Have you ever listened to the host of your favorite show while driving to the office, thinking "It sounds easy - I can do it too!"? While radio can be a great road to success and influence in the lives of thousands (even millions) of listeners, it's not always easy. Conducting a radio program in the past meant doing a lot of apprenticeship as a technician or a simple radio employee. Today, however, the internet offers many talented beginners a chance to build a reputation. To learn how to host a radio show, skip to the first step!
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Get a program
Step 1. Join a local radio
If you are starting from scratch, the best way to get a program is to start by joining an existing program. By working or volunteering on a radio you get a smattering of the processes and tasks necessary to produce a successful program. Plus, it allows you to gain useful resume experience when applying for more important roles. And above all, it provides you with the opportunity to acquire contacts within the radio. Knowing someone in the trade can make a lot of difference when it comes to getting your first show - radio operators are much more likely to hire people they know and trust than complete strangers.
An excellent idea to increase your radio experience is to try to volunteer for a community radio (for example at a university or an oratory). These radios tend not to be commercial, and rely on volunteer work to air, so it can be relatively easy to find a place on staff, compared to commercial radio
Step 2. Do an internship
Some radios offer internships and apprenticeships to the most interesting candidates, especially young students. Some of these internships are within the communication department of a school or university, or they tend to be hired exclusively from students of the faculty, while other internships could be dedicated to anyone.
Depending on your working hours, an internship can sometimes be more useful in getting a program than working your way up from the ground up. The best internships are career-oriented and offer recruitment options once completed. However, even with an internship, you may need to work in radio for several years before getting a show
Step 3. If possible, study communication
The correct training path to become a radio host will only increase your chances of getting your show. Furthermore, as noted earlier, educational programs often pave the way for possible internships and apprenticeships. If you can afford it, consider a communications degree to enrich your CV and gain experience and skills.
It is worth noting that communication studies are not essential for a successful radio career. Many famous speakers have studied communication, but many are not even graduates
Step 4. Be prepared to pay for commercial radio space
While each radio has its own speaker rules, local commercial radios typically charge hosts for space. The most popular hours (morning and pre-evening drive-time) tend to be expensive, while the least popular are cheaper. Conductors can pay with their own money, ask listeners for donations or sell advertising space. If they can earn more than they spend on the program, they can usually keep the difference. Successful speakers can support themselves this way. Understanding in advance the possible need to pay to go on the air is crucial - there is no need to chase a time slot only to find that you cannot afford it.
- Due to the cost of a radio show, it is often a good idea to do other work as well (at least until you can earn enough to fund the program). Dedicating yourself full-time to radio is very good for the program, but not if you run out of funds and have to close after a few months.
- Prices vary. For example, in certain local stations the bands can cost between € 30 and € 150 per hour, depending on the time.
Step 5. Try starting from the web radios
For starters, the internet offers a way to make you feel very cheap (or even free) and without the need for experience. If you have some computer knowledge, you can try running an audio stream to broadcast your show (see an online guide, like this one - in English). You may also want to try a free or cheap streaming service like Justin.tv (free; also video), Live365.com (cheap; free trial period) or Radionomy.com (free for 9 months with limitations).
- The downside of a web-based program is that it's basically up to you to promote your program and attract audiences - you won't be able to use the resources of an official radio.
- Another great option is recording a podcast. Podcasts are nothing more than recorded programs that can be downloaded and used by listeners at will. For more information, see the last section of the article.
Method 2 of 4: Run a program
Step 1. Choose the topic or format of your program
Before starting to record, you will want to have chosen the "purpose" of the program. While many are incredibly flexible in terms of structure and topics, the most popular programs typically have a defined purpose or topic. It can also be broad, so don't feel pressured to characterize your program too much. Simply ask yourself, “What is my program about?” Here are some popular topics to draw inspiration from:
- News / Current affairs
- Politics
- Music News / Niche Music Criticism
- Humor / Parody
- Instruction and deepening (history, science …)
- Advice (relationships, do-it-yourself …)
- Specific topics (paranormal, conspiracy theories …)
Step 2. Plan your schedule in advance
Don't "improvise" in the studio unless you have a lot of experience. Scheduling the time (or "making a schedule") available is necessary, especially if you are just starting out. Having a written plan allows you to keep up the pace of the broadcast and makes it harder to find yourself with nothing to say. During your first few episodes, you will inevitably find that the lineup won't quite match reality - certain parts may last longer than expected, and vice versa. Take note of these differences and modify the lineup accordingly.
