How to Start a Radio Station Business (ЮЛЯ Т.)

Starting a radio station requires in-depth analysis and planning.

The radio business is highly competitive and fluid. Prepare to invest yourself in your radio business goal with commitment and energy. Multiple factors you must address include, but are no limited to, start-up and operating capital, market and demographics, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) licensing, format, band positioning and/or Internet presence, and talent. All radio business development hinges on an FCC license.

Step 1

Develop a radio station business plan. Components of a business plan include, but are not limited, to an executive summary, a strategic focus and a market product focus. Information relevant to a radio station business plan includes analysis of radio market competition, which affects your strategic plan and market demographics. In the latter case, radio station formats--country, classical, alternative--appeal to particular target groups, such as males, 18-34. Your advertising strategy will target the relevant demographic group(s).

Step 2

Apply for an FCC license. Begin the licensing process by registering with the Universal Licensing System (ULS). Use login information to apply for a new FCC license. ULC recommends this first step to discover if there are any limiting factors, such as frequency availability.

Step 3

Raise startup and operating capital. Sources of capital include personal funds, investors and business loans. Prepare to present your FCC license and your business plan to loan officers and investors. If you lack funds or resources for funds, Familypsalms.com, an online radio startup consortium, advises to start slow and scale up as your station becomes financially viable.

Step 4

Arrange for studio and transmission equipment. Transmission equipment includes, but is not limited to, electronic hardware and component parts and accessories. Radio production facilities require equipment, such as audio chain equipment, including microphones, audio recorder and console, and signal processing equipment.

Step 5

Establish the station format. Research the Houston radio market. As of 2010, for example, the Houston metro area radio market includes country, alternative and Spanish stations, to name only three. The format you choose should be competitive with existing stations or fill a need in Houston not currently met.

Step 6

Hire appropriate talent. Choices for talent depends on your station's format. If, for example, you offer your community a news-oriented format, air talent must be media journalists. Competitive salaries for talent reflect the size of the market--small, medium or large--in which your station is located.

Step 7

Read Arbitron ratings for the Houston metro area. Arbitron is the gold standard for ratings. Ratings will tell you how Houston radio stations rate with listeners in demographic ranges from 12 years and older. Arbitron offers Market Survey & Population Rankings (Blue Book) with Houston market numbers.

How to Start a Cake Decorating Business From Your Home (Марина Н.)

You can run your cake decorating business from home.

If you love to design and work with baked goods, consider combining those two talents to start a cake decorating business. Because this type of business doesn’t require many resources, tools or equipment, it is possible to start up the operation from your home. If you manage to develop a list of regular clients over time, you may even decide to take your home cake decorating business to another level by renting a separate, larger location to create your masterpieces.

Step 1

Secure any food related permits you need to operate this business lawfully from your home. The rules vary by state, but in many cases you may need a food handler's permit to work on cakes. The issuing department may also need to inspect your operation from time to time to make sure the company is consistent with health codes.

Step 2

Network with bakeries and other at-home cake making operations like yours in your area to offer up your decorating services. Offer to decorate a cake for free to serious, potential clients so that you can prove your skills and get started.

Step 3

Create fliers for your cake decorating business containing pictures and descriptions of your services. Print business cards as well to hand out to potential clients.

Step 4

Submit a news release regarding your cake decorating business to your local community to help get the word out to potential clients. A local news outlet interested in small area companies may also pick up your story. Some online news release services allow you to target your release to a very specific region.

Step 5

Create a website to display your cake designs, pricing, terms, and any customer testimonials. Some web hosting providers offer pre-designed templates. If you decide to use a template, find one containing a picture of a cake or baked goods. Include the URL on your business cards, fliers and in your news release.

Step 6

Outfit your home kitchen with the tables, equipment and tools you need to run this type of business comfortably from your home. Purchase cake decorating supplies to keep on hand in your kitchen. Be prepared to submit special supply orders for specific cake decorating jobs as well on-demand.

Step 7

Set up a pickup and delivery system to safely transport cakes to and from your home. Buy cake boxes and bases to keep your finished cakes in place as you drive them to your clients. Hire a part-time helper to help you decorate, load and accompany each cake to its destination.