Happy Friday, everyone!
The other day, Rod and I were comparing notes on folks we know in radio sales/management who are 70 or older and still enjoying success in radio sales. One of our members mentioned in a conversation with Rod that he knows a lady who's 80 and billing 45-50K monthly as a salesperson.
With so many people who have reached the age of retirement but aren’t ready to stop working, we were wondering:
What opportunities there are at your station for senior citizens who want to work, stay productive, and make some money?
Is radio today generally a welcoming place for aging Baby Boomers?
Where are the best opportunities for seniors who'd like to work in radio?
We can't wait to hear from you!
After selling my radio stations in 2011, I was offered another management position nearby, which I accepted. But after 2 years when my wife and I both turned 65, we wanted to spend more time doing other things besides working. So I asked if I could simply work part time in sales, which the owner agreed to. That was three years ago. I really enjoy making a positive contribution to the stations. I go in one or two days a week & work from my home office...and even while we are in Florida during winter months. We have two other seniors who work part time in sales, and we all do well. A few years ago I had an 80-year old in sales. She had worked in sales for the station since 1958. She always met monthly goals, even while recovering from cancer. She actually worked until a month before she passed away.
I think radio can be a very good place for aging boomers and seniors to work, providing they can identify with the format of the station and relate to management and staff. Radio is in need of good engineers, mature announcers, and of course salespeople. Go for it!
A year ago I turned 80 - time to retire, ... but what will I do then. Thank God for the computer. I work mostly at home. And, in a way I am Semi-retired. My co-workers treat me just as well, but I stop for coffee a little more often - and I am still learning.
Bill
The smart money is on seniors. When I was Canada's youngest owner, I preferred hiring people decades older because of the value of their maturity and exemplary work habits. Despite workplace ageism that also runs rampant in broadcasting, it's nothing to be discouraged about - it's a simple matter of doing more digging to find those employers who value maturity and long-term commitment more than others.
It's like dating: not everyone will date you, but the right one will marry you. Be diligent in first seeking the input of potential employers as to what they would look for in a senior in different positions, and where they see opportunities - not only in their industry, but among their clients and their communities, and what they say you would need to do to be considered for such.
At a time when few employers and employees have little loyalty to each other, a senior can say that although employees in younger age brackets are much more prone to leave for wherever the grass looks greener, the senior is choosing the industry and the company for (specific reasons that answer why) and the express purpose of building value long-term (be prepared to give specifics as to how you plan to do that).
In the end, nothing speaks louder than results - and results come from a daily commitment to keeping abreast of what's new and working well in the industry (and with the industry's clients), and applying what you learn each day. That's the ultimate expectation of an employer and the value proposition that seniors can bring to the table...
One last thought - with all the seniors out there, pooling their money and buying a business (a station?), and designating who has what responsibility, seems to be a large, untapped opportunity.
Good for you, Bill! What an inspiration!
God bless.
Really appreciate your experience and insights, Mike. Thanks for sharing this!
I didn't get started in radio till after our 3rd child's wedding! So, in my 'prime' I enjoy working, helping my clients grow their businesses and non profits through our integrated media! It has certainly been a learning curve with digital and mobile ~ but it keeps me out of trouble! Love it!
I've got another 14 years before I hit 70, but I do have some insights on the issue. A good friend of mine whom I worked with 13 years ago for a couple years at the same radio group is returning to radio sales at age 74.
He knows his stuff and is being paid 100% commission with no benefits. This is simply to supplement his retirement income. He spent 45 years as a radio rep, newspaper rep and small agency owner. He became dissatisfied with the way the owner of the small Hispanic newspaper was operating, he'd been doing sales for the paper for the past 9 years since he officially retired at age 65.
Probably the biggest challenge was the fact that we are a paperless sales organization. All of our orders and copy are entered in web based programs. But we also have a sales assistant that will do all of that for him, all he has to do is email her and she'll handle the details.
Happy to read Andy McNabb's reply...wish he still owned his station!! I've been in radio 45 years from Sales/Co-op Sales Manager/Promotion/Program Director..on air in all day parts. CKLW The Big 8..CFRA 580..CKOC 1150..
I've always sold creative revenue building idea's that bring results...It maybe old school,but it works! I've always believed any client may they be new or old will pay "A GOOD DOLLAR FOR A GOOD IDEA...THAT BRINGS RESULTS"
When I sold radio we sometimes would write the copy and in some cases voice the spot.
I was retired from our local station 5 years ago..I've applied to a few local stations for a sales position...but never hear a word back. ???? They seem to be looking every 90 days for a sale's person...Hey!! I'm over here lolol!! There are two types of people in our business...Radio people...and people who just work in radio...
Thanks for letting me vent!!
I expect he'll soon be one of the station's top billers, too. What a great story, Scott. Thanks for sharing it!
Bring it on. Would love to have mature sales individual to join our team. Opportunity knocks.
