Prosper is an aspiring radio producer and artist. He has concluded his studies but doesn’t know his next steps. He does community projects but he’s struggling to break into the mainstream.
ShabZi responded with another story of his steps to break into the radio space.
When it comes to radio, I studied sound engineering and then business. When I completed my studies, I had to figure out what was next especially because I wanted to remain a rap artist. If I’m trying to make a living, I need to figure out how to get a job where I’m next to people and places that ensure I can still be an artist. For me, it was radio because I majored in broadcasting when I studied sound engineering.
So, this is how I hustled my way into mainstream radio, I went to the SABC, just like you are there. I went to the reception and asked for the contacts of the program managers for all the radio stations. When you get there, you need to sound like you know what you’re talking about. It’s like being at CBD, being lost, and asking for directions on which cab to take (o ska jampisa). In this climate of South Africa, you’re not going to make it out. So, you must sound like you know what you’re talking about.
What research did I do before I went there and what did I do after?
1. I googled all the radio stations under the SABC.
2. I googled the right names that I need to be mentioning. Sometimes I’ll get there and say, “I’m here for SAfm. I’m here to get the email contact of ‘James’”. What ended up happening was someone directed me to these telephone lines where I could call all the radio stations' numbers.
3. I called all the stations and asked for the program manager’s email for each radio station.
4. I took all the emails home and drafted an email. I said, “This is who I am; this is what I’ve studied; and here’s what I’d like to do. If there’s an opportunity in what I’d like to do, I’m open to any possibility. These are my skills; this is what I know how to do and what I’m willing to learn.” I sent it to all the radio stations.
A few responded to me and the one that interested me the most was 5FM. They had an issue with a lot of the board controllers not being reliable, unable to make it to work on time, and skipping a lot of their shifts. I was amazed that people were blowing their opportunities.
We had a meeting, and they proposed a two-week shadowing to see whether I understood everything. I showed up on time every day. On-time for me is not the proposed time. When they say ten o’clock, I’m there at nine.
After two weeks of shadowing, another month went by, and I got the callback and was hired. The rest is history.
If you are an independent artist, broadcaster or presenter, you have to approach your life as if you’re a hustler; as if you’re the company. You must be able to do everything.
Are you stuck in your music or broadcasting career? Follow the steps above and if you need more then please book an appointment below.
Until next time,
DalliRated!
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