How do I become an on air personality?

[MrE]

I have a full time job, but would like to become a part time radio host/ on air personality because it's always been a dream of mine. But I've heard that broadcasting schools (i.e. Conecticut School of Broadcasting) are a rip off. Plus I already have two degrees and am not eager to pay thousands in new school debts. I'm in my mid 30s, and enjoy my career, so I doubt I have the time (or even the opportunity as someone not between the ages pf 18-22, to intern) How does one go about getting into radio at my age? I know the NY market is ver hard to break into, but my job doesn't allow me to relocate to the middle of nowhere, so I'm somewhat limited. But I'm also open to hearing all options... Any advice? Or any ideas on where I could find advice?

Any guidance is helpful. Thanks so much!!

 

[FrankF]

Sorry, but from the limitations you are stating in your post, you have as much of a chance cracking into New York radio now as Country music has getting on a main FM channel in New York.

 

[JoeyBagODonuts]

Is there a field of interest that you have expertise in? You can buy time on an AM station, such as WGBB on Long Island!

 

[Goat Rodeo Cowboy]

Let me bounce off the mention of country music in the first response. You can stop in a taverns across the county and year people performing Country Music who are better the the current headliners. The first reason these non-stars have not made the big time is that they are unwilling to "pay the price" by going on tour, by living out of a tour bus, by getting by when the cash is not there. The stars are usually people who double-down on paying the cost of success.

However, I consider that a flawed answer to your question. Sometimes it is serendipity. Something unpredictable and unrepeatable happens. You go out and do your best to be a part-time broadcaster while keeping your "cash cow career". Then one day someone is leaning over his back fence talking to a neighbor. The neighbor is looking for a particular kind of person for a broadcast task. The other person knows you and says: "I know someone who might be just what you are looking for."

I never happened for me. If we could gather together in one convention hall all the people who have hit success in broadcasting because of such a conversation of serendipity.... the meeting could probably be held in a rather small venue.

With every passing year it appears that the number of employed radio personalities gets to be smaller and smaller. What got some of into the business years ago hasn't worked for a number of years now. What worked for the last 15 years may not work at all today.

Find a mentor. Find someone retired. Find someone who loves what he/she is doing at some radio station today who will take you under their wing and share some of "the secrets of the universe" with you. That could be more valuable than going to a broadcasting school.

 

[TheBigA]

You need "something." I don't know what that "something" is, but you need it.

I knew people who had full time careers, and used their connections in their career to get on the air. I don't know what your full time career is, but if it's something that puts you in touch with advertising clients, it could be something. Radio stations are always looking for connections to clients, and if you can broker a deal, that might lead to a weekend show. Especially if it means you bring your own sponsor to the table. I've seen it happen. But if all you're looking for is a part-time gig, and you aren't flexible in terms of your time, you will be at the back of the line.

 

[WNTIRadio]

See what you can do part time/weekends at any of the local stations in your area. Granted, those jobs are a lot more scarce since voice tracking and satellite have taken over, but there still are a few.

But without any prior experience, you're going to be at a huge disadvantage. There are pros that are out of work that will get those jobs before you do.

Is there a college/community station in your area that accepts community volunteers? You won't make any money, but you'll get on the air.

As for getting on the air in NYC, you have about as much chance of having a top 10 single out tomorrow. People who have done it for years never make it to NYC.

You could also do internet radio... sure it isn't "on the air" but it may get that urge out of your system to be on the radio.

 

[Shredder]

I have a full time job, but would like to become a part time radio host/ on air personality because it's always been a dream of mine. But I've heard that broadcasting schools (i.e. Conecticut School of Broadcasting) are a rip off. Plus I already have two degrees and am not eager to pay thousands in new school debts. I'm in my mid 30s, and enjoy my career, so I doubt I have the time (or even the opportunity as someone not between the ages pf 18-22, to intern) How does one go about getting into radio at my age? I know the NY market is ver hard to break into, but my job doesn't allow me to relocate to the middle of nowhere, so I'm somewhat limited. But I'm also open to hearing all options... Any advice? Or any ideas on where I could find advice?

Any guidance is helpful. Thanks so much!!

