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Radio Sales Guys Are The Coolest

C

CharleyHooHoo

Guest
Hey all new friend of radio!
I've often considered radio sales as a career.
I went to an interview for a sales position for a radio station in Altoona but I thought the sales manager had flashed a rival gang symbol at me and I smashed a coffee cup into his temple. It was his coffee cup, which is what lost the job for me, I suppose.
My therapist argues against becoming a radio saleman, anyway, saying it doesn't fit my profile: I'm a psychopath, not a sociopath. But, hey, I'm, a quick learn.
Anyhow. Does anyone know any great radio sales people they have worked with? And recount their thrilling exploits!
For instance:
Do they always wear the sharpest clothes?
What kind of cars, too?
Are they the most faithful spouses?
Please tell.
 
> Hey all new friend of radio!
> I've often considered radio sales as a career.
> I went to an interview for a sales position for a radio
> station in Altoona but I thought the sales manager had
> flashed a rival gang symbol at me and I smashed a coffee cup
> into his temple. It was his coffee cup, which is what lost
> the job for me, I suppose.
> My therapist argues against becoming a radio saleman,
> anyway, saying it doesn't fit my profile: I'm a psychopath,
> not a sociopath. But, hey, I'm, a quick learn.
> Anyhow. Does anyone know any great radio sales people they
> have worked with? And recount their thrilling exploits!
> For instance:
> Do they always wear the sharpest clothes?
> What kind of cars, too?
> Are they the most faithful spouses?
> Please tell.
>
If you want a radio sales gig and you think you have the stuff...bring it! Revolution 101 is looking for a few good minds to hit the streets!!! Call Ted at the station if you are looking! Of course...I know you are kidding...but if you aren't...seriously...we can use a new rep or 2 to top off what we have!!!
 
> Hey all new friend of radio!
> I've often considered radio sales as a career.
> I went to an interview for a sales position for a radio
> station in Altoona but I thought the sales manager had
> flashed a rival gang symbol at me and I smashed a coffee cup
> into his temple. It was his coffee cup, which is what lost
> the job for me, I suppose.
> My therapist argues against becoming a radio saleman,
> anyway, saying it doesn't fit my profile: I'm a psychopath,
> not a sociopath. But, hey, I'm, a quick learn.
> Anyhow. Does anyone know any great radio sales people they
> have worked with? And recount their thrilling exploits!
> For instance:
> Do they always wear the sharpest clothes?
> What kind of cars, too?
> Are they the most faithful spouses?
> Please tell.
>


Psychopaths are almost as good at radio sales as sociopaths. You'll fit right in.
Chain smoking is a requirement.
Low self esteem is helpful but not required.
Must be able to work while hung-over.
Practice this line - "If it wasn't for me, this place wouldn't be able to pay your salary". You must say this to at least one member of the airstaff each week.
The ability to put a good blank look on your face will be very helpful.
Learn how to misrepresent yourself and your product. You'll do a lot of this.
Learn to say "We're number one with 18-34 year old hispanic women with shingles", or some variation on this line, and sound convincing. You'll use it often.
 
Do they always wear the sharpest clothes?
What kind of cars, too?
Are they the most faithful spouses?
Please tell.
>
I must say that I worked with a salesman who believed that Plaid jackets and striped pants were the ticket to selling anything. But when the price was a dollar a hollar, you could pull it off.

If you are sleeping with the owner, you can trade out a car for yourself while the station van is falling apart.

Most sales geeks are pretty faithful unless you can sleep with the owner or wear the plaid jackets. Most of the sales geeks I have met are definately owned by domineering wives.
 
> Hey all new friend of radio!
> I've often considered radio sales as a career.
> I went to an interview for a sales position for a radio
> station in Altoona but I thought the sales manager had
> flashed a rival gang symbol at me and I smashed a coffee cup
> into his temple. It was his coffee cup, which is what lost
> the job for me, I suppose.
> My therapist argues against becoming a radio saleman,
> anyway, saying it doesn't fit my profile: I'm a psychopath,
> not a sociopath. But, hey, I'm, a quick learn.
> Anyhow. Does anyone know any great radio sales people they
> have worked with? And recount their thrilling exploits!
> For instance:
> Do they always wear the sharpest clothes?
> What kind of cars, too?
> Are they the most faithful spouses?
> Please tell.
>

From now on, smash a competing station's cup on the sales manager's head. It'll let him know you're loyal.

