Internet Radio: 7 ways to improve your listener experience

When you start an Internet radio station, it’s important to constantly look for ways to improve your broadcasts to keep listeners coming back for more. Providing your audience with the best possible listening experience is essential. Today we’re sharing 7 easy ways to improve your listener experience!

1) Learn how to use your voice (properly)

As an Internet radio host, your voice is one of your most important tools. Having good equipment (microphone, mixing desk, headphones…) also plays an important part in how your voice is perceived.

Your voice is a muscle that needs to be warmed up in order to avoid voice damage when speaking for long periods of time. Take 5-10 minutes before your live broadcasts to warm up your face muscles and vocal chords. This will help reduce any strain being put on your voice, as well as avoiding vocal fatigue. Preparing your voice before going live will also help with pronunciation.

Top Tip: make sure to drink water before your broadcast, and keep a water bottle close by stay hydrated.

As well as preparing your voice for a live broadcast, you should also check your output levels beforehand. By doing so, you will avoid voice saturation on-air, which we’re sure your listeners will appreciate!

Go further 👉 How to master your radio voice

2) Create a link the listeners of your Internet radio station

With the wide choice of Internet radio stations out there, you need to find a way to create a direct link with your listeners in order to stand out. By creating a bond between you and your audience, you get them to care about your radio! This, in turn, will push them to stay loyal to your station instead of tuning in somewhere else.

Having a connection with your audience shouldn’t feel forced. Here are some things you can do to make your listeners feel special:

• Talk to them individually: this may seem pretty basic, but by using words such as “you“, “we“, “us” you create a direct connection with the person who is listening.
• Interact with your audience: you can use social media to interact with your listeners. If they Tweet about your Internet radio, be sure to reply to show that you appreciate their support!
• Get them to participate: ask their opinions for upcoming shows, or get them to send in song requests. Letting them have a voice concerning the content of your radio will increase their sense of belonging.

3) Renew your content regularly

Let’s face it, no one wants to listen to the same programs every day. To keep your listeners hooked and coming back for more, you need to regularly renew the content of your Internet radio station. By broadcasting the same content again and again, your listeners may quickly get bored and search for another station.

Try and think of new, innovative content ideas to avoid too much repetition. Here are a few ways you can do this:

• Regularly update your playlists with new music and artists
• Invite special guests
• Come up with original ideas for your radio shows
• Have multiple radio hosts that each bring something different to your radio station

4) Provide catch-up content for your Internet radio station

Although you may have loyal listeners, you can’t expect them to always be available to tune into your live broadcasts. That’s why we suggest that you record your broadcasts and offer them in a podcast-format. This will allow people to easily listen to your live show at a suitable time for them.

You can also repurpose the content of your Internet radio station by creating articles, videos, transcripts etc… By putting this content on your website, you’re also helping boost the SEO of your radio station. Plus, your fans will be able to choose which type of content works best for them!

Go further 👉 How to repurpose the content of your Internet radio station

5) Create visual images

The traditional radio format only provides its audience with audio content. This can be challenging for some listeners who may have a hard time connecting to what you are saying without any visual aids. It’s up to you to paint a picture for your audience. Take the time to properly describe visual elements that can help them better connect to your story!

If you’re at a live event, it can be easy to get carried away and forget that not everyone sees what you see. For example, if you’re talking about a guest’s outfit, make that that you describe it in detail. Or, you could post a picture to social media and tell your listeners to check it out for more context.

It’s easy to get caught up in the moment, especially if you’re having a conversation with someone. Just make sure that your listeners don’t feel left out, and have all the necessary information to visualise what you’re talking about!

6) Broadcast good audio quality

Broadcasting good quality audio on your Internet radio station will also improve your listener experience! Think about it, would you stay tuned into a radio station with bad audio? We didn’t think so…

This goes for the equipment that you use for your live broadcasts, as well as the actual quality of your MP3 files. So to make sure you’re providing the best audio quality possible, take a look at our checklist:

✅ Normalise your MP3 files: Not all songs are recorded at the same volume. Normalising your files allows you to put all of your music at the same volume.
✅ Stream in 192Kbps or 320Kbps: With RadioKing, our Pro & Business Offers allow you to stream in 192Kbps or 320Kbps.
✅ Upload your files in HD or HD+ quality: If you’re broadcasting in HD (192Kbps) or HD+ (320Kbps) you will need to upload your MP3 files in that quality too. If your radio stream is in HD, but your files are not, then your music will broadcast at it’s original quality.
✅ Use a good quality microphone: Your mic is your most important piece of equipment, so take the time to do your research before purchasing. XLR microphones generally have the best quality, but if you’re on a budget then a good USB mic will do the job!

7) Make your Internet radio accessible

Last but not least, it’s important for your station to be easily accessible. When your fans want to tune in to your radio, they don’t want to waste time trying to find a way to listen to it! The easier your radio station is to find, the more people will listen.

Make sure that you’ve listed your radio station on various online directories, and that you have a dedicated website or mobile application. You should also include these links in your social media profiles for maximum visibility.

With all of these elements in mind, you’re on track to give your listeners the perfect listening experience!