Why You Shouldn't Let Rejection Get In Your Head

Rejection.

It's not an easy topic to talk about, because let's face it, who wants to think about not being wanted and looked over. But let's be real, rejection happens. And it will happen to every single one of us in our lifetime. Sometimes more than once. Rejection can come from people, jobs, expectations, and more.

However, it's how you handle rejection that sets the tone for what's next in your life.

Dealing with rejection can make the most humble of us uneasy, especially when you work in a creative industry. It's upsetting to hear that you or your work is not good enough. I think rejection may be one of the top 'dream killers' of creatives.

But you have to understand that 'No' isn't always definite, and could mean not right now.

You need to rewire the way you think and keep your optimism high. Just because someone does not see your vision or understand your talent, doesn't mean others will feel the same. Shop your talent around. Build your own platform. Do what you have to do. Just don't give up on a dream or goal you have.

Personally, I'm a firm believer in what's meant for me, will be. Having a mindset like that gives me peace especially when I know I worked as hard as I could on a project.

You have to learn to handle rejection in stride. You can be upset for a minute, but don't become so discouraged that you quit. I'm sure we all know someone who is super talented, but got rejected one too many times and gave up on themselves all together. Don't become that person. 

What you want is going to come to you, and when it does, you'll feel foolish for almost letting rejection stop you.

Be encouraged.

How I'm Fighting 'The Post Grad, No Job' Blues

Reality set in after I crossed the stage to receive my diploma. Here I was, among hundreds of graduates, wondering, who has already secured a job? And most importantly, why didn’t I?

During my last semester, I hated the question, “What are you doing after graduation?” As a person who always had everything organized and figured out, it felt embarrassing to simply answer with, “I’m not sure yet.” It seemed like every guest speaker that came to my classes talked about how depressed they were for either months or years before they got to where they were. Freaking everyone out, all I could remember thinking was, “I don’t want to be in that predicament.” Then I came to realize, “You don’t have to be in that predicament.” Not everyone’s journey is going to be the same. Someone’s chapter 27 might be your chapter 5 and vice versa. If I wanted to reach my goals, it’s going to take:

1. Patience.

2. Taking a risk or two to get to where I need to be.

3. Instead of freaking out, I’m going to have to grow up.

Although I did not secure a job before graduation, I made sure that I put myself in a position to get a job as soon as possible. I secured an internship in my last semester of college, so that I could possibly have a higher chance of getting a job opportunity with that company. I also applied for a program that would give me more training and is known for offering students jobs right after it is completed. Most importantly, I reached out to major connects who are already in the industry that I am interested in, to not only show interest, but to get an advice on what to do next.

As I walked out of graduation with my diploma in hand, I was no longer asking myself, “why didn’t I have a job?” and started to ask, “Why am I doubting myself?” I felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. I was proud of my work ethic and I knew I was going to be okay. Fast forward, in a few weeks I will be headed to Washington D.C. for the Media Sales Institute at Howard University. I think one of the most bittersweet things that I am learning post-graduation is that, I graduated knowing that there I still have a lot to learn and experience. I broke down multiple times in college because of the things I thought I could not overcome, and yet, this is just the beginning. That’s the beauty of it all.

How To Brand Yourself Without Losing Yourself!

It's 2017! We're in the social media and digital age. You can really be anybody you want to be ( i.e MTV's show "Catfish") but why do all that, when people can fall in love with the real YOU.

Here's how to brand yourself on social media without losing your authenticity.

1. Find out who you are. Make a list of the things that make you, you! Ask your friends and family what they like about you the most. Maybe you're great at giving advice, or just a good listening ear.

2. Use that list to sell yourself. When we're trying to grow a brand and bigger social media following, we want to work on our assets. It's like selling a car! Find people that like what you've got to offer - but don't ever negotiate who you are.

3. Engage with your followers! Like their post and comment on the things you care about. People can tell when you're being genuine, and when you're being phony - so type on social media like how you talk in real life.

4. Use hashtags! Don't use so many that you look spam-y! Hashtags are great, you can easily click them and find a surplus of people who are talking about that topic or have the same interest.

5. Be consistent with your posting. Don't go more than a few days without posting.

6. Post content that falls in line with your brand. If you're starting out in radio, meet with a few good local artist and do interviews with them and post them. They will then repost and your brand will grow. 

7. If you consider yourself a brand or have a business, your page should NOT be on private. Use the business option on Instagram, and make a 'Page' on Facebook for yourself.

8. Use social media to your advantage! The analytical option on Facebook and Instagram is there for you to use. It breaks down when people who follow you are online the most. Post when they are on.

9. Don't let numbers get to your head. At the end of the day, building a brand is more about quality over quantity. I know people who post good and consistent content with only 2k followers, but their numbers are steadily growing because of it. 

