How To Become a Radio Jockey ?

A Radio Jockey's job is a thrilling one. He gets to entertain and interact with a very large audience. Although not as popular as television, radio has its own set of followers. The success of a show depends entirely on how talented the radio jockey is. He also gets to meet and interview a wide range of celebrities on radio. A radio jockey also gets to compile his own playlist of songs for his audience. Let's see how you can become a radio jockey or RJ.

Radio Jockeying as a Career

Do you love music? Do you love to talk to strangers? Can you begin a discussion on any topic? If the answers to all these questions is an emphatic yes, then you can think of becoming a Radio Jockey or RJ.

Requirements for Becoming a Radio Jockey 

just like any creative art, there is no step by step guide for a Radio Jockey or Video Jockey. Radio Jockey or Video Jockey is something more to do with passion than degrees. If you feel you have a definite knack for the medium (radio for radio jockey and TV for VJ), and good communication skills and can interact with people of all age groups, then this could be your profession. However, formal education helps you develop your personality and increases your knowledge on a variety of topics for you to talk about.

Step 1: Enroll in 10+2 of a stream of your choice.

Step 2: Alongside your schooling, you can enroll in communication classes or programs that can help you with tips on how to groom yourself as an RJ.

Step 3: You can complete your graduation and then enroll in communication and media studies courses. No matter, whatever your stream is, you need to be passionate about your job as a radio jockey.

Radio jockeying does not require you to have very high qualifications. To become a successful radio jockey, you need to have strong linguistic skills. You should have the ability to grab attention when you speak. Having the right attitude is compulsory. You need to be observant and be aware of your surroundings. Radio jockeys become successful when they have a different point of view, when it comes to certain subjects. 

Of course, being appropriate and sensitive to your audience is also necessary. It is important that you be mild in your opinions and statements so that you do not offend anybody. Other than this, a radio jockey needs to have a sense of humour, creativity, and ample knowledge of the subjects he speaks about. 

As an RJ, you should be able to think on your feet. Unlike television and movies, there are no retakes and what you speak is instantly transmitted to radios around the city. A radio jockey also needs to be well-versed in the music he plays.

Do you have it in you

• Ability to talk impromptu on any given topic
• Avid reader
• Good knowledge on a variety of issues, current and political, music and films, sports and travel
• Curiosity to learn new things and read about interesting incidents
• You must be original in your presentation skills
• Good communication skills and strong hold on language
• Ability to deal with a variety of listeners

What a Radio Jockey Does 

A radio jockey represents not only himself, but his radio station as well. In some cases, he is also the voice of the city. Most radio jockeys are most popular in their towns or cities, and this is achieved by identifying with the local populace. Therefore, a radio jockey has to keep his target audience in mind at all times. This is especially true while choosing subjects, celebrities and music for his show. 

An RJ must also be skilled in conversing with members of his audience. People often call the radio station for contests and general discussions and the RJ must make the conversation appealing by taking it in different directions and making humorous commentary. His anchoring skills make or break a certain show.

Perks

Entry level radio jockeys are paid around Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 per month. It increases with your experience and job profile. Senior RJs can even make Rs 1 lakh per month.

Pros and Cons of a Radio Jockey

Pros

• Fusion of music and performing arts
• Connect with various people
• Flexible working hours

Cons

• Odd working hours as initially you might have to host shows at 4 am in the morning or at midnight
• Might feel lonely at times as you have to operate from a small sound-proof room with studio equipments as your companion.

How to Become a Radio Jockey 

If you love talking, have a flair for communicating and are passionate about music, then radio jockeying may be just the career for you. 

As radio jockeying is now a high-paying job in India, many institutes offer courses that guide you towards a successful career. Many radio stations offer internship to aspiring radio jockeys and they also recruit from reputed institutes. Many professionals in the field also hold voice and radio jockeying workshops where you can learn about the nuances of RJing.

Mass Communication Courses

Certificate Course in Announcing, Broadcasting, Compering and Dubbing (ABCD) , Certificate Course in Radio Jockeying (CRJ)  

Mass Communication Institutes in India

• Xavier’s Institute of Communication (X.I.C.), Mumbai
• Academy of Broadcasting, Chandigarh
• Academy of Radio Management, New Delhi
• Ali's Academy of Radio and Television, Bhopal
• University of Mumbai
• E.M.D.I. Encompass Institute of Radio Management, Mumbai
• Media and Film Institute of India, Andheri (W)

Prospects of Radio Jockeying 

Radio jockeying has really picked up steam as a prospective career in recent years. There is a lot of money to make in the radio business and success depends on the radio jockeys who work for that station. This is because the content that different stations use may be the same, but the way it is delivered makes all the difference. A radio jockey who has a popular show is paid well as more advertisers are interested in shows that have many listeners. 

Many radio stations are active in India today and there are always ample options for radio jockeys to choose from. Some radio jockeys also moonlight as voice-over artists for television and movies. Many companies hire radio jockeys to do voice-overs for their advertisements. Many RJs also have alternate careers as event anchors and comperes or emcees. 

Radio jockeying has definitely caught up as a big career in India. So definitely give it a try if you have been considering it as a career option.

 

Published by Sameer for whichprofession.blogspot.com