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About the book

There are a lot of how to be in the media books out there. This one stands out from all the others on the bookshelves. It has to, because 99 Things You Wish You Knew Before Making It BIG In Media is about doing just that! It's about chasing your dream and not letting anyone tell you to sell shoes instead. It's about how to be better than the next person at the press conference, on the scene of a local fire, in the press gallery, in the studio or the anchor desk.

This book is about attitude! It's about determination! It's about sacrifices! It's about doing something you'd do for free but get paid to chase your dream. It's about that fire in your belly that won’t let you sleep nights until you get your chance to entertain and tell a story.

This book is about feeding that desire to hear your voice on the radio or see your face on TV.

It’s about being successful behind the scenes when told you don’t have the voice for radio or the face for TV. It’s about tapping into your inner strength and talents you were born to exploit and ignore those around you who have no faith in what you know you can do.

99 Things You Wish You Knew Before Making It Big In Media is not a look at me I'm a star and you're not kind of book. It's about how Steve Kowch channeled his passion, attitude, determination, luck and commitment to being a story teller and making others shine to stand above the crowd.

This book was 40 years in the making. 99 Things You Wish You Knew Before Making It Big In Media is your short cut to gaining that experience.

Book Review

Sandi Krawchenko Altner Reviews

99 Things You Wish You Knew Before Making It Big In Media

If you have a teenager headed for journalism school, buy this book for them and insist they read Chapter 11 - tips on how to survive in the media-- first. If they can get through all of Steve Kowch's warnings about the downside of the glamour, then you can feel free to write that tuition cheque. As a former television reporter, I see a lot of value in Kowch's observations and advice.

Kowch's 99 Things You Wish You Knew Before Making it BIG in Media is an entertaining and interesting read for an audience far beyond journalism students and news fanatics. It's also designed to be a quick read. From stories of running a bar out of the trunk of his car for cops at a crime scene, to breaking through lines to get an exclusive interview with a traveling Pope, Kowch's passion for his work is seen on every page. 

As much a coach as a newsman, Kowch offers a truly useful book for anyone who is dreaming of a job that involves a live microphone. He describes what it takes to get ahead and to rise to the top. He points out the best and worst aspects of the business...the highs that constantly feed the "adrenalin junkies", the news hounds who regularly get exclusive stories or interviews, and the painful reality of coping with being fired or seeing relationships with loved ones suffer because they come second to the news business.  Everyone who signs up for journalism school should read this first.

kowchmedia book excerpt exclusive: Making being fired less stressful

Of all the things you will negotiate in your contract ... your out is probably the most important clause of your deal.  It is better to know going in how you're going out the door if things turn sour. In media it's not IF but WHEN you get shown the door.

You have no bargaining power when the boss calls you into his office to terminate you for whatever reason.  So negotiate your severance package when everyone is friendly and thinks highly of you during the interviews.  It makes the whole process of being fired less stressful.

To learn more about the importance of negotiating your sudden departure before it happens click here

kowchmedia Book Excerpt Exclusive about demo tapes

I am always amazed when someone looking for a job comes to my office for an interview and wants to provide me with their demo tape they admit is not their best work.

As they're handing me the CD I always ask if this is the best example of what they can do on the radio. Ninety per cent of them say NO! Their excuse is they had to put something together at the last minute in time for our meeting.

You get one chance with a decision maker like me. One chance to put your best foot forward to impress someone like me they should be hired. They blow it my putting together a demo CD that doesn't showcase their best work.

I always refuse to accept the CD if it isn't their best work and ask them to provide me a new one within a week. You would be amazed how many insist I still accept their CD or worse yet say they'll get a new one to me and never do!

For more information about what radio program directors are looking for in demo tapes click here

Table of Content Sampler

Chapter 1

DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE IN THE MEDIA

#1: What Do I Want To Be When I Grow Up

#3: Figuring Out what is Your Talent

Chapter 2

CHASING YOUR DREAM

#10: I Have A Dream

#12 Chasing Your Dream Is A Marathon, Not A Sprint

Chapter 3

YOU HAVE OPTIONS

#19: When It Comes To Working In The Media You Have A Lot of Exciting Choices

Chapter 4

GETTING YOUR FIRST JOB

#34: Tips On How To Find A Job

#26: Some Tips On How To Handle The Interview

 Chapter 5

YOU'VE GOT YOUR FIRST JOB - NOW WHAT?

#37: Your First Day On The Job Is Always Special

#39: If You Want To Work An Eight-Hour Day Monday To Friday, Work In A Bank

Chapter 6

MOVING YOUR CAREER FORWARD

#46: You Have To Be Better Than The Competition Every Day

#49: Every Day Is An Audition

Chapter 7

LIFE IN THE MEDIA

#59: What You Need To Know To Survive In The Media

#60: Here Is What You're Getting Into When You Work In The Media

Chapter 8

HOW TO STAND ABOVE THE CROWD

#64: If I Can Do It ... You Can Do It

Chapter 9

ATTITUDE! ATTITUDE! ATTITUDE! IT CAN MAKE OR BREAK YOU

#73: Positive Beats Out Negative All The Time

#77: How To Interview Families Of Victims of Crimes And Accidents

Chapter 10

MEDIA 101

#82: Getting Back To Basics In News

#84: The Questiion People Who Stand Above The Crowd Always Ask

#86: The Difference Between An Interview For Print Or For Broadcast

#87: Writing The Story For Television Once The Interview Is Done

#88: Writing The Story For Radio Once The Interview Is Done

Chapter 11

TIPS ON HOW TO SURVIVE IN THE MEDIA

#92: A Survivor's Guide To Being Fired

#96: Life Is A Balancing Act Between Career And Family

#97: When Relationships Are Collateral Damage Because Of Your Career

Radio Management Consulting

  • Experience in developing talent on air and behind the scenes to work as a team to create great radio

  • Unique way of conducting monitors to help make it easier to solve on air problems

  • Coach music PDs on the best way to mentor opinionated talk show hosts on the air

On Air Host & Talent Airchecks

  • For talk show hosts: It’s not what you talk about! It’s how you talk about it.

  • For music DJs: It’s not how long you have to talk. It’s how you fill time before the music starts.

  • Unique way of conducting show monitors makes it easier for talent to fix their on air problems

Broadcast Student Resources

  • We’re here to help students ace their radio assignments with our constructive feedback

  • We provide student broadcasters airchecks of their campus radio shows or newscasts

  • We help students chase their dream for a career in radio either on air or behind the scenes