Greetings young radio brethren and sistren. I’m sure many of you have heard of TheIndustry.biz during your career. For that, I’d like to give you some advice I hope you never forget.
I am a very wise and brilliant elder MF who embraces technology and I LOVE it. I also admire Millenial and Gen Z concepts because you KNOW your value and you don’t take the sh that we had to take. I surround myself with many of you people and I learn a lot and I teach those who I mentor what I’m about to tell you. I get that you don’t like to be managed but understand, while that works for more opportunities there is a price to pay for it too when it comes to “relationships.” I’m going to leave it up to you to figure out how to make that work but make sure you don’t burn too many bridges that you might have to cross down the road.Allow me to thank you for opening the door to 40-year-old plus people to still get work because corporations are confused by you and they want people who are committed to achieving THEIR goals and there is nothing wrong with that either but for those who want to be on a faster track to success … read on.Recently, I asked a millennial to do an assignment and he told me, “You know Kevin, I’m really not interested in doing that!” I cracked up because he reminded me of ME. I was a “millennial” in the 80s and 90s which is how I ended up being an entrepreneur. I felt that every boss I ever had was no smarter than me and I could do their job as good or BETTER than they did so I might as well own the company too.I truly hope that many of you are on a path to entrepreneurship because at the end of the day, its the hardest you will ever commit yourself but you will love every minute of it because it belongs to YOU. Notice I said, “commit.” Know there is a HUGE difference between “commitment” and “work.” Click “NEXT” to see the next suggestion and pass this on to every other jock you know. Share, share, share.
Whatever you want, GIVE it away first
The first rule is selfishness is an interest-bearing account that YOU pay the interest for. And there WILL come a time for the universe to collect the debt. Someone ALWAYS needs your help. Know that what you give not only comes back but it comes back in multiples. I know from experience. There are some industry people who are selfish in their approach to success. NEVER be that person. They will always develop a reputation for being greedy and playing games and end up with the short end of the stick.Give and when I say “give” make it from your HEART, not for Social Media points. For example, if you give a homeless man or woman $20.00, that’s not an opportunity to humiliate them and pat yourself on the back by filming it and putting it on social media to make yourself look good. Your intention will be blatant and self-serving and there is no reward for that kind of sh. Nobody has to know your good deeds besides the person or situation that you help and the universe. Click “NEXT” to see the next suggestion and pass this on to every other jock you know. Share, share, share.
Radio is a Springboard NOT a Recliner.
I could literally write this paragraph and make it the entire story. I cannot tell you HOW many times, EVEN STILL TODAY that I have seen industry people stuck in their career roles. They lose one job after working there for 5 years then get the same job for 5 more years somewhere else and the cycle repeats itself for 20 years. If you are comfortable, YOU ARE NOT GROWING AND YOU ARE GETTING OLDER. At some point, opportunities start to fade, you want to make sure you are prepared for them when they knock at your door.If you are working for a corporation that won’t let you grow and is stagnating you, start the journey and look for something else. But use your job to do other related things that will make you more valuable at your next gig.If they ask you to work your ass off doing 10 jobs … that’s a blessing. Learn how to do as much as you can and get paid for it instead of looking at it like abuse. Look at it like college and a stipend instead. Those skills will come in handy down the road. The more you know translates to the more you can work. It’s how I started this site and magazine.When I worked at Urban Network Magazine in the early 90s, they made me the Rap Editor, I HATED that job and it wasn’t me but I learned how to do sales and I developed relationships with many people who are still in the industry today. We grew up in the industry together. Of course, the white people moved up the ladder much faster and to more powerful positions but we were all still kids in the industry (lol). There was a LOT of infighting and power fights at Urban and I knew my time was limited there but while the “adults” were fighting each other for power I was learning how to do a damn magazine … the REAL power of owning my own. Thanks, Urban Network. Preciate chew.Finally, befriend one or two of the salespeople at the station and take them to lunch, this kind of relationship is invaluable down the road. Click “NEXT” to see the next suggestion and pass this on to every other jock you know. Share, share, share. Set the clock and get up and move when you need to. Time waits for no one, so don’t wait for time.
Time Waits for No One, So Don’t Wait for Time!
Another mistake a LOT of people in my generation made was not having a goal or time limit set. They were hoping they could keep working forever and I will tell you, even the BIGGEST stars in the industry start to fade over time and the top reason is they didn’t diversify on their way up or when they were successful. EVERYTHING was linked to their job, except for a backup plan and when that job is gone so are their opportunities. Wendy Williams told me HERSELF that Click “NEXT” to see the next suggestion and pass this on to every other jock you know. Share, share, share.
