Prepare an Audition Tape
A demo tape may be generic and appropriate for any station, or it may need to be tailored to a specific station. Some directors require applicants to talk about something very specific, such as a topic they’ve assigned to you. Once you have all the information necessary to record your demo, the next step is to set up your recording environment. If you don’t have access to a studio with the proper equipment, use a phone or computer with software to record your audio.
Decide What You’ll Record
Prepare some sample scripts that you’ll talk about in your recording. For example, talk about the weather, include a 30-second commercial about a made-up product, and create a promotional announcement. The free Audacity application is a good option for computers. If you’re recording from a smartphone, you might give the Smart Recorder Android app a try, or Voice Recorder & Audio Editor for iOS devices. If you’re creating a demo for a specific station, be sure to use that station’s name. If this is a generic demo, then the name isn’t as important. Decide the order in which you’ll record your scripts so that you’re not fumbling around topics when it comes time to record.
Record Your Voice and Email the File
Final Tips to Keep in Mind
Program directors are extremely busy. If they don’t like what they hear in the first 15 seconds, they stop listening.Record your demo in the style of the station you’re sending it to. For example, if you’re looking to do radio news, you don’t want to use puns and talk in a super relaxed and down-to-earth style.Make sure to tell the program director in your letter that your work hours are flexible. They might need someone for a late radio gig or one that changes throughout the month.Accept any offer from any station. Small things often lead to much bigger things.Don’t worry about being fancy. The program director just wants to get an idea about you. Anything further that he or she wants to know will likely be in person.
Try your best to sound natural and friendly. It helps to smile while you speak since that often shows even through a voice recording.
