How to Create a Radio Show

Do you have something that you want the world to know, or at least your own apartment complex? If you can't reach enough people through your blog or by yelling out the window, you can create a radio show. In this day and age, there are a variety of ways to go about it.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Decide on your show's format—music, talk, music and talk, an interview show, or perhaps an informational program that focuses on a subject or subjects in which you are an expert.

2. Find a way to make it fresh and not imitate shows that are already on the air. Why would anyone want to listen to a Howard Stern imitator when there is already a Howard Stern? Especially now that there is satellite radio and shows are reaching a wider audience.

3. Know your limitations. If you want to fill the void left by Phil Hendrie, for instance, who's a master of voices and characters, you need to be able to pull it off. Not many (if any) people could do that successfully.

4. Figure out who will be your demographic and target that audience. For instance, if the focus is Indy music, don’t reach out to the over 40 crowd. If it’s seniors, don’t broadcast your show at 11 at night. If there will be advertisers or sponsors, solicit ones that appeal to your particular market. Gentlemen's Club commercials during a cooking show—not very feasible.

5. Decide how you would like to broadcast your show. To just your neighborhood or apartment complex, by shopping it to a local radio station, or via the Internet. If you want to broadcast to your immediate vicinity, you can do it within a range of 200 feet under FCC Part 15 rules for ham radio operators. To broadcast beyond that, you would need to apply for a license. If you want to go online, decide if it will be through streaming audio or podcasting. If you want to take it to a station, put together a demo CD. You might also pitch it to one of the satellite companies, although that would be extremely tough with something unsolicited.

6. If you will be broadcasting your show, get the proper tools for recording. If it’s a simple podcast with just you speaking, you can get by with an inexpensive microphone and free recording software. If you will have music and studio or phone guests, you will need a mixer.

7. Create a website for your show with a domain name that clearly reflects the name of the show and is easy to search.

8. Send out press releases through free online press release services. Also send releases to local newspapers, and try to look for a timely angle. For instance, if the show’s subject matter ties in with a local event.

Tips & Warnings

• If you interview guests, they should be interesting to listen to. Their skills and accomplishments alone may not be enough to hold an audience. Also, make sure you actually listen to the interviewee and not just be thinking about your next question. Your interview should be conversational and not sound like you’re reading from a script.
• If you play music, be sure to get the artist or band’s name right. I once heard a DJ say, “That was 'Jet' by Paul McCartney and The Wings.” Also, it helps when you are familiar with the artists and their history, and listen to the music yourself. That’s why stations like The Vault and Underground Garage on Sirius Satellite are successful; they have DJ’s that know their music.
• Make sure the proper clearance and royalties are taken care of before broadcasting music or unoriginal content.
• Think about what you're gonna say before you say it and consider the sensitivities of your audience, because anybody could be listening and chances are they will be. Not that I advocate censorship; I’m just saying to consider the repercussions, especially in today’s climate when buttons are easily pushed.

[tylamac]

on 1/19/2009 Excellent article! You really know your stuff.

[diggitydogg]

on 7/14/2008 The article was written over a year ago, but the readers will still hopefully get the point I'm trying to make!

[ibezdechi]

on 7/14/2008 Phil Hendrie has been back on the air for over a year, Melissa.

[diggitydogg]

on 8/14/2007 This focuses on how to create a radio show, so I searched for an article that would cover the equipment aspect. I found "How to Broadcast a Radio Show," but no luck there. I guess if you're genuinely interested you'll have to research it and write another article.

[anita13]

on 8/14/2007 but what kind of equipment do I need?