Exercising Perseverance to Get the Right Job in Radio

March 9, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Exercising Perseverance to Get the Right Job in Radio

Getting your foot in the door in the radio industry is always going to be a challenge, even when you are just looking for an internship that you can participate in. This is a very competitive market by nature, and so you are naturally going to run into difficulties along the way. Unfortunately there is no real magic trick on breaking into the radio industry, so the only thing that you can really rely on is that perseverance is going to pay off. Many radio stations are not going to be apt to really give you the time of day, but if you keep working at it, you might make some leeway.

If you are working in a big city, this is going to be even harder because the market is extremely competitive and there are a lot of people trying to break into it just as you are. You might try applying for jobs and internships away from the city, choosing radio stations and related positions that are closer to the suburbs for example. When you move away from the big cities you are going to find smaller stations that are looking for people, and so you should have an easier time of finding a starter position that you can use in order to work your way up the ranks.

At worst case scenario, you might consider joining a radio station in a sales capacity and slowly working your way over to a broadcasting position. This is not ideal, but it will allow you to get your foot in the door in an otherwise extremely competitive marketplace, and once you get in, you can impress your superiors and work your way up to the type of position that you actually do want.

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Digital Photos Make Crafting Fun

December 9, 2010 by Leave a Comment
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Crafting is an artistic endeavor that many people enjoy. Some people use it as a way to make a living, others use it as a way to surprise friends and family with handmade gifts, while others just do it for relaxation. Part of the appeal of crafting is the ability to experiment with so many different styles, materials, and projects. One of the most recent trends in the crafting world is the use of digital photography in crafting projects.

Digital photography has really taken off because it’s cheap and accessible. It seems like just yesterday the world was reliant upon 35mm film canisters and negatives to make copies of photos. Now, all you need is a computer with the latest driver update, a digital camera, batteries, and some memory cards and you’re good to go.  Plus, with today’s cameras, you can even create videos to watch on your computer with software like vlc media player.

The use of digital photography when it comes to crafts has just started to gain widespread acceptance. Scrapbooking, candles, soaps, and other items can all be enhanced with just the placement of a digital photo either on the wrapping, label, or the item itself. Many customers who purchase crafts or give them away as gifts believe that the use of a digital photo adds a bit of personality to their work of art. It allows every gift to be unique and important to the person who is getting the gift.

While digital photography won’t work with every craft project, a lot of people in the crafting world are starting to incorporate digital photography into their crafts. It’ll be interesting to see what comes next as the advances and technology meet up with the creative people who enjoy crafting. I’m sure there will be some really neat innovations that come along. It’s sure to result in some fabulous new craft projects!

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How to write radio news

December 1, 2010 by Leave a Comment
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You love writing; it’s like breathing, but all writing is different and you haven’t a clue how to write news for radio. You wonder, is writing news for radio like putting together a script? Is it primarily about using short sentences? Or is it more like advertising? You are selling the station and all it has to offer after all.

Good news. These writing for radio tips will help you on your journey.

- Format is important. Use all caps and double space all the material. Use dashes for acronyms as appropriate. To see what a script typically looks like, visit http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/school_report/6180944.stm.
- Yes, short sentences are important; so is making your point in as few words as possible.
- Write in present tense.
- Write as if you were composing a letter to a friend or speaking across the dinner table. Radio script writing is less formal.
- Help the reader with pronunciation. If need be, write out the word as it’s said rather than how it’s spelled to the side of the correct spelling of the word.
-Write what’s most important; leave the details to the newspaper.
-Use specific names over “he” or “she”.
-Numbers one through nine should be written, (one, two three, etc.) Ten and above should be written numerically (10, 11, 12, etc). This is standard procedure in journalism. Don’t worry about using exact numbers; instead of saying 156 members, for example, say more than 150 members
- Be careful about questionable information. Report the facts.
-Be clear. Be brief.
- Find out the writing style of the radio station before you write. Use the voice they expect to see in your writing.
- Don’t be afraid to edit. Knock off words, phrases or bits of information not relevant to the story.

Radio ads and plays demand a different writing focus than news radio, but it’s good to learn the varying ropes of the trade. Who knows when you’ll be called on to expand your talent.

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Beginning a Career in Broadcast Radio

November 30, 2010 by Leave a Comment
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Radio broadcasting is a big area of the media. Millions of radio listeners tune in each day to listen to music, sports talk or even talk shows. Becoming a radio broadcaster can be an exciting experience, but you must know that the competition is large in this area of the media. There are a few ways for you to get ahead of everyone else, though.

