One of the biggest skills gained from being an on-air disc jockey is the ability to convey important messages in a clear and concise way. 

Some may think that having an outgoing personality is all one needs to be successful in radio media, but many more details go into it that come with practice. In this article, I will break down a few of the skills that I acquired or sharpened by training and practicing being on Baldwin Wallace University's radio station, WBWC 88.3 The Sting, for the past ten months.

Overcoming Nerves for Speaking On-Air

It is natural to be anxious about being live on-air for the first time. Whether it is a fear of making a mistake, sounding unprofessional, or addressing an innumerous-sized audience, these are all common concerns that surface in any public speaking circumstances.

In my case, I was not extremely concerned about the audience size but more so about the idea of announcing/pronouncing a song incorrectly, blanking, or sounding like a beginner. However, with practice, I quickly learned that occasional mistakes make you more personable and relatable to listeners. I remember the first time I said the wrong name of a song on-air. As soon as I turned the microphone off, my cheeks immediately began to turn red. The girl who helped me with my training assured me that it was not as noticeable as it seemed to me, and I could correct it at the next opportunity. 

Media Writing for the Ear

At my college station, we occasionally have to do a local news segment, where we share stories from the Cleveland area. In doing so, we are practicing writing for the ear, or in an aural style, to make sure that what we are saying will make sense without visual aid or other sound effects.

When writing in an aural style, it is important to create a script that contains these simple components.

1. Use simple language 

Complex vocabulary can create a barrier between listeners of different intellectual levels. Keeping the language in simple terms and short sentences can avoid this and make the message more penetrable. 

2. Avoid excessive or irrelevant details

Adding too many details, such as unnecessary dates, names, or ages, into the news script can make the content confusing to the listener. Sticking to the main points will make the story more concise.

3. Hook the listener with a compelling lead sentence at the start of each story 

Getting the listener’s attention is vital from the first words of the story. If the audience does not hear a word or phrase that is intriguing, they might tune everything else out until they hear something that grabs their attention or change the station entirely. Include the most striking details first and then talk about other relevant points.

By practicing this repeatedly during my on-air shifts, I have improved my ability to effectively summarize content for optimal understanding. 

Not everyone will be interested in all the stories that I discuss. However, discussing the content quickly, smoothly, and factually (by conveying credibility to the source) and showing personality will retain more listeners through the news segment before getting back to the music.

Thinking on Your Feet

While in the disc jockey chair, you are constantly thinking on your feet. Some content can be prepared ahead of time or read, but other materials are thought of in the moment. 

One example is my learned ability to transition between topics in a smooth way. Initially, my main concern as a new DJ was achieving the basics, ensuring the listeners knew the station name, what music was played, and what songs were coming up next. As I got more comfortable with the platform, I began incorporating my personality into my show, including a segment about my personal music playlist and sharing positive messages with the audience. 

Another example is when I will be talking about the song the audience just heard and will feel compelled to share a fact about the artist that I recalled. Although I did not have anything planned, I sharpened this ability of picking out related information in my brain with which other listeners may personally connect. Then, while keeping an eye on how much time I have left in the hour to speak, I transition back to talking about the next song.

Public speaking can always be improved, but practicing them through radio is a great way to strengthen them and make you prepared to address any audience!