How to Find a Job on the Radio
Radio can really cheer you up. From upbeat songs to deliciously low-budget local advertisements, there is always something to enjoy, so it’s understandable if you’ve ever wondered how you can become one of those who make it fun. So, if you are looking to break into the radio industry, we have some tips for you.
Where to study the radio industry
Whether you want to be on air or behind the scenes, you will need to research and spend a lot of time researching the industry. Mike Adam, who hosts WNEW-FM in New York every day from 3 pm to 7 pm, recommends exploring specific programs and schools to help you truly focus on the radio industry.
“After high school, I went to Connecticut Broadcasting School,” he told Lifehacker. “I liked that this is a vocational school and that an internship is guaranteed there. I ended up doing an internship at iHeart Hartford, Connecticut and was hired to join the Power 104.1 street team. “
From there, he said, he “moved up the corporate ladder,” working in the promotion, production and programming departments.
You can do radio after hours or at a larger school. Ben DiCostanzo, 28-year-old commercial content manager at iHeartRadio, told Lifehacker: “In college, I fell in love with my university radio station WSOU, Seton Hall’s pirate radio. I got my degree in Broadcasting and Media from Seton Hall and then started applying for any possible job in the industry after graduation. iHeartRadio was the first to give me a chance. “
Strive for a variety of experiences
Did you notice how Adam and DiCostanzo said that during their first few years in the industry, they took a variety of jobs and worked them? This is common – and you should be doing it, no matter what your ultimate goal or your dream job.
First, you need to make sure the job you are aiming for is the job you really want. You might think you want to go on air, but you will fall in love with production. Second, it is important that you have a good understanding of the work of other departments, because you may have to address weaknesses at any time or resolve a small crisis. If someone on the other team calls the sick person or if there is a technical problem, the radio cannot be simply turned off . It’s better for you to be well trained and have experience in different departments or, as Adam says, be a “jack of all trades”.
“These days, I work directly with our sales team and programming team on a daily basis,” DiCostanzo said, “including on-air talent, producers and program directors who coordinate, edit and plan their radio ad sales for each one of them. our six local iHeart stations. “
See? Working on the radio is much more than just a good voice or the ability to create an amazing playlist.
How to be successful on radio
You are not the only one who wants to work in radio; you will probably need time to break through.
“Just be patient,” DiCostanzo said. “It may not always be glamorous, but hard work always pays off. There is no shortage of ways to make yourself known these days. Stick to your own plan, make connections, don’t be afraid to expand, and just have fun with it. Radio is what you think about it. It also opens the door to many other side projects that you might not even have known about. “
Adam added: “I think two things that helped me become who I am today are motivation and resilience. I was available to participate in every street team event when I was in a promotion and refused to accept no (and I got a lot of them). I sent my radio program weekly to countless program managers looking for testimonials, vacancies or, if nothing else, just getting their attention. ”
He suggested using the radio directory on AllAccess.com to find program managers and then ” blow up those emails.”
You have to promote yourself, stay motivated, keep pushing, be patient, and not let yourself be given up. It’s tricky, but if you really want a career like this, it’s a must.
Think outside the boombox
Yes, radio work is radio , but a little cross-platform promotion won’t hurt anyone.
“Social media is just as important as how you sound on air,” said Adam, who has nearly 150,000 Twitter followers and about 37,000 Instagram followers . “My success on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube has absolutely helped me become who I am today.”
He added: “My advice is to get more people on social media, but don’t bite off more than you can gulp down. It’s better to be a rock star on multiple platforms than just trying to be on everything for the sake of being on everything. Become an online ninja (social media is great for that too). ”
Build a personal brand to stand out and attract a few fans who will follow you everywhere. Then send your YouTube videos, podcasts, celebrity tweets or Instagram messages to the program director. Be aggressive. Be persistent. Be open to failure and, most importantly, be ready to get back on your feet.