Raleigh, NC – Radio One of Raleigh presents Women’s Empowerment 2009 on Saturday, March 14th. Women’s Empowerment is a high energy, high profile event that targets African-American women of all ages. Major sponsors of Women’s Empowerment include State Farm Insurance and Duke Health Care Systems.

Women’s Empowerment has empowered, educated and entertained women for the past 14 years. This extravagant event has become a tradition for women of the Triangle. For an entire day women are dazzled with unforgettable performances by national recording artists, impressive vendor displays, informative seminars, a spectacular fashion show, and celebrity autograph sessions. This year’s event will feature a Vendor Pavilion that boasts over 85 vendors, a Literary Lounge featuring national authors and a Men’s Lounge that will feature product sampling and flat panel televisions for monitoring the basketball games. Read more

Urban Radio is an affordable ad medium that can reach a mass audience. These five keys help increase your chances of having a successful Urban Radio ad campaign.

Frequency of Ads
A Urban Radio commercial needs to air multiple times before it sinks in with the listener. Running your commercial once a week for a month isn’t going to be enough.

Frequency refers to how many times your ad airs in a short amount of time. A commercial that airs multiple times in a day has a better chance of reaching the listener than a commercial that only airs a few times in a week.

Target Audience
Just like with every ad you create, you must know your target audience. Advertising your urban clothing store on a urban hip hop and R&B station makes sense.  Advertising a business clothing store on the same station doesn’t.

Make a list of the Urban Radio stations in your market. Listen to each one to help identify your own target audience. What kind of listeners will be tuning in and are they a potential customer for your product or service?

Urban Radio stations also offer programs you’ll want to know more about before you buy. You won’t want to advertise your Christian book store during a program that uses a raunchy sense of humor.

Producing Your Commercial
Unlike television commercials, production is more simple for a Urban Radio commercial. You need a script and voice talent.

However, that doesn’t mean you should just slap something together. Your copy isn’t relying on any visuals so it’s vital you capture the listener’s attention from the start. The copy needs to be crystal clear and not muddied by trying to be cutesy in your pitch.

Voice talent can be as simple to find as calling the Urban Radio station. Most stations have a complete list of voice talent in your area. You send the script, they voice it.

Remember, frequency is the key so make sure your ad hits the mark and will get the consumer’s attention the first time. Research shows it takes a few times before the consumer actually gets what your company is all about. It’s vital your ad stands out and conveys your message repeatedly.

 

Rates
Take advantage of the low ad rates for Urban Radio. Ad rates are on the rise but the costs are still more affordable than visual mediums like television.

Use your negotiating skills to get a good deal on an ad bundle. The more ads you buy, the better rates you’ll be able to get.

Timing Your Spending
Ad rates are generally less expensive in the first and third quarters. Urban Radio commercials in these time frames are easier to negotiate and cheaper for you to advertise.

Before you take the plunge into Urban Radio advertising, find out if you’re Ready for advertising on the radio.