Creative opportunities exist for you in Public Broadcasting Radio

It's true. Public or community broadcasting radio stations offer their communities a wider variety of programs than the commercial stations and as a result more and more people are attracted to tuning in and listening. They also find it a refreshing change to discover that they are being spoken to - rather than being spoken at!

Go on, realize your dreams. Make them happen. What can you offer your local station? If you get involved, in all probability here's what they will do for you. You will be taught the following at minimal cost:

1. Aims and Objectives - covering the various aspects of the station's day to day operations and procedures, including the rules and principles which govern these within the organization, i e. codes of practice, program policy, obligations and responsibilities.

2. Radio Production - covering the actual operation of the broadcast mixing console and correct use of microphones, players and computers etc.

3. Radio Presentation - the required knowledge to enable you to present an informative and entertaining radio program for your listening audience.

4. Writing for Radio - methods of preparing and writing scripts, program promotions, community news, correct use of language.

5. Radio Interview - the best ways & methods in which to conduct an interview, the right questions to ask, and how to ask them.

6. Broadcasting Law - all aspects of the laws which govern the allocation of radio broadcasting licenses, including defamation, blasphemy, copyright etc.

Public broadcasting (community) radio listeners are loyal listeners provided you make it your aim to work towards presenting them with a program that constantly serves, communicates, informs and entertains them first and yourself second. If you make that your number one objective then your loyal listeners will, by default, help you to become a loyal presenter. It's the principle of give and take in action and it's a lot of fun too.

All you have to do now is find out what it is you would like to present, then go ahead and present it. Don't worry, that's not as difficult as it may seem either. What is it you like? What hobbies or interests do you hold? You can bet your life others hold the same. That's what makes gardening programs so popular - and Elvis Presley programs! People love to listen to what they already know, so present what it is you know in a genuine manner and soon you will have your regular, loyal audience.

As a presenter on public broadcasting radio you have an ideal opportunity to project an image that is healthy, informative and well adjusted, as distinct from an image that is egotistical, patronizing, selfish and superior. So relax and be yourself, be sincere and be convincing to your audience. On your part, you know that's not difficult to do. On their part, your listeners will respect and support you for that - it really isn't rocket science.

Your listeners will never expect you to be perfect, but they will expect you to progress in time and that is why the best public broadcasting radio presenters, at the beginning, put in the practice off-air. Therefore it is advisable that you get yourself a small inexpensive mixer, amplifier, microphone, headphones and a CD player. Don't pay a lot of money, For example, you will be surprised at the prices and quality of second-hand DJ equipment for sale in Cash Converters or on eBay etc.

So there you have it. Everything starts with a dream or vision or a desire. That's how the best public broadcasting radio presenters started out. Each one of them is where he and she is today because they acted those things - they made it happen. While others sat around, procrastinated, and wondered if they should or should not, these people followed through and made it a reality for themselves. Public broadcasting radio - have a go. Way to go!

"Hello and a very big welcome to you - thank you for tuning in to your local public broadcasting radio station, my name is.................."

That's somebody's voice on radio somewhere in the world today. Soon you can add yours to it.

© 2010. Article only. Roger Williams.