Want to make some good radio?

When producing radio it is important to keep in mind your target audience, this is organised in terms of social grade:
A (Upper Middle Class)
B (Middle Class)
C1 (Lower Middle Class)
C2 (Skilled Working Class)
D (Working Class)
E (Casual/Lowest Grade Workers)
Tips to a successful radio interview:

·         Ensure you are fully acquainted with the controls on the audio equipment and as simple as it may seem, make sure it is fully charged and is recording.

·         Microphones are sensitive so keep them still and avoid rustling paper around them. They should be held about six inches from the mouth so you shall have to forget about your love of personal space.

·         When recording don’t keep turning the equipment on and off, or pausing it, just keep it running, this will be far easier to edit.

·         At the end of the interview keep the equipment recording for a few extra seconds as this adds ambience and avoids an awkward, abrupt stop.

·          Avoid rooms with noticeable echo but also consider what sounds around you will add texture to your audio.

·         A good interview will sound like an unscripted chat, so rather than have a long list of set questions, just have a few and then have key points you want to focus on.

·         Avoid closed questions and do your research so you understand what your interviewee is saying.

Tips to writing for radio:

·         Grab attention immediately, think headlines, grab their attention immediately.

·         Avoid long words and complicated sentence structures, don’t use ten words if two will do.

·         Avoid dangling modifiers, make sure your sentence means what you want it to mean. Just because something is clear on paper this does not necessarily mean it will be clear when said aloud.

·         Layout:
1 ½ line spacing (never hand written)
E.g. Mr Cameron has defended his position
Audio Insert-NAME: Cameron Euro Veto
IN WORDS: I have already…
OUT WORDS: …key role in Europe.
DURATION: 0.13
Also your SOC (Standard Out Cue)