How to Create Audition Tape for Radio Announcer Job

If you want to be a radio announcer, you will have to start by creating a demo tape and then send it to stations in your area. This article pertains to submission of voice demos for radio announcer jobs, how to present a submission package, recording studio techniques, and the use of “music beds”.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 8” x 10” Photos
• Resumé
• Audio Tapes or CDs
• Music Beds
• Recording Studio Time or Recording Software
• Envelopes (including self-addressed, stamped envelopes)
• Postage
• Radio Announcement Scripts
• Directory of Radio Stations
• Directory of Voice-Over Talent Agents
• Voice-Over Books (such as “You Can Bank on Your Voice”)

1. Start with a script for producing your commercials. You can use a script of an existing commercial or you can write your own script. A commercial demo should include a variety of commercial styles, both funny and serious. A good demo should include two one-minute commercials, two 30-second commercials, and two 15-second commercials. Include some commercials with music and one or two without music.

2. Get some music “beds,” royalty-free music CDs which announcers can use in radio commercials as background music. CDs are available online which announcers can use in producing their demos.

3. A demo CD can be recorded in a recording studio or recorded with recording studio software. Studio time and a good recording engineer are essential to producing a top-notch demo CD. You should plan on spending at least one full day in the studio. The recording can record your voice separately from the music beds or you can record both at the same time. However, recording the music bed separately from your voice is recommended since your post-production techniques and effects are more limited when recording the bed and voice separately. Be sure to duplicate a good number of CDs as CDs will not usually be returned to you when you submit them to prospective employers.

4. The next step is preparation of a media kit which will be sent along with your CD demo. You have a folder, cover letter, resumé, CD, business card, and an 8” x 10” photo. One of the companies which provides quality and affordable photo duplication is ABC Pictures, which maintains its own website. You should order at least 100 photos.

5. There are many reputable voice-over talent agencies which represent radio announcers. You will find an agency directory in the book titled “You Can Bank on Your Voice” by Rodney Saulsberry. Be sure to include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for a reply. If you prefer to represent yourself, it will be more difficult to get jobs since many radio stations regularly work with talent agents.

Tips & Warnings

• Don’t submit demos that are overly produced. Agents want to hear your natural voice since not all clients will be able to afford or desire fancy production techniques.
• You shouldn’t send the same demo CDs to inappropriate prospective employers. Specifically, you should target employers which are within the same programming format that your demo is in. For example, a Christian radio station employer won’t want to hear the same demo as a Hip-Hop format radio station might want to hear.

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