Since day one...many years ago...one of my top two goals in radio was, and still is, to work in Indy. I am currently in Market #178 (South Bend), and I feel it's time to make a move. Full-Time, Part-Time, FREE...I don't care...I just want to be in Indy doing what I love. But, I seem to be having some trouble getting my foot in the door. I have done just about everything in this business but sales. Any suggestions?
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How can I break into the Indy market?
- Thread starter classic1
- Start date
C
cspotrun
Guest
classic1 said:Since day one...many years ago...one of my top two goals in radio was, and still is, to work in Indy. I am currently in Market #178 (South Bend), and I feel it's time to make a move. Full-Time, Part-Time, FREE...I don't care...I just want to be in Indy doing what I love. But, I seem to be having some trouble getting my foot in the door. I have done just about everything in this business but sales. Any suggestions?
answer is YOU CAN'T break into the Indianapolis market, the problem is they keep Re-Cycling the same people so there is never an opening for an "outsider", its good for the guys who want to keep working in radio and stay in the same place, but if you are from outside Indy, chances are slim, i've been trying for over 30 years, and now i don't care anymore. and oh yes, there are plenty of sales jobs, i don't know WHAT they're selling because they've fired most of the air people.
O
Onesimus
Guest
Getting through the door "part-time" is the easiest way. The problem is many stations are heavily voice-tracked on the weekends. What kind of show do you do? In this economic environment...I would try to establish a career as a morning pro (and move to other markets to build a track record) OR become a production wizard and solid music jock. What's "right" for one may not be right for others. We all have strengths and weaknesses. Be careful what you wish for...you could easily end up working part-time in Indy and then visit this board in two years asking what it takes to get promoted full-time. Good luck!
C
cspotrun
Guest
classic1 said:Well if that's the case, then I better buy a suit and read "The Complete Idiots Guide To Selling Radio".
yup, Pilgrim! there's your JOB in radio today, SALES! until "They" can find a way for a Robot to do it cheaper you've got a shot.
(and oh, yes, they're working on it)
classic1 said:Since day one...many years ago...one of my top two goals in radio was, and still is, to work in Indy. I am currently in Market #178 (South Bend), and I feel it's time to make a move. Full-Time, Part-Time, FREE...I don't care...I just want to be in Indy doing what I love. But, I seem to be having some trouble getting my foot in the door. I have done just about everything in this business but sales. Any suggestions?
Call Scott Sands at Entercom. Riggs was doing some part time/production work for WZPL, but is leaving to go back to Radio Now as night jock/APD beginning next week. Might be something open there..
Call Scott Sands at Entercom. Riggs was doing some part time/production work for WZPL, but is leaving to go back to Radio Now as night jock/APD beginning next week. Might be something open there..
Thanks for the tip!!
Oldies 101.9 is looking for some weekend help. Email [email protected]
Tom Berg said:Oldies 101.9 is looking for some weekend help. Email [email protected]
I'd say you're better off not ever workin in Indy than working for that guy! YIKES! He is not the boss you want. Ever.
The title of my thread would be "How can I break OUT of the Indy market?"
Be careful of what you wish for. I was in the same position. Bigger is not necessarily better.
Recycled fried local media folks are highly valued over someone new with fresh talent trying to get established.
Be careful of what you wish for. I was in the same position. Bigger is not necessarily better.
Recycled fried local media folks are highly valued over someone new with fresh talent trying to get established.
The preference for Radio Retreads is triple edged sword...hard to get in here, but once you do break through (and everyone in the market now has broken through), the odds of an expensive relocation down the road are minimized. The third edge of that sword is "How can I break OUT of the Indy market?". I've moved very few times, but I painfully recall the cost of relocation...and if you do that often enough to get to Indy, you may find you'd have been just as well off in South Bend.hoosier45guy said:The title of my thread would be "How can I break OUT of the Indy market?"
Be careful of what you wish for. I was in the same position. Bigger is not necessarily better.
Recycled fried local media folks are highly valued over someone new with fresh talent trying to get established.
Since no one really provided you with any real direction or advice on how to break into the market, please feel free to email me your demo and contact information and I would be more than willing to point you in the right direction. It's tough to find guys with passion nowadays. The least the board could do is encourage that passion instead of deflating it. Maybe that's the reason the industry is dying...because no one is willing to help save it.
Rayne
Director of Programming
WNOU-FM
RadioNOW 100.9
21 East St. Joseph St.
Indianapolis, IN 46227
317 266 9600
[email protected]
Rayne
Director of Programming
WNOU-FM
RadioNOW 100.9
21 East St. Joseph St.
Indianapolis, IN 46227
317 266 9600
[email protected]
C
cspotrun
Guest
hoosier45guy said:The title of my thread would be "How can I break OUT of the Indy market?"
Be careful of what you wish for. I was in the same position. Bigger is not necessarily better.
Recycled fried local media folks are highly valued over someone new with fresh talent trying to get established.
the formula for a 'Stale' radio market. at least Dave Letterman got out!
I would spend some time on the question of why you want to move to the Indy market.
The money certainly isn't any better than South Bend. The pay gap between larger and smaller markets keeps getting smaller and smaller. In fact, being a big fish in the Michiana likely affords you more opportunity for remotes and endorsements than you'd get as a part-timer in Indy.
