Staying Cool on the Air

Sure, you already know you're cool - you work well under pressure, and you can handle the quick pace and occasional high pressure environment of radio broadcasting. One of the key ways you know you're ready for broadcasting school is simply by applying to it. After all, you'll be able to handle the pressure of the entry interview right from the beginning. From there, it's just a matter of refining your ability to stay cool on the air.

Radio broadcasting is the sort of work environment where you'll never have a chance to get bored. If you're looking to work at a typical radio station, you'll probably be following the basic talking between the songs approach. This is the best practice for any other kind of radio, as well as an essential first step to getting your own show at a station, where you can let your personality shine through a bit more. Broadcasting school can teach you how to handle the early pressures of DJing, so you'll be able to transition smoothly between songs without stumbling over your words or losing track of what you're doing.

But what about those incidents where you might not have total control over what's happening on air? Although the occasional slip over a word is easily forgiven and something you can only pin on yourself, when you start your DJ career after broadcasting school you might run into a few snags that you weren't prepared for. Take a look at a few of the situations you might find yourself in, and how to keep your cool while you're dealing with them.

On-Air Interviews: Whether you're talking to someone with an interesting local news story or an actual celebrity, you'll probably be dealing with someone who lacks the broadcasting school training you do. You're well-versed in filling silences, but the people you're talking to likely won't be! If you find yourself faced with someone stuttering or tripping over their words or taking too long to make a point, feel free to gently encourage them along with gentle interruptions.

Technical issues: They happen - when you're working with a great deal of electronic equipment, it's not likely that things will go smoothly 100% of the time. In broadcasting school, you will learn how to handle the boards, so you know the technical aspects of being a DJ, and you'll be able deal with problems like that, but a key element to being a good on-air personality is never letting them know you're having difficulties. When you encounter electronic bugs, don't give up that you're having equipment trouble, just continue with what you were talking about before. Say a little bit more about the artist you just played, talk about the next few songs coming up, mention a contest, anything to fill the air as you do what you need to do in order to get playing again.

Call-ins: Even riskier than inviting a guest to interview is answering call-ins, whether they're just song requests or questions for a celebrity you're speaking with. While most of the time you won't have any trouble, you may get the odd caller that gets inappropriate or rude, and it's important to be able to cut then off quickly enough to move on. Have a quip at the ready to pass the situation off as a joke and you should be fine. Whatever you do, don't let it ruffle you or distract you from the task at hand. A quick aside to the audience or the interviewee is great for diffusing tension, but the listeners are probably feeling just as annoyed as you are, so treat it as a minor incident and get on with the show.

A broadcasting school education can prepare you for these possibilities and more - if you don't know how to stay cool on the air now, by the time you finish school, you definitely will!