TOOLBOX
GETTING INTO RADIO
WITH TIM SENNA (BBC RADIO 1 / INTRODUCING / SWITCH RADIO) In one of the most highly competitive careers in the media, it’s no surprise that getting your voice heard on the radio involves a hell of a lot of rejections, and more tea and coffee runs than you can count. Yet all this put aside, entering the world of radio might not be as unattainable as it seems. Talking with Tim Senna, a BBC freelancer and presenter on Birmingham’s Switch Radio, it’s clear that whilst achieving your dream may take a thick skin and an unshakeable drive, the chances of you worming your way into the offices of a major station all but increase if you make yourself known. He gave us some of his top tips on how
to get involved in both local and national radio, making a good demo and how to stay motivated for this edition of Toolbox. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING SOMEONE SHOULD DO IF THEY'RE LOOKING TO GET INVOLVED IN RADIO? Dive straight in! There are loads of amazing community, hospital and independent radio stations around the UKthe best place to start with radio is volunteering with one near to you. If you’re heading to or are at university, student radio is also a brilliant place to start- that's what I did as well as massive names in radio like Greg James, Nick 14
Grimshaw, Jordan North and Alice Levine. "GREG JAMES SAID ‘BE THE PERSON WHO NEVER GIVES UP’, AND THAT’S BEEN ON A NOTE ON MY PHONE AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER." WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE MOVING ON FROM STUDENT RADIO? I spent 3 solid years at Warwick university’s station, and it was the best time of my life. It was very much a young,
