How to Make a Radio Ad: Step-by-Step Guide
- A radio ad has three parts: a hook (3–5 sec), an offer, and a CTA.
- A :30 script is 65–85 words at natural speaking pace.
- You need a voiceover (human or AI) and optionally a music bed.
- The output is a broadcast-ready MP3 — no studio required if you use AI tools.
- With Audair, you can go from blank page to finished ad in under 5 minutes, free.
What goes into a radio ad?
Every radio ad — regardless of length, industry, or budget — has the same three-part structure. Deviating from it is almost always a mistake.
The hook (first 3–5 seconds)
This is the only part that matters if everything else fails. A listener who isn't grabbed in the first five seconds will mentally tune out. The hook is a question, a problem, a surprising fact, or an emotional trigger — not your business name. "Is your AC ready for summer?" is a hook. "Hi, we're Smith's Heating and Cooling" is not.
The offer (middle 15–20 seconds)
One offer. Not three. Radio listeners cannot rewind, and they're almost always doing something else. A single specific offer — "free AC tune-up this month" or "0% financing on all used vehicles" — lands. A laundry list of services gets ignored. Name the business, name the deal, keep it concrete.
The call to action (last 5–8 seconds)
Tell them exactly what to do next: call a phone number, visit a website, or come to a specific address. One CTA. Repeating the phone number once helps recall. "Visit audair.ai — that's A-U-D-A-I-R dot A-I" is clearer on radio than assuming they'll remember a complex URL.
How long should a radio ad be?
The three standard lengths each serve a different purpose:
| Length | Word count | Best for | Typical cost (airtime) |
|---|---|---|---|
| :15 | 29–42 words | Brand reminders, event tags, paired with a :30 | Lowest |
| :30 | 65–85 words | Most campaigns — single offer, single CTA | Standard |
| :60 | 120–170 words | Storytelling, multiple offers, direct response | Highest |
For most local businesses, the :30 is the right format. It fits one complete message and costs half the airtime of a :60. Start here.
How do you produce a radio ad?
There are three ways to produce a finished ad once you have a script — and they differ dramatically in time and cost.
| Method | Time | Production cost | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ad agency | 1–2 weeks | $500–$2,000+ | High |
| Freelance voice actor | 2–5 days | $150–$500 | High |
| AI tool (e.g. Audair) | Under 5 minutes | Free – $10 | Broadcast-quality |
AI tools have closed the quality gap to the point where the output is broadcast-ready by default. The tradeoff is creative flexibility — for a simple :30 local spot, AI wins on every dimension. For a complex brand campaign with a specific celebrity voice, you still need a human.
What format does a radio station need?
Most stations and streaming platforms (Pandora, iHeart, Spotify) accept MP3 or WAV at 44.1kHz stereo, 320kbps or higher. When you submit a spot to a station's traffic department, they'll usually ask for the MP3, the script, and the :30 timing verification. Audair exports broadcast-ready MP3s that meet these specs automatically.
Step-by-step: making a radio ad with AI
Write or generate your script
Enter your business name, industry, offer, and CTA into Audair's free script generator. The AI writes a timing-accurate :30 script (or :15 or :60) in seconds. Review it, adjust the wording if needed, and confirm the CTA is exactly right.
Choose a voice
Audair offers multiple AI voice styles — male, female, energetic, authoritative, warm. Pick one that fits your brand. The voice is generated at broadcast quality using the word count and timing of your script, so it hits the :30 mark accurately.
Add a music bed (optional but recommended)
A music bed fills the silence, establishes tone, and makes the ad feel professional. Audair includes licensed music beds mixed at the correct level — quiet enough for the voice to stay front and center, present enough to add energy.
Export and submit
Download the broadcast-ready MP3. Send it to the radio station's traffic department along with your script and any required copy clearance forms. You're done.
Try it now — your first ad is free
Script, voice, and music. Broadcast-ready MP3 in under 5 minutes. No signup required for the script generator.
Build my radio ad →Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to make a radio ad?
With AI tools like Audair, you can go from a blank page to a broadcast-ready MP3 in under 5 minutes. Traditional production — writing, casting, recording, editing — typically takes 1–2 weeks and costs $500–$2,000.
What do I need to make a radio ad?
You need a script (hook + offer + CTA), a voiceover (human or AI), optionally a music bed, and a way to export an MP3. You do not need a recording studio, a sound engineer, or an ad agency.
How many words should a 30-second radio ad have?
A :30 radio ad should be 65–85 words at a natural speaking pace. That gives you enough room for a strong hook, your offer, and a clear CTA without sounding rushed.
Can I make a radio ad without a professional voice actor?
Yes. AI voiceover tools like those built into Audair generate broadcast-quality voice from your script automatically. The output is indistinguishable from professional studio recordings for most local advertising applications.
What format does a radio station need for an ad?
Most radio stations and streaming platforms accept MP3 or WAV at 44.1kHz stereo, 320kbps or higher. Audair exports broadcast-ready MP3s that meet these specs by default.