This is a record of the ups and the downs; the struggles and the achievements; the laughter and the frustration and what it takes to break into The Industry...the radio industry that is.
Day Two - Twitter
I have loved you for so long interwebz and I think some people might underestimate you. Especially that little thing you do in 140 characters or less… you know… that twitter thang? Haha. Twitter was a cause of many headaches for a lot of people when it first came online, mostly because people believed that it was only for sharing things like “Hey world! Guess wut?! I’m srsly brushin’ my teeth rite now… then time for some flossin’ woot!” or “Just made a sammich… with ham, cheese, lettuce and that spicy mustard!” but it has actually done a lot for the radio world and it did something cool for me!
My favorite part about Twitter is not the fact that I’m restricted to 140 characters or the ability to follow my favorite bands (although that is cool) but rather the ways that Twitter brings people you want to you! With the help of easy to use “Twitter-Directories” you can post your account in the field where you belong to attract the right crowd. For example I posted my account in the blogging, media and music fields and before I knew it I had record labels following me and Airchecker (which I will explain how awesome they are later!) but perhaps the coolest part? Other radio people have been following me. But so what?
Well a radio personality from another province replied to my tweet that “job searching was tough right now in the radio world” with a “hang in there”. Now lesson number one. When someone goes out of their way to start a conversation don’t shrug it off, I certainly didn’t. In essence I sent back a message saying “it sure is, well let me know if there is ever an opening at your station haha” to which she replied with a line all broadcasters love to hear “Oh ya for sure! Send me your demo!” By this point, it is always exciting to have people interested in your stuff. So I sent her my demo and she got back to me saying how she liked my stuff, but she suggested I tighten a few things up. Now naturally in this industry feedback should never be taken negatively. If there is anything I’ve learned so far, is that constructive criticism is the best, because people are not looking to shoot you down and crush your dreams, but rather help you as best they can. However perhaps my favorite part of her email was the fact that she sent me HER demo back and asked what I thought! Talk about a learning experience for a newbie in the industry, and the fact that another person has heard my stuff and said they will hold on to it and pass it on if there is an opening… best position to be in!
So the tip of this all is this:
1. Use your Twitter like I said yesterday, for your personal branding! Post more then just your lunch. Post things about your blogs, youtube videos etc.
2. Add yourself to Twitter-Directories such as:
3. Talk to your followers because you never know what you might get out of it.
If you have a twitter tip/trick or a story leave it in the comments below.
Happy tweeting… now all of this talk of sandwichs has made me hungry… I’m going to go make one and use the good mustard WOOT!
