Here are a few tips for all those would be RJ’s. These suggestions are based out of my experience as a RJ at FM Rainbow, 101. 3MHz in Bangalore.

RADIO AND YOU
Reaching to the TA – Target Audience

·Connecting with people – Relate to people, understand their routine, talk about what affects them.

·Talk as though you are talking on a one-on-one basis to each individual listener.

·Extend your personality through your voice.

·Communication and Language skills – The shows you host should not be for a dead audience. You obviously need to posses good language skills; be warned I don’t mean that you use words that no one will understand but use simple and clear words – do not chew up on words, every breath you take and the gesture you make is heard and I think it is as good as ‘seen on radio’. The listener gets to know if at all you are interested in being there or not. And do not show off your language skills by using hi-funda words – it’s not required.

Variety – the Keyword

·Do not have a set format- don’t get the listener predict your show. It shouldn’t be that the listener gets to speak out as to what you are going to do next. You can have some things like one of our rj’s has this doom pataka gana of the week and another rj puts indi-pop hit of the week but it shouldn’t be that everything is textbook format.

·Modulate your voice. Know very well which pitch is to be used in what situation. Immediately after a song like Paani Paani re from Maachis which is a slow and soft number; suddenly at the end of the song the listener does not want a voice coming up and saying “ Yo that was Paani Paani re from Maachis, a soothing number by the nightingale of India and so on. Your voice does not make a pleasant hearing and on the other hand you have a number like Dus Bahane, a foot tapping number and when it’s time to speak you start of with “ That was dus bahane from the movie dus”. That can really irritate your listener, as you don’t sound enthusiastic after an energetic song. The point being -Analyze the situation and then speak.

·Choice of music can be varied as well; but be sure to know your music. If you don’t know the song take time to play that in the Cd library the previous day or just before your show so that you know the tempo of the song and you also know which song is to be played at what time of the show. Like for example selection of music for the morning programmes should be a mix of energetic wake up numbers and soft music.

Do the back end work·

Listen to other shows hosted by other radio jockeys of all transmissions. Do listen to other stations also. You definitely get to know what competition is doing.

·If need do have a written script; but do not read them – Please remember RJing is not News reading.

·Get the right feedback from people who are willing to give constructive criticism. Mind you ignore cynical critics.

·Be well aware- RJing is not only about music. If there is a current event happening in your cityor anywhere else, that is of major importance get some knowledge before you enter the studio.

Be Careful- It’s a Live and Hot medium

·Be responsible in your work- your image may be fun loving, cool but you are representing the station.

·No slang, offence to any religion, be careful while pronouncing names of people.

Critical things to remember

·Stay local – speak the lingo of your city people. Know the regional language of the city you belong. It helps to connect with a wider audience.

·Talk on things that you are aware of.

·Common complaint – All RJ’s sound the same. Don’t be under the false impression that speaking fast, high pitch, jabbering away is RJing.

·Try and develop your own style – Add a zing to your show.

·Do not copy others.

·Don’t have a fake accent. Listener is not foolish to accept your accent.

·Image, popularity is all like age, withers away soon. So you may be the rj of the current times but do not let this get into your head and behave normal in public. You don’t have to let everyone feel that you are carrying the baggage the being an rj.

·Don’t use slang after you keep the phone with the listener. You had it if the call is not disconnected completely.

·Most importantly remember that Rjing is there for today and maybe gone tomorrow. So don’t carry around this ego that you are a celebrity. Keep your head firmly on your shoulders – as long as you are in this profession do your best.

So good luck to all those who are dreaming of grabbing that hot seat!