First, try taking some educational courses specializing in broadcast radio. Many colleges offer these courses in order to get you to learn about what goes on not only on-the-air, but also behind the scenes on the technical side.

These classes will also show you how to make and produce your own show. You will learn skills such as writing your own shows, editing, voice-over techniques and how to attract your audience. Taking these courses can prove to be very valuable when applying for a radio broadcasting job.

You can also try contacting one of the local radio stations in your area. By making a simple phone call and inquiring about a job, you may gain an entry-level position or even an internship where you can learn about all the aspects of radio. Internships may be unpaid, but it will be worth it to gain this valuable knowledge and experience. You may even be offered a position once the internship is over.

If you have your heart set on being a radio personality, make your own demo tapes. Always have them on hand so that you can give them to someone should the opportunity arise. Make your demo tapes your absolute best work, sort of like your resume.

Make any kind of contacts you can through networking. Getting to know people can also lead you to acquiring a job in radio. You never know who has the best kind of contacts until you talk to them.

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The Battle For Radio

November 20, 2010 by Leave a Comment
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In the last 5 years there has been a change in the radio people are listening to. The standard am/fm radio is slowly becoming a thing of the past. All cars these days are standard with radios and should continue to be for the distant future. However, car makers are now offering their customers the opportunity to have their radio come equipped with satellite radio.

The invention of the satellite radio is a change in the formatting of the old standard. It’s much in the same vein of the way that cable television came in a replaced the old standard of broadcast television. And just like cable television, satellite television is a subscription based service. Now, what these users get is an opportunity to have their radio experience taken to the maximum.

Some of the things that these users get is individualized stations. So, let’s say you are a fan of the music made in the 1940′s. Normally you might have to listen to AM radio and find a station that played 40′s music along with music from other era’s as well. The plus to having satellite radio is that you are able to get a station that is completely devoted to that era of music. It makes for a more direct and specific listening experience.

Satellite has their own version of AM radio. AM radio is usually reserved for talk radio. Sports, politics, and other alternative programming rule the AM waves and with satellite they have those choices as well as more.

Not only do they have popular AM stations but they also have programming that is more faith based as well as more entertainment programming. These satellites will continue to battle the standard for listeners but as long as it costs to pay for satellite it will be a fair fight and that’s good news for the free radio stations.

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The Rise of College Radio

November 18, 2010 by Leave a Comment

There is nothing that can compete with the big radio stations in terms of audience or potential. The range a big radio will travel trumps any start up radio or small stations. However, in terms of real quality there might be nothing better than the local college radio. It’s something that doesn’t get a lot of attention because there are times when the radio at a local college can be hit or miss, but when college radio is right, it’s better than anything.

The key for a college radio station to thrive is to have a good rotation of music. Going with all of today’s top hits won’t attract an audience. An audience that wants to here all the current mainstream music of today will go to the major stations. The college radio stations are often most successful when their format is geared towards the alternative or the underground.

When stations choose to play things you won’t hear on the radio or when the format is that of cuts from bands that have never been to a radio station. College kids respond really well to the counter culture. They are looking for music that they can discover. A band like the Rolling Stones, while having produced great music, is not a band that college kids can call their own. They belong to the world. College students want ownership first. They want to believe that the music they are hearing is there’s and only their’s. When there is a band that is undiscovered then college students will flock.

A college radio station can really thrive with the right format. The on air personalities of the station don’t matter nearly as much as they do on a big radio station. If a college radio station taps into the underground spirit of college music they can really thrive, even if only locally.

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How to Write a News Radio Story

November 15, 2010 by Leave a Comment

When trying to let people know about breaking news or other bits of information, a news radio script is written. A news radio script isn’t like a book or newspaper. News radio scripts follow a different format because the primary audience listens to the radio, not reads or watches it.

When writing a news radio story, make sure the writing is crisp and clear. You want to keep the words simple and to the point. You do not want to use any big words that people might not understand. People listening to the radio won’t go to the dictionary and look words up, like a person reading a book or newspaper might.

Make sure you write an outline before writing the news story. You want to utilize the 5W’s (who, what when, where and why) in your outline. Determine what is the most breaking news of the story and focus on that first.

