Radio Commercial Producer interview on Tuesday....

[TheReal7]

and I would love a little advice. I feel, based on the station's requirements for the job that I am the man for them but I have never working in commercial radio before.

Do any of you with experience have some tips and advice and some general ideas of what I can expect?

Here are the requirements:
# good people and social skills
# high level of organizational skills
# basic computer skills
# general knowledge of audio editing software
# musical abilities an asset
# on-air abilities an asset

all of which I have except fort on-air abilities which I have no experience but I know I can do.

[Milliken]

Hey good luck with your interview. I have worked in a commercial broadcast studio (not associated with a radio station) but did a lot of work for radio. I hope this post doesn't sound negative because a postive attitude and enthusiasm will be the most important thing you take with you anywhere in your career or work. The most important thing in the commercial radio business is the ability to get things done. Most musicians can be very "idealistic" and "artsy" and that can sometimes translate to a poor understanding of the bottom line......money. Commercial radio, lately, is basically a chop shop type of environment. Creativity and artistic vision are a very important requirement for the job but your melodic guitarist signature already tells me you probably oose that out of your ears and nose...not a bad thing. Just remember to go about the interview and job as a business minded artist. I found myself involved with a lot of work that almost made me ashamed to be working in audio....ie......car commercials and other terrible voice over spots. It was still a very fun job though. I'm creative, but I know how to work a day job in order to support my artistic hobbies. That means "hoaring" out your audio tech and production skills for money. You definitely need a good ear, arrangement skills, personal interaction etc. which all fit the qualities of a good musician. And the last word of warning is that almost all radio advertising sales jobs are pretty much total commission and require your own car and expenses. Hopefully you aren't being led that way....although sales skills will help you a great deal with your clients. Hope that might help you. Good luck! - Tim

[Daniel Antix]

Originally Posted by TheReal7

and I would love a little advice. I feel, based on the station's requirements for the job that I am the man for them but I have never working in commercial radio before.

Do any of you with experience have some tips and advice and some general ideas of what I can expect?

Here are the requirements:
# good people and social skills
# high level of organizational skills
# basic computer skills
# general knowledge of audio editing software
# musical abilities an asset
# on-air abilities an asset

all of which I have except fort on-air abilities which I have no experience but I know I can do.

I'm a commercial producer and it's a peice of piss seriously... 90% of it is sausage factory stuff. record voice, de-breath, add jingle bed, compress, master, next. the other 10% you get to play around a bit with and have some fun.

if your staiton has a copy department you'll work with them most of the time, they should know what they're doing, know how many words fit in 30" etc... if oyu have to deal with outside agencies... ones who have no idea about radio you'll have the occasional time you'll want to bang your head on your desk til you pass out but you'll get past that.

it's an easy job, you can do it in your sleep if you're a half decent engineer. it also opens up other money making avenues too. i've teamed up with a copy writer here and we write and produce jingles, both here and in my studio. because we have access to clients who might be interested we produce some demos in our spare time here (sometimes you'll do nothing for half the week and then be flat out for the 2nd half) and then push the sales reps to sell to their clients... the reps get a 10% to keep them happy and the station don't mind us doing it because if we sell a jingle the client usually ups their spending with the station, they don't get a cut of the sale but they do well out of it. (one client spent an extra $40k in a month because of a jingle).

good luck, remember... it's better then having a desk job.

[TheReal7]

Thank you very much Tim and Daniel for the words of advice. It really helps a lot!