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Local Radio Stations - Getting That First Gig

By Stephanie Ciccarelli

April 11, 2006

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Get yourself on the air!

Greetings,

Have you ever wondered what it takes to get your foot in the door as a station voice for broadcast radio?

Thinking locally, that is the radio stations in your hometown, will serve you best when trying to break into the market as an imaging voice, a promo voice, or commercial voice for broadcast radio.

While you're thinking locally, think traditionally as well. Most stations still require a hard copy of your resume and a demo CD of your work to keep on file.

Address your package to the producer, program director or general manager. This may take some researching to locate the appropriate directors contact details, but you definitely want your package getting into the hands of the right person at the station, lest it get lost or thrown out.

As with any traditional job application, you will need to:

Write a cover letter and resume introducing your services
Follow up to confirm receipt of your resume
Ask if you can send your demo CD for consideration
Mail a package including a CD sampler of your radio work / demos
Follow up again to gain feedback

When approaching a station that you haven't worked for before, you will need to be diligent and professional to catch their eyes and especially their ears. One of the greatest assets you can instantly provide to a station is fresh talent. Stations, though they do work with some talent on a regular basis inhouse or on retainers, are always on the lookout for new voice talent to help set them apart.

Highlight how you and your voice can make a difference, for example, your proven ability to reach their target audience. It's all about the station, not about you. If you remind yourself of that when applying for work, the responses from stations will be more favorable than not.

Have a great day,

Stephanie

P.S. If you haven't already, you can sign-up for a Guest voice talent membership (free) to upload your radio imaging, promos, or commercial demos at InteractiveVoices.com, the voice-over marketplace.