Not an on air gig, but here's my story...being mid 20's when I tried. One of the PLJ DJ's mentioned their intern staff was having 'difficulty' getting good video online. I knew that was something I could do, so I invested in a small camera. Long story short, a few camera investments later, I managed to weasel my way in to be an un-official free lancer. Sadly, from what I hear, all the budget cuts means that now they do far less remotes than they did even a few years ago, so the need for my services is getting less and less these days with only two or so events a year. So the video department isn't exactly eager to expand, once i found out who i needed to ask for a paying gig....shame, too as I usually seem more eager than their interns...and they've thanked me a few times getting things up faster than their payed staff...

I have no interest in being on air though. The two times they gave me a mic i was crapping bricks in nerves that I would speak at the wrong time and wreck the broadcast . Oh well, it's still been a fun adventure for the last 6 years, and as the phrase goes, 'making lots of memories'. Not sure if that helped, but another experience... so good luck .

 

[RoyalScam]

I'll pile onto the "getting into NYC is impossible" camp. Maybe 20-30 years ago you MIGHT have had a semi-decent shot. But even then, you'd need to start out of town, in the sticks, and work your way back.

The last name I can give you that made the on-air leap natively is Z100's Skeery Jones. We were in Brooklyn College at the same time. He interned at Z100 and made the right connections and boom. Still there. This was 1995, though.

I, myself interned at Q104.3 and wound up getting a job there...dreams of getting on the air...but I too was unwilling to move around the country to accomplish that. I wound up on the production/imaging side of the business. Never left NYC. This was 1996, though.

Think about this: HOWARD STERN had to travel the country before making it to NYC. And you think you can just waltz right in?

Suburban NY/NJ/CT...you MIGHT be able to get a foot in the door. But you'd have to dedicate your LIFE to it and except little to no wages. You up for that?

 

[MrE]

OK, the point has been made, and I thank you all for the reality check. Guess I got ahead of myself.... But perhaps you guys can answer this-- let's say I get into internet radio instead? How do I go about getting an audience? Would I be talking to no one the first few weeks? And what is the best hosting site?

 

[Goat Rodeo Cowboy]

OK, the point has been made, and I thank you all for the reality check. Guess I got ahead of myself.... But perhaps you guys can answer this-- let's say I get into internet radio instead? How do I go about getting an audience? Would I be talking to no one the first few weeks? And what is the best hosting site?

I saw your other post over in New Generation Radio inquiring about doing programming on the Internet.

I guess we all kind of all "piled on" that making it in NYC can be tough.

See if you can somehow make contact with a few people in your area who are currently doing programming on line. See if they will let you look over the "get-up" they are using, what hosting service they are using, and what they like and don't like.

Building an audience from scratch has to be a big challenge. In your other post you mention "discussions about life in general". I can identify with that but today is the day of personalized product and service. It seems there is a need to find a 'niche' and hopefully one that has some way of making the followers of that specialty aware of what you are doing. If you come up with talk programming that covers custom cars and hot-rods, you go to the car shows and pass out business cards or flyers. If you have a program that would appeal to Polish Catholic people because you cover art or music or other things near and dear to these people, you contact the parishes and ask for a notice in their newsletter or church bulletins. In my part of the world a guy who owns a store and mail-order business selling primarily model airplanes and remote control hardware for them does a weekly video-on-line talking about the hobby.

If you were an already known, big-time personality who had been on the radio or TV for years, you might be able to gin up an audience for "discussions about life in general".

One more topic: Guys going on line with music try to set up streams that run around the clock. Are you thinking of streaming some talk on a scheduled basis.... buying a certain hour each week or each day? Have you considered starting with a "podcast" where you create a program segment for each day, or for each week? People go to your site and either play it as a stream, or download it to put into their iPod or mp3 player.

Think about starting as a podcast. If you want something more robust than that, stair-stip up over a period of time.

Some day WOR might be calling to see if you are available. ;D

 

[nd2023]

Contact local college stations and ask how you can get involved. This is around the time that they are looking for new DJs to replace the old DJs that graduated or left. Many college stations allow or even encourage local residents to join. When the students are gone or are busy studying for exams, the local residents take their spots. With the declining popularity of radio, it's harder for college stations to find students to do shows.

You might have to have your first show at an odd hour and/or play music you never heard of and don't like, but at least you'll get on the air.

 

[TonySantiago]

OK, the point has been made, and I thank you all for the reality check. Guess I got ahead of myself.... But perhaps you guys can answer this-- let's say I get into internet radio instead? How do I go about getting an audience? Would I be talking to no one the first few weeks? And what is the best hosting site?

