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He’s Trying To Get Back On Track…After Putting His Career On Hold …
June 1, 2021
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Sometimes our heart can lead us down a path we never expected. Four years ago, I had client in his junior year at Drake who transferred to the University of Missouri because he and his high school sweetheart missed each other. The good news, they had a great summer together. The bad news, a week before classes started at his new school, they broke up. Therefore, I can sympathize with the following air personality and his reasons for moving to another country.
Air Talent: Hi Sam, here is where I am at. Over the last ten years I worked in radio in New Zealand. I worked with some my country's greatest talents; I have produced #1-rated breakfast shows and hosted a number of popular radio programs.
Coach: That's great, what can I do for you?
Air Talent: Well, three years ago I went on holiday, met an awesome Canadian girl, and fell in love. A year later I packed my bags and left the blue waters of New Zealand for the smoggy skies of Toronto.
Coach: Good for you. That was a bold move, but the heart wants what it wants.
Air Talent: Well, I've been living here for about two years now. I have applied for many opportunities but of course the pandemic hit and changed everything. I've only managed one interview. It was with the biggest station in town, but they decided to hire internally. I would do just about anything to get back with a station in some capacity, clean cars or hand out sausages. Given a chance I could prove I deserve to be on the air.
Coach: How are you keeping your skills in shape?
Air Talent: I have a crap laptop and a beaten-up microphone. When I try and put something together it sounds like s##t! Right now, I am working as a telemarketer to pay the bills. I need some feedback on my demo and some help on what I should do.
Coach: I feel your pain, I listened to your demo, and the sound quality is not that bad. I believe most OMs and PDs listen for an air personality's presentation and not the sound quality itself . Or at least that's the way I’ve always listened.
Air Talent: What should I be doing?
Coach: Based on some of the lifestyle things you talked about in your demo, I am guessing this is a few years old. The first thing I suggest is that you get yourself airworthy again by doing mock shows. Once you think you sound like your old air-self again, edit down a three-minute demo and start applying for jobs in Toronto and surrounding areas.
I also suggest you check social media and see what programmers and air personalities you can connect with in Toronto.
Air Talent: I’ve already checked on Facebook and LinkedIn. I communicate with a few people and a couple have offered to try and help, but I haven’t had any success yet going that route. How should I handle it with program directors since my demo will not be from a live show?
Coach: If you’re questioned about the origin of your demo, tell the truth and explain the only thing you had from a live show was dated. I also think you should tell your story of what brought you to Toronto. At some point someone will ask you to do a live, on-air audition. Also, see if the contacts you’ve made on social media can get your demo into the right hands.
Air Talent: Is there anything else I should be doing?
Coach: Keep working your job while you’re looking for your next radio opportunity and keep your options open format wise. If you start making at least one mock demo show a week, you’ll do fine. By the way, I would be more than happy to listen to your demos before you present them for jobs.
Air Talent: At this point I am open to working at any format. I will take you up on that listening to my demo offer.
Coach: By the way, how’s the young lady you moved to Toronto for?
Air Talent: We got married last Summer.
Coach: I’m glad that worked out. Hopefully, you can find another radio job. Good luck.
Air Talent: Thanks, I will keep you posted.
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