Although part of the appeal of radio has given way to new forms of visual communication such as TV, there are still many listeners around the world. They can listen from home, in the car or in the office. For those who want to become radio speakers and take part in this communicative context, some key points will be useful to face the competition. Use the advice offered by experienced hosts to have more chances to break into the world of radio.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Local Speaker
Step 1. Get experience as a disc jockey or radio speaker
One of the starting points is to gain concrete experience that will help you make a career in radio.
- Take advantage of the opportunities offered by local or institutional radios. Many speakers who work for national radios have started with small local broadcasts. For example, schools sometimes have small radio stations broadcast over the intercom. One way to enter the world of radio is to volunteer to work in one of these local settings.
- Find gigs or work as a conductor. Another way to pursue a radio career is to host public events. In this way you will refine your management techniques, as well as enrich your CV.
Step 2. Work on conducting techniques
As you gain practical experience, it's a good idea to pay attention to the various verbal skills that will be useful to you in future endeavors to become a radio host.
- Think about correcting any speech defects or imperfections that could hinder conduction. Try to refine your voice to make it pleasing to the widest possible audience.
- Develop the relationship with the microphone. More experienced conductors recommend working extensively with various microphones and listening to the results to understand how to best use a microphone. This includes not getting too close, to prevent the voice from being muffled, and understanding the distances to keep for ideal acoustics.
Step 3. Study communication
Certain degrees in communication can help radio hosts, and others, access a broader range of jobs or positions in the field.
Step 4. Create a demo for radio stations and other potential employers
After gaining some experience and getting used to the idea of conducting on the radio, as a career person, you can set up a presentation to be submitted to the representatives of the largest radio networks.
Step 5. Develop contacts and a professional reputation
Some of the most famous conductors have a long career behind them, also made up of knowledge and sales of their professionalism. Developing a professional as a brand means promoting that person's talents and reputation as an effective conductor and popular public personality.
Step 6. Try to work for more than one radio
Some of the major speakers have generally worked on multiple radios. This increases career opportunities.
Method 2 of 2: Global Speaker
Step 1. Cultivate a good radio voice
If you want to make a career out of working with your voice, you need to take care of it and speak very clearly. Study acting if possible. It is also important to find vocal warm-up exercises, to preserve the voice as much as possible.
- If you can't afford to study, go to the library and look for books on vocal exercises; or search online.
- Listen to different types of radio, national, local, commercial, web, and study the structures of the various programs, to make yours more professional.
Step 2. Practice the necessary skills
You will need to speak well, be creative and even outgoing or enthusiastic. Some ways to boost your skills and confidence include:
- Become part of local theater groups; radio broadcasting is all about entertaining listeners, as when acting.
- If your school organizes events like talent shows or anything that requires a host, always apply for the position, it's all experience.
- Buy (or borrow) a microphone and a recording device, such as a portable recorder. It is important to record and listen to your own voice, to be able to hear how it is perceived by others.
- Being a DJ in a disco or in small events can be very useful for learning how to satisfy a specific audience, very important on the radio.
- Find programs that accept phone calls and make calls. Going on air as a listener can be a fantastic experience, since your voice is broadcast and you can interact with professional speakers and if you can be funny it's a good sign, it means you could become a good conductor. After you've talked on a show, call every day and become a regular contributor to get noticed by the radio managers.
Step 3. Keep up to date on the radio industry
Read as many articles as possible, visit specialized sites and listen to the radios, as job advertisements are posted from time to time.
Step 4. Find a place to present
The free bargains will give you a lot of experience, and you will get valuable advice from the insiders. Some examples of possible volunteer jobs include:
- If you study, find out if there is a radio in your school or university, and sign up. If there isn't one already, form a group and merge it.
- Many professional speakers started with the radios in shopping centers, so when you happen to be in a store and hear a specific radio, ask a salesperson for information.
- Offer your services to a local radio as a volunteer, to gain field experience and meet other people.
Step 5. Start "extending into the world"
For this, you will rely on the internet, with which you can broadcast anywhere. Run your program on the web. Nowadays, there are plenty of free options to stream your program online, making it very easy, and most importantly, cheap.
- Get a computer with audio editing software; when you have honed your vocal skills you can start creating programs from your home.
- If you don't want to create a program, you may want to join an existing web radio or collaborate on someone else's program.
- Always record every program you make. After recording, listen again and evaluate what to change / improve. And have someone else listen, for further opinions.
