So you can’t find a good writer producer? This is the lament of Creative Services departments coast to coast. No matter what size market, no matter what market position the station, no matter the owner, no matter anything…the difficulty in finding a talented promotion writer producer seems tantamount to finding Osama Bin Laden. Just not happening.
Why could this be? More importantly, what can you do about it? Here are some thoughts that might help.
1. Show Me the Money
The only way a company can truly show it values the services of an employee is with compensation. Is the pay rate you offer in line with other stations in your market? In line with other production entities as well? Googling salary ranges is right up there on ‘things to do’ when someone is thinking of applying for any job, so I’m positive it’s what your producer candidate does. Make sure you aren’t on the short side of the salary range.
What if you are? Think about these options:
- MANAGE UP Explain to the GM, HR head and the corporate folks that your particular situation will require a higher compensation rate. You CSD’s are masters of persuasion, so take those skills and put them to work for yourself. It’s hard to argue with hard figures, so list where you are and where everybody else is.
- NEGOTIATE If that wasn’t successful and you don’t cash to play with in the negotiation, time to get creative again. Is flex time possible? C|net reported that Salary.com conducted a survey in ’06, asking workers if they would rather have a $5,000 raise or the equivalent in time off. One-third chose the time over the money. My guess is that as time gets crunched even more, what with longer commutes plaguing even small cities, the time option will get chosen more often. Can you offer working from home while writing? Cell phones…transportation…weekly Starbucks cards?
What else can you do to lure that fab candidate your way?
GRAB A MAGNIFYING GLASS
Take a good hard look at the job description of the slot you want filled. Is it going to be one that burns someone out because there’s more demanded than can be delivered on a consistent basis? I heard from someone recently that told me they were looking for a producer who could handle three stations and didn’t mind overtime. Other than breaking a federal employment law (check out the expectation of overtime and how it applies to you), what sane person would jump at this?
GET OVER YOURSELF
The patina of TV is over, everybody. The medium isn’t the place where the creative types you seek see a future. You are going to stop thinking that just because you have a TV job, the best and brightest will fight over it. Once you jettison that expectation, you’ll not only feel better, you’ll be able to approach the creative opening you have with a more realistic anticipation.
GROW YOUR OWN
With the addition of the editing skill to the writer producer mix; you might want to see who is available in your own station. Taking someone under your wing, teaching them the ropes, how to write, why they do what they need to do…you might find a real gem. This has happened to me and it’s a rush to watch the progress of this creative I helped hatch. He’s now in market #5, thanks for asking. And yes, they eventually will leave and you’ll be back in the same spot.
Read an excellent article about how to keep talent once you find them. Click here, thanks to the Wall Street Journal.
Good luck, and if you need help finding that elusive creative candidate, just give me a buzz.
Tags: creative, hire, manage, TV, Wall Street Journal, writer producer