Also, make sure you tell him you're "hungry". Say it like you're about to tear into a steak, not in that pathetic, weak voice the air talents use when they beg for a raise or welfare. They're all, "I'm hungry, I can't afford Hamburger Helper, hell, I can't afford Helper Helper". Say it like, "I'mmmmm HUNNNGRAAYYYYY!"

In addition to letting the talent know you pay their salary, let them know when their ratings slip with a counseling and comforting conversation like, "I can't pay the BILLS with this (synonym for feces) you're cookin' up on middays!" Bonus, if it's a female announcer, pat her on the rear and say, "now let's kick some ass, cupcake!" Let them know you are there for them with statements like, "the boss and I have been talking about how to shore the audience for your show....." That puts them at ease and lets them know you care.

Also, when you encounter an announcer from your station who has been fired and is down on his luck, be kind and generous. Step OVER them, not ON them.
 
AHAHAHA!!!!

> Psychopaths are almost as good at radio sales as sociopaths.
> You'll fit right in.
> Chain smoking is a requirement.
> Low self esteem is helpful but not required.
> Must be able to work while hung-over.
> Practice this line - "If it wasn't for me, this place
> wouldn't be able to pay your salary". You must say this to
> at least one member of the airstaff each week.
> The ability to put a good blank look on your face will be
> very helpful.
> Learn how to misrepresent yourself and your product. You'll
> do a lot of this.
> Learn to say "We're number one with 18-34 year old hispanic
> women with shingles", or some variation on this line, and
> sound convincing. You'll use it often.

Spackler, that's about the funniest thing I've read on this board...EVER! Even funnier is that most of it is true. Okay...it's five minutes later and now I can type again...
 
OH GOD PLEASE!!!

I can't laugh any more...I hurt now...

> From now on, smash a competing station's cup on the sales
> manager's head. It'll let him know you're loyal.
>
> Also, make sure you tell him you're "hungry". Say it like
> you're about to tear into a steak, not in that pathetic,
> weak voice the air talents use when they beg for a raise or
> welfare. They're all, "I'm hungry, I can't afford Hamburger
> Helper, hell, I can't afford Helper Helper". Say it like,
> "I'mmmmm HUNNNGRAAYYYYY!"
>
> In addition to letting the talent know you pay their salary,
> let them know when their ratings slip with a counseling and
> comforting conversation like, "I can't pay the BILLS with
> this (synonym for feces) you're cookin' up on middays!"
> Bonus, if it's a female announcer, pat her on the rear and
> say, "now let's kick some ass, cupcake!" Let them know you
> are there for them with statements like, "the boss and I
> have been talking about how to shore the audience for your
> show....." That puts them at ease and lets them know you
> care.
>
> Also, when you encounter an announcer from your station who
> has been fired and is down on his luck, be kind and
> generous. Step OVER them, not ON them.
>
 
> > Hey all new friend of radio!
> > I've often considered radio sales as a career.
> > I went to an interview for a sales position for a radio
> > station in Altoona but I thought the sales manager had
> > flashed a rival gang symbol at me and I smashed a coffee
> cup
> > into his temple. It was his coffee cup, which is what lost
>
> > the job for me, I suppose.
> > My therapist argues against becoming a radio saleman,
> > anyway, saying it doesn't fit my profile: I'm a
> psychopath,
> > not a sociopath. But, hey, I'm, a quick learn.
> > Anyhow. Does anyone know any great radio sales people they
>
> > have worked with? And recount their thrilling exploits!
> > For instance:
> > Do they always wear the sharpest clothes?
> > What kind of cars, too?
> > Are they the most faithful spouses?
> > Please tell.
> >
> If you want a radio sales gig and you think you have the
> stuff...bring it! Revolution 101 is looking for a few good
> minds to hit the streets!!! Call Ted at the station if you
> are looking! Of course...I know you are kidding...but if
> you aren't...seriously...we can use a new rep or 2 to top
> off what we have!!!
>
one of our older sales guys(who by the way, had the worst breath
in the world...his breath could knock a buzzard off of a sh**wagon
at thirty paces)he sticks his head into the control room door, with
a concert announcement on a piece of paper....he then asks me
"do we play carrot top?" i don't know if it was the question or
the breath, but i fell off of my chair and almost passed out
from laughing and holding my breath. true story!!!
 
> > > Hey all new friend of radio!
> > > I've often considered radio sales as a career.
> > > I went to an interview for a sales position for a radio
> > > station in Altoona but I thought the sales manager had
> > > flashed a rival gang symbol at me and I smashed a coffee
>
> > cup
> > > into his temple. It was his coffee cup, which is what
> lost
> >
> > > the job for me, I suppose.
> > > My therapist argues against becoming a radio saleman,
> > > anyway, saying it doesn't fit my profile: I'm a
> > psychopath,
> > > not a sociopath. But, hey, I'm, a quick learn.
> > > Anyhow. Does anyone know any great radio sales people
> they
> >
> > > have worked with? And recount their thrilling exploits!
> > > For instance:
> > > Do they always wear the sharpest clothes?
> > > What kind of cars, too?
> > > Are they the most faithful spouses?
> > > Please tell.
> > >
> > If you want a radio sales gig and you think you have the
> > stuff...bring it! Revolution 101 is looking for a few
> good
> > minds to hit the streets!!! Call Ted at the station if
> you
> > are looking! Of course...I know you are kidding...but if
> > you aren't...seriously...we can use a new rep or 2 to top
> > off what we have!!!
> >
> one of our older sales guys(who by the way, had the worst
> breath
> in the world...his breath could knock a buzzard off of a
> sh**wagon
> at thirty paces)he sticks his head into the control room
> door, with
> a concert announcement on a piece of paper....he then asks
> me
> "do we play carrot top?" i don't know if it was the
> question or
> the breath, but i fell off of my chair and almost passed
> out
> from laughing and holding my breath. true story!!!
>
During WRSC's early days, sales reps were paid 10% commission on weekly sales above a certain base...pretty standard at the time. The strange thing was a policy of paying the same sales reps 10% commission on collections they made of accounts over 90 days old. Needless to say, there wasn't much incentive to push accounts to pay up until the magical 90 day moment, and the extra 10% arrived.
 
I worked with a guy...real jerk. And a "born-again Christian" who liked to advertise his religion to everyone, which makes this story all the more special.

We had a pretty, young female board op who had just started about a month before. She worked at night, so usually there was no one else in the building when she was there. So one night Mr. Christian came into the studio and approached her with a piece of cardboard in his hand. On the cardboard were about 100 Good 'n Plenty candies, glued down in the shape of a penis. He shows it to her and goes, "I'll bet you'd like to eat this."

For some reason, she was appalled at this. So Romeo pins her against the wall and tries to kiss her.

This was in the pre-Anita Hill/Clarence Thomas days, so the sales loser just got a slap on the wrist. And about a year later he pulled something similar with another female employee.

> > > > Hey all new friend of radio!
> > > > I've often considered radio sales as a career.
> > > > I went to an interview for a sales position for a
> radio
> > > > station in Altoona but I thought the sales manager had
>
> > > > flashed a rival gang symbol at me and I smashed a
> coffee
> >
> > > cup
> > > > into his temple. It was his coffee cup, which is what
> > lost
> > >
> > > > the job for me, I suppose.
> > > > My therapist argues against becoming a radio saleman,
> > > > anyway, saying it doesn't fit my profile: I'm a
> > > psychopath,
> > > > not a sociopath. But, hey, I'm, a quick learn.
> > > > Anyhow. Does anyone know any great radio sales people
> > they
> > >
> > > > have worked with? And recount their thrilling
> exploits!
> > > > For instance:
> > > > Do they always wear the sharpest clothes?
> > > > What kind of cars, too?
> > > > Are they the most faithful spouses?
> > > > Please tell.
> > > >
> > > If you want a radio sales gig and you think you have the
>
> > > stuff...bring it! Revolution 101 is looking for a few
> > good
> > > minds to hit the streets!!! Call Ted at the station if
> > you
> > > are looking! Of course...I know you are kidding...but
> if
> > > you aren't...seriously...we can use a new rep or 2 to
> top
> > > off what we have!!!
> > >
> > one of our older sales guys(who by the way, had the
> worst
> > breath
> > in the world...his breath could knock a buzzard off of a
>
> > sh**wagon
> > at thirty paces)he sticks his head into the control room
>
> > door, with
> > a concert announcement on a piece of paper....he then
> asks
> > me
> > "do we play carrot top?" i don't know if it was the
> > question or
> > the breath, but i fell off of my chair and almost passed
>
> > out
> > from laughing and holding my breath. true story!!!
> >
> During WRSC's early days, sales reps were paid 10%
> commission on weekly sales above a certain base...pretty
> standard at the time. The strange thing was a policy of
> paying the same sales reps 10% commission on collections
> they made of accounts over 90 days old. Needless to say,
> there wasn't much incentive to push accounts to pay up until
> the magical 90 day moment, and the extra 10% arrived.
>
 
I am so glad that radio reps have changed over the years. The seem much more profesional and savey. They dress the dress, look the look and talk the talk. They are weel trained and motivated. Its not just here. Go to the conventions and sales reps are young good looking and psyched. They are PROUD. It is a good thing for our industry. It is hard that in a small market like ours some still have to battle the vendor bias that some locals enjoy forcing on these folks. I cant imagine why you would enjoy bashng some rep who wants to do a good job.


> I worked with a guy...real jerk. And a "born-again
> Christian" who liked to advertise his religion to everyone,
> which makes this story all the more special.
>
> We had a pretty, young female board op who had just started
> about a month before. She worked at night, so usually there
> was no one else in the building when she was there. So one
> night Mr. Christian came into the studio and approached her
> with a piece of cardboard in his hand. On the cardboard
> were about 100 Good 'n Plenty candies, glued down in the
> shape of a penis. He shows it to her and goes, "I'll bet
> you'd like to eat this."
>
> For some reason, she was appalled at this. So Romeo pins
> her against the wall and tries to kiss her.
>
> This was in the pre-Anita Hill/Clarence Thomas days, so the
> sales loser just got a slap on the wrist. And about a year
> later he pulled something similar with another female
> employee.
>
> > > > > Hey all new friend of radio!
> > > > > I've often considered radio sales as a career.
> > > > > I went to an interview for a sales position for a
> > radio
> > > > > station in Altoona but I thought the sales manager
> had
> >
> > > > > flashed a rival gang symbol at me and I smashed a
> > coffee
> > >
> > > > cup
> > > > > into his temple. It was his coffee cup, which is
> what
> > > lost
> > > >
> > > > > the job for me, I suppose.
> > > > > My therapist argues against becoming a radio
> saleman,
> > > > > anyway, saying it doesn't fit my profile: I'm a
> > > > psychopath,
> > > > > not a sociopath. But, hey, I'm, a quick learn.
> > > > > Anyhow. Does anyone know any great radio sales
> people
> > > they
> > > >
> > > > > have worked with? And recount their thrilling
> > exploits!
> > > > > For instance:
> > > > > Do they always wear the sharpest clothes?
> > > > > What kind of cars, too?
> > > > > Are they the most faithful spouses?
> > > > > Please tell.
> > > > >
> > > > If you want a radio sales gig and you think you have
> the
> >
> > > > stuff...bring it! Revolution 101 is looking for a few
>
> > > good
> > > > minds to hit the streets!!! Call Ted at the station
> if
> > > you
> > > > are looking! Of course...I know you are kidding...but
>
> > if
> > > > you aren't...seriously...we can use a new rep or 2 to
> > top
> > > > off what we have!!!
> > > >
> > > one of our older sales guys(who by the way, had the
> > worst
> > > breath
> > > in the world...his breath could knock a buzzard off of
> a
> >
> > > sh**wagon
> > > at thirty paces)he sticks his head into the control
> room
> >
> > > door, with
> > > a concert announcement on a piece of paper....he then
> > asks
> > > me
> > > "do we play carrot top?" i don't know if it was the
> > > question or
> > > the breath, but i fell off of my chair and almost
> passed
> >
> > > out
> > > from laughing and holding my breath. true story!!!
> > >
> > During WRSC's early days, sales reps were paid 10%
> > commission on weekly sales above a certain base...pretty
> > standard at the time. The strange thing was a policy of
> > paying the same sales reps 10% commission on collections
> > they made of accounts over 90 days old. Needless to say,
> > there wasn't much incentive to push accounts to pay up
> until
> > the magical 90 day moment, and the extra 10% arrived.
> >
>
 
My relationship with reps was off-and-on. At WMAJ/B-103, there were only a select few who I encountered who had a clue about radio. But it is a very hard job, and not one I would want.

