Ez Street Entertainment
Presents
"Making It"
~W~
Knowledge, Wisdom, and Guidance
The Radio Edition
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: Robert Dale McCubbins
Position: Program Director / Production Manager
History: I've been in radio 23 years, however, I've had several radio and TV
gigs concurrently, TV during the day, radio nights and weekends, so if you add
all those up, I've got nearly 45 years experience... don't I wish it counted
that way with retirement!
Contact: dale@christianfamilyradio.com
Some of the biggest mistakes are made as you start out, and some of them
can be avoided by simply understanding how to see them in your way, and prepare
to get over them.
The obvious are simple mistakes, not getting levels
correct, talking too long, mispronouncing, mistiming, etc..... Again, the
easiest way to avoid these mistakes is to practice, practice, and
practice. Get in the production room and assimilate a studio
setting. Prepare what you're going to say IN ADVANCE, script it if necessary,
and don't over stress about mistakes you make, just note them and remember them
in the back of your mind so the next time your in the same situation you
remember how to get out of the mistake mode. Remember, half the time, the
listener might not notice a mistake that is (PD) protocol. For instance,
if your supposed to say something before each break, and you forget, the
listener isn't going to say, " he forgot to say the call letters " but
your (PD) will most definitely be on you for it, so make a mental note and that
alone will help you get over your mistake the next break. Don't call extra
attention to mistakes, just go on to the next event.
Next, prepare to prepare. Show prep is everywhere you go, and everything you do.
The better prepared you are for your show, the better you will sound. " I
show prep everywhere I can ... everywhere I can, magazines, tv, real life
meeting people gives me some ideas on what to talk about." The importance
of show prep is the difference between a so so and a great show. Target your
audience, then be your audience....
* Know what they like
* Know what are they interested in .. dealing with, avoiding, enjoying
* Look in popular magazines, TV Guide, newspapers, magazines... wander through
the check line and peruse the rags
* Keep a journal or at least a notepad to REMEMBER ideas
As a PD, these are just a few things I look for in someone's ability to do an on
air job. I listen to voice and enthusiasm, a richness... not necessarily deep
pipes but a likeable agreeable sound, be it high or deep; male or female,
something that will fit our format. Once I find the sound I look to the written
information. A resume that is well prepared. All the contact info, on every
piece of info ( resume and air check etc. ) simple or maybe a little flash, but
not a ton of information; just what's relevant to the position. NO HANDWRITTEN
RESUME' perhaps a handwritten introductory note to go with it, thanking me for
my time.
Tips on preparing for your interview....
* As far as your appearance is concerned before you plan for that big interview,
keep this in mind. Radio is audio, and you don't have to have on a 3 piece suit,
but I expect at the very least, khaki pants and a collar on the shirt. No
t-shirts, no ratty shorts, no stinky sandals please! (I'll accept shorts if they
look dressy/business-y enough) Take enough time to present yourself as a
professional, even if you're a wanna-be and it's your first job interview.
* Ladies, wear a bra, or at least a light jacket over the blouse, especially on
warm days when you come into a cool office. Avoid lower cut tops that you'd wear
out for a night on the town, especially in a smaller market--dress toward your
job...
* don't dress New York or LA style for a smaller station. Contrary to what you
may see on TV ... "Desperate Housewives," "CSI" or
"Grey's Anatomy," not everyone is Terri Hatcher, Marg Hellgenberger,
or Nicolette Sheridan, and not everyone dresses that way, or (surprise!) wants
to see that on a daily basis. You want to be thought of for more than a morning
side chick bimbo gig? Then don't dress to distraction like one. And yes, I'm a
guy, and I'm straight! but the real office is NOT the TV Show Office; again,
look professional.
* Long hair, bearded guys? I am one... or was until I cut my ponytail for a
play. WASH Comb and Brush your hair... no greasy rat nests.
* POSTURE and Voice, don't pin my ears back but I tend to be a little deaf with
an air conditioner going. Speak up enough to be heard the first time, sit up and
maybe on the edge of the seat and a little bit of a forward tilt to show
body language that says yes I'm interested.
* TURN OFF THE CELL PHONE !!!!!! You're trying to make a good impression that
you WANT to work for this company....not that you're kindly sharing a moment of
time with me. Can you tell I've had some fun interviews?
and lastly ........
5 Laws of Radio Broadcasting Every Newbie Should
Learn
1) PREPARE AND PRE-READ * nuff said.
2) If you don't know how to ...* *don't do it! *Whatever It is, don't try it for
the first time on the air!!!! (pronounce an artist, take a phoner, even mix
under two music beds)
3)Make the listener want to listen* (as much as radio is my life, it's not the
listener's life... it's their background or music under, so I have to give them
what they want, but present it so they want to listen ... ie make it worth their
while....
4) Be Real *be who you are in real life on the air... relate to your listeners,
don't do a radio voice...don't ever have anyone come up to you and say talk like
you do on the radio....
5) HAVE FUN AND ENJOY WHAT YOU'RE DOING*... If it's worth doing, it's worth
doing well; if it's not enjoyable to you, it won't be enjoyable to anyone
else....love your job... you may be doing it for a long time. If it's not
enjoyable, if you have to work really hard just to get up to come to work... get
another line of work... life is too short to do something you don't like
doing... nothing is sadder than forcing yourself to do something that you think
you'd like to do. There are people who are contented, even happy doing manual
labor, in dirty jobs... spiritual contentment, real life, family, relationships
-- don't sacrifice what's really important for a temporary (even if it's 25
years in a major market) job... whoops, I'm preaching now... basically go for it
full throttle, but have a life outside of radio...that-a-way you have a better
airshow.
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____________________________________________________________________________________________________
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
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and
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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.....
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