Why We Love It
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$61,690Potential Avg. Salary
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-2.7%Job Growth Rate
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Deal MakingCareer Attribute
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Good Commission IncomeCareer Attribute
Radio ads salespersons are responsible for selling advertising space for radio stations. They pitch ideas to new clients, prepare proposals that include a variety of radio ad lengths and timeslots, inform clients of the costs of advertising selected, and prepare contracts for advertising space sold to clients.
Recommended Schools
What is a Radio Ads Salesperson?
The following job responsibilities are common for individuals in radio ad salesperson roles:
- Find new clients using a variety of sources
- Prepare pitches for new clients to inform of the benefits of radio advertising and to educate on the types of advertising available
- Work with clients to choose ad lengths, duration of advertising, and timeslots for ads to run that fit the client budget restrictions
- Create case studies for existing or former clients that can be used to encourage new client conversions
- Prepare contracts for advertising space sold to clients
A Day in the Life
Radio ads salespersons are responsible for selling advertising space for radio stations. They work to discover prospects and create pitches that encourage prospects to purchase advertising on the radio. They find prospects through a number of sources: they may utilize data collected through their radio station’s website, they may listen to other radio stations for companies advertising through competitors, or they may conduct cold calling, emailing, or in-person visits with prospective advertisers.
After identifying prospects, radio ads salespersons put together pitches. Pitches include basic materials like pricing for different advertising campaigns—different ad lengths, the duration of the campaign, and the timeslots when ads will be played. It also includes basic information about the demographics of the audience the advertiser hopes to reach, and may also include creating case studies of advertising run by other clients that saw success by advertising their services on the radio station.
Once a prospect is converted, the radio ads salesperson creates a contract and delivers it to the client. In some cases, the client provides his/her own audio for advertising, and at other times, the client may choose to utilize an ad creation service provided by the radio station. In the latter scenario, the salesperson works as a liaison between the client and the team creating the ad to ensure that all campaigns and ads are satisfactory and effective.
Typical Work Schedule
Most radio ads salesperson roles are full-time positions, though the job does not guarantee a 9-5 schedule. Some radio ads salespersons work irregular hours, including evenings and weekends.
Typical Employers
Radio ads salespersons work for radio stations and networks through the U.S. They may work for traditional radio stations managed by companies like Clear Channel, for digital radio stations like Pandora or Spotify, or for satellite radio providers like Sirius XM.
Recommended Schools
How To Become a Radio Ads Salesperson
Though a bachelor’s degree is generally preferred for radio ads salespersons, it is not an absolute requirement. Many smaller radio stations may hire candidates with only a high school diploma and will train them on the job to sell radio advertising. These positions are often commission-based, which help weed out ineffective salespersons—people who are unable to convert prospects into clients make little income and eventually look for other types of work.
Larger radio networks may require radio ads salespersons to hold a bachelor’s degree. Additionally, these positions are more likely to pay employees a base salary that can be boosted with commissions on sales. Common majors for aspiring radio ads salespersons include marketing, sales, advertising, and business. These degrees educate students on highly relevant topics like negotiation, effective marketing techniques, and presentation creation, as well as basic skills like working with computers and writing.
Aspiring radio ads salespersons who are struggling to find work in the field may find it beneficial to take on a role with fewer requirements to begin formulating a record of effective sales. Starting off as a car salesperson can provide evidence as to your abilities to make sales and usually doesn’t require previous experience. Working as a collections agent can also speak to your abilities to collect money using cold calling techniques. Either of these roles can be used to highlight your capabilities when applying for open radio ads salesperson positions.
Radio Ads Salesperson Salary Data
We’ve provided you the following to learn more about this career. The salary and growth data on this page comes from recently published Bureau of Labor Statistics data while the recommendations and editorial content are based on our research.
National Anual Salary
Low Range
$32,470Average
$61,690High Range
$114,350National Hourly Wage
Low Range
$16/hrAverage
$30/hrHigh Range
$55/hrHow do Radio Ads Salesperson salaries stack up to other jobs across the country? Based on the latest jobs data nationwide, Radio Ads Salesperson's can make an average annual salary of $61,690, or $30 per hour. On the lower end, they can make $32,470 or $16 per hour, perhaps when just starting out or based on the state you live in.
Salary Rankings And Facts
#255 Nationally for All Careers
Above Average Salary Nationally
Programs and Degrees
Here are the most common degrees for becoming a Radio Ads Salesperson. a is usually recommended and specifically a degree or coursework that prepares you for the particular field, see below.
Highest Education Among Radio Ads Salespersons
- 0.7% Doctorate
- 7.3% Masters
- 49% Bachelors
- 7.7% Associates
- 22.4% College
- 11.4% High School
- 1.4% Less than High School
Job Growth Projections and Forecast
2014 Total Jobs
167,9002024 Est. Jobs
163,400Job Growth Rate
-2.7%Est. New Jobs
-4,500How does Radio Ads Salesperson job growth stack up to other jobs across the country? By 2024, there will be a change of -4,500 jobs for a total of 163,400 people employed in the career nationwide. This is a -2.7% change in growth over the next ten years, giving the career a growth rate nationwide of Above Average.
Growth Rankings And Facts
#663 Nationally for All Careers
Above Avg. Growth Nationally
What Companies Employ The Most Radio Ads Salespersons
| Industry | Current Jobs | New Jobs Needed | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advertising, public relations, and related services | 60,800 | 2,100 | 2% |
| Newspaper publishers | 22,700 | -6,400 | -6% |
| Radio broadcasting | 16,400 | -3,100 | -3% |
