If you were to move to a very small city, how long would it take to get on the air?

Question

I want answers from people who are in the radio business.

Answer 1

I found that it depends on where you're at.  I worked on FM in the same market with 3 other AMs.  I had an easier time getting on-the-air on the FM station than I did with the AM stations, even though I knew the owners of the AM stations well.  Most of the smaller market stations run automation and some pipe music through, so they are more likely not going to hire air staff.  The FM station I worked at used everything, including air talent and voicetracking.

I had to volunteer time to the station as a public service in order to get on the air the first time.  See if you can do that and then work up to those bigger market stations that pay you a salary.

Answer 2

If you have talent then it probably wouldn't take long at all.  I spent 3 months as a board op before I got my first live on air shift in a city with 150,000 people.  If you have no radio experience then count on spending a few months behind the scenes before you open a microphone.  

Please, take my advice and don't go to radio school or enter college just to "learn" radio.  And you don't necessarly have to move to a small town to get on the air.  You can get a radio job in a bigger market if you have some teachable talent.  

Contact radio stations in your market and tell each program director you want to get started in radio.  Say you are willing to do anything to learn and get your foot in the door.  One of them might say yes.  

If you want to move to another market, try www.allaccess.com for job listings.  You have to sign up for a free password to see the listings.  They probably have the most complete job listings anywhere.

Answer 3

Not in the radio business currently (Money is better doing mechanic work surprisingly) but have been offered to be on some non-comms just talking to the people who run the stations.

But from friends I know, usually if you have a half way decent sounding tape, most small town stations are always looking for fill people (usually people for weekends and when the regular person can't come in). To have a regular slot however depends upon the turn over at the station (one that brought new people on air was usually having the afternoon people (the ones he would bring in and put on air) leave and go to other stations about every 6 months.

Monitor radio-info.com... seen many Program directors go on there soliciting for people but when you are ready you can post yourself on there also:

http://www.radio-info.com/smf/index.php/...

Answer 4

I am currently a radio student. I am also seeking an on air position in a small town.

Few questions..

Do you have experience ?

Have you done any public speaking, etc ?

Are you taking any classes dealing with radio/announcing, etc ?

Before you go on air you will be tested first and you may start from the bottom and have to work your way up. So if you really have no experience or very little at all you might want to start with an internship or something of that sort.