How to Become a Radio Presenter: Tips and Hints

Updated May 9, 2024
5 minutes

To work in this position, you need flawless diction and the right timbre of voice. Your task will be to convey daily news and keep your listeners entertained. In this article, we want to tell you, how to get a job in radio!

Responsibilities and Duties

Responsibilities will depend on the place of work because, in each radio station, there are different rules. Some work in large teams and others need to be more independent. Yet, the basic tasks of the presenter include:

  • playing music
  • inviting and interviewing people in the studio or on the phone
  • planning and preparing live programmes
  • being responsible for the technical equipment
  • writing the script and making sure, everything goes as scheduled
  • cooperating with other staff members and technical crew 
  • meeting production employees to have your schedules approved and discuss future programmes

What Qualifications Do You Need to Be a Radio Presenter?

The radio presenter is a quite specific position and a university degree is not necessary. However, there are some degrees, where you can improve essential skills and get a radio presenter job easier. The most suitable would be:

  1. Journalism
  2. Media and communication
  3. Broadcast, radio or media production. Many subjects provided there, will allow you to understand the technical side of the position. These are especially important when working in big and modern stations.

Many professional presenters say, that taking courses and trying your hands at school or university station is the key to finding confidence and practice flow. One of the examples is Chris from Gateshead, who currently works for ‘Metro’. It has been his dream since he was a small kid. He worked in community radio, hospital and student radio, gaining experience and developing his portfolio. Then he started to send his CV to as many stations as possible and shoot his shot. 

There are many more stories like that, but remember – it is never too late to start your adventure with live broadcasting.

Skills of a Great Radio Presenter

Although you may think, one must be born with communication and improvizing skills, they are often the effect of the hours spent in front of the microphone and hard work. The most important abilities of a professional radio presenter are:

  • team working skills, as you cooperate with the whole station crue.
  • great communication and self-presenting skills are beneficial during radio interviews with celebrities and politicians.
  • excellent diction and a clear voice are every presenter’s tools.
  • confidence is the best way to ‘sell’ yourself to the listeners and should be followed by the ability to improvise. Your broadcasts can not be boring and not every programme is fully scripted. That is why a presenter has to be able to keep the audience entertained.
  • creativity is the key to preparing outstanding and engaging programmes.

You should consider improving at least some of this when thinking about how to be a radio presenter. What is more, a great radio host must be up to date with the all news from the UK and worldwide. Celebrity inserts are becoming very common during radio broadcasts, with The Arches setting the trends – the listener is who you should care about the most and people nowadays are absorbed with their idols’ life details.

How to Get Started as a Radio Presenter

Starting your career as a radio presenter might seem daunting, but there are various steps you can take to enter this exciting field. First and foremost, it’s vital to gain experience wherever you can. Internships at local radio stations or volunteering at community or university radio stations can provide you with hands-on experience and give you an understanding of the dynamics of a radio studio. It’s also a great idea to create a demo of your work that you can showcase to potential employers.

Moreover, network as much as you can within the industry. Attend industry events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t hesitate to reach out to people who are already working in radio. They can offer advice, guidance, and potential job opportunities. You could also consider taking courses in radio broadcasting, which will help you understand the technical aspects of the job and can enhance your CV.

Finally, be persistent and keep learning. The world of radio is constantly evolving, with new technologies and ways of reaching audiences. Stay informed about industry trends and developments, and be ready to adapt and evolve in your role. Remember, every radio presenter started somewhere, and with passion, dedication, and persistence, you can make your mark in the world of radio.

What Else Should You Know?

  1. Working as a radio presenter you can become a recognisable person in your area. It has both advantages and drawbacks, but you have to prepare for the loss of privacy. 
  2. The biggest and most famous radio stations are placed in cities like London and Manchester. Developing your career is often connected with moving to the city, where your station broadcasts.
  3. Radio presenter often needs to carry their transmissions outside. That is connected with working in all conditions and sometimes longer trips. Not everyone can afford to leave their families regularly.
  4. It is hard to find a job on the basis of an employment contract. Most stations have only a few permanently employed presenters and rely on freelancers and visitors like celebrities. That obstacle is tough to break through but once you gain enough experience,  you will dictate the terms.

The radio presenter’s career is surely one of the most interesting ones in the UK. To find out everything about the best employers on the market, visit Gowork.uk and go through the reviews!