Hey! My name is Dylan Kraayenbrink, a content producer with a unique mix of skills that just might be exactly what you’re looking for at WCSG.
You need somebody with experience in:
- Video production, helping listeners visualize the mission of WCSG
- Podcast and audio production, helping listeners connect deeper to WCSG
- Hosting shifts on Christian radio, spending time with listeners, both long-time and first-time
- Experience in radio automation, especially AudioVault; in particular, able to schedule music and program logs
- Promoting the station with compelling content online
I am exactly that person.
I have 12 years of experience in Christian radio; ten years as program director of Keys for Kids Radio.
Working in small ministry has come with the opportunity to take on a variety of activities, including producing videos and podcasts; hosting daily on-air shifts, with professional coaching courtesy of Brian Wright; and being involved at every level like serving on the leadership team, contributing to marketing, managing website migration projects, starting new podcasts, and having a hand in nearly everything digital at Keys for Kids Ministries.
Through my professional career at Keys for Kids and pursuing my own interests, I’ve gained a wide variety of content creation skills that I’ve put to good use:
Video production
I’m most proficient in using DaVinci Resolve by BlackMagic Design for video production.
I’ve started my own YouTube channel:
I’ve created hundreds of videos for Keys for Kids Radio:
I create regular social videos for Keys for Kids Radio (using Capcut):
One area of video production that I don’t have much experience in is motion graphics. I’ve relied on assets either built into Resolve or stock downloaded from online.
Podcast production
Keys for Kids Ministries productions
I’ve produced the daily Keys for Kids 4.5 minute program, the daily Keys for Kids 60 second program, and the daily Parent Minute with Greg Yoder program for the past ten years, as either the main production editor or overseeing and quality-checking for each program. I manage the workflow of several employees and the hosts of the shows, ensuring programs are written, recorded, edited, and distributed according to processes we’ve established.
When the printed Unlocked devotional for teenagers entered publication in 2019, I worked with a team to establish the format of the podcast version of the devotional and to create the same repeatable processes to ensure smooth production. In 2021, I entered the same production editor/project manager role as with the other radio programs, and in 2023, I became one of the two hosts of the podcast:
Between the various Keys for Kids programs, I’ve had a major hand in producing over 12,000 episodes for Keys for Kids Ministries.
Countdown to Christmas with Zach podcast
In 2023, I had the idea to gather together Christmas-themed Keys for Kids devotional stories, use the already-produced audio plus newly-recorded kid and host audio, and bundle it together into a seasonal Christmas podcast for kids and families:
In addition to the listening experience, I worked with a copywriter and our graphic designer to create daily discussion cards based on the podcast, and used the downloadable cards to drive email signups to the Keys for Kids Radio newsletter.
TwoGether podcast production
In 2019, I met Samuel Jones, eventual host of TwoGether, and became his podcast editor for his show created as part of the Care ministry of Ada Bible Church. Working with him and his co-hosts, I produced 75 episodes of TwoGether:
Live Life Creative podcast
I briefly hosted my own podcast about creativity and photography called Live Life Creative:
On-air hosting
In 2016, as part of the revival of Keys for Kids Radio from slumber, I became the program director and one of two hosts on Keys for Kids Radio, Steve O’Dell being the other.
Through my role on-air, I developed my skills in understanding and relating to a unique audience (Christian kids aged 6-12), finding points of contact with them and curating content for them to enjoy online.
Here’s a voice break from hosting on Keys for Kids Radio:
Even as a fully voice-tracked station, I still deeply value listener interaction. Using online voicemail tools (Google Voice and Speakpipe), we receive phone calls and voice recordings directly on our website.
I find as many ways as I can to use those voice messages to involve our audience in the listening experience: through a Bible trivia segment, in station promos, editing my voice into listener messages to sound conversational, in teasing upcoming radio shows, prayer requests voice breaks, and interviews with kids:
Scheduling music and program logs
As program director for Keys for Kids Radio, one of my primary responsibilities has been to schedule music logs over the past ten years.
Keys for Kids Radio uses MusicMaster and AudioVault for our automation. My music director, Tami Morris, sends me music logs from MusicMaster, and using AVScheduler, I schedule those logs into our program schedule.
Other useful skills
Photography
As one of my personal things-I’m-interested-in-so-I’m-going-to-learn-it adventures, I picked up photography in 2016. I grew my skills on my own for several years, then began volunteering in photography at my church, Ada Bible Church, in 2019.
In 2020, I began family photography; in 2021, I began wedding photography; and throughout, I’ve gained experience in photographing events, headshots, and just a bit of product photography.
Graphic design
I don’t know graphic design nearly as well as I know photography, but I’ve learned enough to put together graphics for blog posts, social media, prepping provided logos to fit neatly onto websites, and other small, helpful tasks.
Marketing
As one of the several hats I’ve worn, I’ve learned a bit about marketing over the years as well.
In 2016, I began the What’s Up newsletter from Keys for Kids Radio, a weekly digest for parents about the blog posts and topics we’ve discussed with their kids over the past week, currently at approximately 2500 subscribers.
I use the promo segments in the weekly Down Gilead Lane episodes and in the 4.5 minute version of Keys for Kids to promote the various aspects and programs of Keys for Kids Ministries, working with team members to ensure that the correct information, relevant dates, and clear call to action are in place.
I write copy for the Keys for Kids Radio copybook for Steve and I to use on-air, taking care to ensure the correct information and some voice break idea starters are in place; and I write and produce promos for the Keys for Kids Radio live stream for the same marketing initiatives.