How to Break into Radio

Breaking into radio can but a song in your heart.

Radio has always been your favorite medium, and not just because you don’t have to dress up or wear shoes to work there. You can follow your dream and break into radio with a few simple tips.

Instructions

1. Listen to a variety of stations all the time to get a good grip on different broadcasts, formats and personalities in today’s radio market.

2. Get a degree. You can go for one in mass communications with a major in radio. This will teach you some background in the industry as well as give you well-rounded writing and communication skills.

3. Take voice training lessons. This will sharpen your announcing skills and insure you do not stutter or mumble.

4. Enroll in other training, like broadcast seminars and hands-on radio training offered at some community and other colleges. Some may let you attend for a reduced cost if you are taking the course for training rather than credit hours.

5. Grab radio station internships or offer to volunteer at a local station. You may work for free but you are gaining invaluable experience and may even get offered a job if your performance is stellar.

6. Repeat steps as necessary until someone, even the college station, lets you in.

Tips & Warnings

• If your college has a radio station, definitely get on its stafft.

• Try some sample exercises, like writing radio news spots, commercials and compiling song lists.

• Other degrees and courses helpful for radio careers include mass media, broadcast news writing and advertising and business.

• Make sure you have a part time job, or some income, while you are working for free at the station.