Talk radio popularity is at an all-time high and podcasts of niche-based programs are popping up every day on the Internet. Still, terrestrial radio stations have the longevity and instant audience that podcasts can’t touch. To secure a place behind the microphone takes time, talent, a willingness to take little to mediocre pay and a demo that catches a program director’s ear.
- Write a script. Yes, a demo can be scripted. However, don’t just read right off of the script like a robot. It’s there so you have a general idea of what you’re going to talk about. Use it primarily as a guideline. Personality is what sells and the program directors will be listening for that.
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Step 2
Open your DAW or audio editor if you’re doing voice only. Check the levels to make sure the microphone isn’t too loud or soft. The environment should be quiet and a condenser microphone should be used with a foam shield to lesson plosive sounds that words that begin with P or B tend to make. They have better response and overall sound for on air-performance than dynamic microphones, which are used primarily for live settings and instrument miking.
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Step 3
Record the audio. Don’t worry if you make a mistake. Just keep going. Record about 15 minutes, then review the recording. You can use small musical clips or sound effects for segues but make them brief.
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Step 4
Cut and paste the best sections into a new file in the audio editor. Edit out the mistakes that you made and other incidentals like loud breaths and background noise. Save the file and burn it onto a CD. Label the CD neatly with a marker and slip it into a CD sleeve, which should also be labeled.
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Step 5
Write an introductory letter and include your resume, preferably on personalized letterhead with a business card. Not only does this leave a good first impression, it will present yourself as a professional taking the audition seriously.