How would you start a radio show?

Question

I'm thinking about starting my own radio show (not an entire station though). What should I do first? How many hours would I typically have to work a week? What should I expect in terms of income? Would I at least get by?

Answer 1

First of all you need experience.  It's difficult for those of us who have experience to get jobs.  You may, if you're lucky, be able to get a small market station manager to sell you an hour or so a day/week.  Depending on the content and frequency of the show, you may have to put several hours a week / day into the show.  I produce / host a weekly 3 hour show for one of the stations I work for and prepare off and on all week.  If you are able to get on the air, the only way you'd make any profit from this show is if you sold it to your sponsors at a mark-up of the station's prices for the amount of time you purchase.  More than likely, the local advertisers are either already advertising with the station or it's not in the budget.  

Other than that, I would advise trying to get on at a small station around your town.  If it's a paying position, you will need to go by their format.  Once on the inside, you should be able to know where to go from there.  Good luck in either case.