Or worse yet, the reality that everyone on here has this secret yearning to do their own radio show, their way, on their subjects, and, of course, on their terms and for BIG money!! ;D
Glad you enjoy the board and find it useful, but that's like asking someone to share their Rolodex. The means are just as important to protect as the ends. And no one's going to put their neck on the line by giving you a name of someone to talk to or network with!
I can tell you, GENERALLY, that you should get a grip on reality as to what your background is, what makes your radio show different, who does it cater to (and is it enough of an attraction?) and what experience you have at it. If you can line up your own sponsors, the more the merrier. There have been cases of people actually buying time themselves just to get their show on the air, with the longterm goal of being paid (instead of paying for it.) You didn't mention if this is a talk show or music, so I'll stab at this a couple of ways...let's say you are a financial guru with your sites set on being a regular show on the BizRadio Network. You could buy up an hour a week on a Sat or Sun on 1360 for around $800 a month, get a following going (and you'd have to develop and work that following all by yourself,) and over time, present your case to the Network, and be ready to prove your value and following. That's a simplistic example, but one that actually happened and worked out.
For a music show, you can go the KNON route and do the show for free, just to get it on the air. Go to their website and fill out an application. But again, you'll have to show what makes your show different. Doing an internet-only station is another possibility, but proving your numbers is not easy.
(Mind you, these are just a COUPLE of suggestions...there's lots of ways to go about this...and I'm no pro. I lucked into my radio show by who I knew...with no demo tape or anything.)
If you say, "I've already done these things; I'm no beginner..." then go for it, make up some CDs, and send your material out to whatever stations across the US might be interested in it. There are sites on the web, and books in the library, that will list all US stations and their formats (good luck at the library, as it's likely to be outdated.) Make up your own "syndication" company...many folks have, and did just fine with it. After you get several stations lined up, and show a good track record over time, try applying with the real syndicators. Unless you have a solid, proven product already, I'd guess that anyone considered a "syndication specialist" is nothing more than a come-on to exploit those who don't understand the industry, and are willing to part with some cash just to get someone else to do the dirty work...and coming up with nothing. Think of it like those companies willing to help you get a patent...or sell you a list of foreclosures...or a list of seized drug cars that sell for $85...or publish that song you wrote. Oh, and God forbid that you might have an original, marketable, workable idea--only to get "lifted" and suddenly pop up somewhere, and without your name on it. Ask me sometime about my friend who wrote "Achy Breaky Heart" and got screwed by a 'publishing service.'
In other words, if you don't understand the industry and how syndication works, and what format a station needs your program in, and what will stand out, etc etc etc, you'd better learn about this for yourself, and quick. Talk to folks who have nothing to lose by sharing advice.
