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Help Them Learn Radio ...
May 31, 2022
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I'm hearing from programmers that their air talents are being more proactive about being critiqued. With the increased workload on today's OMs and PDs, the fact that many take the time to provide feedback proves there are those that still believe in training.
It's Always Been Hard ...
Currently the demand exceeds the supply when it comes to the talent pool for part-time, weekend and full air personalities. The opportunities for on-the-job training have become limited with fewer commercial stations having overnight shifts. That's where many air talents were once prepped for bigger and better things.Recently, I was asked, "When I graduate, what do you recommend I do to find a job." My first question was if they are working now and the answer was, "Yes."
Air Talent: I do weekends for a commercial station, but I mostly just board-op weekend shows. The PD says I need on-air experience before he could ever use me to fill-in. But how do I get experience between this and my class workload?
Coach: What year are you in college?
Air Talent: I'm a sophomore.
Coach: Does the station allow you to use the production room?
Air Talent: Yes
Coach: One more question. Does your college have a station, and do you do anything over there?
Air Talent: Yes, I do a two-hour show once a week. I work on Monday nights. I do Alternative Rock.
Coach: Good deal. I suggest you use the resources you have. Have a conversation with the PD and ask him to critique your college show. But first find out first how he wants you to put the aircheck/demo together. Once he listens and makes suggestions, ask him if it would be alright to work on his suggestions in the station's production room. I doubt he will say no but will probably tell you to do it at a time when it's not being used and when you’re not running the board for a show.
Air Talent: But it's a Country station.
Coach: Good radio is good radio. The approach on how to relate to the audience is all same. All teachings are subjective. However, there are some universal practices for air personalities regardless of format. Besides, you’ll probably be surprised to find out all the formats your PD has worked in. If you choose radio as a profession, you'll find a lot of air personalities and PDs have experience with various formats. For example, my radio work background includes Top 40/Mainstream, Urban, Rock, Sports, R&B, and Country.
Air Talent: But aren't there some differences?
Coach: The only thing different was the music. It’s all radio.
Air Talent: What do you think my PD will say?
Coach: Like I mentioned, he’ll probably say yes to the production room for you to work on your air skills. Either way, he's working with you; take advantage and get it done.
Air Talent: And if he says no?
Coach: You don't lose either way. The main thing is that you're getting help from a seasoned pro. Apply it to your show at the college station. One more thing, there are lots of editing software and apps available to work on your audio media skills. For example, there's a free open-sourced audio software editing program called, "Audicity." It's a multi-track audio editor and recorder. I also recommend "TwistedWave," an audio editor available for Mac, iPhone/iPad, and online. For any audio platform air personality, it's about working on your verbal presentation and listening to how you sound.
Air Talent: I will check out both. By the way, I don't like how I sound over the air.
Coach: That's a whole other conversation and if it makes you feel any better, I didn't either when I first started in radio. In fact, almost every air personality I've ever known, told me they had to get used to how they sounded after they first heard themselves. Oh, and one more thing, don’t limit yourself to terrestrial radio. There’re other audio platforms with potential job opportunities that require the same skill set as radio.
Just My Two Cents ...
I suggest stations consider dedicating a portion of station's streaming audio for inexperienced air talent to get some experience. Offer the opportunity on an overnight weekend shift. Let the eager young PT/weekend personality voicetrack. It will give you a chance to train them.By the way, if you have an intern program, make the online broadcasting a part of your agreement with the college/university. Talk it over with Human Resources and the company lawyers. It will be a great way to have your own in-house training program to fill openings as they become available within your cluster.
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