#OAP101 Let me tell you about the auditions I did NOT get!

After i saw a direct message sent to The OAP 101 on instagram from someone who was a bit frustrated about having gone for auditions but not getting the gig, i reached out to them and we chatted further.

I had a whatsapp chat with them and laughed when i found out the 'auditions' were TWO previous auditions. Only.
I say this because we hear of only success stories usually, and because of that, we do not realise how many times that person got told NO before a life changing 'yes'.

Pull a chair! Let ME tell you about going for auditions; waking up early, queuing for hours, praying and giving it my best. And then getting rejected. Not once, not twice, not even three times. I have heard it all. From, the 'thank yous' that mean you won't be called back, to the, 'we really like you' buts, to the 'don't stop doing this' to the one i love the most- 'you are a bit short'.
Lmao.
I have had callbacks, try-agains, and 'we will call you' that never called.

And i am not alone. Think of every successful person you admire. They have gone through this too before.

So why do we not get selected for auditions?
Sometimes it is because we still need to work on our talent, skill or craft some more. No one knows it all and there is always something new to learn so if you ever get told no, don't get bitter. Get better.
You can check out some tips on acing your audition in my podcast at the end of the post below.

Other times, it has nothing to do with you. Some the 'no' may be because of the internal policies, politics or specific needs.
You do not know what the potential client is looking for. They might be looking for someone who is tall, someone who is blonde (i know), someone who is well-known, someone who is 'fresh', someone who is 'different'...
It is like going for an audition to play a role in a movie. The casting director has their guidelines. They do not have to s.h.a.r.e this with you. You may be too tall, or not tall enough. Too young, or too old.

Instead of spending precious time worrying about what went wrong, spend more time on being better like i said, and going on to the next one.
Remember that not all jobs or opportunities come from auditions. But you need to lay that ground work so that by the time these opportunities arise, you are selected.

This means while you wait to get on radio or television, prepare!
Get yourself out there. Create. Think. Plan.
Be ready.

#OAP101 OAPs are some of the best multi-taskers, Dotun says as he kicks off the OAP takeovers

You know him as DO 2 D TUN, super hype-man and radio host with Cool FM 96.9.

The multiple award winning personality has no doubt earned his place as one of the well known and sought after on air personalities in Nigeria and it is no surprise that he is the first Man to kick off the ‘OAP takeovers’ by The OAP 101 project.

‘OAP 101’ is a guide for established, fresh and aspiring on air personalities. Media personality and the content queen, Tosyn Bucknor began recording diary type podcasts titled ‘OAP 101’ back in 2016. From there, it took on a life of its own with a blog, social media, and physical courses to come.

Dotun’s take over kicked off with some simple words of advice- “while it wasn’t the most respected profession until now, our values tripled because we've made it a culture, a lifestyle, a force, a school to learn and be entertained all at the same time. I am proud to be an OAP and so you know, we are still one of the best multi-taskers”.

His next post gives us an insight into what drives him; “ I prefer to earn it. It makes me appreciate it more ▪They say you are lucky, they have no damn idea how you competed get here. Radio is a game. A very serious game. FOCUS”

For more of his and other takeovers to come, simply follow ‘theoap101’ on Instagram and Twitter’. You can also listen to the podcasts by Tosyn Bucknor via Soundcloud. Follow us on Tumblr

The take overs are by media personalities across various media platforms (radio, television, print, digital etc) and will run on Mondays and Wednesdays. Still to come are Kaylah Oniwo of Cool FM and Lamide Akintobi of Ebony Life TV.

#OAP101 Find out why 1 post a day brings followers your way!

Whether you like social media or not, chances are, as an on air personality, you will have to use it.

Whenever i train or consult for on air personalities and it comes to social media, the one tip i s.h.a.r.e is- POST AT LEAST ONE THING DAILY.

This is the simplest must-do if you want your social media popping because one of the reasons people follow or like posts is because of consistency. We want to know that when we come to your page, we see something new so give us something new daily.

When you first start with that one post a day, you can then increase your number of posts. I like to do 3 on facebook, instagram and google plus with a little more on twitter.

Don't forget to follow OAP 101 on instagram and twitter for more tips!

#OAP101 Want to get on radio? Start a podcast now!

Hi all.

I do hope your week is off to a great start.

Mine sure is. I feel very productive today and i have been able to do a few of my to-dos before 12pm which means i can count this as a productive day for sure.

Today i wanted to touch on a question i get asked a lot in varying ways. The summary is- how do i get on radio? You can listen to the OAP 101 podcast here where i go in depth with different tips.

While the podcast gives different tips, i am tackling one tip- starting a podcast.

When people ask me about how to get on radio, i advise them to get a podcast first. Why?
- Podcasts are relatively free and easy to begin. With your phone and a host platform like Soundcloud for example, you can start broadcasting to the world.
- Starting a podcast and working on it regularly will train you for when you do get on radio. And thirdly
- You can start gaining a following which means you become more attractive to potential employers.

