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WTFM

Taylordj...I admire your "FOLLOW ME TO FREEDOM!!!" attitude, but it just seems that it's one sided spin you're spoutin'. I'm with you. But it's a chicken/egg kind of problem. You're saying that if the GMS/Owners/whoever would throw out more cash that somehow radio here would get better. But what about, we get better and then maybe we get more cash. And for the record, maybe I'm wrong here, but I don't know of any full time jock making seven bucks an hour in this market. Again, I could be wrong. But that sounds like part-timers who aren't necessarily in this racket to make a full blown living. Either extra cash or just to keep themselves on the air. I would gladly take a big fat raise and probably find some way to justify it too. But really...Time spent working in this business is pretty low. Do the math and you're probably making some pretty good jack based on amount of time worked anyway. As for a better radio product...Well yeah, that's what I've been saying. Make it better then prove to management it's worth it. Chances are you still won't get paid what you think you're worth, here. But that's why there's bigger markets out there. Get it rolling here, and if you still don't think you're getting paid enough, then go somewhere else with it. This is a decent market and if you like you're life here, then fantastic!!! But I don't see how "talent" in this area really feel justified in demanding more money. A raise, here and there? Awesome. That sounds fair. But there is only a small handful of folks in this market that I know of that seem to have what it takes to make big bucks in this business. But they're not leaving because they've built their life here. But they've also come to grips with the fact that the're not gonna get rich here. It's just the way it is. I think AE's make way too much, for doing way too little. But if we made that much...It would be the same thing. People who save lives. People who build things we use everyday. People who fix cars. People who unclog your toilet. People that protect you. People who prepare your food. Those are jobs where people perform tangible tasks. Things that are important to society. "Good Morning, it's 8:14, 68 degrees on this Wednesday morning, Myself and my gigglebox with you on the Morning zoo/madhouse/movement/big show/etc. , we have a chance to score tickets to the Circus coming up, new music from Celine Dion/Nickelback/Bob Seger/Jay-Z/PussyCat Dolls, etc. and much more pointless, narcissistic gum flapping about ourselves and our spouses that nobody really cares about. My point is this, how much IS that worth? But to finish off here, I enjoy my life here. I think it's a pretty decent market. I like my boss. Cost of living is pretty low. And I'm smart enough to know that I've got a really easy job and one that I enjoy. And if I really want to make a lot more money in radio, I'm gonna have to go some place else.
 
A well-spoken symposis Turd.......right on the money!!!!
Like I said earleir in other posts.....J-Street & Turd are the most sensible jocks posting here!!!!
 
well spoken gasket! sing my praises, i'm the best! ok just kidding... seriously though, good points taylor. but you don't have to be surprised anymore... i'm working for scraps and darn proud of it! who's with me? haha. but i wouldn't say DJs working for small wages can't discuss things with other people in radio. that's way too broad of a statment. everyone in the business has different experience in different areas and have been in the business for different amounts of time. it also depends on what the discussion is about. i would like to agree that maybe management doesn't understand the aspects of programming but i stop short of totally agreeing with that. i'm sure some management started from the bottom, paid their dues, worked their way up, and have a great idea of every aspect of radio. on the other hand, maybe some were lucky sales people who don't understand everything. but i don't claim to be know who knows their stuff and who doesn't. i wouldn't begin to open that can of worms, even if i did. everyone has to start somewhere and it's always a great idea to do other work on the side, like myself when you're still in the process of "working your away up." go change tires for the #8 team and keep all your options open at all times. this message has been approved by dr. phil.
 
J-Street !!! U duh Man !!!
Dr. Phil must be your Daddy!!!
So now I deem you
DR. J-Street ---- the INTELLIGNET Jock !!!
:) :) :) :) :) :)
 
You may want to borrow some of his smarts to use the spell check next time.
(Yes, I am an intelligent donkey...thank you berry mush).

Boils down to what the GM/Owner/Ass Chewer will allow on the air in the T.C.s
It doesn't HAVE to be cookie cutter, just remember that. It doesn't HAVE to be.
Creativity can still abound without sounding canned. Unless of course Bruce Clark
is involved, nuff said.
Hab a nyce dai,
The Spindoctor
 
Spindoctor, I acknowledge what you're saying to be true. It doesn't have to be that way. Like I said in an earlier post, that's just the way it is here (what's allowed), so to step out into something different, with the current mind set here, would probably get you fired. First reprimanded, then fired. But most old, wise, world traveler type of jocks will tell you : "Getting fired is the only way to advance in radio". I don't know if I completely buy into that. Radio's changed a lot since those words were 100% true. But, if you're good at what you do, and you create a product that the right people want, then perfect. You were looking for a job when you found that one, right? More than anything I get tired of hearing people whine about their salaries. When in reality, considering exactly what it is we do for a living, we get compensated failry. Maybe, I'm just a self hating D.J. :D But back to being non-cookie cutter.... I just wonder though...What would different sound like? I mean, where we can take radio from here? Especially in this market. I would honestly like to hear people's ideas and feedback.
 
:D
As far as the money goes.... even the novice hooker knows you get paid up front, before the pleasure.

GM's have very short memories when it comes to who brought them to the party. ;)

I have rarely ever seen a DJ's salary skyrocket in this market. You cut your deal going in, and if you are lucky they might even attempt to keep you somewhat in synch with inflation. :eek:

The entire concept of hoping that you can convince someone who's vital interest is in running a radio station as cheaply as they can is out there in LA LA land with Dorothy and Toto. :p

Why? Because the GM's bonus is generally based on how much he saved from the bottom line of last year. And if that means that you get screwed so he gets his Christmas Bonus .... then that's just the way it T-I-Z!!! :eek: :eek: :eek:

[EDIT]

[EDIT=inappropriate language.]
 