If it's to build your resume or climb to an even bigger market [Chicago, Detroit, etc.], it may not be necessary or helpful. Similar to the money argument above, South Bend gives you a better chance to dominate demos in a better daypart than what you will get in Indy. There's merit to a long track record as, say a #1 AM Drive show for three years in South Bend versus languishing in 11th with Nights in Indy. Stability and success can take you a long way.
If it's to be closer to family or friends in Indy, I can't argue with that. However, if your loved ones are in South Bend, Elkhart, Niles, Cassopolis, Bremen, Plymouth, etc., stay there. Geography and proximity are bigger factors to your happiness/sanity than market size is to your career.
If it's because you think "that's what I'm supposed to do," know that it's just not that way anymore. The "traditional career path" is long out the window, much as it is in other professions. "Market-hopping" to "climb the ladder" just isn't a requirement. Hone your skills; be compelling and entertaining; build your professional network; and learn every aspect of the business. That's the best recipe for growth in your career.
The money certainly isn't any better than South Bend. The pay gap between larger and smaller markets keeps getting smaller and smaller. In fact, being a big fish in the Michiana likely affords you more opportunity for remotes and endorsements than you'd get as a part-timer in Indy.
If it's to build your resume or climb to an even bigger market [Chicago, Detroit, etc.], it may not be necessary or helpful. Similar to the money argument above, South Bend gives you a better chance to dominate demos in a better daypart than what you will get in Indy. There's merit to a long track record as, say a #1 AM Drive show for three years in South Bend versus languishing in 11th with Nights in Indy. Stability and success can take you a long way.
If it's to be closer to family or friends in Indy, I can't argue with that. However, if your loved ones are in South Bend, Elkhart, Niles, Cassopolis, Bremen, Plymouth, etc., stay there. Geography and proximity are bigger factors to your happiness/sanity than market size is to your career.
If it's because you think "that's what I'm supposed to do," know that it's just not that way anymore. The "traditional career path" is long out the window, much as it is in other professions. "Market-hopping" to "climb the ladder" just isn't a requirement. Hone your skills; be compelling and entertaining; build your professional network; and learn every aspect of the business. That's the best recipe for growth in your career.
C
cspotrun
Guest
N_D_Radioguy said:I would spend some time on the question of why you want to move to the Indy market.
The money certainly isn't any better than South Bend. The pay gap between larger and smaller markets keeps getting smaller and smaller. In fact, being a big fish in the Michiana likely affords you more opportunity for remotes and endorsements than you'd get as a part-timer in Indy.
If it's to build your resume or climb to an even bigger market [Chicago, Detroit, etc.], it may not be necessary or helpful. Similar to the money argument above, South Bend gives you a better chance to dominate demos in a better daypart than what you will get in Indy. There's merit to a long track record as, say a #1 AM Drive show for three years in South Bend versus languishing in 11th with Nights in Indy. Stability and success can take you a long way.
If it's to be closer to family or friends in Indy, I can't argue with that. However, if your loved ones are in South Bend, Elkhart, Niles, Cassopolis, Bremen, Plymouth, etc., stay there. Geography and proximity are bigger factors to your happiness/sanity than market size is to your career.
If it's because you think "that's what I'm supposed to do," know that it's just not that way anymore. The "traditional career path" is long out the window, much as it is in other professions. "Market-hopping" to "climb the ladder" just isn't a requirement. Hone your skills; be compelling and entertaining; build your professional network; and learn every aspect of the business. That's the best recipe for growth in your career.
take it from someone who played that 'Game', someday you will find out that success isn't measured by "Pride" or "Bragging Rites", its by doing what you love, no matter WHERE it is, AND keeping a roof over your head, even if its in a place such as South Bend.
gr8oldies said:Used to be you worked full time in radio in Lafayette, Kokomo, Muncie or Terre Haute and commuted to Indy for a weekend shift.
Who gave you the break in Indy from those markets?
Wasn't me but people I knew and worked with. Tim Bonnell was doing mornings at WXUS, Lafayette and weekend overnights at WENS, Mike Morgan was also at WXUS doing part time at WIRE when it was on 1430, during it's country then classic hits then country again phase, Guy Forrest was at WGLM in Lafayette as well as the Bear, and I can remember Darryl Parks (now WLW) doing weekends at WENS while doing mornings and running WIOU in Kokomo.
K
Keith Kidd
Guest
cold_coffee said:Who gave you the break in Indy from those markets?
There were many who migrated over to Indianapolis from the Muncie Market. Bernie Egan was at WERK and left for WENS. Paul Mendenhall was at WERK and landed at WNAP, so did Chad Hunt. Brian Casey worked at WLBC and eventually ended up at WNAP to play the part of "Harry" along side "Dr. Buzzard" (Dan Osborne). Tom Cochran left WERK and landed at a few stations in Indy, including being a newscaster at Channel 13. Then there's Bill Shirk from WERK and I don't need to tell you where he's been.
These days it isn't about a talented ladder climb to the top, it's more about who you know and who can pull those strings to get you where you want to be, whether you're going from a medium market to a small one, or a small one to a large one. No matter what city your in, radio has ended up being a carbon copy of itself up and down the dial, this to please the big giant head hundreds of miles away.
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