Rocking Your World

Posted by ERUDIO in Radio Announcer on Dec 21st, 2009

You love music and you know music.

We are put on this earth to have a good time. This makes other people feel good. And the cycle continues.-- Wolfman Jack

People love your energy, your personality. You pack friends and family I-pods with fantastic music— fueled by the music knowledge you’ve wowed people with for years.

In fact, you may be a born DJ.

But how do you get on the air? How do you get paid for what you are, who you are, what you know, what you share?

We all know that radio announcers who broadcast music are called disc jockeys (DJs). In the past, the top DJs specialized in one kind of music, announcing selections as they aired them.

But these days, most DJs don’t pick much of the music they play (although they often did so in the past); instead, they follow schedules of commercials, talk, and music provided to them by management.

Still, personality is king. While on the air, DJs comment on the music, weather, and traffic. DJ’s may take requests from listeners, interview guests, and manage listener contests. And many radio stations now require DJs to update their station Website.

Some DJs announce and play music at clubs, dances, restaurants, and weddings. They often have their own equipment with which to play the music. Many are self-employed and rent their services out on a job-by-job basis.

Entry into the DJ occupation is highly competitive, and postsecondary education or long-term on-the-job training is common. Trainees usually must have several years of experience in the industry before receiving an opportunity to work on the air. An applicant’s delivery and—in television—appearance and style are important.

How can you get hired as a real radio DJ?

Formal training in broadcasting from college or a technical school is valuable. These programs give you an edge. They prepare students to work with the computer equipment and software to which they might otherwise not have access. In radio, many announcers will also need Website editing skills.

To become a DJ these days it helps to earn a bachelor’s degree in a subject such as communications, broadcasting, or journalism.

a DJ on the mic

High school and college courses in English, public speaking, drama, foreign languages, and computer science are valuable, and hobbies such as sports and music are additional assets to get you started, before going for the degree.

Before you enroll in a broadcasting school, contact the personnel managers of radio stations you like best, as well as broadcasting trade organizations, to determine the school’s reputation for producing suitably trained candidates.

DJ’s and other announcers are often required to complete long-term on-the-job training. This can be accomplished at campus radio or TV facilities and at commercial stations while students serve as interns.

Work experience at college or high school radio or TV stations is very valuable. Ask about internships when checking out your prospective programs. Paid or unpaid internships also provide students with hands-on training and the chance to establish contacts in the industry.

Unpaid interns frequently receive college credit and are allowed to observe and assist station employees. This experience sometimes leads to paid internships which are valuable because interns may do work ordinarily performed by regular employees.

The best chances for an on-air job for inexperienced announcers may be as a substitute for a familiar announcer at a small radio station. In radio, newcomers usually start out taping interviews and operating equipment.

College broadcasting programs also offer courses, such as voice and diction, to help students improve their vocal qualities.

Employment of announcers is expected to decline by 4 percent from 2008 to 2018. Improving technology continues to increase the productivity of announcers, reducing the time required to edit material or perform other off-air technical and production work.

The ability of radio announcers to broadcast a program live and record a show for another time has eliminated most late-night shifts and allowed multiple stations to use material from the same announcer. Increasing consolidation among broadcasting companies also may contribute to the increased use of syndicated programming and programs originating outside a station’s viewing or listening area.

A possible positive area for radio announcers is hybrid digital (HD) radio, which broadcasters hope will increase in the coming years. HD radio offers more channels and could result in higher demand for on-air personalities.

a woman on a radio braodcast

Median hourly wages of radio and television announcers in May 2008 were $12.95. The middle 50 percent earned between $9.05 and $20.31. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $7.45, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $36.42. Median hourly wages of announcers in the radio and television broadcasting industry were $12.61.
Median hourly wages of public address and other system announcers in May 2008 were $13.18. The middle 50 percent earned between $8.82 and $21.04. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $7.51 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $33.58.

If you want to pick your own DJ style and music, there’s still hope. Although subject-matter specialization is more common at large stations and the networks, many small stations also encourage it.

There will be some opportunities for self-employed DJs who provide music at clubs and special events, but most of these jobs will be part time.

Earning the degree and getting the experience will give you the edge you need most to make it as a DJ.

Get what you need, and rock your world!

General information on the broadcasting industry, in which many announcers are employed, is available from: