I have broadcast students that asked me what are the two or three most important things to know if they enter the world of radio. I told them learning how to edit on Adobe is one and knowing how to voice track is another. Also told them to expect low pay. Any other ideas I can offer them???
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Students want to know....
- Thread starter WRLK
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ok walters
Guest
Unless they are an engineer, they need some sales skills. One trick ponies are becoming extinct in today's broadcast environment. If you plan on saying "I don't do sales, I am just on air" you should also expect to raise skinny kids. There are 1000 Wolfman Jacks out there for every sales applicant who is worth a darn.
I think the biggest disservice schools do is focus mainly on the fun part of radio, and ignore the areas where the jobs are. When I graduated from college, I was shocked to learn there were many more jobs in a radio station besides on-air. Obviously sales is important, and students need to learn the creative part of sales. Marketing, promotions, engineering, and now social media and other online skills. They should also be prepared to leave their hometown. The best jobs aren't the easy ones. It's easy to walk into the local Wal Mart and get a job. If you want to do radio, you may have to go someplace where it's actually being done, and that may be in another state. But I think the real challenge for students today is to think like entrepreneurs, not employees. Because anyone with a voice can be a DJ...it takes real skill and talent to make money at it. The legends in radio like Alan Freed and Dick Clark were self-starters and entrepreneurs who knew how to market and invest in themselves. We need more of that today.
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On another website was an article written by an engineer. There are many electrical and electronic devices around a radio station that need servicing. IT is one thing but there are many non-IT devices that need maintaining. The article relates that the author is having trouble finding young engineers to take over.
Voice tracking is a skill that they will need. One student did voice tracking at the school station and landed a PT job at a nearby commercial station because of it. I have told them they will most likely move around from station to station, state to state as they hone their skills. I did....Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Florida. I also tell them to aim for smaller markets where they can get some real valuable experience doing everything...including sales and promotions. Most kids have a pretty good understanding of computers but I only have one student that "loves" setting the remote FM studio and working with equipment and repair. He's pretty good as soldering XLR cables too.
If you can tell me what I am lacking, maybe you can help me finally get a PAID radio career.
Here is my resume:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/djmoradio
Here is my resume:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/djmoradio
There are no rules in this thing. No certification or degree you need to earn. No exam you have to take. No sure-fire way to get a job. That's what makes it so damned hard. It's easier to become a lawyer or doctor. You just try to be in the right place at the right time, recognize it's the right place and the right time (those are two different things), and make the hiring person an offer he can't refuse. And never say no.
When I was 22, I worked at four different stations, in four different areas, under four different names. Seven days a week.
When I was 22, I worked at four different stations, in four different areas, under four different names. Seven days a week.
DJ Mo.....Impressive resume. Need to hear some audio. I missed your show on WPRK whenever I was in Winter Park. BIG-A has been through the wringer but you have to keep trying. Can be very frustrating to say the least. I have to make it a point to get up to WLBE and check it out. Sounds impressive.
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ok walters
Guest
Sales is the key moving forward. Think you could get on air if you walk in with sponsors, or at least the willingness to go get them? The "I am only on air" guy is a dying breed. How many on air radio people are there in Orlando who make a decent wage and do no sales? Not as many as you think - it is a pretty small window of opportunity, so you better be prepared to pay your dues or you better be REALLY good - or you better mix some sales in. The smaller markets are even more multi task driven - no sales, no job in many cases.
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ok walters
Guest
You are welcome anytime. Not much to see, but it is a classic old school AM station in a medium sized town.
If you would like to listen to me, the previously recorded podcast is here:
http://www.dar.fm/rss/6936wjr
As for sales, I am willing to spend some time with someone to learn how to get businesses to sponsor a radio show.
I do not see "Sales Intern" on any radio job websites, so this might be something I need to learn on my own?
http://www.dar.fm/rss/6936wjr
As for sales, I am willing to spend some time with someone to learn how to get businesses to sponsor a radio show.
I do not see "Sales Intern" on any radio job websites, so this might be something I need to learn on my own?
