Unless you're headhunted, there is no easy way into radio without first producing your best material onto tape, mini-disc or CD and sending it off to the station or stations you would like to work for - the dreaded demo! It needs to make an impact. The way you present it not only represents your talent as a radio presenter, it also reflects the sort of person you are.
We send you a free Demo Production Guide containing invaluable advice on how to prepare your demo and a number of CD layout templates for you to choose from. It also contains Production Sheets to guide you through the whole process of creating a first class demo.
You record your voice links only. This can be done without going anywhere near a studio! Send the voice links to us on cassette, mini-disc or CD along with the Production Sheets indicating what other audio (music, beds, station IDs etc.) you would like mixed into each link. We take care of all the production from there.
Along with your voice links, send us some recent photographs, your CV and a few words to introduce yourself. We professionally lay these out in your CD booklet as illustrated in the templates in the Demo Production Guide.
The Demo Production Guide also gives you options to have a 'Mini-demo' produced in mp3 format, which can then simply be emailed to stations. This is an excellent way to 'test the water' and save money - if they like what they hear, then you can send your full demo CD. If they don't, then there's no time and postage wasted.
Within 28 days (usually much sooner) we send your Demo CDs to you and you're ready to professionally introduce yourself and make that first impression count!
We offer you a number of options and prices to suit your budget. Each option offers excellent value for money and is a crucial investment in your career. Below are some sample prices:
We also offer you the option of just having an mp3 'Mini-demo' produced or just the audio for your demo produced onto CD (no CD booklet included). These options start at £70.
For more details on the above options, please view the leaflet below.
Demo_Leaflet.pdf (Acrobat Reader required. If you are unable to view this leaflet, you can download Acrobat Reader free of charge by visiting www.adobe.co.uk/products/acrobat/adobepdf.html)
Ultimately, the cost of your demo depends on which options you choose and how many copies of your demo you wish to order. Full details are included on the order forms we send you.
No matter how clever, original and entertaining the links on your demo, what does a rather ordinary looking mini-disc with your name and contact details stuck on the front say about you? Or how about a TDK 90 minute audio cassette with a photocopied picture of you shoved in the box? Sound amateur? That's the way you may be perceived, before your demo has even been listened to.
Why not give yourself a head start? If your demo looks professional, there's every chance you'll be perceived that way too. But producing a professional looking demo can take
Email your name, address and telephone number to demoproduction@onahi247.com and we'll send you a free information pack including a copy of our Demo Production Guide.
Then, if you want to go ahead with using On-a-Hi 24/7 to produce your demo, simply complete the relevant Production Sheets and order forms enclosed and return them to us along with your voice links and payment. We'll take care of the rest!
The Demo Production Service really does take all the hard work out of recording your demo leaving you with the time to focus on those all important voice links.
Have your Full Demo CD Package produced with us and take advantage of our Presenting Talent Online Service for free.
For a limited time, we will offer you a web page of your own with no charge for the first three months. We will contact you about this when we receive your order.
For further details, and any other questions about the Demo Production Service, please feel free to contact us. You may also find our FAQ section helpful.
"I'd like
some help with recording my demo. Can you offer me any advice on what sort
of material I should be including?"
Our Demo Production Guide is full of
useful advice on how to make your demo appeal to Programme Controllers. We
will send you this free of charge when you email your details to the address
above. However, if you have recorded a demo in the past or a show that you
have recently presented, you may wish to consider our Demo
Critique Service.
"I've already
recorded a demo that I'm happy with. Can I use this service just to have a
professional CD package put together using the audio I already have?"
Yes. We will offer you a substantial
discount if you have already recorded and produced your own audio. The exact
price will depend on how many demos you require and if you have already produced
the actual CDs. Please contact us for a quote.
"Should I
record a different demo for each station?"
Our advice is to keep your demo as generic
as possible. Let your personality be the main attraction while also demonstrating
a knowledge of the music you choose to include on your demo. If you wish to
apply to a local BBC station and a local commercial station, then two separate
demos might be necessary. However, a middle of the road demo will suffice
for most commercial stations.
"I have presented
on an RSL station and would like my demo to include the station IDs. I also
have a music bed I would like to include on my demo. How do I do this?"
If we are producing your whole demo
for you, send us all of the necessary audio and we will digitally mix the
audio to your requirements. You should include your voice links, station IDs,
music beds and any promos we need to include on your demo.
"Do you supply
the music for my demo?"
On-a-Hi 24/7 has an extensive music
library and we will endeavour to find the music you would like to include,
as indicated by yourself on the Production Sheets. However, if we are unable
to source the music you require, we may ask you to send us a copy. Therefore,
we would recommend only using music that you have access to. Either way, only
the intro or ending of the music will be included on your demo as it is based
around your links only.
"In which
format do I need supply my audio?"
We prefer it on CD as this is usually
better quality and minimises the amount of time we need to produce your demo.
However, you can supply your audio to us on mini-disc or audio cassette as
well.
"Do I supply
my CV and photos to you in paper or digital format?"
If you are able to provide us with
you CV and photos on CD-R, we will be able to produce and supply your demo
more quickly. However, if you are only able to supply a printed CV and actual
photos, that's fine. Please note that if you are supplying digital images,
these should not be emailed unless you have spoken to us first! Digital images
are best supplied on CD-R and should be in high quality jpeg format.
"After I have
had my demo produced, how can I best approach the station I want to work for?"
We would recommend posting your demo
CD along with a covering letter. Programme Controllers are very busy people
and may not get chance to listen to your demo as quickly as you would like.
Don't hesitate on chasing them up after a couple of weeks. The feedback they
can provide on your demo is invaluable. We can offer you help with how you
approach stations. Read about our Intro Service
for more details.
Please do not hesitate to email enquiries@onahi247.com with any further questions.
