Radio
Broadcasting Today - A free E- On line book source for future broadcasters
Ez
Street Entertainment
Presents
"Making
It"
~W~
Knowledge, Wisdom, and Guidance
The Radio Edition
by
D.
Hamilton
" 10 great tips to being on top of your game
"
This image of the heartless "outsider" brought in to
make everybody currently on staff obsolete is most closely associated with the
word "Consultant".
The Consultants World
___________________
John John Hendricks Broadcast Services
LLC P.O. Box 12621
Olympia, Washington 98508-2621
(800) 463-1373
John@JohnHendricksBroadcast.com
www.JohnHendricksBroadcast.com
1. Consultant is an objective, third party voice. His/her primary benefit to the
station is that he is not mired in the daily routine and minutia of the
station(s). A Consultant may be hired for a short-term project or may be kept on
retainer. He can consult the General Manager, the Program Director, the General
Sales Manager or even the Chief Engineer (or any combination). Many times, the
Consultant is brought in to "fix" an under performing facility.
Unfortunately, this image of the heartless "outsider" brought in to
make everybody currently on staff obsolete is most closely associated with the
word "Consultant". Many more times, however, a Consultant is brought
in to guide the station through a transition to newer technology or operations
and programming techniques. A Consultant's greatest worth to his clients is his
networking ability. This allows him to bring to the table a variety of resources
to guide the station's decision making. Through this networking, the Consultant
can stay ahead of the power curve and always advise his clients of the latest
trends.
2. Consultants rarely advise talent. A Consultant's role is so much more
strategic in nature! He may--as a service to his client--pre-screen applicants.
The hiring is always done by the station. Having said that, there are some real
do's & don'ts in submitting your package to either a consultant or a
station.
A. DON'T send unsolicited mp3 files of air checks. Consultants spend a great
deal of their time on the road and work thru laptop computers connected with
dial-ups. Even a small mp3 file can plug up his computer--and you become a
cuss-word before your material is ever heard!
B. DO send a resume that accurately reflects your experience and talent. DO NOT
hype your resume (or demo). Be careful not to sell yourself short...but chose
your words carefully and be honest. Know the difference between ASKING for an
opportunity and BEGGING for it.
C. Your demo--about 90-seconds long--should be your "Best of the
Best". Believe me, if you strike a chord with the Consultant or PD, you'll
be asked for a full scale air check, perhaps even one that is absolutely un
scoped. If you're currently on the air and can be heard in real time through
your station's website or listen line, be ready to provide that info when asked.
That means everything on your 90-second demo better be a realistic
"snapshot" of your work. Remember, we live in a networking world. If
you've worked for somebody who knows the person whose getting your package, be
sure to mention that upfront. Don't be coy about it--and be sure to let that
person know you're using his/her name. A third-party reference is worth a great
deal!
D. A complete package should include: *A short, but engaging cover letter. Be
sure to include ALL the contact info you have. Make it easy to reach you! *A
one-page resume' (more than that is probably "hype") *A 90-second demo
(your "Best Of" reel *Great Promo Pictures, if you have them
E. This is a networking world. The best advise I give is to MAKE FRIENDS.
Display work habits that make you somebody anybody would enjoy working
with.
* Show you have a positive, upbeat personality. Nobody likes a complainer!
*Great work habits, like being on time for work/remotes/station events, etc.
Appearance & grooming is extremely important.
*A great team player. Be supportive and complimentary of other's work and
skills. If the station provides business cards, great! If not, have some made up
for yourself (name only, no station info). You should attend industry events and
conventions. Pass out your cards...make an impression. Be available!
F. Top 10 important qualities to better yourself in RADIO:
10. Be on time! Broadcasting works on the "clock"...so be punctual and
professional.
9. Be Prepared. Do your Show Prep EVERY DAY.
8. Be "plugged in" to your community. Know what's going on and the
people who are doing it.
7. Be certain you fully understand the values and concepts of the company you
work for.
6. Know your audience. Study them. Talk with them. Be a voice for them.
5. Know your music better than your audience does.
4. Get "face time" with your PD at least 3 times a week. Nothing
formal...just make sure he knows you're on the job.
3. Make friends with the Sales Department. It gets you remotes and talent
fees...and ups your value to the station.
2. Do things that display your knowledge of the goals and objectives of the
station.
1. Be somebody everybody likes!
G. Start small. Build gradually. Learn from your mistakes. Put in the hours! 6.
Consultants (who are successful) work with many stations in many situations.
"Good Selling is Never Wasted Effort." If your package is impressive,
you'll be remembered. Consultants are always looking for the right
"fit". You may not be right for the gig you applied for...the next
project a Consultant takes on might be exactly right for you. The most important
thing to remember in dealing with Consultants is that we don't hire/fire. We
ADVISE our clients. What's great advice for one client can be lousy advice for
another. Trust the Consultant to know one from the other. Be a "tool"
in his "toolbox".
John John Hendricks Broadcast Services
LLC P.O. Box 12621
Olympia, Washington 98508-2621
(800) 463-1373
John@JohnHendricksBroadcast.com
www.JohnHendricksBroadcast.com
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____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Special thanks to all that
helped me write this book.........
The Making it book Series
"Making It"
The Radio Edition
Thank
you for taking the time to read " Making It " I hope you get as much
out of this book as I did writing it !
contact information
www.ezstreetrecords.com/address.htm
David Hamilton aka Ez Street / along with Jason Brethorst ( web and software designer for www.wearesmart.net ) designed ( 1995 ) and established ( 1996 ) one of the very first record labels for Promotions and Marketing on the internet ( www.ezstreetrecords.com ) to help local talent promote themselves. David Hamilton now offers you this Free E- On Line Book titled " Making It" with a 7 part series of " Making It " books in planning for future free e -on line guidance. David Hamilton would like to send a sincere thank you out to all of you who took time to help write this book. As long as one person reads this material and learns something, the writing of this book has served it's purpose.
Ez Street Records
to help
support up and coming talent
in all forms of musicality
and
artistic
ability
ERE
Ez Street Records and Entertainment
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ERE Ez Street
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David Hamilton
also offers you a new work in progress
" Making It "
~W~
Knowledge, Wisdom, and Guidance
The
Entertainment Edition
Click above and read this book by
David D Hamilton ©
2004-2006
Thank you to all of you who took time to share your
radio experiences, this is the start to " Making It " in Radio
Broadcasting, and here is some Knowledge, Wisdom, and Guidance..... courtesy of Ez
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