SMG offers two separate 9 month broadcast training programs. Each program is designed for NFL players who are transitioning into careers in these sportscasting positions:
- Play-by-Play Announcer
- Sports Talk Show Host
- Anchor
- Color Analyst
- Sideline Reporting
Program 1
Rookie Comprehensive Mentoring and Training
The complete broadcast training program developed for those with little or no previous sportscasting experience.
Your training includes:
- In-Station Training
- On-the-Air Coaching
- Voice & Speech Development
Program 2
Veteran Customized Mentoring and Coaching
Designed for broadcasters with previous experience who are seeking to take their sportscasting skills to the next level.
Your training includes:
- On-the-Air Training
- Voice & Speech Development
- Career Coaching
When you enroll, SMG will map out with you the areas of focus that best suit your broadcasting goals. We will then develop a customized curriculum for you. Your training program will begin at your current level of development and give you the training, experience and connections to start or advance your career in radio broadcasting.
The Rookie Comprehensive Mentoring and Training program consists of the following three components:
- 1) Six months of radio station training
- 2) Six months of personalized, on-air coaching
- 3) Three months of vocal development and training
1) Six Months of Radio Station Training
If you have never worked in a radio station or have spent limited time in one, you will be placed for training in a nearby sports radio station of your choosing for six months.
The in-station training program has the following characteristics:
- You determine your training days and times, based upon your schedule and availability
- Your mentor will be a working sportscaster in the station you select
- Your cutting-edge training materials were developed by experienced sports broadcasters
- SMG’s state-of-the-art, e-learning platform makes learning convenient and fun
- As you train, you will develop a network of insider contacts that will be invaluable in landing future on-air positions
Industry studies show that more than six of every 10 new radio hires happen through insider contacts.
Your highly structured curriculum enables you to receive a broad-based education that includes the following modules:
- Course 1 Your Transition into Broadcasting
- Course 2 Creating a Podcast
- Course 3 Training Your Voice
- Course 4 Developing Your Style
- Course 5 Strengthening Your Social Media Presence
- Course 6 How Storytelling Makes You a Stronger Broadcaster
- Course 7 Using Schemes and Tactics to Develop Topics
- Course 8 Becoming a Show Contributor
- Course 9 Becoming a Sports Talk Show Host
- Course 10 Conducting an Interview
- Course 11 Reporting from the Sidelines
- Course 12 How to Become a Game Announcer
- Course 13 Career Development Tools – Your Resume, Your Demo, Networking, Applying for a Job, Preparing for Your Job Interview and Realities of the Job
Each student also learns show prep and hosting insights from on-the-job professionals, coupled with the specifics of the radio station environment.
BONUS: In addition, all graduates of the NFL customized radio training and coaching program receive lifetime job placement assistance.
2) Six Months of Personalized Coaching
In this six-month series of personalized coaching sessions, you will be developing hosting skills with a network-level sports broadcasting coach who will serve as your mentor.
Coaching consists of detailed analysis of audio air-checks you provide weekly from a broadcast, podcast or other audio activity you have done.
For clients without a current show or podcast, your mentor will work with you to establish a podcast, social media strategy and best practices routine.
Your mentor will work with you on the following throughout the instructional phase:
- Perceived strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT)
- Deep dive into at least one weekly segment including:
- Verbatim transcript analysis
- Language impact and vocal showmanship
- Topic perspective and topic development
- Focus, payoff, and emotional impact
- Advanced technique support
- Clear advice on how to maximize strengths and eliminate weaknesses
In addition to written reports provided to each client, your mentor will meet with you in weekly phone/Skype sessions to provide feedback, answer your questions, and chart a career course into the business. These strategy sessions typically last from 30 to 90 minutes, depending upon the individual client’s needs.
Job placement strategies you will learn include networking development, building demo tapes, composing resumes, and preparing for interviews and auditions.
3) Three Months of Vocal Training
If this element fits your needs, SMG’s licensed speech pathologist will initially conduct an extensive assessment of your current vocal skills. From there, your vocal coach will work with you to strengthen vocal components in need of improvement, from the following areas:
- Breathing
- Projection
- Voice quality
- Inflection
- Pace
Once those vocal components are sufficiently mastered, your vocal coach will work with you in the areas of vocal formulation, which include:
- Organization of ideas
- Effective transitions
- Compelling statements
- Storytelling formulation
Regardless of how your voice sounds today, you will experience noticeable improvement when learning one-on-one from a vocal broadcast coach with 25 years of experience in teaching broadcasters.
Optional Training for TV Hosting
Students in both NFL training programs may also opt to receive training in TV hosting via an intensive two-day boot camp. Participants will:
- Discover their brand
- Practice auditioning
- Read and write copy
- Practice co-hosting
- Learn teleprompter skills
- Learn shooting on green screen
Boot camp locations are available in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Fort Lauderdale, and New York City at selected times throughout the year.
Important Additional Benefit
All graduates of the NFL customized radio training and coaching programs receive lifetime job placement assistance.
Before starting, your mentor will initially conduct a thorough evaluation of your current broadcasting skills to better determine areas most in need of improvement. You and your mentor will then collaborate on developing a game plan to ensure your broadcasting skills are optimally honed and refined.
The Veteran Customized Mentoring and Coaching Program consists of the following two separate components:
- Nine months of one-on-one customized, on-air coaching and mentoring
- Three months of individualized, vocal training and development coaching
Here’s an in-depth overview of the Veteran Customized Mentoring and Coaching program:
Your nine months of personalized, on-air coaching program consists of the following:
- Detailed analysis of audio or video air-checks you provide weekly from radio, podcast, TV, or other audio activity you have done
- For clients without a current show or podcast, your mentor will work with you to establish a podcast, social media strategy and best practices routine
Your mentor will work with you on the following throughout the instructional phase:
- Perceived strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT)
- Deep dive into at least one weekly segment including:
- Verbatim transcript analysis
- Language impact and vocal showmanship
- Topic perspective and topic development
- Focus, payoff, and emotional impact
- Advanced technique support
- Clear advice on how to maximize strengths and eliminate weaknesses
In addition to written reports provided to each client, your mentor will conduct weekly phone/Skype sessions with you to provide feedback, answer your questions, and chart a career course. These strategy sessions typically last from 30 to 90 minutes, depending upon the individual client’s needs. Job placement strategies you will master include networking development, building demo tapes, composing resumes, and preparing for interviews and auditions.
Three Months of Vocal Training
If this element fits your needs, SMG’s licensed speech pathologist will initially conduct an extensive assessment of your current vocal skills. From there, she will work with you to strengthen vocal components in need of improvement, from the following areas:
- Breathing
- Projection
- Voice quality
- Inflection
- Pace
Once those vocal components are sufficiently mastered, your vocal coach will work with you in the areas of vocal formulation, which include:
- Organization of ideas
- Effective transitions
- Compelling statements
- Storytelling formulation
Optional Training for TV Hosting
Students in both NFL training programs may also opt to receive training in TV hosting via an intensive two-day boot camp. Participants will:
- Discover their brand
- Practice auditioning
- Read and write copy
- Practice co-hosting
- Learn teleprompter skills
- Learn shooting on green screen
Boot camp locations are available in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Fort Lauderdale, and New York City at selected times throughout the year.
Important Additional Benefit
All graduates of the NFL customized radio training and coaching programs receive lifetime job placement assistance.
For More Information
To learn more, contact SMG Founder Michael Madden directly at:
310-728-5940 or email him at mm@SportscastingSchool.com
