To get this job, you will need to have certain skills and characteristics.
These include;
- having fantastic presentation and performance,
- being able to use a variety of equipment used to record,
- being knowledgeable on relevant subjects or topics,
- being able to draw information from people,
- knowing how to act calmly under pressure,
- able to meet tight deadlines,
- and having knowledge on the different radio stations and programme styles.
You don't actually need a qualification to become a radio presenter. Most employers would prefer hands-on experience rather than a qualification. They would also want you to have developed presentation skills along with technical skills, as well as a distinctive personal style too. Employers don't expect you to have a media-related degree, they sometimes actually prefer a different topic completely - especially if it's followed on by a postgraduate qualification in radio production. A radio course in higher education has been closely assessed by the radio industry so that they provide you the skills that prepare you for a radio career. This is assessed and then awarded the Creative Skillset Tick for the high standard of education they provide. One of the best ways of becoming a radio presenter is by beginning at entry-level and then taking every single presenting opportunity possible so that you can develop your presenting skills until a full-time job can be secured. From time to time, larger broadcasters run talent development schemes. Places are highly limited and therefore you have to show that you have had hands-on experience, rather than particular qualifications. To gain this experience, student, community or hospital radios could help you seek presenting opportunities. At times, radio presenters are recruited due to their specialist knowledge or celebrity profile - e.g. Nick Grimshaw. Some come from working on newspapers and magazines, or in the music business. Others move from radio from presentation roles in TV.Work conditions vary dependent on the broadcast medium and the type of programme involved. For example, the working conditios for a presenter on a small local radio station with a show in the middle of the night will be almost completely different conditions for a high-profile celebrity with a prime-time television show. A lot of presenters employ an agent to work out the working terms and conditions on their behalf. This is usually for national radio stations.
Starting salaries differ from person to person, station to station and even programme to programme. The salary also depends on whether the radio presenter is working full time or part time for a radio station or working freelance. Experience helps significantly in negotiating fees upwards. Starting salaries can begin at just £14,000 per year. They can rise all the way up to £100,000 upwards per year. This high pay will usually be paid to someone with significant experience. Particular successful/celebrity presenters may earn remarkably higher salaries. For presenters who work freelance, which are most radio radio presenters, payments are usually calculated per show or on short, fixed-term contracts to deliver a certain amount of programmes. There are some opportunities for radio presenters to take breaks between contracts. Radio presenting work is rarely 9am-5pm. Hours for a presenter can be long and unsocial, involving early mornings, evenings and/or weekends, This depends on the timing of the programme and whether it is live or pre-recorded. Not only do they work during broadcast hours, they have to do pre-show preparation, have meetings with the producer(s), research, write scripts, rehearse and also create post-show reviews.The reviews include discussing the broadcast with the producer and then start to plan the next show in advance. This is all on top of the actual broadcast too.
Presenters may have a public image to maintain and, therefore, must be prepared for some loss of privacy. The type of programme decides whether there is travel during the working day, whether interviews or voxpops need to be made too. 47% of those working in the radio broadcasting industry are female, and so you would have a slightly lower chance of becoming a radio presenter if you are female.
A job advert for radio presenting is HERE.