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From the Old School

M

markmayes2

Guest
I'm from the old school of broadcasting who believes rookies should start from the bottom & work upwards. I graduated from OCB in the summer of 2002 & now entering my 4th year in this business.

I still struggle for legitimate hours & have yet to hold a full time broadcasting position. However, my resume continues to grow slowly but surely. I’ve done PT/fill-in work in both small (Oberlin, OH along with Hazleton & Lansford, PA) and big markets (Allentown, PA & Cleveland, OH) from harassing people to take music surveys which totally sucks to color commentating for College Football Broadcasts.

I’ve held broadcasting jobs so bizarre for little to no money working large amounts of hours the average person would laugh at nor consider doing. I’ve done practically everything to this point except sales, which I refuse to do and hold a PD/GM/OM position.

After 4 years, I still feel as if I'm on the bottom of the todem pole having something to prove daily. Again, I’m not a big fan of newly graduated students hitting immediate broadcasting jackpots, but god bless those who get their hands on good opportunities.
<P ID="signature">______________
-John</P>
 
Re: From someone who landed the Jackpot

Maybe you should look at what you offer future employers. Are your skills really developed. I'm sure OCB only taught you to "board Op". Can you do anything besides jock and street team stuff? Production? Radio is a cruel industry (sorry if you're just realizing this), maybe you should look at yourself, not to the industry. Do you have what a station needs? In my experience, attitude counts just as much, if not more, than talent. Managers want someone who is willing to do anything, without complaining about it. Also, I not sure what OCB told you in order to get your money, but I sure it was wrong. IMHO very few people who are true radio professionals came from the ranks of OCB. I'm not saying that a 4 year degree is necessary in this business, but it helps when it comes to paying your dues. I graduated with a broadcasting degree for the University of Akron, and I found the "broadcasting jackpot" right away. College offers a few things OCB doesn't.

1. True Talent Evaluation-College will tell you what you need to work on to exceed in the business. If you suck, they'll tell you how to improve.

2. Writing Skills-I know the extra English classes seem frivolous, but a jock, producer, or even "Sales Weasel" that can't write is worthless in the business today.

3. Social Awareness-In a business that is very much how the public sees you, it is necessary to know how to interact with people. Unfortunately, some poeple don't learn the people skills they need until they get to college. (Example, the geeks you always picked on in High School are now the morning show team at you favorite radio station. Don't Believe me, I'm one of them, and I bet you were too.) College forces you out of your parents and into situations that teach you to grow socially.

If you still wish to continue in the business I have a few suggestions for you.

1. Be willing to move-you won't get where you want to be in Cleveland while staying in Cleveland. Look at some of the top talent in the area. Even if they are from the area, they went and honed their skills in smaller markets somewhere else in the country.

2. Be flexible-Management loves someone with a great attitude who can accept new ideas. They'll want you to work lots of hours for little pay...DO IT!! It shows a willingness to do what it takes to get ahead.

3. Go out and Meet people-Put down the PS2 Controller, and go have a beer at a bar. Don't just sit there, talk to people, hit on a few women(or men if you prefer) and hone the social skills that will make you a marketable talent. Why do you think alcoholism is a big problem in our industry?

4. Be persistant-Bug the hell out of anyone you are trying to get a job from. You want your name fused into their brain. They should be dreaming about you. Send your T&R. Then Send a reminder letter with another T&R. Put Different stuff on the Tape if you can. If you've already had an interview, call the person you interviewed with at least once a week to see if the position has been filled. If it hasn't, you'll remind him about what you have to offer. If it has been filled, you won't be waiting by the phone for it to ring like your sister did on prom night.

5. Have Fun-This business is about one thing...FUN! So have a good time, no matter what it is they have you doing.

Good Luck.
 
> I still struggle for legitimate hours & have yet to hold a
> full time broadcasting position. However, my resume
> continues to grow slowly but surely.

What can I say? The broadcast industry just ain't what it used to be. I got into the biz just as the effects of de-regulation were first being felt across the nation; many of the entry-level positions that newbies used to gain a foot in the door simply did not exist. For me, it meant I had to work another part-time job outside of radio until I was able to land a full-time position ("you want fries with that?"). It also meant I had to move out of my hometown to pursue such a job lead. It wasn't something I wanted to do, but the poor job market for jocks and radio news geeks didn't leave me many options.

> After 4 years, I still feel as if I'm on the bottom of the
> todem pole having something to prove daily. Again, I’m not a
> big fan of newly graduated students hitting immediate
> broadcasting jackpots, but god bless those who get their
> hands on good opportunities.

Keep pluggin' away, my friend. You never know who will be listening or who you'll meet that could lead to a bigger and better gig down the line. Network, network, network!
 
Re: From someone who landed the Jackpot

Seems like a lot of pretty good advice to me. As a young guy trying to get into the industry, I appreciate you posting this.

I agree with the things you said about OCB....as much as they'd like to you believe otherwise, you really can't beat the well roundedness and experience that a four-year school gives you.

I do know a few people who have become full-timers here in Cleveland without having to leave Cleveland...but I know that is not the norm.

