Industry News 18 September 2020

Industry talent comes together for virtual Masterclass on starting a career in radio and audio

Want to get into radio or audio? Radiocentre gets top stars to give their guide to a career in broadcasting

For young people wanting to get into the radio and audio industry, this may seem like a challenging time to try to forge a career, but if you have the passion and determination there are many routes in.

That was the verdict of a panel of broadcast stars, including KISS presenter AJ King, BBC Asian Network news reporter Pria Rai and podcast producer Leanne Alie, who took part in an online masterclass yesterday hosted by Radiocentre and Creative Access.

Siobhan Kenny, Radiocentre CEO, said: “This was our fifth masterclass with Creative Access and we are proud to have been able to offer it to so many young people of all backgrounds across the country by going virtual. It is so important for all creative industries to embrace new ideas – I always learn a huge amount from these events.  Really inspiring.”

The masterclass, which was hosted by Smooth Radio and Classic FM presenter Margherita Taylor, saw panellists AJ, Leanne and Pria revealing how they started out and giving their top tips for young people wanting to get a foot in the door of their industry.

Here’s a snippet of their guide to making it in radio and audio:

The first rule of getting into broadcasting? There are no rules

All of the panellists agreed there is no single conventional route into the industry, you can get in through a variety of ways. Before he made it, AJ worked at a bank, but he always had a deep love for radio and spent his free time working as a DJ at a community radio station. He later managed to win the KISS Chosen One talent search competition and the rest is history.

Pria did a post-grad in journalism and took on a work placement which led to freelance shifts and a contract at the BBC. Whatever your route, Pria advised, learn as many skills as possible along the way. “Before I got to the BBC, I learnt how to film myself, and I could operate a studio myself so I could do news bulletins,” she said.

Leanne studied marketing and worked at Spotify before getting into her real passion – podcasting. After getting a job as podcast project manager at Global, she asked the producers there to teach her the craft. If you can’t get the experience, one option is to do it yourself, she said, adding: “Start your own podcast and give yourself the space to experiment.”

With social media and smartphones, it’s also easier than ever to put yourself out there. AJ said: “You can record content on your phone, edit on your phone and post it to multiple platforms. As far as the barrier to entry is concerned, it’s very very low.”

Don’t be put off by rejection, it’s all part of the process

Leanne said that getting made redundant was what set her on the track to her podcasting career. Though the experience was tough, the rejection forced her to think about what she really loved doing, and so she set about researching, networking and manoeuvring her way into the podcast world.

“It taught me a lesson,” she said. “I was just like, take this with both hands and do something completely different.”  Use any rejection you receive as a learning experience, the panellists advised. It’s just part of the process. “Revel in the rejection,” said AJ. “Skill up and keep it moving.”

If you get knocked back, make sure to ask for feedback and then try a different strategy or target next time. “Don’t take it personally,” said Pria. “Use it to make yourself better.”

Get out of your comfort zone

It may be hard to believe now, but AJ used to be so shy when he was younger that when he was looking for a job, he couldn’t pluck up the courage to go into a shop to leave his CV. To deal with his shyness, he explained how he got a job as a waiter knowing that it would force him to talk to large groups of people, and this built up his confidence. Presenting on stage for the first time at the O2 arena was also daunting for him, but the experience taught him a lot. “Fortify yourself with experience,” he said.

Find your voice and share your story

You might not have the work experience or the skills, but you do have something that no one else has, your unique story and perspective.

“Your personal experience and your stories are invaluable. So decide how you want to articulate them,” said AJ. When you do manage to get an opportunity, don’t lose your confidence just because you feel out of your depth. Pria revealed that when she started news reporting at the BBC she was scared that she would sound too young. She soon realised that she was the only one who thought that way. “Think, ‘what have I got and why am I in this room right now?’” she said. “Trevor Nelson had his first day too.”

Final thoughts

Bringing the masterclass to a close, host Margherita Taylor told attendees: “One day you will be leading the way, and championing this industry. I know it may not be easy, especially at this moment in time, to find that start, but I hope you can stay motivated, and hopefully we will all be working alongside many of you soon.”

Read more about the Masterclass on the Creative Access website and find our host and panellists on Twitter:

@MargheritaT

@itsAJKING

@PriaRai

@leannealie