Week: 12 What goes on an aircheck?

If you’re looking for an on-air radio position, you’ll note that in most cases the station will ask you for an “aircheck” and resume. We all know what a resume is, but what’s an aircheck?

An aircheck is a sample of what you would sound like on the air. If you already have a radio show, you can take some of your best breaks and edit them together for a nice representation.

If you’re not currently on the air, you’ll need to record a sample of what you sound like, to give the Program Director a sense of you as an air personality.

What goes on the aircheck depends on the type of radio station you’re sending it to; a talk station Program Director would like to hear a short sample of you as a talk host, a music station would like to hear you interacting with the music. The aircheck might include:

1. Song into and outro

2. Weather forecast

3. Quick, personal story

4. A Live Liner promoting a station event

5. A verbal segue into commercials

6. Excellent use of a station’s ID and slogan

Keep your aircheck at 3 minutes or less, and remember to “front load” your very best material at the beginning; a busy Program Director might never make it to the end if the first break or two doesn’t grab their attention.

Most of all, make sure the aircheck represents you well, and really highlights your personality. That’s a crucial step if you want to GET YOUR OWN RADIO SHOW.

If you need assistance in building your aircheck, contact one of our broadcast consultants at Allen Media Strategies at (703) 589-8960 or email me directly at burke@allenmediastrategies.com