's our first year, and I don't know necessarily that we pulled our weight, but we're trying. But it has been not just an business opportunity but has openend up new lines of communication. Not with just the goal of making more money, but for us to become a better business at meeting the needs of the community. All of the small business owners giving us feedback about THEIR businesses. We're all fighting together.
You know, I have been accused on occasion of having a "Pollyana-esk" view on things when it comes to small town life, but I really believe a community, or groups within a community are capable of working together and doing great things. This expo is a perfect example of that. The Old Towne Stroll was that way. By the way, Old Towne is really buzzing these days. Again, the domino effect. The turnout that night was nice enough, but the impression it has left with the public in Ridgecrest, is that it is becoming a "happening" place.
Onto our powerful and efficient AM station. Foxtalk 1360 has finally entrenched itself as a radio staple for TalkRadio fans here in the IWV. Our outside the Valley coverage has been a real plus. We're doing a little more technical work right now so we are covering a little more than the Valley, but when we get things back up to snuff, our daytime coverage is Lone Pine to Palmdale, Tehachapi to Barstow and Victorville. I have been astonished. Bottom line? We will STILL only cater to the IWV. Local local local. Well and Rush Limbaugh doesn't hurt.
We hit a little speed bump with our sports coverage. We are taking a pass on BHS football. We had big plans, but the school wouldn't (or couldn't) go with one station, so we took the high road, for our advertisers. That is such a limited audience, it is just not fair to divide that up. It would have meant a premium price for limited reach. It was borderline that way anyway. Two radio stations would have really watered it down. I'm at peace with our decision. Kim and I talked a long time about this. I couldn't let ego get in the way of smart business and looking out for our clients.
Speaking of which. I plan a long winded diatribe about why radio is different (and in some ways more difficult) because we have two uniquely different customer bases.
More on that later. I'm activating the cooling center in my brain now.
-Eric
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