Should i ask for an internship at a radio station before i start school?
Hello, im wanting to intern (un paid) at a local radio station just to gain experience,. im going to college for a bachelors television and radio and an associates in film production degree. i know some radio places dont need a college degree. but anywho the real question is....is it better to ask now and then start school in august? or wait until im in school to ask for an intership? im not getting a college credit for this i just want experience. also i copied a cover letter online for a radio position. of course im going to change it to make it my own, i just wanted a proper format. does it sound good with out me adding stuff to it? --------------------------------------... 1/23/03 Mr. Program Director WJOB-FM 123 America Avenue Anytown, Anywhere 55510 Good Morning! My name is Robert Internseeker and I'm looking for a non-paid intern position with WJOB-FM. I have a great interest in the Radio profession and I could be very helpful at WJOB-FM. I'm dependable, bright, eager to learn and very trustworthy. I could be of service in either your progamming or promotions department on a flexible, part-time basis. All I ask in return is the privlege of working with and learning from your staff. I have enclosed my resume which will give you an idea of my background. If there is anything else you need, please do not hesitate to call. I would gladly make time to meet with you personally. Thank you in advance. I look forward to hearing from you. Regards, Robert Internseeker
Why am I so scared to call a radio station to request a song?
Ok, from an actual radio DJ, let me give everyone the scoop. If you call and request that you NOT be put on the air, they should respect your wishes, I always do. And if I feel you said something really embarassing I won't play it out of respect... but hey that's just me. And yes, some calls are live. Especially morning shows when there's a topic. But for my request shows I do record because it is my job if an F bomb is dropped. However the call is from that evening, not 2 weeks ago. And yes, we do play your requests when we can. We can't play them all. Let's talk reality, I have 50,000 people listening on average at any one moment, can't play all their songs now can I? And many times people request songs we simply can't play...some off the wall song that was never a hit...so I make 1 person happy and cause the other 49,999 people to tune out because it's some lame *** song no one else wants to hear? And to answer why the same songs are played is people are creatures of habit, familiarity. Sure there's stations that do well playing a mix, but too much of a mix and you have no core audience. Most people who listen to 50 cent don't want to hear Celine Dion. So back to back that would be a little odd right...doesn't work. You would be surprised how many people request those songs that are played the most (called a power) even while they're playing! So yes they are requesting them. Plus we have a schedule to follow. I love when people say, play Taylor Swift NEXT! Uhhh, ok cause I had no one else request a song tonight, and forget that commercial that is scheduled next. We have a job to do just like everyone else. You wouldn't go to Applebee's on a crowded Saturday night and expect your food to be the next out of the kitchen just because you walked in the door, when there's a 30 min. waiting list? But for the most part, don't be afraid to call, we're pretty cool, just want to have fun, and tell them please don't put me on the air if you wish and they should abide by that. Listen to the DJ, if they sound like someone who's pretty down to Earth, give them a call. If they sound like a jerk...they probably are so wait till someone else is on. Give it a try :)
What happens if I call the radio station and I'm not what they're looking for?
There are a couple of things that could happen (and usually happen in the station I am with)If you call in as part of the competition and there is a criteria (like be caller Number 5 etc. ), the radio personality would simply fake it and say, “That is the correct answer but unfortunately you are caller Number 3, please try again next time”. On some rare occasions we say we already have a winner and you are too late.If such a criteria is not mentioned however and a somewhat boring/mellow person calls in with the correct answer, we say, “Hey that's the correct answer. Please give me your details so I can put you into the draw. We will be selecting the winner really soon and if you are selected, we will call you back and take you on air”.Simple, effective and the listener stays happy!
Why does my radio get perfect reception when i'm standing next to it, but it fades to static when i walk away?
It's an FM station. Perfect to nothing , simply by walking 6 or 7 feet from it. Do I possess special antennic powers? Can I get a job serving as a human reception-enhancer?
I am a communications major who would like to one day start my own radio station. How would one achieve that?
Years ago, it was nearly impossible unless your family owned a station or unless you were very wealthy, since you needed plenty of money to buy an existing AM or an FM station, which could cost upwards of $100-500 thousand. Or in some cases, you could buy a depressed property which was not in a very desirable condition (this option was much cheaper to start, but then you had to buy new equipment, fix the transmitter, etc., so the costs mounted). There were also some people who worked in the radio sales department (usually the general manager or local sales manager), who eventually earned enough money to buy into the station and become a part-owner.But these days, you don't have to wait for graduation. You can start an internet radio station any time. It's much easier to accomplish, and the cost is much less. Granted, it won't have the reach of a 50,000 watt AM or FM, but it could still bring in a lot of listeners and give you valuable experience. There are a number of companies that offer very reasonably priced equipment to put such a station on the air. You will still have to pay performance rights (ASCAP, BMI, etc), but the costs for putting an internet station on the air will be far lower than buying a terrestrial station. You could also investigate whether there is an LPFM (low power FM) station available in your city; again, the signal won't be very big, but a good LPFM can be heard for several miles and is a great alternative for a niche format that will only appeal to a certain segment of the audience.
How to start a radio speech?
I have to write a RADIO speech for English and it has to be on the subject ''Old people have no respect for youngsters.'' I just need guidance on how to start the speech, like a good greeting opening for listeners.
Have you ever called into a radio call show? What prompted you to do so? What was it like?
OK — We’re talkin’ the Original talk show in our (Boston) market. That’s 1960’s… Bob Kennedy “Contact” was the program. WBZ 1030khz.Bob had someone representing an Alpha Brain Wave course, and I called to ask about using the technique to help with College Courses. (I eventually DID take the course! But that doesn’t matter to your question…)Just as it usually works now, a producer “Screened” me to determine that I had an appropriate question, then back “On hold” and was asked to turn down my radio because of the 15-sec. delay — confuses some folks.Host selected the line I was on, and it was just like any other phone call from my end.In the Studio, the phone line is coupled to the console mixer like any other input, with the levels and impedance compensation. Engineer just “Rides gain” to further adjust for variations due to line quality and caller’s speech.I have put callers on the air that way myself. I’m thinking of one where I DIDN’T use delay, since caller was a Staff Member.Process is pretty simple at BOTH ends.Good Luck,Dan