5 Words to Build a Career On

I started my career in radio. This was back when people listened to the radio, and the folks behind the mic had personalities. They got to say more than “That was … and coming up next …” Most of the DJs from that era busted their asses coming up with a professional persona that endeared them to listeners.

They didn’t have a massive budget and staff (that came later…), but they were smart and original. They built something that had staying power for decades.

As a young intern (I started the DAY after my 21st birthday), I received the following admonishment which stuck with me to this day:

“Shut up, listen, and learn!”

It was obvious to the powers-that-be that I had potential, and it was clear that I was a smart guy.  But it was also quite obvious that I didn’t know everything.  Looking back, I don’t think I said much of anything for the first 6 months I was working in radio.  But I absorbed everything.  Over time I learned how to be persuasive without being a bully.  I learned when the end result often meant sacrificing what you thought (at the time) was totally essential.

The hardest lesson was learning to let others do their job so you can do yours.

I didn’t know anything about radio when I started.  In fact, the reason I got my internship at all was because I was the only guy who’d willingly get up for work at 3 AM.   So from that “humble” beginning, the best thing I could do was soak it all in.  And I did.  The learning curve was steep, but successful.   4 years later (!), I left radio with a massive amount of knowledge, experience, and opportunity.  But it wouldn’t have happened without “shut up, listen, and learn…”

These days, working with bands, it’s fascinating to see that same advice coming back.  The DIY mentality pervades a lot of indie bands, and they’re reluctant to give up control over their brand, image, and activities.  Quite honestly, that makes a lot of sense.  If they’ve worked hard to grow their career, there’s a definite pride of ownership and desire to hold on to as much as possible.  A good manager or marketer knows how to build on what the band has already done and include them in all next step actions.  The band/artist needs to understand that work is done in their best interests, with their inclusion, and for the benefit of all.

When you’ve kicked, fought, and clawed your way to where you are  — it’s hard to suddenly hand anything off to someone else.  The radio guys taught me that.  Listeners tuned in to hear them, not you.  So it’s your job to make them look good.  And the inherent trust that’s created is the first step in building that foundation of growth and success.  Indie bands, the good ones at least, are competitive by nature.  Trust is a difficult commodity.

So once that bond was built, my radio “career” became one of huge personal growth and success.  It laid the foundation for everything I learned moving forward.  I work with artists and bands today with the same underpinning that started in radio:  we’re on a team, that team needs to move forward, and each of our individual skills and experiences should be harnessed for success.  Sometimes that means that the musicians needs to “just” be musicians.  Other times it means that an untapped skill for marketing or promotion needs to be nutured in a band member.

But first you need to shut up, listen, and learn.  There will always be people that know more than you.  Don’t compete with them;  learn from them!

P.S.  The concept is re-inforced here.  Cue to 1:20…