How to get started in radio, using the power of internet marketing to promote yourself as a voice over talent and an ISDN alternative. Mike Russell chats with Rachael West, American female voice over talent, about being seen and heard everywhere!
Getting Into Radio
Rachael has an interesting story about her first experience with radio and describes the process of starting as a freshman in college, progressing to a promo girl and finally landing that dream gig on the air. She also has some great advice if you’re looking to start a career in the radio industry.
What Is Radio Like Today?
With more and more computer software running radio station output is there still room for new talent to emerge? Rachael describes a process that many in the radio industry will be familiar with of starting out covering every show available (from weekends to evenings and the overnight show too). The numbers game always has been a big part of an on air talent’s future especially with Arbitron’s introduction of portable people meters (PPM) emerging in the USA over the last few years. Good talent can sometimes fall because it’s all about numbers – is a job ever for life in radio?
Starting Your Own Radio / Voice Over Business
In 2008, Rachael departed full time radio to follow the dream of working for herself. She talks about it in detail in the podcast. If you’re looking to start your own business here are some of Rachael’s top tips:
- Market Yourself
Use the power of internet marketing to get seen and heard. - Social Media
Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn should be a part of your online marketing toolkit. - Pinpoint Partners
Online you can find the people who need you right now. - You Are Unique
Find out what’s unique about you and your voice and include it in your marketing campign. - Learn Business
You also need to learn to become a business person when you work for yourself!
Check out Rachael’s website to see how a true pro links it all together online.
ISDN Alternative
The most common way to send and receive voice overs today is using mp3 of wav files via email or uploaded via ftp. In this episode Rachael and I discuss the fact that some audio producers still like to have a phone patch so they can listen in and direct the voice talent and, in some cases, ISDN is still a necessity. There is an alternative to getting an ISDN line installed in your home or office and it’s called Source Connect.
Podcast Cross Promotion
If you’re a fan of voice overs, radio and all things audio you should check out a podcast I found recently (even though it’s been going since 2008). It’s called The Producers Podcast and is hosted by American audio producer Ryan Drean. He talks to some amazing names in the audio production industry including some of my heroes Dave Foxx (voice of Z100), Ben Neidle (former voice of Xfm London) and Sandy Beech (jingle producer for Capital FM London in the 1990s and one of my inspirations to get into this industry!)
Voice Overs from Rachael
Visit Music Radio Creative to listen to her demo and order voice overs and jingles online. It’s simple just type in your script, select any production you’d like and checkout instantly.
Leave a Comment
Are you just getting started in radio or perhaps you’re setting up your own radio/voiceover business? Did you find the tips in this podcast useful? What has been your experience so far? Share your thoughts with the community below and, as always, I’ll do my best to reply to every comment.
Rachael West rocks! Great interview, thanks for sharing!
Indeed she does. You’re most welcome!
Love this podcasts.
Thanks!
Good Day Mike, and first let me say that it was a pleasure hearing your one on one with Rachael. Having done continual business with Music Creative, getting to see faces with the voices and hearing a more personal side to Rachael was superb. Rachael is very genuine and down to Earth. It’s great to hear her insights on the radio business, how she became a part of Radio and how the business has changed. Being an air personality for over 30 years beginning in the Midwest of the U.S., I can confer with Rachael regarding the changes from the old turntables and boards with BIG knobs to the CD:s and now the automation and digital computer programming. Another large change was the innovation of Internet Radio which you discussed in a prior podcast. It has been rewarding experience to hear your various podscasts and the great information provided. I hope you continue to have some interviews with the great voices of Music Creative.
Mika’ele
Hawaiian Pacific Radio
Thank you for the kind and interesting words. I really enjoy chatting to the voice talent they all have so much experience in the industry and many other walks of life which always makes for an interesting story or two. I hope to bring more interviews that, as well as focusing on the radio business, also offer a glance into their lifestyle.
This is turning out to be one great podcast Mike, and I am now finding myself regularly looking forward to your next instalment! Thanks for the recommendation on The Producers’ Podcast which sounds interesting, and something I would otherwise have never have known about! Great chat with Rachael – nice to hear her in normal conversation as opposed to just her voiceovers – always good to hear about the “person behind the voice”. So come on Mike, spill the beans – how did you interview someone who is thousands of miles away, but have it sounding like they are in the same room as you and you are both having a real time conversation? A YouTube tutorial might be in order! Cheers!
Mark, I’m enjoying making them, especially the chats with other talent. Yes, The Producers Podcast is great for anyone who really wants to get behind the scenes and find out the tricks of the trade. More and more audio producers that I love and respect are opening up and sharing what they know which can only be a good thing for anyone who enjoys creating their own audio content! I will share the tip to record two people and make it ‘sound like’ they’re in the same studio… soon… what a tease! Thank you for continuing to listen, Mark.
I had an interesting email the other day, would love to hear your (and anyone else who’d like to chime in) thoughts on it, they said “Why would you cross-promote another podcast in a similar ‘niche’ to you? Isn’t that like one radio station promoting their rival in the same market?” My initial thoughts are that podcasting is different. You’re not competing for ‘air time’ as people can choose when they listen and I also think it’s good to ‘share what you know and love’ as it’s probable that others with similar interests will like it too. Thoughts?
Yes, you said it Mike – you are a tease! Look forward to the reveal!
As regards the Email you received, I think that in general if another podcast/radio station are doing EXACTLY the same thing as you, no, in the interests of competition, you wouldn’t promote your rival, especially if advertising was involved. However, in your case, I think The Producers’ Podcast expands and complements your own effort e.g. different guests, possibily different angles too! From listening to your podcast, it’s likely that a lot of listeners may want more, so by promoting another podcast that provides this, to me, you are doing your listeners a service and people will listen to both shows. Obviously, if you were going to interview the same people about the same things, that would be a different matter!
You’ve hit the nail on the head with those words!
Hei Mike
Love The Podcasts
And Was Wondering If You Can Post A Podcast
About PPL Everyone Needs To Know
about the new licence law..
if you have any info
PPL Uk Only Covers Some Countrys Not USA for one
so goes that mean if you brodcast from the uk the dj in USA need a new licence?
I,m hoping you can help
Thanks
Tony
Thanks for the feedback. This is something I’d need to do some research into. I could perhaps invite an expert to come on the podcast to talk about licensing one week if that would interest you?
It is essential to ensure you have the right license (or agreements) in place if you plan to podcast any form of music. The good news is that all music and sound effects used in Music Radio Creative productions require no further licensing or royalties to be paid.