If you do want to start your podcast, here are three quick things to do
- Think of WHAT you want your podcast to be about. I personally have the OAP 101 podcast which is tips for aspiring media personalities, the Tosyn Bucknor Show podcast which is like a summary of my show on radio with extras, the daily news podcast, and i am about to kick off two new ones.

Decide what you want your podcast to be about and you are off to a great start.

- Decide on the style, and time. Also, think of a schedule in terms of when you record, if you edit, when you edit, and lastly when you publish and where.

- START! s.h.a.r.e and tell a friend about it!

If you have follow up questions please do ask in the comments. Otherwise you can shoot me a quick dm on Twitter or Instagram

#MCM Which OBFW character would Illrymz date in real life? We have the scoop!

Morning all,

I am sitting here while i watch the weather trying to decide if it wants to be really sunny or cool.

It's Monday so it's time to stalk, sorry, check in, on some of my favourite people ever. Today i want Illrymz to sit down and answer some questions.

Ill (as i like to call him) is, according to Wikipedia, " a Nigerian television host, radio personality, writer, producer, Event MC, artiste and former model. He is the Creator of the sensational daily Instagram news show #SELFIENEWS and CEO of Contagious Collective, A creative media content company that has produced hit syndicated radio shows such as: Radio Outloud with Nokia & ILL, The JUMIA WHAT AM I? Radio Show, Nunu Super Kids, and 0809ja_Radio, To name a few. Popularly known as the #GQmc, Illie's Television Credits include; The Host of Nigerian Idol, Co-Host of StarGist, Soundcity, and Nigezie. 'In 2016 he became the host of the Coke Studio Radio Hour produced out of Los Angeles USA. 'Nigerian Idol"

Na wa o!

Only him?

Ill also plays 'Charles', which by the way was his acting debut, on 'Our Best Friend's Wedding, Read my review of the show here.

TOSYN BUCKNOR: It's Monday and i know there are a lot of people that dislike Mondays. Do you?

ILLRYMZ: I Don't dislike Mondays! I don't dislike any day I make money! Lol 

TB: Lol, i feel you!

I have just watched the most recent 'selfie news' show which is honestly just laugh out loud funny. When did you think of it and where do you see it going in years to come?

ILL:  I created #SelfieNews on holiday last year, because we live in the social media age and I had to be more active on social. But I don't want to post cars and watches and money like everyone else. I want my posts to stay true to my brand. I'm an entertainer so I want people to follow me and get entertained. It's been great so far and I'm looking at #SelfieNews becoming a mobile service and fully functional website for news content. 

TB:  In 'Our Best Friend's Wedding', your character starts going through his black book to find 'the one'. First off, do YOU feel any pressure to, like him, get married and secondly, which of the exes or best friend in the series would you fall for in real life?

ILL: Lol I'm in no rush to get married in real life. I've got a lot to achieve still, but who knows... anything can happen. Hmmm what ex or best friend from the show could I fall in love with in real life? Ahh that's hard cos they are my friends in real life. Tooo awkward 😂😂

TB: (this is where i throw in a 'hian' and roll my eyes). Okay fine, let's talk advice. Who has given you the best advice ever and what did they say?

ILL: The best advice i ever got was from Jesus! Asides that, uhm my Parents... 

My mum said, " believe in yourself you are destined for greatness" and my dad said "money isn't everything".  I didn't understand this advice when I was younger, but now it's a little clearer. 

TB: What's one thing people don't know about you?

ILL: One thing about me people don't realize is that I'm a super shy guy! It's hard to believe but it's the truth. A lot of people perceive my private nature for arrogance. They can't be further from the truth. 

TB: I think i can see that. I may suffer from the same issue. Lol. Anyways Ill, thanks a lot for taking time out to chat with us!

ILL: Thanks for the interview! Let me be your MCM every week lol promise I'm going to the gym 😂

(Follow @illrymz on twitter and instagram and look out for selfie news and 'our best friend's wedding')

#Media s.h.a.r.e and Intern with me!!!

Hi all,

I get a lot of people telling me all the time that they would like to intern with Top Radio 90.9, or with me and I feel helpless a lot because I can't take on everyone. Infact, when it comes to interning with Top Radio 90.9, i'm not in charge of that.

I did however have a 'bad-ish' experience late last year and a convo with a friend, Zainab Azeez, which further inspired me to try this.

Throughout this year, I will be taking on interns. Please note, these interns are NOT for Top Radio 90.9 nor Pulse Nigeria.

Some of these intern spots are paid internships, others unpaid. Some short term (weeks) while others will be long. Some internship spots could lead to offers and ALL come with commission.