Some of our #womeninradio beauties shared some tips they have for branding:

"Get creative with hashtags. What do you want to brand? Find a place in the social media world, and use it to express yourself." - @amberstone03

" Brainstorm - what uis uniquely YOU? Once you start pinpointing what qualities you bring to the table as a profesional and a person, you will be able to come up with some ideas. Look to other broadcasters abd see what they are doing. Try out what they are doing - with of course your own touch. See what works and evolve. Good luck!' - @jeunessetagram

" Always be true to yourself and true with your followers/listeners! Find unique content that you love and relates to them and focus on that. Connect,respond,ask questions, be engaged." - @gigidiazlive

I Quit My Job After 6 Months, Here's Why

I resigned from my job a few weeks ago after being there for 6 months. Yes, just 6 months. Yet, 6 months felt like a life sentence when you're somewhere you don't like. 

I knew from the first week that I got there, that this wasn't the place for me, and not in some weird "I'm a millennial and entitled to feel comfortable everywhere I go" sense. Mostly in the "something doesn't feel right intuitively" sense.

But, what's a girl to do when she moved 13 driving hours from home to work at a full-time job that was paying better, had an office, and an actual title.

Stay is what most people told me to do. "Suck it up and toughen it out", they said. 

I tried making friends, joined organizations, went places around town, and even convinced myself that this could be the place for me to 'grow'. 

Deep down inside I couldn't lie to myself anymore and I had to shut 'they' out.

The truth is, nobody tells you what to do when you're in the career field that you want, but at a job you hate. 

It's the oddest feeling in the world. You feel so selfish because there's thousands of people who want to be in your field because it looks 'glamorous'. Yet, you get a shot to advance your career and you let it go because of an emotion? 

So what do you do? What do you choose?

I chose happiness and it has been the most freeing thing I've ever done. 

I stopped living for other people and looking for their acceptance on my decisions. Trust me, it's much easier to say than do. It only took me 25 and a half years to do it. 

Am I a quitter? Technically, yes. I quit my job. But do I feel that way? No. I feel stronger, wiser, and more 'gutsy'. It's the feeling of satisfaction you get when you finally put yourself and your feelings first.

I don't go around encouraging people to quit their jobs. It takes a lot of self-evaluation.

Will I do radio again? Yes, of course. I love radio. I'm on the hunt for a job right now. The only difference is this time, I'll be careful. 

We're not always going to love our jobs, but I want to at least like my job & the place I'm working in.

XO

With love.

Livin' La Loca

BY: @DJCEDESO 1/25/17

Tell me about your first break into the radio industry, how old were you?

I was 25 yo in Tampa Fl as an intern on 933 FLZ for the MJ Morning Show. I spoke on air and even got my teeth fixed thanks to a radio bit. But my 1st on air gig was on WMNF in Tampa for the Saturday Night Shutdown.

Did you go by the name La Loca?

As the intern I went by my legal name of Sharon Montero. I didn’t get La Loca till Tony Montana cracked the mic on my 1st day on Saturday Night Shutdown.

What station?

933 FLZ & WMNF

What drew you to the radio industry?

Like any Jersey Latina, it was a mix of La Mega and Hot 97. But what opened me up was Angie Martinez & Wendy Williams, two powerful women who said what they wanted and showed me that I can do it, too.

Tell me about the creation of La Loca and Its La Loca TV?

The creation was organic, I feel because it’s who I am. I grew up being told I was crazy because I was different. I know crazy has a negative tone to it now days - crazy is different and we are all different. I’m just comfortable in my skin and I own it. ItsLaLocaTV came to be from wanting people to see that being crazy is not a bad thing. I was told I was crazy because I had a dream that I wasn’t going to give up on.

As of right now, I know you currently are the midday host at Radio 103.9 and worked for Orlando’s Power 95.3 as weekend host, nights at Tampa’s 95.7 The Beat, afternoons at Orlando’s 102 Jamz, and nights again at Tampa’s Wild 94.1. You’re from Boston, Mass. What drew you to Florida?

 Let’s correct one thing I was born in Boston and I rep it till the day I die but Jersey (Perth Amboy) is where I was raised and I love sooo much. Florida came into the picture because my dad was diagnosed with cancer and he decided to move there with my mom and brother. I never wanted to move there but I knew that if I wanted to do radio in NYC I had to move to a smaller market and I thought Tampa was small. Boyeee I was mistaken because Tampa is not small at all, Tampa is big and it allowed me to birth La Loca and I will forever LOVE Tampa FL. Tampa taught me the good, bad and ugly of this business. I LOVE YOU TAMPA!!!

What other stations have you worked at? What did you learn while working at those stations?

The only station you missed above was WMNF a community station. I learned to enjoy the ride and your listeners. Be real to you are and never ever give up. As a woman, you will be treated like shit and disrespected but don’t ever let that define your career. You will get jobs, lose jobs but you need to keep going. What God has for you it will be yours.

What awards or accolades have you won as a radio host?

 No awards right yet, keyword yet.  But to be honest awards don’t do anything for me because a lot of them is paid for. I rather have listeners tell me they love what I do because when you’re getting broken apart by your PD that award is not going to make me feel better.

