Do you broadcast shows over the internet? Kudos you are a full-fledged internet radio presenter. So you may be doubling in any format. Perhaps your shows are more music-oriented where you play a couple of songs and then do a link where you talk about anything from the latest in celebrity gossip or share a few details about the music. Or maybe your shows are talk-based, with one hour or two hours of straight talk with regular guests. There are countless opportunities for improvement, and today we are taking a look at the 10 dos and don'ts of a radio presenter. These are things that you should do and not do in order to elevate your game and deliver the best shows possible. And they compass much more than you do in the studio and touch on other areas of your life as well because everything you do off the mic can impact what you do when you’re on it.
1. Do prepare thoroughly
Don’t get on the mic without adequate preparation. The extra effort and planning can go a long way in making the show sound professional as there be fewer awkward moments or not knowing what to talk about next. Plus, you can give listeners something to look forward to., Preparing is quite easy: Understand who listens to your shows, and what they like to hear; Pick a topic for the day, “ Future of EV cars,” and dig deeper into it; Outline your show with all the main talking points, and what comes after the intro, news bulletin, breaks, etc. Write a script, even if its just improv prompts; Practice reading the script or major talking points to see if you’re familiar with them. Because you’ll pretty much be doing the technical setup by yourself, check if the mics, mixer, encoders, monitoring speakers, recording devices, etc, are all set up to go. If you have a remote guest, get them on call a day before to ensure that their connection is reliable and to mitigate any problems on D-day. Lastly, you can have a checklist of things you must do before starting each show to ensure that you’re fully prepared.
2. Do build a real personality
Think of all your broadcasting heroes. They are strong and likable characters. That’s their basis for success in the broadcasting industry, as a well-developed, confident personality is attractive to listeners. You don’t have to fake it. Developing a real personality as a radio presenter equals being yourself and confident in the things you do. Listeners will trust and connect with you for being authentic and genuine.
3. Do engage with listeners in every way
It’s all about listeners. And as an avid radio listener, you can think back to the time callers made you laugh, scream, or cry for their heart-sobbing stories! Inject the same creative force into your shows by having listeners call into the studio, participate in games or giveaways, or engage with you on social media. Listeners will become more involved and build a stronger emotional connection. You can similarly foster a stronger sense of community and a loyal fan base.
4. Do become a more confident voice
Confidence is key in this world. And it’s normal to feel a bit less confident and unsure of yourself. How do you overcome this? Try the following tricks and tips: Speak slowly and clearly: Take your time enunciating your words. You’ll sound more confident. Pause and emphasize. Before and after making a key point, pause, and this makes what you’ve said more important, and gives words more impact. Project your voice: Yes, but don’t shout. Just keep your voice loud enough to be clearly heard over the radio. Show enthusiasm: Speak passionately about the topic, and this draws people to what you’re saying.
5. Do have fun
Running your radio shouldn’t be a bore. Even when there are a few people tuned in. Having fun keeps your energy up making the show more enjoyable. When you’re enjoying yourself, you’ll find more interesting things to say breaking up the monotony. You can also incorporate fun elements into the show like telling jokes & stories, holding contests, or taking callers. So go on, and create a fun atmosphere every time you’re on the air. Presenting might sound like a job, or something you have to do. But really, everyone is there to have a good time.
6. Don’t stagnate
You should never stagnate in your radio journey, whether it’s failing to adapt to new channels for distributing your content or refining your craft. The entertainment industry in general is highly competitive and staying ahead of the competition requires one to be above the rest. Learning and improving may also open up opportunities for growth. It can enhance your reputation and make your resume more attractive to potential employers. Even if you’re just a hobbyist, becoming better as a radio presenter can allow you to land a job at a larger station with more reach. Hosts at the top of their craft have a lot to teach too, and you may see more invites to prestigious industry events where you’ll deliver keynotes and network with other professionals.
7. Do go live
Aside from going live on the radio, you should consider doing a couple of live sessions so you can better engage with your fans. Where should you go live? Your socials: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc. Listeners can interact with you in real-time by asking questions or generally having a chat. The direct interactions allow you to better understand your audience and tailor your broadcasts to meet the listeners’ needs. Another advantage of going live is that you’re not really thinking about delivering a flawless show or beating the clock. You can talk more on topics, or even give fans a behind-the-scenes look at your daily life. By meeting people this way, you can even get them to tune in to your shows,
8. Do find more ways to distribute your content
Be ubiquitous, meaning that your content should be easy to find. Post your live stream on as many directories as possible. Think of having podcast series for the talk shows you do. Radio hours can be posted on other platforms like MixCloud. You can also have interviews on YouTube, even if you interview guests for just 5 minutes, with or without video. The easier it is for people to find you, the faster you can build a larger and more dedicated fan base. Also, ensure that people have access to your content without having to tune in live. With podcasts and YouTube videos, they can access shows on their own schedule and in their own way.
9. Don’t have dead air
Having a reliable stream with no dead air is essential to creating a professional radio stream. Dead air, or silence, in a radio stream, can have a negative impression on listeners and make them less likely to tune in. It also disrupts the flow of the broadcast and can be awkward for the listener. Many people will gladly tune in to another radio show if there is any bit of silence, and they will be less likely to tune in again. Okay, some of your most loyal fans will no doubt send an email that your stream is dead. But you can save yourself the hassle by having your stream automatically monitored by our professional system. When you host with us, you also get access to premium servers ensuring that your broadcast is always running smoothly and without interruption.
There is a lot that goes into becoming a good radio presenter. We have more topics that you can read about: