Need A Big Sales Idea For Q1? How About Losing Weight?

Now is the time to start selling the first quarter. And, the bigger the idea, the more lead time you need, so here is a whopper. Why not sell a weight loss challenge? After all, we all need to drop a few pounds, right?

Often, we get the inquiry from a weight loss product/supplement company soliciting on-air person people going on their diet to lose weight and then discuss it. Usually, one or two on-air people try it and lose weight, invite listeners to try it, and it is done by February.

Let’s try something different. 

I feel it is best to go through the holidays knowing that come January 1, you are going on a diet. It also gives plenty of time for word of mouth to spread amongst your audience, and the promotion can build momentum. Go out now and find a weight loss company, clean meal service, supplement company, or medically supervised diet and pitch them. Why not get two sponsors and have them compete on air? Listeners can join in at a discounted price and interview each company to see if it’s what they want. I like the medically supervised vs. Jenny Craig or Nutri System battle or the Clean Food delivery service vs. folks who wish to follow a diet and prepare their own food fight. On-air people and station staff can also join in and pick a team. Talent fees should be paid to on-air people who do endorsements, and complementary or deep discounts should be offered to station personnel.

Commercials can invite listeners to sign up for the program starting on Monday, January 3, 2022. Then you can begin selling viewing parties for participants before then to get a before picture and create some group synergy. People want to be a part of a group and have support, and this is the perfect way to do it!

Have an official launch party complete with a Last Supper and unveil your incentive program. Get sponsors to provide prizes to the most weight loss, most weight loss by a couple, and most significant makeover. Clean eating certificates, clothing, photographers, and vacation spots are all good partners as incentives. I think this is best as a 12-week promotion, 1/3/22-3/27/22. You can have a Skinny Super Bowl party and get everybody together for clean eats and drinks during the diet. Get restaurants to offer Clean Eats Valentines Dinners or meal kits geared for those on a diet or anybody who wants a lighter Valentines meal. You can also invite listeners to a clean eats March Madness viewing party on Thursday, March 17, and Friday, March 18, during lunch or happy hour. Think veggie buffets, clean chicken, and steak all seasoned well. Skinny margaritas, Michelob Ultra, and vodka.  Those who have been on this diet for ten weeks will love it!

Let your ideas go big and get behind this effort. Weight loss products and companies should be on the list of categories hotter to sell than gambling sites. This promo provides plenty of social media opportunities with food pictures. Before and after shots, blogs about turning down rice for veggies, and on-air testimony about a life lived lighter. This is a win-win idea and a moneymaker. On-air folks who don’t participate can run the other promos during the first quarter. 

What have you got to lose? 

Jeff Caves

Jeff Caves is a sales columnist for BSM working in radio and digital sales for Cumulus Media in Dallas, Texas and Boise, Idaho. He is credited with helping launch, build, and develop Sports Radio The Ticket in Boise, into the market’s top sports radio station. During his 26 year stay at KTIK, Caves hosted drive time, programmed the station, and excelled as a top seller. You can reach him by email at jeffcaves54@gmail.com or find him on LinkedIn.