After reading and hearing of all the recent rash of firings and such I am reminded of something said to me many years ago and that is the statement on this threads subject line.
The challenge for any air talent in a market like this is to find ways to supplement income and have other revenue streams in place so that if something like this happens it doesn't destroy you or your lifestyle.
It is a hard thing to do, because when people are making good money for what most would view little work, it is very easy to get caught up in thinking "hey I've got great ratings, I've been here forever, they'd never let ME go"...guess what? They will. They have.
It has to do usually with looking at the budget and realizing very simply that they can get it done for less. When things are going gangbusters, it is easier to let it slide, but when the slightest downturn occurs, the budget is the first thing management looks at. They have to, it is a business and the bottom line is the bottom line. If revenue isn't keeping up with the budget, something has to give, and it sure isn't going to be the manager's salary, they will certainly look elsewhere first!
I've said it to many times to whoever would listen. Be a "juggler". Have three things going at all times. If one falls you still have two things going. You will hardly ever see a juggler lose all three balls at once. They can keep the two going long enough to reach down and grab the third and get back on course.
The challenge for any air talent in a market like this is to find ways to supplement income and have other revenue streams in place so that if something like this happens it doesn't destroy you or your lifestyle.
It is a hard thing to do, because when people are making good money for what most would view little work, it is very easy to get caught up in thinking "hey I've got great ratings, I've been here forever, they'd never let ME go"...guess what? They will. They have.
It has to do usually with looking at the budget and realizing very simply that they can get it done for less. When things are going gangbusters, it is easier to let it slide, but when the slightest downturn occurs, the budget is the first thing management looks at. They have to, it is a business and the bottom line is the bottom line. If revenue isn't keeping up with the budget, something has to give, and it sure isn't going to be the manager's salary, they will certainly look elsewhere first!
I've said it to many times to whoever would listen. Be a "juggler". Have three things going at all times. If one falls you still have two things going. You will hardly ever see a juggler lose all three balls at once. They can keep the two going long enough to reach down and grab the third and get back on course.