I am familiar with WLBE to some extent and am very impressed with their "hometown" community attitude, the programing of oldies that their audience can relate to and even the morning auction. WLBE throws a pretty good signal into Winter Park where I have a condo and I'd rather listen to them then the Orlando stations. I like small town stuff. Being a ham operator, I don't mind noise on the AM band courtesy of power lines and other junk. When I plan to stay in Florida....which may be soon, I plan to visit the station. Nice article in the Orlando paper about it too. Leesburg is a neat city.
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Groove1670
Guest
Learn sales, promotions, engineering, everything! The days of just VT'ing or production are coming to a close (unless you do multiple stations). With tight budgets, and syndicated fare. The job market will shrink unless you know everything about the business.
Many of the veterans now (including me) have moved to smaller markets. Gone into ownership, or retired.
If you love this business. I urge you to learn everything.
Many of the veterans now (including me) have moved to smaller markets. Gone into ownership, or retired.
If you love this business. I urge you to learn everything.
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A conversation like this messes with my head!
After my broadcasting days, I paraded through several "industries". And several of them, looking back on it, are just as confusing as is broadcasting if you sit down and try to explain to someone how to prepare for that line of work.
There was a time when it made sense for entry level people to "learn the traditions of the industry" so you understood where the path was headed. Trying to "plan a career, plan an education" is like herding cats. Where will your industry be in 10 years? Will your job description in that industry still exist 10 years from now?
I was trying to expedite an employee's health insurance claim settlement. A lawyer was involved. So I called the lawyer and found myself talking with a reporter at a daily newspaper in Ft. Myers, FL. "Who are you, and why are you involved in the claim of my employee?" Oh, I work with his wife so we are friends. Yes, I am a reporter, but I knew that to be employable as a reporter, you need a specialty. So after J-school, I studied law. I tell everyone to add something very special to their resume.
A young theology student probably needs to add to his/her plans a degree in chemistry or accounting or something that gives credibility.
You get the picture. If you are college age and actually getting college level studies in broadcasting, get a second degree or a masters in something different. Your future employers will know you have an escape hatch if they treat you like dirt. (In broadcasting????? Gee, I can't believe I let something like that slip out.) And it will be good for you socially: If all you know is radio broadcasting, you may have a dull social life.
After my broadcasting days, I paraded through several "industries". And several of them, looking back on it, are just as confusing as is broadcasting if you sit down and try to explain to someone how to prepare for that line of work.
There was a time when it made sense for entry level people to "learn the traditions of the industry" so you understood where the path was headed. Trying to "plan a career, plan an education" is like herding cats. Where will your industry be in 10 years? Will your job description in that industry still exist 10 years from now?
I was trying to expedite an employee's health insurance claim settlement. A lawyer was involved. So I called the lawyer and found myself talking with a reporter at a daily newspaper in Ft. Myers, FL. "Who are you, and why are you involved in the claim of my employee?" Oh, I work with his wife so we are friends. Yes, I am a reporter, but I knew that to be employable as a reporter, you need a specialty. So after J-school, I studied law. I tell everyone to add something very special to their resume.
A young theology student probably needs to add to his/her plans a degree in chemistry or accounting or something that gives credibility.
You get the picture. If you are college age and actually getting college level studies in broadcasting, get a second degree or a masters in something different. Your future employers will know you have an escape hatch if they treat you like dirt. (In broadcasting????? Gee, I can't believe I let something like that slip out.) And it will be good for you socially: If all you know is radio broadcasting, you may have a dull social life.
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Groove1670
Guest
Good advice don't make broadcasting your major, or only option.
If you love this business. I urge you to learn everything.[/QUOTE]
Soooooo true. Like the captain of a ship, you should know how everything works and what it does. While I have been doing news for many years, I've jocked, voice tracked and have some engineer experience via my ham radio ..especially with antenna construction and transmitter maintainence. Learn everything you can...and will come in handy.
Soooooo true. Like the captain of a ship, you should know how everything works and what it does. While I have been doing news for many years, I've jocked, voice tracked and have some engineer experience via my ham radio ..especially with antenna construction and transmitter maintainence. Learn everything you can...and will come in handy.
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