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

Programming
___________

Name:  Ken Hayes
Position:  Morning show co-host, program director KSUM, Fairmont MN
History:   Brown College Radio School / Various Internships
(received A.A.S in Communications from Brown)
Worked Mid-days at current station for two years.

Contact (optional)

Ken@ksum.com

I always wanted to do something fun, and a job that I would look forward to going to everyday.  So far, that has been the case.
I know you have read this over and over, but I will say it again to help prepare you for some hard work... Get ready to work hard 
for little money.  For the first couple of years, it’s hard to pay bills.  Always be available to learn every aspect of the station’s
 operations, whether you are filling in for news, an extra shift, or be there when an emergency comes up.  And most important- 
be a good person!  No one likes to work with someone with a bad attitude, and people with bad attitudes don’t last long.

Here is my advice to you up and coming air talents that are perusing on air positions: The number one biggest mistake is sounding 
like a canned dj.  What I mean is talent trying to sound like a big time personality, when they don’t have the skills to back it up.  Start off as who you 
are, and your radio personality will form to who you are.  Not you forming to your radio personality. Get it?  In school they teach you the basics of 
announcing.  Basically, they’re making sure that you know how to talk correctly. – which is good!  However, nobody wants to listen to an 
announcer, they want to listen to a personality.  Every bit you do on air, imagine you’re talking directly to a listener.  Never say, how are 
you all doing out there.  Make it personal.  Its better to say, good mornin’ how are you today.  Make the listener imagine that it’s a two 
person conversation between you and him or her.

Show prep ! Our station subscribes to several services including:  abc e-prep, radio online, the bull sheet, and several others.  
The BIGGEST part of show prep is keeping your eyes open everyday.  There’s always something to talk about through current events, 
local events, and your life.
A lot of people going into the business think that having a good voice for radio will get them a job.  
While a good voice can be beneficial, I’d rather hire someone with a decent voice and good work ethic.
Reliability is the most important trait you can have. There is no calling in sick with 
radio. There is no, “I’m sorry but I’ll be ten minutes late today”. There are very few 
things more valuable to an employer than someone who shows up everyday, on time, and
ready for their show.  A program director can find this out about someone usually pretty 
easy through references and a gut feeling.  Also, if you’re going to an interview there are 
three things that I’ve always done for myself:

1) look good

2) sound smart

3) and be appreciative
As you read through what Program Directors and their assistants have to offer to you, notice that one of the most repeated points is how important it is to be focused in everything you do. It is so easy to get thrown off in this business since things happen so fast. Change is the biggest guarantee you are going to get un written but guaranteed to cause you stress. The better prepared you are to be a solid focused person, the easier it will be for you to stay afloat. Next, meet a PD that has over 45 years of combined experience to share with you..... Some things you have already learned, some things will jump out to you as a " wow, that's a cool idea." 


<-----B-A-C-K------        ------N-E-X-T----->

back to main page

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

by 
David (Ez) Hamilton



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
contact information

ERE Ez Street Records Copyright information

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..... 
 


the hottest new tool for club DJ's , home entertainment, karaoke bars, and DJ's