> I am so glad that radio reps have changed over the years.
> The seem much more profesional and savey. They dress the
> dress, look the look and talk the talk. They are weel
> trained and motivated. Its not just here. Go to the
> conventions and sales reps are young good looking and
> psyched. They are PROUD. It is a good thing for our
> industry. It is hard that in a small market like ours some
> still have to battle the vendor bias that some locals enjoy
> forcing on these folks. I cant imagine why you would enjoy
> bashng some rep who wants to do a good job.
>
>
> > I worked with a guy...real jerk. And a "born-again
> > Christian" who liked to advertise his religion to
> everyone,
> > which makes this story all the more special.
> >
> > We had a pretty, young female board op who had just
> started
> > about a month before. She worked at night, so usually
> there
> > was no one else in the building when she was there. So
> one
> > night Mr. Christian came into the studio and approached
> her
> > with a piece of cardboard in his hand. On the cardboard
> > were about 100 Good 'n Plenty candies, glued down in the
> > shape of a penis. He shows it to her and goes, "I'll bet
> > you'd like to eat this."
> >
> > For some reason, she was appalled at this. So Romeo pins
> > her against the wall and tries to kiss her.
> >
> > This was in the pre-Anita Hill/Clarence Thomas days, so
> the
> > sales loser just got a slap on the wrist. And about a
> year
> > later he pulled something similar with another female
> > employee.
> >
> > > > > > Hey all new friend of radio!
> > > > > > I've often considered radio sales as a career.
> > > > > > I went to an interview for a sales position for a
> > > radio
> > > > > > station in Altoona but I thought the sales manager
>
> > had
> > >
> > > > > > flashed a rival gang symbol at me and I smashed a
> > > coffee
> > > >
> > > > > cup
> > > > > > into his temple. It was his coffee cup, which is
> > what
> > > > lost
> > > > >
> > > > > > the job for me, I suppose.
> > > > > > My therapist argues against becoming a radio
> > saleman,
> > > > > > anyway, saying it doesn't fit my profile: I'm a
> > > > > psychopath,
> > > > > > not a sociopath. But, hey, I'm, a quick learn.
> > > > > > Anyhow. Does anyone know any great radio sales
> > people
> > > > they
> > > > >
> > > > > > have worked with? And recount their thrilling
> > > exploits!
> > > > > > For instance:
> > > > > > Do they always wear the sharpest clothes?
> > > > > > What kind of cars, too?
> > > > > > Are they the most faithful spouses?
> > > > > > Please tell.
> > > > > >
> > > > > If you want a radio sales gig and you think you have
>
> > the
> > >
> > > > > stuff...bring it! Revolution 101 is looking for a
> few
> >
> > > > good
> > > > > minds to hit the streets!!! Call Ted at the station
>
> > if
> > > > you
> > > > > are looking! Of course...I know you are
> kidding...but
> >
> > > if
> > > > > you aren't...seriously...we can use a new rep or 2
> to
> > > top
> > > > > off what we have!!!
> > > > >
> > > > one of our older sales guys(who by the way, had the
> > > worst
> > > > breath
> > > > in the world...his breath could knock a buzzard off
> of
> > a
> > >
> > > > sh**wagon
> > > > at thirty paces)he sticks his head into the control
> > room
> > >
> > > > door, with
> > > > a concert announcement on a piece of paper....he
> then
> > > asks
> > > > me
> > > > "do we play carrot top?" i don't know if it was the
> > > > question or
> > > > the breath, but i fell off of my chair and almost
> > passed
> > >
> > > > out
> > > > from laughing and holding my breath. true story!!!
> > > >
> > > During WRSC's early days, sales reps were paid 10%
> > > commission on weekly sales above a certain base...pretty
>
> > > standard at the time. The strange thing was a policy of
> > > paying the same sales reps 10% commission on collections
>
> > > they made of accounts over 90 days old. Needless to say,
>
> > > there wasn't much incentive to push accounts to pay up
> > until
> > > the magical 90 day moment, and the extra 10% arrived.
> > >
> >
>
 
> I cant imagine why you would enjoy
> bashng some rep who wants to do a good job.

Because (GENERALLY SPEAKING) sales think THEY are the reason the station is alive. The creative side however is what people hear and keeps people listening, and they are paid (usually) a lot less than the salespeople. Also, airstaff/creative are quick to be replaced when ratings start sinking or cutbacks need to be made, NOT management or sales. This is the reason sales gets the attack.

Of course it wouldn't be fair for me to not mention the salespeople who don't fit the mold. There actually some I've work with who 'get it'.<P ID="signature">______________
-DK</P>
 
> My relationship with reps was off-and-on. At WMAJ/B-103,
> there were only a select few who I encountered who had a
> clue about radio. But it is a very hard job, and not one I
> would want.

Me neither. I've worked at large market stations and get most of my stories from there. I've also worked at small stations were I suggested the sales people get another gig. I like my gig, it's good, it's worthwhile, and the sales folks have a lot to do to make it happen.

I'm sure any sales person could tell a tale ABOUT us. From the bottom of my heart, if you sell, if you secure underwriting, THANK YOU very much. You are the KING OF THE WORLD, despite what that Titanic guy says. Thank you.
 
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