Ez Street Entertainment
Presents

"Making It"
~W~
Knowledge, Wisdom, and Guidance
The Radio Edition 
by
D. Hamilton

Consultants

  "From the Top"
 ~ w ~
 Don Parker

Consultants play one of the most demanding roles in the Radio Broadcasting business. Not only do they act as a source of information that Program Directors come to respect from the years that each consultant has worked in the business, but they act as talent scouts and recruiters as well. In this chapter I will introduce you to the best consultants in the world, what they do, how they think, and let them define where radio is headed in their own words. This information is given to you to learn from and eventually you can reach out to these people and submit them your material.  As a matter of fact, in this chapter you learn the importance of networking with consultants and how to start building an early network with them one on one. If you are new to the business and a little intimidated by the ( suits ) this chapter may give you some insight as to where the big decisions are congregated and how they ( consultants )make their determinations ( decisions ). I will give you some step by step instructions as to how you can reach out to consultants that represent the style of radio you want to peruse, regardless of what it is you want to do in radio, because consultants not only master the on air delivery of an entire radio station, but they pass down coordination in methods as to how the entire radio staff works together. The best consultants in the business, from Steve Smith to Alan Burns, Guy Zapoleon to Bill Richards, are the consultants that not only carry the air staff they recruit, but the entire team of radio professionals they learn they can trust. Jerry Clifton is another consultant known for recruiting his players ( staff members ) and then keeping them on his team by constantly keeping them employed where he knows he can get the best use out of each person's strength while helping build on their weaknesses. In order for consultants to really stay on top of the over all radio game, they are constantly studying the industry, who is who, who is where, and who is up and coming. 

The first Consultant / current Vice President of Next Media during the writing of this book / and Radio Broadcasting Professional to share some gifted knowledge  is Don Parker. 

Can you help define "Consultant" and explain what it is that you do as one ?

A consultant is there to bring a wealth of experiences to the table and help set the overall direction of a station.  In my opinion, someone who has only worked one format doesn't necessarily make a good consultant, accept for that format alone.  Additionally, someone who has not programmed for many years will likely not make a good consultant because they haven't had many experiences to learn from.  A good consultant is someone who observes carefully.  Someone who's made mistakes and learns from those mistakes rather than places blame.  A consultant is a coach who can help develop the plays that win.  It's also an outside voice that's not so close to the product that they miss key elements. 

As a top Programmer / Consultant / and VP of programming for Next Media, can you give up and coming talent your ideas on where radio has been, where we are, and where we are going ? 

Radio has had a tough few years, but radio IS NOT dead and will not die.  With HD Radio coming in the next few years, radio will be able to provide listeners with benefits never seen (or heard) before.  Although radio companies have had to focus on the bottom line and difficult economy over the last several years, there will have to be a greater focus on talent and product in the future.  Just like the airlines have been forced to become competitive, radio will be forced into investing in talent over the next several years.  I expect that evolution to begin to take place in the next couple of years. 

What will you be looking for when searching for up and coming talent that may reach out to you ?

I look for people with passion, an obvious depth at show prep, and an awareness that the show is about the listener, not themselves.  Listener involvement is also a key.  I also look for personalities who know how to entertain in brief encounters within the music.  As for how to approach an opportunity, the talent should be well prepared with an easily read resume, short cover letter about the specific opportunity, an air check between two and four minutes, and references should be included.  It's always more impressive if a prospective candidate has done their homework on you and knows a little about the company or position prior to the first conversation. 

The main thing is to focus on radio as show business and learn to turn your life into one constant show prep session.  In order to be successful, you must always be looking for life experiences to enhance your show.  Learn that radio is all about what the consumer wants, not what we think sounds great.  Technology allows them to get music anywhere, so the compelling content we provide is all we have to attract them. 

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

back to main page

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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 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