Recruiting Tip - Visit Media Outlets

Pick and Flick the Hits

May 8th, 2008

One of the many things I enjoyed while serving as a Navy Recruiter was the opportunity to really immerse yourself into the community you had the privilege and pleasure of serving. While out and about making yourself known and communicating the opportunities the Navy offers you get to meet so many people. Among the many many places you visit such as the high schools, colleges, youth centers and anywhere else you think people hang out there is one place most Recruiters forget completely about - and it is a place that can have the greatest impact. Your local media outlets. I am talking about your local radio and television stations.

Don’t expect to walk in and get a chance to sit with the Disk Jockey or Television Host on your first visit! But do take the opportunity to introduce yourself to as many of the staff as you can. One task you should be completing each visit is ensuring the right information is passed to the right people about airing public service ads. At the very least stop by once a month, drop off a coffee cup or some pens - say hello! Eventually it may pay off… Big.

One of my radio stations I would visit on a monthly basis was also the most popular station in Panama City, Florida - Power 108. One day I received a call from the most popular DJ, “Johnny Finger”. Johnny had the best time slot and occasionally when he would sign on he would say, “This is Johnny Finger and today I am gonna pick and flick the hits!”, well, it was something to that effect… Anyway, Johnny asked me if I could fill a couple of hours of air time with information about the Navy - I of course jumped at the chance. Granted I am not talking about filling the most advantageous air time but the early Sunday morning PSA slot but I was excited non the less!

It was a short notice request as the Sunday show would be taped only a couple of hours after he called me - guess I was a last resort

I arrived at the station and was met at the door by Johnny Finger himself - he described to me how we would proceed - him asking questions and going on from there, it was a very enjoyable couple of hours for me. We finished up, I thanked him and I headed back to work.

The following week after the Sunday morning broadcast I received another call from Johnny Finger. He went on to tell me about how him and his wife listened to the broadcast while driving to the zoo over in P’Cola and during that drive they decided they should hear more about what the Navy could offer. I won’t go more into Johnny and I’s experience but for the six months before he shipped to boot camp the occasional “Anchors Aweigh” could be heard over the airways for the other people in the Delayed Entry Program as they shipped off.