> Maybe you should look at what you offer future employers.
> Are your skills really developed. I'm sure OCB only taught
> you to "board Op". Can you do anything besides jock and
> street team stuff? Production? Radio is a cruel industry
> (sorry if you're just realizing this), maybe you should look
> at yourself, not to the industry. Do you have what a
> station needs? In my experience, attitude counts just as
> much, if not more, than talent. Managers want someone who
> is willing to do anything, without complaining about it.
> Also, I not sure what OCB told you in order to get your
> money, but I sure it was wrong. IMHO very few people who
> are true radio professionals came from the ranks of OCB.
> I'm not saying that a 4 year degree is necessary in this
> business, but it helps when it comes to paying your dues. I
> graduated with a broadcasting degree for the University of
> Akron, and I found the "broadcasting jackpot" right away.
> College offers a few things OCB doesn't.
>
> 1. True Talent Evaluation-College will tell you what you
> need to work on to exceed in the business. If you suck,
> they'll tell you how to improve.
>
> 2. Writing Skills-I know the extra English classes seem
> frivolous, but a jock, producer, or even "Sales Weasel" that
> can't write is worthless in the business today.
>
> 3. Social Awareness-In a business that is very much how the
> public sees you, it is necessary to know how to interact
> with people. Unfortunately, some poeple don't learn the
> people skills they need until they get to college.
> (Example, the geeks you always picked on in High School are
> now the morning show team at you favorite radio station.
> Don't Believe me, I'm one of them, and I bet you were too.)
> College forces you out of your parents and into situations
> that teach you to grow socially.
>
> If you still wish to continue in the business I have a few
> suggestions for you.
>
> 1. Be willing to move-you won't get where you want to be in
> Cleveland while staying in Cleveland. Look at some of the
> top talent in the area. Even if they are from the area,
> they went and honed their skills in smaller markets
> somewhere else in the country.
>
> 2. Be flexible-Management loves someone with a great
> attitude who can accept new ideas. They'll want you to work
> lots of hours for little pay...DO IT!! It shows a
> willingness to do what it takes to get ahead.
>
> 3. Go out and Meet people-Put down the PS2 Controller, and
> go have a beer at a bar. Don't just sit there, talk to
> people, hit on a few women(or men if you prefer) and hone
> the social skills that will make you a marketable talent.
> Why do you think alcoholism is a big problem in our
> industry?
>
> 4. Be persistant-Bug the hell out of anyone you are trying
> to get a job from. You want your name fused into their
> brain. They should be dreaming about you. Send your T&R.
> Then Send a reminder letter with another T&R. Put Different
> stuff on the Tape if you can. If you've already had an
> interview, call the person you interviewed with at least
> once a week to see if the position has been filled. If it
> hasn't, you'll remind him about what you have to offer. If
> it has been filled, you won't be waiting by the phone for it
> to ring like your sister did on prom night.
>
> 5. Have Fun-This business is about one thing...FUN! So have
> a good time, no matter what it is they have you doing.
>
> Good Luck.
>
<P ID="signature">______________
Ben Toplek
DJ/WBWC</P>
 
That Radio Job Market - My View

> I do know a few people who have become full-timers here in
> Cleveland without having to leave Cleveland...but I know
> that is not the norm.

Look at me. Really.

I can't basically get arrested in this market, and never have worked in either Cleveland, Akron or Canton in my 15-plus year radio career. I had to move out of the area, after which I was hired almost immediately at a top-rated top-30 market news/talk station for a long, 7 year run. (And I do mean almost immediately - I was hired part-time about 2 months after I moved out there, and full-time a month later!)

To be fair, recently, I haven't really tried since I've been back in town, since I've been concentrating on other projects which are in the process of shutting down (mostly for financial reasons).

It makes you wonder if there's something wrong with you, frankly...only to have that shot down when a big station with a nationwide reputation hires you just weeks after you move to their market. :D

So, I'm kicking around if I'm gonna stay here or not, or sell the house and find a market where I can reestablish myself. I'm not sure I'm ready to "give up" on radio, yet.

-OA<P ID="signature">______________
Ohio Media Watch - <a target="_blank" href=http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com>http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com</a></P>
 
Re: That Radio Job Market - My View

It's amazing how, back in the 70s, working in markets like Celina, OH,I worked with people from all over the country, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, all in small town USA getting their first or sometimes fifth gig. Moving around didn't start in '96.
 
Re: That Radio Job Market - My View

Lead by, who else: Clear Channel...stations have in general cut back the size of their on-air staffs...so, there's a lot, lot fewer positions in radio in the US in 2005 than there was even 10 years ago...a lot fewer than 20 years ago.

And, those folks who are lucky enough to have jobs don't often leave if things are satisfactory...so openings are rare.

I am rather stunned at the poor quality of some production and news people in smaller/medium markets in northern Ohio. These are people with high, squeeky voices that radio wouldn't have touched 20 years ago. Nobody says on-air people have to have a voice like God...deep and rich....but some of these people I've heard lately are embarrassing to the business. One guy does local imaging and promos for a huge chain....and he's awful, in my opinion. But, if you pay peanuts you get monkeys.
 
Re: That Radio Job Market - My View

> Lead by, who else: Clear Channel...stations have in general
> cut back the size of their on-air staffs...so, there's a
> lot, lot fewer positions in radio in the US in 2005 than
> there was even 10 years ago...a lot fewer than 20 years ago.

Well, Clear Channel has certainly been in the lead in recent years, but other companies are by far not immune from cutting back staff.

I'll have to agree with you about some of the "talent quality" I've heard in some of the smaller markets. I'm not talking about the tiny stations which serve one community...I'm talking smaller actual markets.

Heck, even in a market the size of Cleveland, it sounds like the CC cluster there is putting people directly from college on the air doing those WTAM "Skychief 24/7" traffic reports outside of drive times. They're only on the air for roughly 10 seconds, so I guess they figure not much damage can be done by someone with an uneven reading style and not the best voice...

And then there's listening to WNIR's overnight or weekend evening board ops doing the weather, but that's another matter. :D

The thing is, in my case - and again, I really haven't tried looking since I've been back here - I'm good AND I don't cost much money. Maybe more than the college students, but... but, I'm still of the opinion that I may have to leave the market to get back into the swing of things, again, for the reasons I stated in the previous message.

-OA<P ID="signature">______________
Ohio Media Watch - <a target="_blank" href=http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com>http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com</a></P>
 
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