If you want to intern with me any time this year, all you need to do is send me an email C/O Olumide via 'sharedazzle@yahoo.com' with the following in the BODY of the mail

1. Your Name
2. The Position you are interning for, eg, Radio Producer, Writer,
3. THREE skills you currently HAVE that will help you on the job
4. THREE skills you currently HAVE that will be an added advantage
5. THREE skills / things you want to learn during this period
6. What you currently do
7. What duration do you want to intern for
8. Do you want a PAID internship ONLY or you can do UNPAID.
9. Anything else you would like to add.

NOTE:

Only Emails that follow this guideline will be treated.

We will try to respond to everyone but if you do not hear from us in good time you may resend.

Thank you.

#WCW: All the reasons we are crushing on AJ Sarpong

Tv & Radio Personality AJ Sarpong slays daily and she is our Woman Crush Wednesday today

Today we are crushing on AJ Sarpong whose full name is Nana Adjoa Akuoko-Sarpong, and you want to know why?

This awesome television and radio personality has achieved so much, while so young that when she told people her age recently, many were surprised. Can you believe she will be only 25 later this month on the 28th of October ?

Also our WCW, who describes herself as a “Killer combination of Beauty, Brains and Hard work," works so hard. She is on radio each day with her daily entertainment segment on Starr FM’s Mid-Morning show, The Zone with Naa Ashorkor and also on TV each morning with the accolade the “Princess of Morning TV.”

We are not done, she also works With the “TV Royals of Morning TV” Kafui Dey and Baisiwaa on GH One TV’s morning show, as well as the Host of GHOne’s telenovela show Revenge Live Chat Show and is also set to Premiere her new show in a few short weeks and its set to be a must watch.

And guess what? AJ is also a writer, with a quarterly Column "Gisting with AJ” in Glitz Africa Magazine where she speaks her thoughts on events and about the entertainment industry.

Did you know she is also a professional MC for events, who has hosted many exciting events such as the DSTV I Factory showcase, The Cake Fair, The Makeup Revolution events, the Launch of the Bartenders Association of Ghana and so much more.

She takes education seriously too and she just completed her Master’s Degree course at the Ghana Institute of Journalism and will soon be graduating with a Master’s Degree in Journalism and is also a University of Ghana Political Science and Theatre Arts graduate.

We absolutely love this lady who represents the “ New Face of Women in their 20’s”, as she is an ambitious, driven and focused Lady herself, who is able to do it all and do it very well.

Plus she is royalty! She is the last child of Traditional Ruler and Political stalwart, Nana Kwame Akuoko-Sarpong, the Omanhene of Agogo Traditional Area.

#TosynPlayMySongNa

Heyyy!

So you know I love music right? Especially when it is #FreshandAlternative? Plus I see a lot of people asking how to get airplay!

I can't play it all but we sure will try with #TosynPlayMySongNa

Here is how it works
- Put up a video on instagram of you singing YOUR OWN SONG accappella or with a guitar / piano ONLY.

- CC @tosynbucknor @tosynontheair using the hashtag #TosynPlayMySongNa

We will repost our favourites daily, play three favourites on my radio show weekly, interview a few of you here, and at the end of the month, one lucky person will not only get airplay and gifts but also N50000 cash.

All the best!

#TBDaily x Bonang Matheba... On Staying focused and getting what you want!

For today's Monday Motivation, i wanted to s.h.a.r.e something Bonang Matheba, radio and television personality, plus amazing business woman, told me back in December when she came to Nigeria to co host 'The Future Awards 2015' with Darey.


We were at BLD in Lekki so it was more of a laid back drinks night out with a couple of other media personalities like Ariyike, Toke and Latasha Ngwube but i still had to ask her a quick interview-type question.

There are several sides to Bonang and i was interested in Bonang the successful mediaprenuer. For me, i wanted to know her tips for staying focused and getting what you want in life, what is in store for her in the future, and of course, you do not sit with Bonang and not get her must-do beauty essentials!

On How To Stay Focused and Get What You Want

Bonang keeps it simple with these three tips

- Don't listen to other people and their negativity. Listen to yourself

- Unlock your mind. It helps you to free yourself 

- Get over what people think about you.

On What Is Next For Her

Bonang is really passionate about conquering the international stage and having a family of her own.

On Her Top Three Beauty Essentials

"Foundation, Lashes long and gorgeous and Black liquid liner"

Her message for her fans in Lagos and indeed, Nigeria

"Thank you. The love has been incredibly overwhelming. Lagos is my favourite city on the continent"

#OAP101 How to Schedule and Create your Content

Hello lovelies! I have this week's edition of 'OAP 101 Podcast' ready and this week, have i got tips for you! Get tips on 'Scheduling and Creating Content' for your radio, television and other shows. I give you practical tips, lace it with examples and a lot of giggling. Lol. Please check it out and then let me know if you have questions or comments.