How To Become A Radio Presenter

So, you've decided that you want to be a radio presenter? Great decision!! There is nothing more exciting and fulfilling than chatting to people live on air. Radio is the most intimate form of communication and I think that it is a real honour to do it.

If you are anything like the younger me, people will try and talk you out of it with statements like: "It's too competitive", "It's not a real job" and "It's not well paid, unless you reach the top".

The honest truth is that yes, it is incredibly competitive, especially these days when there are far fewer local shows to cut your teeth on and no, the money isn't great. However, if radio is in your blood and you just can't imagine doing anything else then you simply must give it a go!!

So where to start?

You can be a radio presenter at any age. In fact, I think that the best presenters often have a bit of life experience behind them.

If you are about to go to University then the first thing that you need to do when you go to the Fresher's Fair is discover your Student Radio Station. Bristol University's BURST FM was where I discovered my passion for radio. I did a show called "The Love Bite" and learnt lots of handy tips. I also made lifelong friends who I work with to this day! In fact, loads of people who start in student radio go on to have long and illustrious radio careers.

If you're older then seek out your local Hospital Radio station. The aim here is to get some experience under your belt so that you can make a demo.

What next?

Once you've got some experience, it's time to make a demo and start emailing radio stations. Your demo needs to be no longer than two minutes and consist of clips of your best bits. Make sure that it opens with an outstanding link as some station managers are so busy that they'll only get a chance to listen to 30 seconds or so. You need to make a brilliant impression straight away.

It's also important to tailor make your demo to the station that you want to work at. Say for example that your aim is to work at a commercial music station like Heart, then there's no use in sending two minutes of solid chat. You need to listen to the station until you are totally au fait with the style of presenting and then make sure that your demo reflects it. Perhaps even tailor make some links to match the style of the station so that the boss can really imagine you working there.

Sending out your demo:

SO many people send demos to my boss and address them to "the manager of Heart". If you want to be in this industry then PLEASE ensure that you know the manager's name before you send something in.

I can't tell you how many demos arrive on a radio controller's desk. My boss is amazing and listens to all of them. In fact, many radio bosses do this as they are always looking out for amazing new talent. If yours is outstanding then you never know...you might just be invited in for a meeting. Don't let yourself down with a sloppily written letter or email.

Don't give up!

Someone once told me that for every 100 emails you send looking for a job, you'll probably get one back. Well that one could be THE one that starts your career. Just keep on sending those demos and emails and don't give up. Perhaps set yourself a challenge of sending ten a day.

If someone gets back to you and says that you're not suitable, then write back and ask for feedback. Another great option is to say that you'd love to meet up for a ten minute coffee for advice. Sometimes a face to face meeting is all that it takes to really impress someone and at the very least, you will now have a contact that you can keep in touch with.

If you do manage to secure a meeting,  here are a few things that I gurantee you will be asked so PLEASE do your research:

1. What radio stations do you like and why?

2. What do you like about (insert radio station where your meeting is) and what would you change?

Basically, you need to know the station INSIDE OUT. Going to a meeting unprepared is not even an option.

Also, a passion for and knowledge of radio in general is a real plus. It proves that you are serious about it and love the medium!

Producers can help A LOT

Sometimes it's best not to go straight to a radio station boss. In fact, I know someone who got a great job in radio by writing to a producer and asking to come in for some work experience. The producer in question (my great friend Chloe) knew how hard it was to get into the industry so did everything she could to help. Two months later and the girl in question was working as an assistant on a major breakfast show.

We all have to start somewhere

The chances are that you won't walk straight into a drivetime show in London. My advice is to start small and think big. When I was at university I answered calls and made tea on the breakfast show at my local radio station and after graduating I spent a good few years cutting my teeth doing small shows on small stations.

It's all about getting experience, learning on the job and doing everything you can to become a brilliant presenter. If you're truly talented, I promise you that you'll be discovered. Radio bosses are constantly on the look out for the next big thing.

Here's a list of useful contacts for you! If you need any advice from me, I'd love to help. Just leave a comment in the box below and I'll get back to you! Good luck!! xxx

USEFUL CONTACTS:

Global Radio Academy :

Global Radio is where I work. It is the biggest (and most exciting) Commercial Radio company in the UK. They own The Heart Network, The Capital Network, XFM, Classic FM, Choice FM, LBC 97.3FM and Gold. I can't think of a better place to get work experience and make some really amazing contacts.

Media UK:

Here is a useful list of every radio station in the country. Find a small local station near you and get in touch to find out how you can get involved. It could be working for the station's promotional street team or making tea, whatever you can do to get through the door.

Community Media Association:

In this country there are loads of community radio stations which are run on a not for profit basis. They are excellently run with high professional standards and the good news is they are always looking for volunteers. You should find a community radio station near you, but if there isn't one you could always find some other people who are interested in radio and set one up!

The Student Radio Association:

Get in touch for advice and everything you need to know about student radio. They also host the Student Radio Awards which are the Oscars of the Student radio world. All the major radio bosses go along to this event and many of the big radio stars today are former winners!

The Hospital Broadcasting Association:

This is where to go if you are not a student but want to get some practical experience.

BBC Work Experience:

Try and get work experience at a local BBC radio station. I did a few weeks at BBC Bristol which led to three months maternity cover!