What advice do you give to radio wannabes???

[The Flash]

I get a LOT of requests & questions from college students & young adults who are interested in careers in radio.

Most of the time there's no "talent" whatsoever, but occasionally I see (and hear) talent and desire among interns and other kids.

Obviously, you want to pull a Dilbert and tell them to "RUN AWAY ... SAVE YOURSELF!"

There appears to be no long-term future for radio talent, so do you chase them totally out of the business or just encourage them to pursue a part-time situation as a hobby and get a "Real" job somewhere else?

Or do you encourage them to but together a group of investors and BUY a cluster!?

I'd LOVE to hear everybody's feedback ... and I'll forward the topic link to anyone who asks me about a job!

 

[X-14]

Hmmmm... that's a toughie, but a great thread, Flash.

Years ago... decades, probably... it was predicted that television would die due to the competition from cable, satellite, etc. But it didn't. It had to get leaner and more forward-thinking. As a result, groundbreaking shows like "24" and beautifully-produced mini-series came about to offer viable competition to cable and satellite and Netflix.

For years record companies fought the downloading of music files before being forced to adapt and move forward to be able to survive in a consumer-driven environment. Now, instead of taking companies like Napster to court and trying to put them out of business, record companies are courting iTunes and even companies like Verizon wireless to be able to sell their wares via those channels.

I think I'd tell radio wanna-be's to truly think way outside the box.

Radio won't ever truly die, but it's already evolving in ways such as satellite radio, online stations, podcasts and so on.
And, like network television, it will HAVE to radically adjust to remain viable.

So where will the mindset come from that will enable radio to leap into the present day (God forbid!) and beyond in order to survive and compete? Probably not from the suits who've been sitting above the glass ceiling for decades. It will need to come from the same young, bright, energetic minds that were capable of creating enterprises like Google, Facebook, Myspace, YouTube and so on.

I think there will be way less need for 'talent' as we know it, and way MORE need for visionaries; for those who can sit down and say "What if we tried THIS...??" and not only could make a justifiable case for it, but put it into motion.

The truth is, there will be very few opportunities for very few people in radio, as has often been the case in the past. But tomorrow's radio stars really need to get past the idea of being the next great morning show and, instead, be honest as to whether they have the visions and creativity to look ahead to see what the listening public really wants, and then fill that void.

 

[bellepepper]

as horace greeley said: go west young man...in radio that means Move to a new town if need be to advance.

 

[Goodtimesandgreatoldies]

I would tell young folk like that to seek out employment at small locally owned am`s (there are still quite a few locally owned fm`s in certain areas). If they have talent, are lucky and hang in there and home their craft, they may make it big in radio someday. Suggest that they intern first at stations like this (to get their foot in the door). I know quite a few people in management radio jobs that started out as board-ops etc.

 

[andyfrom88]

They can do like I've done (and I'm nowhere near done or far in my career) and get some experience in college. I spent 4 damn good years at Album 88 and learned a lot from experienced jocks who taught me what they had learned. I constantly bugged Jeff Walker and Tom Taylor for advice and guidance, luckily they didn't outright tell me to forget it and run.

Honestly, I learned nearly nothing useful in my GSU journalism classes, except for the historical and legal classes. Everything (as little as it may be) I've used at DaveFM I brought from 88. At Dave, I've had some excellent teachers and advice givers - list a name from the station and they've helped me.

 

[KR4BD]

I posted this on the Nashville page several weeks ago. This sums up my take on the subject:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My suggestion for ANYONE wanting to work in this business:

Find another line of work! I really mean it. Even though I have sporadically worked in the field part-time over the last 40 years, I depended on other sources of income to live on!!!

There is NO SECURE FUTURE for the VAST MAJORITY of those wanting to work in the "on air" side of the broadcasting business today . Forty years ago, armed with a 4-year degree and EXPERIENCE, I wanted to get into the broadcast news business. The problem back then was: For every opening, there were hundreds of applicants. This kept wages LOW for those who did get hired into the field. Over the years, I have worked (mostly part-time) in a variety of on-air jobs and even a bit of engineering. I never made any "real" money that was much higher than minimum wage.

Benefits? You're kidding, right? Like the business today, there was no such thing as security back then, either. Fact is, there were so many people trying to get in the door, they would ACCEPT almost anything paywise. I once worked at a Major Market station (early 1970's) where the average full-time jock with a FIRST PHONE FCC license was making $135/week. One day, a really talented guy came in looking for work. The PD was really impressed, but had no openings. At hearing this, the jock asked, "What do you pay your jocks when you do hire them?" The PD told him $135. At this, the jock said he would work for $130! Guess what? The guy on the air at that time was LET GO at the end of his shift and the "walk in guy" got the job for $130 and started the next day!!! At many stations (but certainly not all), that's the way it was (and still is) done. And things are much worse now. There are too many people looking for work and FEWER jobs available. Back then, we didn't have all the automation, Voice Tracking and Syndicated programming we have today, so stations had to be staffed with REAL LIVE people 24/7/365. Not so today.