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Let's say we got our first 90-minute political program. Here is an example of a possible lineup of the first episode:
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- (5 minutes) Theme and introduction.
- (20 minutes) Interview: the writer Valentina Saggi.
- (15 minutes) First topic of discussion: Minimum wages - too high or too low?
- (5 minutes) Advertising.
- (10 minutes) Phone calls from the public.
- (15 minutes) Second topic of discussion: election fraud - how widespread is the problem today?
- (5 minutes) Advertising.
- (10 minutes) Phone calls from the public.
- (5 minutes) Allow the guest to promote their upcoming appointments. Follow with the greetings and the closing theme.
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1394055 8 Step 3. Maintain a consistent and recognizable structure
When it comes to spoken radio, consistency is key. Listeners want to know they will hear the same content and style as they tune into your program. Some changes may be unavoidable: for example, if a detail in your schedule doesn't work, it's better to replace it rather than keep it as a least appreciated moment. However, whenever possible, it is best to keep the key points of the lineup in each episode, while maintaining the freshness through new columns and so on.
1394055 9 Step 4. Invite recurring and new guests to join your program
One way to keep interest high without sacrificing consistency is to continue to invite interesting and exciting guests. Guests bring their knowledge and style into the program, helping to make conversations more brilliant (or at least fun). Usually, as a reward, the guest can promote personal projects on the air.
The kind of guests you should invite varies based on the format chosen. For example, in an art criticism program, you could invite guests with new perspectives and a lot of experience, such as professors or artists. On the other hand, in an irreverent comedy program, you could invite other comedians or even bizarre characters from the area
1394055 10 Step 5. Get listeners to participate
It is almost always a good idea to encourage a friendly and open atmosphere with listeners. If you have an active audience, it's easier to keep the dialogue going this way. By opening the phone lines you can take a short break to think about new developments in the conversation. Or, you can let the listeners lead the discussion for you - you just have to respond.
- If you are on an anti-vulgar radio, beware of jokes. Always be ready to hang up on a call. If the radio is slightly delayed, find out how to cancel those last seconds of transmission in case someone says something inappropriate. Many radios have an easily accessible button on the mixer to activate the time shift.
- If you are broadcasting online, you can experiment with programs like Skype. Otherwise, you could try to open a chat with your listeners, consulting it every now and then to fuel the discussion.
1394055 11 Step 6. Avoid "dead time"
Whether you are on a community radio with little audience, or on a national morning program, try to follow the radio's main rule: avoid "dead time" (prolonged moments of silence). Normal conversation pauses are one thing - you don't have to talk all the time. However, silences longer than a few seconds are best avoided. They are embarrassing, unprofessional, and can make listeners believe there is a glitch, causing them to change stations.
You may discover the usefulness of always having a new song (or a similar music file) ready to be broadcast in case of unforeseen events and the need to take a couple of minutes off
1394055 12 Step 7. Look for sponsors
As noted earlier, you may have to pay to go on the air. To help fund you, try to find sponsors willing to give you something in exchange for on-air advertising. Advertisers can pay you directly, or agree to help cover broadcast costs in exchange for promoting their product in your program. Some speakers read the commercials themselves, while others choose to send recorded commercials. Typically, advertising costs increase based on the length, time slot, and number of listeners of the program.
Advertising prices may also vary by location. For example, 60 commercials in Los Angeles can cost up to € 300, while the same fee in a small country town could drop below € 2
1394055 13 Step 8. Don't forget to promote your program
Never forget that, as a host, it is the listeners who determine your success. The more listeners you have, the better. With many listeners, you can raise ad prices, negotiate cheaper deals with radio bosses, and promote yourself and your guests to a wider audience, so always try to increase your audience by promoting.
A great way to do this is by promoting yourself to other programs (especially those in the best time slots) that broadcast on your own radio. Many radios offer discounts for self-promotion
Method 3 of 4: Produce quality content
1394055 14 Step 1. Consider hiring a co-host
For spoken programs, a second (or third, fourth…) voice in each episode makes your job easier from every point of view. First, the co-hosts offer their point of view in each discussion, ensuring the freshness of your thoughts and voice. It also allows you to have a friendly debate - arguing between co-hosts who argue amiably is often the funniest part of a radio show. If you are thinking of a co-host, make sure it is someone you get along with and who recognizes the necessary commitment.
