How can i become a radio jokey?

Question

How can i become a radio jokey?

Answer 1

You need to intern with someone you like. All I did was go down to a station one night and asked the guy if he needs an intern. Mind you this is Stockton, CA and not NYC...

I started by answering phones, getting songs on cart organized, making commercials, learning how equipment works, getting food. I started to suggest bits and things, and soon he let me on air and people started to like hearing me and the things I did. Depends on what you want to do really. If you enjoy making people laugh then have fun with it. But soon you will realize that the radio world really sucks. Back in the day you could do what you want and say what you want, mind you don't break any FCC rules. Now days you cant say "f**t" because we need to protect the "children". And for gods sake don't say anything to upset any "special interest groups", 1 phone call and you are out the door. Radio is a corporate game now and they tell you what song to play and what commercial to air and what time you get to talk and for how long. I cant stand "terrestrial" radio anymore....

But don't mind my diatribe....you don't need to pay 1000s of dollars to be a broadcaster. I spent nothing and never went to school to be a DJ and I did it for 3 years. Just ask around someone will need an intern. Some stations might want you to be in school, so join a local community college that has a radio station. Enjoy...best 3 years of my life.

Answer 2

To become a radio ( disc jockey )

same thing as radio announcer.

you need to go in radio school

There you will learn the switches

how to conduct yourself with listeners.

in other words learn privately

pleasant speaking voice.

When they are on the air

they can introduce music

and conduct interviews with guests.

Answer 3

haha well they don't call them radio jokey's really..it's more On air talent. If you search for schools that have a radio broadcasting program that is a good way to start. I went to college up in MN for that..kind of expensive but now I am on the radio.

Answer 4

I have been in radio broadcasting for nearly 15 years and am asked this question quite frequently.  There are many ways to get started in the radio business, yet, getting a job comes down to one thing... attitude!

DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY AND TIME ON BROADCASTING SCHOOL OR COLLEGE RADIO!!! These methods do not give you an edge in getting a job at commercial stations.  First of all, college radio is almost always syndicated NPR programming which is scoffed at in commercial markets.  Secondly most broadcasting schools are complete scams that will leave you with a worthless piece of paper and zero skills.

Here is a good game-plan in getting on the air.

1. Find a job at a small market radio station... any job!  Don't feel that you have to be on-air right away.  In small market stations everyone does everything and you will find people that will be happy to mentor you in your fledgling career.  In addition to actual work experience you will also get paid for your work.  Or you could intern at a larger market station and achieve some of the same results but without the pay.

2. Build a demo CD.  Even if you have no real radio experience.  Program Directors rarely check previous employment, they are more concerned with the quality of your work and your attitude (there's that word again!).  Find someone with a decent home recording studio and lay down some vocal tracks.  Remember, It's all about you, do not over emphasize the music or the content just stick to clean straight-forward copy and professional presentation.  Have friends, family and complete strangers critique your demo and make any necessary changes until you are completely satisfied with it.

3. Apply, apply, apply.  Radio jobs are rarely a quick hire.  Send your CD and resume for any position in any market  you would not mind working in.  Follow up a couple of weeks later then send another resume and CD.  Do this every 2-3 months and you will show the drive and attitude necessary to get the job.  It is also a good idea to send updated demos every so often.

4.  Keep researching!  Here are some good sites to find radio stations and radio job openings.

www.radio-locator.com  This is a complete list of all radio stations in the US and links to their web sites.

www.cbsradio.com  They have a complete job bank for all of their stations in the US.

clearcareers.com (do not put a www  in the address it is an intranet site)  This is like CBS but for all Clear Channel Stations this will also list any internship possibilities.

www.tvradiojobs.com  This is a list of job openings in Radio TV and music all over the country.

If you have any questions feel free to send me an email and I would be happy to coach you on all the tricks and tools on getting a job in radio.

Answer 5

Go to the search bar above this page and enter radio jockey or disk jockey. That will give you all the answers that have been given in the past on the subject.

I also have written a few paragraphs on how to get into radio which are below. I think it's most applicable in the US, but who knows?

-a guy named duh

OK, here's my brief version on how to get in radio. Take it from one who started this way. If you want to try radio as a possible career choice, It's easy, really easier than most think. Go to all the local radio stations and tell them you're willing to do anything for little or no money (at first). Including interning (though those are usually for current college students in a broadcasting major). In a big city, that's going to be more difficult than a smaller town, but not impossible.

Maybe they need a Gofer, or a production or promotion assistant. In the old days you used to be able to 'hang out" at a station. That's still a possibility (usually at night) in a small town, but in a bigger city, it's hard because the stations are in office buildings. Anyway, so maybe you get a Gofer or promotion assistant job. Or maybe you're just the kid who hangs out and will go get burgers. Then as people leave for bigger better gigs, you move up. Radio's a very fluid business. People move a lot. Because the only way to really get promoted is to go to a bigger market.

Give it a try. You've got nothing to lose. Study all the stations where you live. Visit some of the websites I'll put below. Go around to all the stations (obviously start with the ones where you like the music - but don't leave out religious stations, foreign language stations etc. anything to get experience and something legit on your resume). Because you've studied the station and listened to their format, you'll impress them with your knowledge; go to the remote broadcasts and get to know the promotion people - the ones hanging banners, in the tent and handing out bumper stickers.

Sooner or later someone will leave and you can say, "Hey, I can do that, I want his job now that he's leaving." It's important you have a driver’s license & clean record, 'cause you'll be driving the station van. Go 4 it!

Also, many colleges and some high schools (especially magnet schools) have radio courses of study and there are private vocational schools like Columbia School of Broadcasting. Emerson College in Boston is the premiere Media College in the US.

If you are interested in a career in radio, check out this great scholarship program from the John Bayliss Broadcast Foundation. It could mean $5,000 towards your tuition!

www.baylissfoundation.org

Maybe you can turn another skill, with accounting, traffic, or engineering into an off-air career. Sales, though not as popular with young people, is a great way to get into radio even if you don't have a great voice. You'll also make more money and work steadier hours - but it's not as glamorous. Radio stations also need salespeople, acountants and business managers

Answer 6

"you need to go in radio school" - nonsense. It is not a requirement. They are not very common nowadays, and you don't need to learn how to 'interact with the listener' as you will learn that as you go along, which is better than being told that 'you must do this' etc.

I have a radio programme on a small community radio station and have not recieved any training at all - yet my show is probably better than some of the commercial companies. It is very easy: you either need to know how a mixing desk works, or get someone to do it for you while you present.

You could try getting Work Experience at a radio station (visit www.bbc.co.uk/workexperience) to see weather you might like it or not. Or you could voulenteer for your local Hospital Radio station - if there is one as not all hospitals have one.

Answer 7

Hey! RJ Sangram (ex Radio Mirchi, now with Radio One) has started RJ-ing classes. He’s the same guy who was on MTV, CNN-IBN and other channels. Mail him on [e-mail]

Answer 8

sign up for the job. first practice being one by experience.

Answer 9

Most colleges have a college radio in which it is fairly easy to become a radio jockey for. Getting some experience there would be a good first step.