The attitude of owners and managers is this: Why should I pay someone to run my station when a computer can do it?

About 10 years ago, I sought out a part-time position at a small local AM station. The station manager bluntly told me that he did not need to hire anyone because his computer was more dependable than a LIVE BODY! He boasted that he didn't have to pay the computer wages, health insurance, workman's comp, social security, benefits, etc. And the computer never called in "Sick" nor asked for "vacation time".

I recently read where the entire Broadcasting Field is one of the Top shrinking businesses for job seekers. Face it....The hand writing is on the wall. Broadcasting is truly a shrinking business for job seekers. I personally Hate all the Voice Tracking, Automation and NON LOCALISM that has ruined the business today, but it's not going to change.

Don't misconstrue what I am saying. I LOVE radio. I really wanted to make a career of it and was willing to "pay my dues" to make it. But after a few years, it was obvious I would probably never own a NEW car, support a family, be able to buy a house and have any sort of job security in this business. I'll never forget the time I was "let go" from a job the day before Christmas, along with about half the staff of the station. Reason: Projected ad revenue after the holidays was "low", so cutbacks were necessary.

Fortunately, I found another satisfying career path which paid decent money, provided great opportunity and more security. Now that I am nearing retirement, I may again seek out a part-time job in radio, because I will be able to afford a low paying job doing something that I like to do!

If you really like this business, seek out part-time work (weekends, etc.) to get your "fix". Over the years, I've done this while always having another job that could "pay the bills".

 

[oaktree]

Did somebody say "radio" and "career" in the same sentence?

 

[charlestace]

I say the same thing I've always said, "If you are totally captivated by the idea of being in radio, have been intoxicated by the idea for quite some time, and you can't imagine ever wanting to do anything else, then give it a shot. If 'getting into radio' is just one of many options you are considering, please do yourself and everyone else a great big favor: take one of those other options."

 

[Poledo]

Fifteen someodd years ago my first broadcasting teacher started class by telling the auditorium that we couldn't survive in radio. I think the numbers she gave (in 1990 money) were less than 5% make decent money in radio and less than 20% can make a living in it. I believe she said that we would be very lucky to find a job paying $25000/year in the Atlanta market.,, a market with a much higher cost of living than. say, Valdosta. I continued taking broadcasting classes at UGA for 2 quarters before I really realized what a bad mistake I had made. I left school and and forgot about broadcasting. I started making over $50000 in a completely unrelated field less than a year later, with no college degree.
Several years later I was still interested in radio but I didn't expect to make any money out of it. I played around with a couple of friends running a 100 and later a 250 watt pirate station which was the most fun I could imagine having in radio. The equipment for the 100 watt station wound up being stolen and the 250 watt broke and was never repaired, oh well.
I still like the concept of radio and I would love to own and operate a small cluster of stations located outside of rated markets but all within a 100 mile radius of each other. I would never consider trying this unless I had money to burn. If someone offered me a 100 watt transmitter I would crank up a pirate tomorrow, but I wouldn't be willing to invest money in such an operation.

Making a long post short, if you're rich, do whatever you want. Bird calls are cool. If you need to make a living, find a real job and make friends with someone who runs a pirate station that can't be linked to you.

 

[Paul_Warren]

It pains me to say this, but in the last few years I've done some career day stints, and teenagers are much more excited about my current podcasting work than they are when i mention my radio background.

If a newbie told me he wanted to get into radio, I'd first find out which of the two big draws he really sought - involvement with the music industry, or the communication with the listener part.

If it's the chance to be close to the music industry, I'd suggest he start with a promotions internship at a station with a format targeting 18-24, or a Country station. If it's the interaction with listeners he's after, I'd suggest he look into Country, AC and Talk formats, but also broaden his scope beyond local radio.

The internet now provides anyone the opportunity to take a niche interest, develop audio programming for it, and build an audience of significant size. If your passion is shared with only .01% of the population, radio won't touch it. On the web, multiply that "share" across the entire globe, and you can wind up with more listeners than the AQH of some "successful" Atlanta radio stations.

If you're going to stay employed through the coming changes in technology, you can't consider yourself a "radio person." You have to consider yourself an "audio content person," and stay alert for any chance to provide content with your mind and mic, no matter how it's distributed.