Co-hosts have other benefits as well. For example, some may be willing to split costs or help you find and manage guests
1394055 15 Step 2. Schedule recurring address books
For the listener, part of the fun of their favorite program is waiting, listening and even participating in their favorite columns. As long as you respect the rules of the radio (and of course the law) there is no limit to the columns you can create, so use your imagination! Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Quiz for listeners in exchange for prizes or awards
- Recorded interviews
- Competitions like "The 100th listener who calls wins …"
- Ask listeners for a certain type of anecdote
- Comic or live improvisation exercises
1394055 16 Step 3. Create memorable one-time-use address books
The fact that audiences are more likely to appreciate the consistency of recurring columns doesn't mean you should let go of one-of-a-kind events. Experimenting with new ideas while preserving the format and structure of your program allows you to continually innovate and surprise listeners. It's also a good way to find new avenues for the program - anything that gets a good reaction can then be turned into a recurring column.
1394055 17 Step 4. Build a relationship with contributors often
If you notice that certain people call on the radio regularly or that certain guests seem particularly popular with your audience, don't miss them! Rather, try to build a friendly professional relationship with them. Talk to us off-air and ask him to join the program staff. Even if they are not interested in conducting with you, they may gladly become "friends of the program" or gain recognition as an official contributor.
For example, if a listener has a lively, irreverent personality and deranged political positions, you could create a semi-recurring column in which he calls and comments on the events of the day
1394055 18 Step 5. Create a radio character
Certain radio programs, especially those in which serious matters are examined or criticized, have a certain dignity. However, many spoken shows are known for the exaggerated, crude, or outlandish characters played by the hosts. If your show is primarily about entertaining audiences, consider becoming a character yourself. The interaction between an insane conductor and a serious co-host or an unwitting listener can give rise to excellent radio.
1394055 19 Step 6. When in doubt, learn from the greats
No radio show is perfect from the start. It can take years of experience to develop the skills needed to deliver a great program every day. In the meantime, it's a great idea to listen to the best international programs and podcasts for inspiration. There is nothing embarrassing in getting ideas by listening to those who are already successful - they too had myths in the world of radio before becoming famous. Here are some programs worth listening to:
- 610 - surreal entertainment and comedy
- Caterpillar - news and entertainment
- Radio24 - news
- Music history - historical-musical study
Method 4 of 4: Create a podcast
1394055 20 Step 1. Register your program
For the listener, the difference between a spoken program and a podcast is minimal - both involve listening to one or more presenters talking about familiar topics with or without guests. However, for you, the host, recording a podcast is a little different than a live show. You will do everything normally, but instead of going on air right away, you will record it and make it available for download online. To do this, you will need equipment that allows you to record reasonably high quality files and enough space to save them.
For basic needs, a computer and a good microphone may be enough, which usually costs less than € 60 in specialized stores
1394055 21 Step 2. Fix the audio file
Once the program has been recorded, it is time to listen to the file again and, if necessary, cut the damaged or unsatisfactory pieces. To do this, you'll need an audio editing program (you can find free ones online, like Audacity). Then insert the ads, the theme songs or whatever else you want to add to the podcast.
When you are done, save the file in a popular format that is easily used by your audience, such as mp3
1394055 22 Step 3. Upload your show to a podcast site
You need to make it available to online listeners. You can use various sites, such as Youtube.com, Soundcloud.com and many others, for free. Note that, with these sites, bandwidth-per-file limits may force you to split the podcast into multiple parts. You could also try uploading your podcast to online stores like iTunes Store, Google Play store…
Usually, podcasts are free and are funded by donations, sponsors or advertisers. Offering a paid podcast can decimate your potential audience in the competition with hundreds of great free podcasts, so it might not be a good idea
1394055 23 Step 4. If you want, you can create a blog or a site for your podcast
Generally, the most professional podcasts have their own dedicated website, with links to episodes, news, an online store for merchandising and so on. You may want to buy your own domain and build a site from scratch, but for many, a free blog on Wordpress.com can go a long way.
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