Tips on Starting a Career in Broadcasting

Almost everyone has dreamed about a career in broadcasting at some point in their lives. Think about it, the fascination that we all had with the television when we were kids. We would wonder how those people fit inside that small box. In this post, we’re going to discuss 4 powerful tips on starting a career in broadcasting.

The idea that we could be on television at some point in our lives was absolutely thrilling. Or think about listening to the radio and how much fun that was. Everyone must have imagined themselves chatting with thousands of listeners while playing the top songs of the day.

The point is that being in media has a charm that we have all experienced at some point in our lives. 

But then maybe we heard how difficult it is actually to start a career in broadcasting and changed our course. Yes, it is true that often in broadcasting, you have to start from the bottom as an assistant and then work way up.

And yes, there will be countless rejections before you get your first stable job. But what people don’t know is that the media communications industry is really vast and always expanding. So, there are a lot of opportunities for talented and skilled people who have a passion for the field. 

Broadcasting has diversified a lot over the years. At one point, it mainly consisted of working at the radio or a news channel. Now, in the age of the internet and social media, it has sprouted new branches that are connected with different fields.

A career in broadcasting now includes all these different job positions: researcher, copywriter, digital content creator, podcast host, sports broadcaster, audio producer, news reporter, camera operator, video editor, etc. 

Here are some helpful tips on how you can get your career in broadcasting started:

Don’t Focus on One Role. 

As we just pointed out, broadcasting is a vast field with many different roles and positions. If you want to succeed in such a field, you should not be focused on just one position. For instance, even the news anchor sometimes starts off as an assistant producer behind the camera.

So, the small thing to do would be to cultivate multiple skills so that you can easily get an entry into broadcasting. Once you are in and have put in the work, there will always be time to change roles or move higher up. Basically, having a diverse skill set will be a huge help in a field as dynamic as broadcasting. 

Reach Out to Local Media Stations.

It would be very foolish to think that you will simply become the face of a national news channel overnight. Success never happens overnight. You have to be passionate and willing to work hard for many years before you reach the stage you have always dreamed about.

So, don’t be scared of starting out small. Apply at your local radio and news stations. If there are internship positions available, jump at the opportunity. The important thing is to enter the industry and start gaining experience. Once you excel at the local level, you will get a shot at going national. 

Become a Content Creator.

In the age of social media, content is king. If you don’t currently have a job, take the initiative and start creating your own content. Make an Instagram profile about a subject you are interested in, or start a YouTube channel and post content there.

If you are a talker and have interesting opinions to share, create a podcast. If writing is your greatest strength, write articles and get them published online. 

Social Media will help get your name out there, and it will also help you build a following. A strong social media presence can be leveraged to get a good job. Also, the content you create will become part of the portfolio that you will show at job interviews. Employers are always interested in candidates who show initiative on their own.  

Sanitize Your Social Media Accounts.

A broadcasting company will definitely take a close look at your social media accounts before hiring you. Make sure you go through all your accounts and delete anything that might come across as inappropriate to your future boss, which will definitely increase your chance of getting hired.

It might be a great idea to delete an account that you are not using. When you become a part of a broadcasting company, your social media handles begin to represent the company as well. So, if you do get the job, you should use your social media profiles much more carefully in the future.

You will have to abstain from posting anything controversial as that would reflect badly on the company you are working at. It would be better if you use your accounts more professionally. 

Do you work in broadcasting? How did you get your start in the field? Let us know by writing in the comment section below.