For talk radio shows, having a second (or third, or fourth...) person in the studio with you every show makes your job easier in just about every way imaginable. Most importantly, co-hosts offer their own unique personality and thoughts to every discussion you have, ensuring that your own voice and views don't get stale. It also allows you to have friendly debate the back-and-forth between a pair of co-hosts who can lovingly bicker is often one of the most entertaining parts of a talk show. If you're thinking of getting a co-host, make sure it's someone you get along with and who understands the commitments of the job. Co-hosts have other benefits, too. For instance, some may be willing to split the cost of airtime with you or help search for and book guests. For the listener, some of the fun of listening to their favorite shows is from anticipating, listening to, and even participating in their favorite recurring features. As long as you obey the rules of your station (and, of course, local laws) there's virtually no limit when it comes to what sorts of segments you can run, so be creative! Below are just a few ideas to get you started: Call-in trivia contests for prizes or recognition Live or pre-recorded man-on-the-street segments "100th caller wins" type contests Soliciting listeners for certain types of stories On-air creative comedy/improv exercises Just because your viewers are likely to appreciate the consistency of recurring segments doesn't mean that you should necessarily shy away from special one-time events and features. Experimenting with new ideas while keeping the basic format and structure of your show intact allows you to continually innovate and surprise your audience. It's also a good way to find new directions for the show to go in anything that gets an especially good reaction can eventually be made a recurring segment. If you notice that certain people seem to call in to the station on a regular basis or that certain guests seem especially popular with your listeners, don't let these people go to waste! Instead, try to create a friendly working relationship with them. Talk to these people off the air and ask if they'd like to become a regular part of the show. Even if they aren't interested in joining the show as a dedicated cast member, they may appreciate being made a "friend of the show" or gaining recognition as an official contributor. For instance, if one of your callers has a boisterous, outrageous personality and insane political beliefs, you may want to have a semi-regular segment where he calls in and comments on the issues of the day. Some talk radio shows, especially those that examine or critique serious topics, are dignified affairs. However, many talk shows are known for the exaggerated, crass, or outlandish characters assumed by their hosts. If your show is mainly interested in entertaining your listeners, consider creating such a character for yourself. The interplay between a crazy host character and a straightman co-host or an unwitting caller can make for great radio. No one's radio show is perfect from the get-go. It can take years of experience to develop your broadcast craft to the point that you can deliver a great show every day. During this time, it's a great idea to look to some of the best radio shows and podcasts in the world for inspiration. There's no shame in getting ideas from those who are already successful they, too, had role models in the world of broadcasting before they became famous (for instance, Howard Stern cites radio host Bob Grant as an influence). Below are a few great radio shows and podcasts you may want to consider listening to: This American Life Politics, serious issues, human interest stories The Howard Stern Show "Shock jock" style raunchy humor The Ron and Fez Show humor, chat Car Talk (no longer running) automotive advice Comedy Bang Bang (podcast) absurdist comedy, improv The Bugle (podcast) news, politics
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One-sentence summary -- Consider recruiting a co-host. Schedule regular features. Create memorable one-off segments. Build a relationship with frequent contributors. Create an on-air persona. When in doubt, learn from the greats.

Use the company's website and your own knowledge about where you're applying to work out the best time to call. Place your first call at the start of the workday. Try not to call during when you know will be busy times in the middle of the day. Also avoid calling during lunch. Make your call from a quiet space where you can focus on a professional conversation. Make sure you won't be distracted by noise on the street or in your building. If there are other people around, tell them that you need peace and quiet for a phone call and can't be disturbed. Lay out a pen or pencil and paper for taking notes and be sure your spreadsheet with contact and company information is in front of you so you can quickly reference it. Use a landline for a clearer connection and to reduce the risk of calls or texts interrupting your call. Have a glass of water with you in case your mouth gets dry. Don't put the hiring manager on hold if another call does come through. Aside from your water, don't eat, drink, smoke, or chew gum during the call. Refer to your resume when answering questions about your experience. This way the information you provide during the call will be consistent with what the hiring manager sees on your resume. Make sure to update your resume before the call so the information you share is most current. Having your resume handy will also help you answer questions more fluently if you're nervous during the call.
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One-sentence summary -- Figure out the best time to call. Find a quiet space. Prepare your space. Keep your resume next to you during the call.

Spray paint is dangerous to inhale, and the overspray and dust can easily land on nearby surfaces. Take the item you want to spray paint outside when possible, such as when the temperature is mild, when there's no precipitation, and when it's a calm day. The ideal temperature range for spray painting is between 64 and 77 F (18 and 25 C). The ideal humidity for spray painting is between 40 and 50 percent. When you can't spray paint outside, take the project to a shed or garage if possible. Inhaling spray paint is bad for your health. To protect yourself, open windows, doors, and turn on exhaust vents when you must work inside. Don't turn on any fans, as these will just blow the paint around. Invest in an activated carbon mask if you work with spray paint often. This will protect your lungs and keep you safe from the health problems associated with spray paint exposure. A spray paint booth protects surrounding areas from overspray, and protects the painted item from dust and dirt when it's still wet. For smaller projects, you can make your own simple spray paint booth with a box and a pair of scissors: Find a box that's larger than the items you're spray painting Cut off the flaps that form the lid Lay the box on its side with the opening facing you Cut off the top panel Leave the bottom, side, and back panels of the box in place Place the item in the center of the bottom panel For larger projects, you may not be able to make your own spray paint booth. To protect the floor and surrounding areas from overspray, lay out a large drop cloth or piece of cardboard. Place the item in the center of the cloth or cardboard. If you also want to protect the drop cloth from excess paint, lay down some newspaper over the cloth and place the item on the newspaper.
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One-sentence summary --
Take the project outside if possible. Ventilate indoor areas. Make a DIY spray paint booth. Cover surrounding areas.