Hey Spindoctor1,
So I didn't use spellcheck on 1 post.
What's your excuse?
You mispelled so many words in your last post, it looked like my 3 year old daughter's attempts.
Just as J-Street says "You should know better"
And the compliment was to J-Street ----Not you.
Obviously J-Street is much more intelligent than you. ;D ;D ;D
:eek: :eek: :-* :-* :-*
 
Dr. J-Street (the intelligent DJ) checking in here. It appears I have started bringing everyone down to my level, or should I say UP to my level, with all the ripping for spelling errors. Typos are fun to make fun of, but the best way to insult someone's intelligent for spelling is when they actually MISPELL words that aren't just typos, like confusing THERE with THEIR and things like that. Good times. Shows they must have got their diploma at Crockett or Boone, or maybe their degree at Northeast State. What does this have to do with radio, you may ask? Not a da*n thing, I just felt like being a smartass. Hey, at least I'm honest...

But I will add a personal note to everyone's b*tching about salaries. I'm a DJ. I don't get paid well. I don't really care. Why? Because it's not my lifelong goal to be a DJ. When I'm a PD, then I'll worry about what I get paid, that's why I have a degree. DJing just comes with the territory when it comes to radio. It's fun, but gasket is right, if you're ONLY DJing and you're not the #1 radio guy in the market who brings up the ratings consistently every book, then you're getting paid for what you do. I don't think enough attention is paid to programming these days. Sure, it's sales, sales, sales, but if your music isn't programmed right then you're not going to have the listener numbers and you're not going to make the sales. This is especially true with stations 1) in our market and 2) who play NEW music. So that 2nd one pretty much takes out all the stations I work at, saved my ass there huh? I don't claim to be a great DJ, but I'll put my programming skills up against anyone, if only someone will give me a chance!... :) In due time. Off to lunch with Oprah. Bye now.
 
On the topic of dollars, who in the tc is making the cash? I've never worked at BBC only HV--a long time ago and they didn't pay for crap. I guess that's why I'm on the car lot now. Anyway, the bills are paid and the car is free. Who makes the dough in the tri-cities?
 
Harley at WQUT is making Big Bucks!!!!!
He's Damn Good Too !!!
Listen Up!!!
8)
 
Man, say what you want. We are paid well for the easy-ass jobs we have.
I enjoy every minute "on the air". I enjoy spending my honestly earned $1.25 per hour.
You know, Bill Gates once said " THE SMARTEST PEOPLE DON"T DISCUSS PERSONAL FINANCES".
 
You're smart Boogie Man --- stay in car sales --- it's good pay !!!
:eek:
8)
 
I think this conversation is going to end badly. Nobody's really going to find out someones's actual salary. BTW...I've met Harley at WQUT and I don't think he's making a lot of money. He appears as though he can't afford a good electric trimmer for the burns and neck beard. And he was smoking Tahoes. Need I say more? If anybody really wants to know how much somebody's making...Honestly, just plunk down a few bucks for an internet investigation. They can come up with any info, on anybody around. You've gotta know their real name though. Doing something like that could come in real handy when you sit down with the GM to discuss your salary.
 
Pratte4Life said:
All I know is traditionally WTFM DJs were paid so low they had to resort to selling drugs on the side.
Click to expand...


OK, made me chuckle.

Mich
 
Ok, now that I've been gone from radio a while, I have no problem posting my salary at WTZR doing mornings in 2004. I made a base of $27,000. $35/hr for appearances. For all of you who care, I was making $22,000 in MARKET #5 doing nights before this! Market size means nothing. $ means something when Bob and Tom is offered for $10,000/year. Can't compete with that. Ratings took a fall since we left, but I guess that doesn't matter.
 
ass gasket said:
Harley at WQUT is making Big Bucks!!!!!
He's Damn Good Too !!!
Listen Up!!!
8)
Click to expand...
another day another dollar...and if he's making more than a dollar a day, then we all are screwed... ;D
I must agree, we can't complain, 4, 5, 6 hours, and an extra bit thrown in here and there, break it down it's good money for what we do...I am sure we all scrape by, but, as for me, my back don't hurt when I come home,I do enjoy what I do, not many folks can say that, and I am well aware, the area is NOT a money making area, no matter what you are doing...you want big bucks...go for it...but it ain't gonna happen here...I agree with the gasket dude, finances are personal......but also as Turd says...you can find out info like that easy enough...but why??? ::)
 
Pandoras Box ---- Thanks for the 1 vote of confidence I have on this board.
Your finances, your business!!
:)
 
Funny thing is we went into this business with certain assumptions.

That we would work up to a bigger market, and command the respect and salary of a star.

It is what fuels us through our days of starvation.... a dream of something better.

Correctly stated the only folks doing well are for the most part the "syndicated" acts. Mostly, because they "own" the rights, and the cost per show is cheaper when spread across 100 radio stations.

It is flattering when someone makes some inferrence that you are doing better than most... but when that is not reality, do we have a responsibility to get the truth out. Nah, it's too much like fun!

Sad thing about $27K... I was making about that much back in 1980 doing radio.

Given inflation, the announcer salaries have deflated dramatically.

What is the incentive to continue in this career, when the sad eyes of your wife and children are looking at you and wondering why you can't provide them a better life.

There are great talents that the world will never hear... people that could change the face of radio and our world in a very positive way...but this will never happen, simply because this industy does not respect talent enough to pay them a fair living wage. And these folks go on a do something else for a living.... not because they want to ... they have to!

No, we don't do it for the money.... but out of simple human respect, the money should be there!!! But it isn't!
Sad, but true.
 
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