How often do people tell you to network for sportscasting success?
Regular followers of STAA know that I try to avoid the word networking. Instead, I talk about relationship-building. Networking often implies “what can you do for me.” Relationship-building is about “what can I do for you.”
Recently, I received a call from an employer who wanted to vent. He was deep into the process of hiring a broadcaster and even had a clear-cut favorite. However, that favorite was starting to heavily annoy the employer because of all the references he had calling on his behalf.
Another time, the director of broadcasting for an NFL team shared with me a similar story. He was being inundated with calls from references on behalf of a particular applicant. Again, it was becoming annoying. That employer told me that one or two calls from credible references could certainly help a person’s candidacy. Any more than that, though, can quickly become counterproductive.
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You can always do more to prepare yourself in the sportscasting job market. I was reminded of that in a phone call from a friend this week.
This person has an upcoming job interview. He thought I might be able to provide some helpful background info on the employer.
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Many years ago, a college basketball and minor league baseball broadcaster learned that an NBA team was seeking a new radio voice. He quickly assembled his demo and resume package and sent it off to the team. Days later, he received a reply, “Thank you, but the application period has closed and we’re already down to our finalists.”
At this point, what would you do if you were this broadcaster?
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“I don’t have time.”
How often do you say that to yourself about building your sportscasting career?
168 hours in a week is a lot. “I don’t have time” really means “this isn’t a high enough priority for me.”
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Jamelle Holieway was the best option QB I ever watched. When he was running Oklahoma’s attack in the 1980s it was must-see TV. As I watched in awe, I wondered how Holieway chose on each play whether to keep the ball or pitch it. It turns out that he didn’t have to make the decision – the defense made it for him. If the end stays wide, keep it. If the end collapses, pitch it. Easy.
For sportscasters, planning their career path can seem like running the option. The current glut of major college play-by-play openings is forcing some minor league baseball broadcasters to choose between that and Division I football and basketball.
How do you choose?
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How often have you applied for a sportscasting job and never heard a peep back from the employer – not even acknowledgement that they had received your application? It happened to me more times than I can remember.
I remember wondering if those employers were so far removed from their own job-seeking experience that they had forgotten what its like. To them, your job application means nothing. What they often forget is that, to you, it means everything. That is why what I am about to share with you is stunning.Read More
When veteran college basketball coach Josh Pastner was a high school senior, he mailed letters to every NCAA Division I basketball coach. He wanted to be a coach and he was looking for a program that would accept him as a player/coach-in-training. He heard back from just a small handful of folks, but one of them was Lute Olson at the University of Arizona. Pastner went to Tucson, spent four years as an end-of-the-bench player, became a graduate assistant, and the rest is history.
A lot of sports broadcasters approach the job market much like Pastner approached looking for a school. They send demos and resumes to countless employers hoping to hear back from someone. What works for aspiring basketball coaches, though, almost never works for sportscasters.
You might be working hard in the sports broadcasting job market, but are you working smart?Read More
A broadcaster who is doing play-by-play for high school sports was told by a mentor to work on his pacing and energy. He asked me how to go about doing that.
If you have ever been told that you need to work on your delivery and/or your energy, here are two quick tips for you.Read More
Mark Cuban reads for one hour every day.
Cuban says that when he started out as a software salesman, he knew nothing about what he was selling. He learned by reading the instruction manuals. Then, when prospects had questions, he was able to answer them thoroughly and professionally.
Cuban outsold everyone and set himself on his way to riches.
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