Getting Involved in Radio

deathrider

Hey, folks, over the last few years I've found myself drawn towards listening to the radio. Something I was never really in to before, but various chat shows really caught my attantion and I've since become quite a big fan of the medium. The more I listen to it, the more I'd like to get involved in it. However, I've no idea where to start which such a thing. In my spare time I run a website that includes recording youtube videos where I talk straight to the camera and monthly podcasts which involve myself and my mate talking for a few hours, so I'm used to chatting out topics and I find it very enjoyable. I was wondering if anyone here would have any ideas as to the which steps I should take if I was to try and get involved in radio. Where exactly to start or at least which direction to aim in.

Thanks.
(Also, apoligies if this is in the wrong section, mods)

Jimmy Bottlehead

First warning... radio is incredibly difficult to forge a career in, in Ireland at least. Seriously. And even if you DO get in, wages are generally poor. (I say that as I was in your position a few years ago).

But... if you do want to, your best bet is to get involved in community radio. Volunteer your time and aim to get a slot on-air. You'll need to be trained, then shadow other presenters before maybe being given your own show.

Build your experience there, get their input on your progress and start compiling demo tapes. Make INDIVIDUAL DEMOS for each station and start ringing/emailing. Expect to either be ignored, or told "thanks but no thanks". But keep at it 'til you're at a good level.

After that, it's pot luck & skill. You might get taken on in a station, and from there you just work to impress.

In the meantime, you may want to consider radio training in college. Ballyfermot has an excellent reputation and also has Simon Maher involved; as current owner of 8Radio.com, former manager of Phantom and one of the most connected/respected men in Irish radio. Courses like http://applications.bcfe.ie/course-MRH-Higher_National_Diploma_In_Creative_Media_Production_(Radio).html are worth looking into.

Above all, best of luck. Many try, and few succeed. I hope you'll be one of the few.

deathrider

Jimmy Bottlehead wrote: »

First warning... radio is incredibly difficult to forge a career in, in Ireland at least. Seriously. And even if you DO get in, wages are generally poor. (I say that as I was in your position a few years ago).

But... if you do want to, your best bet is to get involved in community radio. Volunteer your time and aim to get a slot on-air. You'll need to be trained, then shadow other presenters before maybe being given your own show.

Build your experience there, get their input on your progress and start compiling demo tapes. Make INDIVIDUAL DEMOS for each station and start ringing/emailing. Expect to either be ignored, or told "thanks but no thanks". But keep at it 'til you're at a good level.

After that, it's pot luck & skill. You might get taken on in a station, and from there you just work to impress.

In the meantime, you may want to consider radio training in college. Ballyfermot has an excellent reputation and also has Simon Maher involved; as current owner of 8Radio.com, former manager of Phantom and one of the most connected/respected men in Irish radio. Courses like http://applications.bcfe.ie/course-MRH-Higher_National_Diploma_In_Creative_Media_Production_(Radio).html are worth looking into.

Above all, best of luck. Many try, and few succeed. I hope you'll be one of the few.

Thanks for the details, Jimmy. I really appreciate it. I'll look into it through the ways that you've mentioned, and see how that goes/where to go next.
Ig anyone has any more info/ideas, I'm all ears. The more information I can gather, the better.
Thanks.

Chip Whitley

TodayFM are running their second 'School of Radio' or something like that this Summer. Might be worth checking out on their website.

deathrider

The Incredible Hulk wrote: »

TodayFM are running their second 'School of Radio' or something like that this Summer. Might be worth checking out on their website.

Cheers, man. I'll give that a look. I'm wondering if I'd be too old for that sort of craic.