Pros and Cons of a Career in Radio Advertising Sales
Radio advertising careers offer an opportunity for significant job satisfaction and pay. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 25,000 individuals worked in the fields of radio and television advertising sales in 2010. As with any sales career, various pros and cons exist to working in the field. Some of these advantages and disadvantages can be seen with a closer examination of the field of radio advertising as a whole.
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Compensation
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Depending upon your point of view, the compensation in the field of radio advertising could be considered either a pro or a con. The amount of money made by those working in this field appears to be one of the more compelling reasons to work in the field when all factors are considered. The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that radio advertising sales agents made an average salary of $53,970 per year in 2010. The median salary for all advertising sales agents was $45,350 per year, indicating that radio advertising salespersons typically rank in the upper half of the pay scale. Additionally, as with most other sales careers, income is generally limited only by the productivity of the sales agent.
The Product
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Perhaps one of the more significant downsides to a career in radio advertising sales is the type of product the salesperson must peddle to be successful. Although effective when done correctly, radio advertisements literally go in one ear and out the other. Potential advertisers may frown upon radio ad spots because of this fleeting impact. Only the radio advertisements with the catchy jingle or the effective spokesperson actually stick in the memory long enough to make an impact. In television and print media, a listing impression is often made because of the ability to save the advertisement or the ability of the human mind to remember a visual image and not just an advertisement that was heard over the radio.
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The Job
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Another potential downfall or perk, depending upon your perspective, is the nature of the job itself. Radio advertising salespersons may spend considerable time on the road, going business to business to create sales. They may also have to spend significant time on the telephone, either cold calling customers or following up on previous business for additional sales opportunities. Interacting with many different business owners and managers can be exciting and give you the opportunity to feel the rush that often comes with making a sale, but you may also find that a considerable amount of rejection comes with the job, as well.
Opportunity
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The radio advertising sales industry does offer significant opportunity for career growth. Arbitron.com indicates that consolidation within the radio advertising sales field has made it possible for sales representatives to sell advertising spots on behalf of multiple stations. Because of the growth of business websites, additional opportunities to see online advertising may also accompany a career in radio advertising sales. The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that some of the more significant opportunities in advertising sales will be in the various forms of digital media now available online or otherwise. The bureau also indicates continued expansion of the advertising sales field at a rate of about 7 percent in terms of the new jobs created from 2008 to 2018. This is only considered average growth, but it does indicate slow and steady job growth and possibly additional opportunity.
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References
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