Work on a teaser. A teaser is a snippet of information about the news story that draws the listener in before the actual story is aired. Make your teaser exciting and nail biting if possible. You want people to stay tuned into your radio station in order to listen to your news broadcast.

Next, write a lead sentence. A lead sentence is used to hook the listener and make them want to hear more. You want to pack a punch in your lead sentence, one that will intrigue them. After you write the lead sentence, work on the body of the story. Make sure you list all the facts in a concise manner. Don’t forget that every word counts, so make sure you don’t fluff the piece with unnecessary words. After the body, work on the conclusion. Give them an ending that will make them think about the news piece you just aired.

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Dissenting Voices on Talk Radio

November 13, 2010 by Leave a Comment
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There is a trend on your AM radio. It’s that the opinions of those working on it are getting bigger and bigger and more polarizing. Now, this isn’t to say that the news stations are having this problem. Certainly those stations are there so that you can figure out what is going on in the world around you but the other stations are heading to a place where what you say isn’t nearly as important as how loud you say it and who you say it against. Talk radio is nothing new in the world. It’s been around for a long time and it has always done well based on the talent and interest level of the host. A show where the host had nothing of value or nothing that provoked thought would certainly be a quick exit but these days that could never be the case. Radio has never been one to shy away from topics that push the edge. The edge is what has gotten people talking and gotten people to have opinions. No one has a strong opinion about paper or plastic at the supermarket but everyone has a feeling on abortion, or at least most people do. But these days the opinions have gotten to be about being controversial. It’s not about what you say it’s that you say it loud. On political radio you see a lot of hosts who are harshly conservative or harshly liberal. There show isn’t about showing their point of view but rather attacking another’s point of view. It’s not about trying to find common ground but rather about pointing out the shaky ground of the other side. It’s creating divide but it’s also creating loyal fan bases and it’s creating ratings and that equals advertising dollars. This drives the programming and keeps these opinions in the forefront, no matter how much it could set us back. The

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How To Write a News Broadcast for the Radio

November 11, 2010 by Leave a Comment
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If you are inexperienced in radio, writing a news broadcast for this medium can be quite challenging. You have to make sure you write in an easy-to-understand manner while making your story intriguing at the same time. When writing a radio news broadcast, make sure to write in the present tense. This is the standard in radio broadcasting, because you are reporting on what is currently happening, not what happened in the past. Make your broadcast easy for the listener. You don’t want to use any big words they may have to look up. A simple way to look at this is to write like you speak. If that’s difficult to do, just pretend you are telling a friend about this news story and then write down what you would say. Keep your story short and sweet. Don’t pad the story with unnecessary words. Get right to the point and keep your writing tight. People will stop listening if all you do is write filler material around the actual news story. Include only the most important facts in your story. You are reporting on the radio, which is usually breaking news. If you talk about everything that is happening in the story even if it’s not important to the story, people will get bored and stop listening. Once you are done writing the broadcast, read it out loud to yourself. Try to focus on areas that don’t flow easily, so you can change fix anything that doesn’t sound right. Make sure there aren’t any words or phrases that may trip up the broadcaster, because they are often reading the script for the first time while on the air. Once you write a few news stories, it will get easier with time. Your writing will soon flow and your headings will be so interesting that people will be looking forward to your broadcasts.

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Getting a Job in Radio

November 10, 2010 by Leave a Comment
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Getting a job in radio can be difficult, especially because of the fierce competition out there. Many people are interested in this field, and in order to land a job you need to stand out from the rest of the people out there. Having the right contacts also helps, as does networking with the right people.

Be prepared to work behind the scenes. You most likely will not get a job right away as an on-air personality or a DJ. Everyone had to start at the bottom and you are no exception. You may end up doing a lot of grunt work, but in the end it will be well worth it for the knowledge you will receive and for the contacts you make.

You may want to check in to getting an internship. An internship may be unpaid or offer a very low amount of money, but it can be very beneficial in learning how things work around a radio station. Once the internship is over, you may also have a chance to be offered a full or part time position with the company. Even though an internship is unpaid, you want to do your best work possible because those around you are watching.

Taking radio broadcasting courses at a college or trade school can also help you. At these schools you will gain valuable information that will give you the advantage over many others. Working at the college radio station can also look good on your resume.

If you want to get a job in radio, you need to make sure you are fully prepared for whatever may come your way. Always ask around for available jobs, and you never know when there might be an opening. Have your resume on hand in case you are out somewhere making contacts and someone requests your resume.

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