As the world struggles to adapt to our new reality, we are all scrambling to figure out how to continue broadcasting during this once in a lifetime pandemic. Rushing to setup home studios, limiting access to our buildings and finding ways to keep from hemorrhaging ad revenue. Meanwhile, many markets are actually seeing a spike in radio listening with local radio providing a comforting and familiar voice to our communities. 

There’s no better time than now to think outside of the box and come up with some creative solutions for our staff and our advertisers. Sometimes our temporary inability to do things the way we usually do them spurs our greatest innovations. 

Here are a few unconventional ideas for these unconventional times we’re living in. 

Social Media Live Remotes: With most of our air talent broadcasting from home, we could be doing some Facebook and Instagram live remotes to help get the word out on businesses who are still doing takeout, delivery or shipping their products. The on-air personalities would simply jump on the station’s social pages, alternating between Facebook and Instagram probably, to promote the business. Plus, if possible, they could do some product placement by strategically placing products from the businesses. 

Facebook Live Takeovers: We’ve all seen stations allowing artists to take over their Facebook pages to do live shows. What about allowing a key advertiser that’s currently offering delivery, or shipping products, to take over the station’s Facebook page for a couple of minutes to promote their business? Then boosting and resharing that video to get extra reach. Sure, they could do that on their own if they have a fan page, but more than likely the station’s page has more fans. Obviously, it would have to be a client that coud be trusted to represent themselves and the station well. 

Daily Delivery Updates: A sixty second pre-recorded daily update that runs a few times each day listing some of the specific delivery deals from local restaurants. Then taking that audio and turning it into a video to share on the website and social media. 

Sponsored PSAs: Low cost or no cost opportunities for local advertisers to attach to a message that’s important to them during the pandemic. IE saluting local medical personal, grocery store and pharmacy workers, takeout and delivery restaurant employees, or just a message to stay home, stay safe and wash your hands. 

Virtual Happy Hours with the Air Staff: Everyone’s already doing them anyway, why not have one, or more, of your air talent host a virtual happy hour sponsored by a local bar that’s still offering takeout or delivery. 

Virtual Concert Calendar: Update on all the artists within a station’s format playing live at home shows on social media that week. Cut as an audio promo for on air and a video to share on social and the web. 

Zoom Interviews: Have a member of the air staff do zoom interviews with artists, local celebrities and local officials powered by a local sponsor. 

Local Coronavirus Updates: Team up with local experts for daily local coronavirus updates that run throughout the day. Similar to weather reports only a little longer. Rotate between the county emergency management coordinator, local law enforcement, hospital administrators, the chamber of commerce and local government officials. If it gets traction turn it into a weekly podcast and tie in a sponsor who tags into a local PSA message about whatever that week’s biggest coronavirus-related need is in the community.