Being that I have an Internet radio show, here's my advice:

1) Use Facebook and Twitter to promote your show. Get it around to your friends. Let them know the type of show you are doing, the times it is on air. You may also want to podcast your show via Podomatic. If hosting costs money that you may not have, going Podomatic may be a good start.

2) At first, you may have a few listeners based on what you have publicized. The trick is KEEPING them there and growing it along the way. Always keep your show interesting. You ARE on Internet radio so musically you can GO places that terrestrial radio cannot go. Not saying play every song with a curse word, but go places musically that radio isn't touching. That is where you audience remains core because you are giving them something different than the typical radio banter.

3) Regarding hosting, you can start out at Live 365. They also cover the royalties so that makes things legal for you. If you can't afford that, then do a 3 hour show and put it up on Podomatic. And while you are doing that, you can certainly pass your show around to other Internet stations that cater to what you are doing and get your show there.

 

[Goat Rodeo Cowboy]

2) ..... You ARE on Internet radio so musically you can GO places that terrestrial radio cannot go. Not saying play every song with a curse word, but go places musically that radio isn't touching. That is where you audience remains core because you are giving them something different than the typical radio banter.

Tony, your overall advice was very good. But the original poster gave no indication that MUSIC is his core interest in programming. You do a "put down" on the typical radio banter. I think the OP is all about "banter" and conversation. He wants to break into the world of "being a personality".

He will do well to take your advice on social media and recruiting friends to shill for him.... whatever the content he might put out there.

 

[semoochie]

What about "YouTube"?

 

[TonySantiago]

Tony, your overall advice was very good. But the original poster gave no indication that MUSIC is his core interest in programming. You do a "put down" on the typical radio banter. I think the OP is all about "banter" and conversation. He wants to break into the world of "being a personality".

He will do well to take your advice on social media and recruiting friends to shill for him.... whatever the content he might put out there.

I am not this guy, but if he is going to do an Internet show on his own and it involves music then he is going to have to pick and choose what he is going to play. If it's a talk show, then he has to do research on a topic as well as researching potential guests to find out their background.

Let me clarify on the banter issue. Being Internet radio I figure this person could go "outside the box" if he wants whether if he's voicing live over a track or if he's doing an interview. I've only meant it in the sense that Internet radio tends to be a bit more free on things. But either or, the practice he gets in terms of his delivery and execution will prove invaluable once he wants to take it to the next level.

 

[Steve Green NEPA]

A friend of mine, an older fellow, had a wit and a half and a good voice and a good job outside radio. He was perfect for the laid-back format. He'd fill in for our station on occasion, but only when he found the time.
Despite the restricted formatics, he still managed to get his quirky personality out onto the airwaves and, no doubt, satiate his ego. He wound up doing the Sunday morning 6-10 shift, with all those religious tapes and public affairs shows.

That was 43 years ago.

Do not give up the day job quite yet, Mr E. But a station near you which runs American Top 40 or some 'This week in Country' countdown might get your feet good and wet. And you can read the Sunday papers and eat a bagel and drink coffee while you toil.

 

[Goat Rodeo Cowboy]

Doing such a part-time regular shift connects you to the "grapevine". Being at a station allows you to pick up hints and tips of possible opening you would like better.... hints and tips you will never hear sitting at home... looking and listening from a distance.

 

[PirateJohnny]

There are a lot of wannabes on Ustream.

 

[TonySantiago]

Another thing....

A well respected program director gave me this tip. Write things down before you say it on the air. By doing that beforehand, that picks up your confidence in terms of your delivery without having to think of something spur of the moment and get all tangled up in the process.

A lot of these guys are giving good pointers here so hopefully with the treasure trove of information you're getting, you'll be on your way

 

[Goat Rodeo Cowboy]

A well respected program director gave me this tip. Write things down before you say it on the air. By doing that beforehand, that picks up your confidence in terms of your delivery without having to think of something spur of the moment and get all tangled up in the process.

People who give presentations and speeches in business and politics understand this "write it down" technique. My memory of my time in the studio: It was part of the unspoken culture that only an untalented wimp would do that.

A first cousin of that culture that was alive and well: If you are to give voice to a prayer in church... never write it down. God will think you are not sincere and honest.