Have a Plan B in Progress NOW
Things will not always be as they are right now. In your career. You will have ups and downs. ALWAYS and I mean ALWAYS have something to fall back on. Ask yourself what else you could be doing in your market to build your experience and your brand and do it WHILE YOU ARE WORKING. Some stations will want you to tell them first and I get it … but then again I don’t. ALWAYS PUT YOUR CAREER FIRST then look out for everybody else however you can after that. If you find yourself running into a wall with the station that you work at now start looking for a new gig. As a matter of fact, ALWAYS BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THE NEXT OPPORTUNITY. Click “NEXT” to see the next suggestion and pass this on to every other jock you know. Share, share, share.
If an Opportunity Doesn’t Present itself … CREATE ONE
“Seek and ye shall find … wait and ye shall perish.” OK, that’s my made-up statement but it’s the truth. From the years that I have done this site, it’s the bold and brazen jocks who make waves not the ones who don’t take control of their own destinies. Life is short. Get to where you want to go faster by being who you really are and demanding the world know you are here to create a legacy. It’s your vehicle, drive it.Click “NEXT” to see the next suggestion and pass this on to every other jock you know. Share, share, share.
Get a Mentor, Then Again, Maybe NOT
I’ve been in the industry for 30 plus years. This is the first time in my entire career that I have ever had a mentor and he is white. I hate to say it but black men in this industry don’t look out for each other enough. I’ve developed some great relationships with Black men that I grew up with in the industry so not ALL Black men are like that but I have to ask other elder BM to step up to the plate and mentor young black men. Out of ALL the press releases we get about people being promoted to power positions in the industry 1% maybe 2% out of 100% are black men. That’s pretty fkn sad so I get it. We are not afforded many opportunities and it’s unbalanced considering the charts and how many back men are the ones who bring a ton of money to the table but then again, sports is no different. Also, it is the reason you should explore creating your OWN vehicle.If you don’t pay it forward there will be a heavy price to pay where you will need people you may have ignored in your career. I was once told that this industry is like a record (I know you may not know what a 45 looks like but ask your mother if
Never Love Radio More than it Loves You
I’ve seen people make this mistake and literally die as a result. If you need to separate yourself or divorce radio DO IT, you can ALWAYS come back but don’t let other opportunities pass you by in the process.People who had so many other talents have been trapped by the radio game by not exploring other opportunities. Don’t believe that radio is all that you can do. It’s an addictive trap that can end up killing you. You can do MUCH more until the next opportunity comes along. In addition, the universe likes what’s moving. You are either in the race or on the sidelines cheering on those in the race and giving them water. Which one will you be?
Aim HIGH(er)
If you have been a jock for three years, tell your boss or the PD that you want to get into management (if you actually want to). You will not get what you don’t ask for in a reasonable amount of time.Give yourself 10 years to climb the radio ladder don’t be in your 40s or 50s still working a shift if you have higher aspirations. If you WANT to be on the air for life than so be it. This story is not for you. But ASK FOR WHAT YOU WANT and if you don’t get it from your current situation, start planning your move. Don’t be dedicated to a situation that will divorce you in a split second if you don’t deliver.
URGENT…Take pictures for press and OWN the use of them
This is SO important and a small investment that can pay off big. Most quality sites won’t run your press without quality images. Take PROFESSIONAL pictures every couple of years not every 10 years after you have gained 50 pounds and you look different or you are bald on the top of your head or your hairstyle is dated. I know people who are using images that are 20 years old right now in the industry. Get PROFESSIONAL pics and all the coverage that you can get from the industry trades will be available to you. Out of everybody I know in the industry DeDe McGuire is CONSTANTLY updating her pics and I see her all over social media. This is a great investment for your career.I know that there are barely any urban trades besides us and we are willing to promote you here if it’s newsworthy. But make sure your pics are updated and professional and MAKE SURE YOU HAVE PERMISSION TO USE THEM.After a recent situation, we will be taking our own pictures but you don’t want an opportunity to promote yourself held up by some BS like a photographer who you paid that refuses to let you use the pics. This is where “the hook up” can get complicated. Dig in your pocket and pay for the pics and GET PERMISSION TO USE IN WRITING. If the station doesn’t get your pics taken or promote your efforts PROMOTE YOURSELF. Send us a note about your promotion and we will post it. If the corporation has a problem with us posting it tell them to contact me.
Never Aspire to be Like Someone Else
Charlamagne, DeDe McGuire, Rick Party, Envy, Frank Ski and Greg Street, to name a few, are one of a kind and they all got to where they are by being themselves. Back in the day when Frankie Crocker was hot EVERY black male jock in the industry (and some female jocks) copied his style. They sounded ridiculous. Be who YOU are and create your OWN legacy. Until then, we can’t wait for your star to shine. Remember it’s up to YOU to make it happen.Share this story (remember, pay if forward) and ask any questions in comments or via email to me at kevin@newmusicspace.com. My bestKev