 What is your most memorable moment on air or interview? Why?

Most memorable was my 1st time cracking the mic and hearing my voice over the air on 933 FLZ. Till that moment, it was a dream and at that moment it was reality even though I was an intern I was on my way up.

What is the funniest and worst thing that has happened on air?

The funniest moment, was during an interview with another DJ and I said I love big d***s. I almost lost my job. The worst moment, was when I cursed on the air (I said m****f*****) and quickly lost my job.

Compare radio to when you started and now?

 Radio is the same to be honest, because I came on the scene during PPM so I didn’t have the pleasure of life before the devil ppm. One thing I have to say is the location has changed my experience because in FL they are able to do more with the community and in NYC you have union stuff preventing you from that. People in the #1 market are comfortable because they are protected by the union and they don’t have to fight like we did in FL. Or better yet they are in a better situation then me now due to my signal. I still have that FL hunger because I’m fighting to keep my dream alive.

Were there fewer women on air?

Women are important and we are there but the question you should ask is if do we get paid the same or more than our male counterpart. We work harder and do more and get 20% of what a man makes.

Can you tell us any other projects you are working on?

Nothing special right now. Just enjoying my new ride at Radio 103.9 NY

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I see myself as a PD and travel host.

What is your advice for women who want to work in the radio industry?

Slow and steady win the race. Know who you are and live in it. Also find your God and ask him/her for strength because you going to need it.

What do you want your legacy to be?

 I never took no or a loss of job as my end all be all.

 Who are your inspired by in the radio industry?

 Right now? God and myself because I’m still going after my dream because he strengthens me. So many times, I hear people say I would have given up if I went thru what you did in radio and I didn’t I kept going.

You have experience in the television industry. You’ve worked for MTV, BET, and NBC. Will your big personality return to the big screen?

If God allows it, I will. During my mini break from Radio 103.9 NY I dabbled in tv doing extra work on Orange Is The New Black, Law And Order and more. So yeah my bad that is a project I’m on. This year look for me I’m one of the inmates walking around

You represent your ethnicity to the fullest on air. I appreciate you so much for that! What are the negative aspects of being an on-air Latina radio host?

 Wow being told that I shouldn’t be doing R&B because I’m Latina, that if they tuning into a “black” station they should hear a black woman. Followed by I should be on La Mega or something like that.

16. How can we keep up with you on social media?

@Itslaloca on IG and Twitter, Sharon Montero on FB along with Itslaloca, Imjustplayingdressup on Sname and Itslalocatv on Youtube.

Catchin up with Cappuchino

BY: @_deebrady11/30/16

               Philadelphia’s Hip-Hop and RnB Power99 FM radio personality and FAMU Alum, Cappuchino, shares her journey as being a woman in radio.

 When you first started radio, during your time in college, you got your degree in newspaper journalism, so what is it about radio, that attracted you?

-          “It was more so about entertainment… my whole idea and my mind was 'ouu' im gonna do entertainment writing! Dealing with what’s going on with the celebrities or something that was fun and upbeat as supposed to seriousness of news. So that kind of grabbed my attention, just the idea of being able to speak and infotain folks, gained my attention a little more.”

          Being a woman in the industry, how did you gain respect, or did you feel like you had to prove yourself, in order to get respect?

-          I think it’s a combination of both. Just being me and always being the person to get things done, or willing to learn, I think that kind of proved my worth. I don’t think I’ve ever been disrespected by any of my male counterparts. I guess just being me and being assertive and wanting to learn more kind of helped out too.

   What makes your radio personality unique?

-          “I guess my name alone! Most women go by a “name name” as supposed to an object, but I guess my voice too. It’s kind of hard to answer that, because when I was younger or when I first started, most women had more of a feminine, extra friendly, parental sound whereas me, my voice was more aggressive and a little deeper than most women, but now it’s almost to the point where women, their voices sound about the same, so it’s kind of hard to answer that as supposed to when I first came out in the industry. I guess even till this day, it [my voice] still kind of stands out.”

   What is a myth about women in radio that you’ve heard before?

-          That we’re crazy and we hold on to our emotion, we wear our emotions on our sleeves. I don’t believe that at all. In fact I had a caller and he said, “Wait I have a question for you… how do you manage to keep yourself, so hype, so energized, so friendly?” and I was like, “Well you know how some people say, don’t bring work home, leave work at work? Well, I have nothing to worry about when im at work, im in my zone, it’s just me, I don’t let too many things bother me when i'm doing a certain job.

     Any advice for young women that wants to be a part of radio or the music industry?

-          Definitely be assertive, don’t just want to do one thing because you're not going to be doing just one thing in the entertainment world, you're going to be doing multiple things. So learn every facet of the job that you can now.

    Where is the next step for you, Cappuchino?

-          Eventually I want to go for the top T. I want to become a program director somewhere, I don’t want to own a station, I still want to be in the radio industry, I want to be someone’s program director and still be on air. I don’t have a long term goal anymore, I’m comfortable and content, I just want more growth in my career.