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<\/p>\nThe term \u201cbranding\u201d has become overused.\u00a0 But you can’t deny the power of branding, whether it is world-famous athletes like LeBron James or entertainers such as Lady Gaga.<\/p>\n
And that focus on your brand \u2013 who you want others to believe you are \u2013 has most definitely shifted to \u201creal life.\u201d\u00a0 Whether it is online dating or employment sites, how you present yourself online has become a major focus for so many.<\/p>\n
Perhaps you’ve seen the new TV spot for Indeed.com, featuring the Yankees great closer, Mariano Rivera, providing advice about how to close a job interview.<\/p>\n
More and more, it’s about your online persona \u2013 how you come off on a screen and the image you convey online.<\/p>\n
If you believe that one’s social media image and online \u201cpersonality\u201d are just superficial and overhyped, think again.<\/p>\n
A new study conducted for Squarespace by the Harris Poll last month is generationally revealing.\u00a0 It was fielded last month in the U.S. among more than 2,000 adults (18 and older). Squarespace CMO Kinjil Mathur, summed up a key conclusion about image \u2013 who cares and why it matters:<\/p>\n
\u201cThe majority of Gen Z believe that how you present yourself online is more important than how you present yourself in person.\u201d<\/p>\n
Millennials share those views, while older consumers \u2013 namely Xers and Boomers are less likely to put as much weight on one’s online presentation.<\/p>\n
Much of this Harris\/Squarespace research focuses on websites \u2013 the most frequent visitors and what they’re likely to notice.<\/p>\n
Americans say they visit an average of 8.4 websites a day \u2013 3,000 per year.\u00a0 For many that’s more time than they spent working out or having sex.<\/p>\n
Web design matters. Seven in ten respondents concur that when a local business offers an attractive, navigable website, they’re more likely to shop there.<\/p>\n
Now, translate that to the average radio station website. Too often, they are less about the consumer experience and more about capturing \u201ceyeballs,\u201d publishing clickbait articles, and generating as much money as possible from web visits \u2013 aesthetics be damned.<\/p>\n
In general, radio station websites are bland, confusing, loaded with ads, and not especially user-friendly.\u00a0 More often than not, their presentation of their most valuable assets \u2013 personalities \u2013 is lackluster, dated, and poorly designed.<\/p>\n
Even though the metrics for \u201chost pages\u201d tend to be strong, most radio stations devote little time, energy, or brain space toward putting its personalities in the most attractive light.\u00a0 Yet at one point or another, fans want a glimpse of the personality or show they enjoy spending time with.<\/p>\n
Well-created profiles of station hosts can be a difference-maker.\u00a0 When Howard Stern made the leap to satellite radio back in 2006, Sirius ran a slick \u201cMeet the Cast\u201d feature on the company website.<\/p>\n
If you thought everyone knew Howard, Robin, Jackie, Gary, and Fred, they were attractively presented by their new employer.<\/p>\n
Squarespace’s Kinjil reminds marketers that web surfing can firm up perceptions of brands \u2013 whether they’re radio stations or the people who work on their air:<\/p>\n
\u201cAmericans browse over 3,000 websites a year, and our research shows that the things we see online can make a more lasting impression than things we see in person. This is why it’s so important to create a well-designed presence across all the things you do on the web.\u201d<\/p>\n
Admittedly, many personalities believe they have \u201ca face for radio\u201d \u2013 all the more reason to spiff up social and website profiles to make them look as appealing as possible. In the same way millions of us try to put our best face forward online and in social media, why wouldn’t radio stations want to do the same thing?\u00a0 Too often, however, personas are an afterthought \u2013 at best.<\/p>\n
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Many radio personalities do this on their own \u2013 intuitively \u2013 because they understand the importance and value of a strong, attractive, and cool online persona.\u00a0 But so many others don’t care, make a minimal effort, or ignore social media altogether. Or management doesn’t understand the value of an attractive online profile.<\/p>\n
The Harris data commissioned for Squarespace suggests that’s a strategic mistake, especially among younger audiences that place a higher premium on web appearances.<\/p>\n
Most stations pay close attention to their logos, how the van is wrapped, and how sales kits look.\u00a0 But way too often, the airstaff’s appearance and brand images are left to chance.<\/p>\n
When one in two Americans (49%) say they can recall the color of a website better than they can someone’s eye color, that makes a statement about why online personas matter.<\/p>\n
A strong online appearance can lead to improved branding.\u00a0 And oftentimes, that translates to ratings and revenue growth.<\/p>\n
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Looks matter. Online and on-the-air.<\/p>\n
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