Josh Raines Interview

Josh Raines
Morning Host/Director of Outreach
WLAB
Ft Wayne

Career Capsule: I began my career in Fort Wayne, IN at Brotherhood Mutual and began as a corporate sales representative. Then, I transitioned over to work at STAR 88.3 as a morning show host and director of outreach. I’ve been featured on many podcasts, panel discussions, and interviews on various topics affecting the church and community. I also work as a marketing consultant for Synergy Consulting Company where I help different organizations strategize on how to be more effective. I’m also the founder of Connect, which is a church mobile website that will be released later this year. This website helps people find a church community no matter where they live. Additionally, I work with Global Leadership Summit & Beyond as a marketing strategist.

Josh, tell us what’s new at Star 88.3 & new with you etc… ?

I’ve been married for two years. I officially joined Synergy Consulting Company as a marketing strategist in helping to create diversity content with Dr. Pascal Losambe.

How has your job changed or shifted during the corona crisis?

When people were told to shut in, we went out. We did drive-by blessings to businesses and families, and later, blessed 50 graduating seniors. We believed the coronavirus was an opportunity to show God’s love to people who are going through a tough time.

What are the main elements of solid station outreach?

A good understanding of your target audience. You’ve got to find out what your community finds important and you’ll be able to communicate what aligns with those values. Be proactive in explaining everything to them and don’t assume they know. Outreach isn’t one-sided, it’s a partnership, so you have to find out what’s beneficial for both you and your partner. Engaging a person is huge. Building relationships with them outside of business is truly a way of showing that you care, because then you are partnering with friends, and when you partner as friends, there’s trust there, and when there’s trust, there is success.

What is the best outreach advice you’ve been given? The worst?

The best advice I’ve given is that outreach takes time because building relationships isn’t an instant thing. The second part of the question is a tough one, but maybe that it’s OK to juggle many balls in the air at the same time because not everyone is built like myself to be able to handle that load.

What is the one thing YOU must have to do your job every day?

I must spend time with the Lord. If I don’t do that part, I won’t be able to hear from Him as well because He truly orders my steps.

In your opinion what makes the ideal station promotion?

Powerful words and authenticity make the ideal station promotion.

Regarding social networking and promotion, how have you connected your outreach to these areas?

I make sure what I pitch to someone makes sense for everybody. I use discernment about what I promote to what organization or what person that matches something they’re passionate about.

How do you measure the success of a great promotion?

You can measure success by the amount of engagement.