bsu > engl 3160 > how to > how to be a radio disc jockey

How To Be A Radio Disc Jockey

Ryan Lowe

A radio disc jockey is the voice that is presented to you, the listener, in between songs on a radio station. He or she is the one that brings you information consisting of weather, news, sports, entertainment news, and weird facts of the world. Being a radio disc jockey can be hectic at times, but don’t worry, with proper techniques you can do just fine.

Step 1: Locate a Station that Will Allow You to Broadcast

In order to be a radio disc jockey you need to have the ability to broadcast to your audience. There are many ways to do this, you can work at a radio station, whether it is AM or FM, you can go to college that has a broadcasting radio station, or you can set up a broadcasting facility at your house.

Step 2: Prepare for the Broadcast

Before going on air you need to ready yourself for speaking into the microphone. Here are a few tips that can help you extremely:

Hum or speak loud for a few minutes. This will get your vocal cords ready to speak for a long period of time.
Make sure your throat is clear. You can do this by coughing to clear your throat or you can drink some water to make sure nothing is obstructing your vocal cords.
Chew some gum or exercise your mouth and tongue before your show. This will make it easy for you to pronounce words correctly.
Stay loose. This will help keep you relaxed when you are about to go on air. You do not want to be nervous so make sure you are calm. Being tense is not good; it can make you sound bad.
Take deep breaths before going on air. Breathe in through your nose and out your mouth. This helps keep you calm and makes it so you don’t get short of breath.

Step 3: Know What You are Going to Say

Before saying anything on air make sure you know what you are going to say and how you will say it. You can practice your short speech before or write it down on paper so you can read it directly as you are on air.

Step 4: Be Yourself

It is important to be yourself and not imitate anyone else. Your audience will appreciate you more if you are yourself.

Step 5: Use Correct Lingo

Words can get repetitive; when giving the weather don't use words like temperature or degrees. People already know that you're talking about the weather so just give them the numbers. When talking about the time do not use PM or AM. People already know if it is night or day, don't remind them.

Step 6: Have Fun

Make sure to have fun when broadcasting. Your audience will be able to tell if you are having fun or not. They are more likely to stay with you if you are peppy then if you are depressing. An idea you can keep in mind is smile when you are talking. The audience loves to hear your happiness.

Ryan Pic

The Station I Work At:

Things to Think About:

You will need to know how to operate the equipment in a radio station so make sure you know how to work control panels, computers, and any type of audio equipment found there.

If you have the fear of speaking in front of the audience when on air, think of it as talking to your best friend. This may take the fear away.

Other Tips:

Talk directly into the microphone
Do not talk with gum in your mouth
Talk on the louder side, do not talk softly
Make sure there is no background noise

Other Sites that Can Help You on Your Quest:

Radio Presenting

Radio University

Don’t be afraid to search the web on other areas, such as radio stations and colleges with radio stations.

bsu > engl 3160 > how to > how to be a radio disc jockey

bsu > engl 3160 > how to > how to be a radio disc jockey
How To Be A Radio Disc Jockey Ryan Lowe A radio disc jockey is the voice that is presented to you, the listener, in between songs on a radio station. He or she is the one that brings you information consisting of weather, news, sports, entertainment news, and weird facts of the world. Being a radio disc jockey can be hectic at times, but don’t worry, with proper techniques you can do just fine. Step 1: Locate a Station that Will Allow You to Broadcast In order to be a radio disc jockey you need to have the ability to broadcast to your audience. There are many ways to do this, you can work at a radio station, whether it is AM or FM, you can go to college that has a broadcasting radio station, or you can set up a broadcasting facility at your house. Step 2: Prepare for the Broadcast Before going on air you need to ready yourself for speaking into the microphone. Here are a few tips that can help you extremely: Hum or speak loud for a few minutes. This will get your vocal cords ready to speak for a long period of time. Make sure your throat is clear. You can do this by coughing to clear your throat or you can drink some water to make sure nothing is obstructing your vocal cords. Chew some gum or exercise your mouth and tongue before your show. This will make it easy for you to pronounce words correctly. Stay loose. This will help keep you relaxed when you are about to go on air. You do not want to be nervous so make sure you are calm. Being tense is not good; it can make you sound bad. Take deep breaths before going on air. Breathe in through your nose and out your mouth. This helps keep you calm and makes it so you don’t get short of breath. Step 3: Know What You are Going to Say Before saying anything on air make sure you know what you are going to say and how you will say it. You can practice your short speech before or write it down on paper so you can read it directly as you are on air. Step 4: Be Yourself It is important to be yourself and not imitate anyone else. Your audience will appreciate you more if you are yourself. Step 5: Use Correct Lingo Words can get repetitive; when giving the weather don't use words like temperature or degrees. People already know that you're talking about the weather so just give them the numbers. When talking about the time do not use PM or AM. People already know if it is night or day, don't remind them. Step 6: Have Fun Make sure to have fun when broadcasting. Your audience will be able to tell if you are having fun or not. They are more likely to stay with you if you are peppy then if you are depressing. An idea you can keep in mind is smile when you are talking. The audience loves to hear your happiness.	The Station I Work At: Things to Think About: You will need to know how to operate the equipment in a radio station so make sure you know how to work control panels, computers, and any type of audio equipment found there. If you have the fear of speaking in front of the audience when on air, think of it as talking to your best friend. This may take the fear away. Other Tips: Talk directly into the microphone Do not talk with gum in your mouth Talk on the louder side, do not talk softly Make sure there is no background noise Other Sites that Can Help You on Your Quest: Radio Presenting Radio University Don’t be afraid to search the web on other areas, such as radio stations and colleges with radio stations.
bsu > engl 3160 > how to > how to be a radio disc jockey
Copyright © 2002 Ryan Lowe Last Modified September 2002