 

[FloydB]

It sounds like we all are about on the same page.

A friend of mine, whose a MD in town and has been in the business for about 15+ years, told me one of the things he says at career lectures and such, which p's off instructors but it IS the truth:

He tells students NOT to go to school for broadcasting. We all know most of the people whose successful in this business got most of their experience from the school of hard knocks, and not from a degree in journalism or media. Instead he tell them to go to school and get that "parachute", especially since this business has been so wishy-washy since it's inception. Get that backup just in case radio doesn't work out. Besides, how many of the "power players" in virtually any business has a degree specializing in the business? Almost none. Most have MBAs and such.

These days, this philosophy works with just about any career, unfortunately. EVERY career option is volatile, even some in health care. There's no "sure money maker" anymore, so the more diversely educated one is, the better chance they can find something, somewhere.

 

[The Flash]

Here's the most common perception problem for the wannabes ...
They start as a major-market intern, then advance to phone screener and maybe some production work behind the scenes.
But they think the next move is into the full-time night-jock slot. They don't even want to settle for part-time weekend work in a major market.

I've always said you "shift ladders" and move to the higher rung of a shorter ladder (smaller market - better position) and gain the experience.

The road to full-time Atlanta radio usually goes through Cartersville, Macon, Greenville and Birmingham, right?

I appreciate everybody's feedback ... I'm going to use this thread as a research link for wannabes, so keep the advice coming!

 

[bnaivar]

I posted this on the Nashville page several weeks ago. This sums up my take on the subject:

If you really like this business, seek out part-time work (weekends, etc.) to get your "fix". Over the years, I've done this while always having another job that could "pay the bills".

I couldn't agree more. If it works out that you're an undiscovered superstar, great. If not, no harm, no foul.

 

[JoshuaC]

On a slightly different take... I've had the opportunity (not as much here in ATL yet, but in the past at my last job) to have interns and guide people through the "getting into radio" gig. The one piece of advice I always give: Learn about the TECH side too!

So much of our industry is so dependent on computers... and obviously electronics is important. There was a time in radio that in order to even sit in front of a console you needed to have some modicum of understanding of how it all worked. You'll do yourself a big favor in the long run if you do that again.

Learn the air chain. Make friends with the engineer. Show interest in all aspects (sales, promotions, engineering, so on and so forth). The world of truly successful ON-AIR talent is small and getting smaller, but fortunately there are a lot of technical needs for radio stations. I so often hear engineers (not just in radio... but in other technical industries as well) bemoan the loss of young people getting in to this field. Graybeards are always good to have around, but they unfortunately do not stick around forever.

It's also a good way to guarantee a somewhat more stable job than the ubiquitous "producer" gig.

 

[redneckriviera]

Okay, I'll be the contrarian.

Radio is a medium that still--still--reaches more than 93 percent of all American humans, every week. That is comparable to television, and light years stronger than any print medium. And, BTW, still considerably stronger than the internet--which has been stuck at around 70 percent reach for most of the decade. Radio is way too powerful, and valuable as an advertising medium, to wither up and die anytime soon.

The people who populate radio, though, are largely Baby Boomers. Look around any radio station or cluster and (with the possible exception of America's handful of remaining CHRs & Activer Rockers) you'll see a shitload of people in their 40s, 50s & 60s. This is mostly the result of consolidation, automation and the unintentional-but-effective closing of the entry-level gigs over the past dozen years.

This all means GREAT opportunity for young people today and for the next decade or so. We (Boomers) will all be retiring and/or dead fairly soon and the industry will need to replace us. $$$$$$$ for today's young-uns.

Earnings? Hey, radio has always been one of the most NEGOTIABLE workplaces on earth. I've done very well over the past 40 years--mostly in small & medium markets--but it hasn't been by just taking what was offered. I cut myself good deals, time after time after time. Yes, it helps to have sales skills--but not just for schlepping spots. Those same skills apply to "selling yourself" at hiring time.

And there will be some incredible negotiating opportunities for bright, skilled younger broadcasters over the next few years. Because radio will need them more than they need radio. Get it?

BTW, I also recommend that any & all young prospective broadcasters--regardless of their particular area of interest (ATs, programming, news, engineering, sales, management)--educate themselves formally, as much as possible. At least a bachelor's degree (it's what a high school diploma used to be). Preferrably, a master's degree (it shows that you're a top-tier thinker and/or worker). Both my kids have master's degrees, and both are doing well... in broadcasting. With no help, direct or indirect, from me.

 

[gravelgertie]

Just like an earlier poster stated: "Seek another line of employment"! One can pour heart and soul into the business (long hours-weekends-holidays-sick/vacation relief - and most times without extra pay) but if the numbers aren't there, most times you're shown the door! In a normal career, reward is the result of effort and hard work.

 

[amfmxm]

Just like an earlier poster stated: "Seek another line of employment"! One can pour heart and soul into the business (long hours-weekends-holidays-sick/vacation relief - and most times without extra pay) but if the numbers aren't there, most times you're shown the door! In a normal career, reward is the result of effort and hard work.

Yeah, just like the NFL. Or Broadway. As someone said, it's like singin' or dancin' or carrying a football. It's all about performance. If you find out that you just can't perform at a competitive level, you're better off putting hubcaps on at the Toyota factory--or someplace else where they pay you for just showing up every day and going through the motions.

But if you can follow your blocking and rip off 6 yards a carry every Sunday, life in the NFL ain't half bad. And if it turns out the listening audience really laps up your jock schtick, life as a radio Air Talent ain't half bad either.

 

[TheOrem]

On a slightly different take... I've had the opportunity (not as much here in ATL yet, but in the past at my last job) to have interns and guide people through the "getting into radio" gig. The one piece of advice I always give: Learn about the TECH side too!

So much of our industry is so dependent on computers... and obviously electronics is important. There was a time in radio that in order to even sit in front of a console you needed to have some modicum of understanding of how it all worked. You'll do yourself a big favor in the long run if you do that again.

Learn the air chain. Make friends with the engineer. Show interest in all aspects (sales, promotions, engineering, so on and so forth). The world of truly successful ON-AIR talent is small and getting smaller, but fortunately there are a lot of technical needs for radio stations. I so often hear engineers (not just in radio... but in other technical industries as well) bemoan the loss of young people getting in to this field. Graybeards are always good to have around, but they unfortunately do not stick around forever.

It's also a good way to guarantee a somewhat more stable job than the ubiquitous "producer" gig.

Agreed! Fight hard and sponge up every piece of knowledge you can. Prove yourself, pull 17-hour days and the big thing I've had to learn, keep your head high!

 

[mchatham103]

My advice that I give whenever people ask me about it is to have a backup plan. If radio is truly what you love and want to do, go for it. Don't make it your only trade though. I majored in broadcast in college and should have taken on a second major, and when I decided to get out of the business, it was VERY difficult to find a company willing to take on someone who was looking to change careers. After a while, you just might get your heart broken enough to where you decide to do something else. I like the idea that someone had about doing it part time to get your fix. Wise decision given he stability of this business. If you want it, go for it, because it really is a fun business to be in. Just be prepared for when it doesn't work out, because even if you lose a job and decide to stay in the business, for many, it can be a long time waiting before you find another radio job.

MC

 

[Surfer]

Broadcasting, as with any business, has its ups and downs. There will always be good employers and bad employers. While just about everyone on this board bashes somebody somewhere, at some time, the reality is that radio is a lot of fun...PERIOD! Where else can you get paid for talking, both to yourself and on the phone, and playing music? Nowhere that I know of. This is still a business where you can get girls (or now, from what my female contemporaries are telling me...guys), be a star (albeit, the lowest on the food chain), and still manage to work for a major corporation (in most cases) and score some benefits (if not a fair paycheck).

Yes, there are exceptions. Yes, it's hard. Yes, jobs are drying up and yes, there is still a lot of competition for what few jobs are available. But, if radio wasn't fun, why are so many people lining up to get in...EVEN WHEN THEY'VE BEEN A PART OF THE BUSINESS AND SHOULD KNOW BETTER?!?

For somebody who wants in, here's the scoop from somebody who never should have made it. I have no radio voice. Zip, zilch, nada! Yet I've been on the air doing everything from morning shows to commercial voice overs. I've been in sales although I can't really, from my point of view, sell a thing. I've done promotions, even though I'm generally terrified of any public contact (very true). And I've been fortunate enough to program and manage radio properties for large and small owners. I am a technically proficient but no-talent lucky you-know-what. Why?

Because I knew someone who was already there. The best way to get in a station is an insider contact. It's "who you know" not "what you know" that gets you in. Every job I've ever had has been from somebody who either got me the job or heard from a friend that they had a friend who could do something cheaper than the existing professional. After 27 years, I am now the existing professional and I WILL hire folks I know who need a job...period. It's always worked for me and caused me to have a successful career.

College, broadcasting school, degrees, back up careers...all good and SHOULD BE PUT IN PLACE TO PROTECT YOURSELF. But, if you really want some real success, network the hell out of yourself and don't be afraid to do whatever is offered...even if all you do is clean toilets and answer phones. I did and I haven't regretted my career from day one!