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Write that perfect letter
The letter you send can be just as important as the demo tape itself. Here are some pitfalls they often fall into.
Each week the average station receives a hundred letters requesting jobs. 95% of them get thrown away before they are dealt with. Here's why…
1. You haven't checked the details...
The easiest way to get your letter filed in the bin is to have the wrong names, titles and addresses. A wrongly-spelt name of the person you are writing to, or the old station name is a sure-fire way to get dumped. Or forgetting to change the station name from the previous letter you wrote. Do not be afraid to phone up the receptionist of the station you are writing to and check every details on the letter - the right spelling of the programme controller's name, the exact title, the correct station name and the full address.
2. Your details are missing...
It might sound bizarre, but one of the biggest reasons people never hear back from letter they send to radio stations is they fail to put the right address or phone number on the letter. The more contact methods the better, but definitely your home and mobile number as well as a postal address.
3. You obviously know nothing about the station...
"Dear Sir, I think your station could really do with a heavy rock show…" is a typical letter sent to LBC, London's talk-station aimed at the 45+ age bracket. Not only will this ensure that you won't get a job at the station you sent the letter too, but because most stations operate in groups, people talk, and therefore if you send the same letter to a more suitable station they'll know that you obviously haven't done your research.
4. You have no reason to pick that station...
The programme controller of CFM, the radio station in Cumbria, receives lots of letters from people with London postal addresses. Why should he respond to someone who has probably doesn't know where the station is, let alone have heard it. Make sure you say something about that station and identify that you are choosing that station for a particular reason.
5. You are unrealistic...
Writing to the programme controller to tell him that the current breakfast show jock is rubbish, and you could do a much better job, despite the fact you've never sat behind a microphone, is not going to get you your first gig.
6. You can't spell...
Sending a letter of with spelling mistakes and grammatical errors is akin to saying "I value this letter so little that I didn't think it was worth me running it through a spell checker". If you aren't too hot on the written form, then make sure you have a dictionary to hand and get someone else to read through your letter.
7. You can't write English...
It might sound a little basic, but write your letter in readable English. There is a time and a place for text message language, but "do u hav ne jobs 4 me 2 do?" on your application letter will not get you to top of the pile.
8. You have no enthusiasm...
Writing to the station saying "As part of my GCSE course I have to do some work experience..." sounds like "As part of my GCSE course I have to do a 1,500 word essay..." - it sounds like a chore rather than a brilliant opportunity. Rephrase your letter to start "As part of my GSCE course we are encouraged to do a period of work experience, and I thought this would be a fantastic opportunity..." and you suddenly sound one hundred times more upbeat.
9. The letter is badly presented...
Writing your perfect letter in Times New Roman 12pt with no paragraph or spacing gets you absolutely no favours. Radio is a creative industry, and you need to demonstrate that you've got a creative streak. So choose a nice, clear font, adjust the point size to something that you find comfortable and expressive, and make sure your letter, no matter how short, takes up at least 2/3rds of the page. And print it with a decent printer onto nice clean paper - show that you've given thought to the presentation.
10. There is no originality in the letter...
As the saying goes - "Standard letters get standard replies", and the standard reply is "no positions currently but we'll put your letter on file." Always say something about the demo tape and the station you are sending the letter to, and you should receive a letter that isn't just standard in reply.
11. The letter is full of excuses...
"Sorry about my demo tape, it was recorded on an old tape and the machine wasn't working properly - plus I had a cold and the CD player wouldn't fire correctly." You don't get a salesperson turning up at your door selling you goods by pointing out all the faults with them. Your demo should be the best you can produce, so there shouldn't be any need for excuses.