Its been about three months since I started here in Lake Placid, its a small area and you bump into a lot of listeners. As you begin your search for radio you gotta take steps to be able to market yourself as someone who is comfortable and pro-active in public. I know I try to make this to all broadcasting TV and Radio but today is going to be a little more centered around radio.
Its weird for people to know you and you not know them, and for some it makes them very uncomfortable. Radio used to be a very faceless medium, you had no clue what your favorite host looked like, and when you found out well it was quite the surprise. This of course is where the joke "Hey has anyone told you, you have a face for radio?" Well the world has changed with facebook, websites and multi-platform marketing, radio personalities are more visible then ever. This is why as you develop your voice, you also develop your image or public presence.
An image is important, many times in our generation, we see image as being a totally fake facade. As you develop your image, avoid being fake however choose what you want to put out there. An Image to me is all about boundaries. Keeping whats for personal and other things open like a book. For example, in public I avoid being sarcastic, a main stay in my private life, but I do feel comfortable sharing stories about my family and embarrassing stories about myself. Its hard getting the right formula down, and I am far from it, but its alot easier when you get out and get your hands dirty.
If you are out of the field, look into promotions, and the events you do pretend you are on-air when you are speaking with people (Don't say this out loud, people might think you are overstepping) Also volunteer. In many communities there are great opportunities to volunteer in a way that puts you in front of people. When you find these chances take full advantage, act like you are at a live remote, and let your personality and the image you want shine bright.
Its essential you learn this, with so multi-platformed the world is, you need to feel the confidence of being in public right away. You might not go on a bunch of events but people will have access to you like never before. If you lack that confidence its going to suck adjusting. Its going to affect your on air work too, you will question your connection with the audience which will drag you down. So even if you have a face, body, mole, smile, lazy eye for radio, believe in yourself and be just as comfortable in front of the mic, as you are behind. It will take you far.
I hope you are getting alot from these posts, please feel free to add comments and share!
Time for bed but first a quick Tip
Tip: Dress always like someone can see you. If you feel good you sound good, it can make the difference on an early morning!
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