Radio is making a comeback, and it’s more exciting than ever! We’re here to talk about how you can become a Radio Jockey (RJ) in 2020. Being an RJ has become a popular aspiration, but it’s not easy.
It takes time and effort, but it’s possible to achieve. Being talkative is helpful, but being a successful RJ requires substance too. Let’s find out what it takes to become a Radio Jockey.
- The good news is you are not required to be highly educated to become a Radio Jockey or RJ but you do need some skills and basic education. So, if one wants to start a career as a Radio Jockey, he or she should first complete an undergraduate degree or bachelor’s degree in mass communication.
- Secondly, an internship can take an aspirant in the right direction as it offers practical exposure.
- Further, to make progress in this career one should make great professional contacts as referrals work wonders at times. Networking is the key.
- However, referrals work only when you are great at what you do. This being a highly creative field, some of the qualities required are imagination, wit, out-of-the-box thinking and a voice that can move people. Not necessarily in that order though.
If you are serious about following your passion for a Radio Jockey job, this is where you should be heading to get a professional degree to become a Radio Jockey.
What is a Radio Jockey?
A radio jockey is a professional who provides entertainment and information through a variety of radio broadcasts. Radio jockeys, also known as RJs or radio DJs, work for radio stations and broadcast shows that reflect the direction of their station.
They may play a wide range of music, occasionally focusing on a specific genre. Pop, classical, film, devotional, instrumental, R&B, country, rock, and roll are some of the music genres they may feature in their shows. During programming breaks, they may discuss cultural, political, local, weather, and sports-related topics.
Radio jockeys must create powerful, innovative scripts and pay close attention to their narrative, articulation, voice modulation, and timing. To keep their audience interested and delighted throughout the programmes.
They must be confident, knowledgeable, enthusiastic, passionate and entertaining. They must compose music, produce infomercials, record advertising, and plan programme breaks.
In addition, they must accept song requests from listeners and answer to listener mail and phone calls. Radio DJs must also be technically competent to operate radio production equipment.
What do Radio Jockeys do?
A radio jockey’s tasks may vary depending on the show they host and the radio station where they work. Some of their job obligations could include:
- Writing Program Scripts: Creates scripts for diverse radio or television programmes to ensure engaging content and a smooth flow throughout broadcasts.
- Recording Advertisements: This includes creating audio or video advertisements for products or services and using persuasive messaging to attract customers.
- Creating Infomercials: Long-format advertising is created to enlighten and persuade viewers about a product or service, frequently combining entertainment and product promotion.
- Selecting Music: Curating playlists or selecting appropriate music tracks to suit the mood and theme of a program, enhancing listener experience.
- Making Music Tracks: Creating unique music recordings or compositions for use in television shows, advertising, or as background music.
- Publicizing New Music: Promoting newly released music albums, singles, or acts to increase public interest and visibility.
- Planning Program Breaks: Creating gaps inside programmes for ads, announcements, or station identification to ensure smooth transitions and timing.
- Taking Song Requests: Interacting with listeners to collect song requests and dedications, and tailoring programming to audience tastes.
- Reading Listener Messages: Responding to audience response by reading notes, remarks, or shout-outs given by listeners during the show.
- Accepting Listener Calls: Encourage listeners to ring into the programme and express their ideas and opinions, as well as participate in on-air conversations.
- Interviewing People: Conducting interviews with visitors, celebrities, specialists, or people of the community to present the audience with insights, information, and entertainment.
- Engaging in Debates: Organising talks or debates on pertinent themes, allowing participants to voice their opinions and engage in productive interaction.
- Hosting Contests: Organising contests or competitions for listeners to participate in, offering prizes and incentives to encourage engagement and interaction.
- Announcing Giveaways: Promoting giveaways, promotions, or special offers to listeners, creating excitement and encouraging audience participation.
- Giving Weather Reports: Providing up-to-date weather forecasts and conditions to keep listeners informed about current and upcoming weather conditions.
- Providing Traffic Updates: Offering real-time traffic updates and information to help listeners navigate road conditions and plan their commutes effectively.
- Discussing Current Events: Analysing and discussing recent news items, events, or developments to keep listeners informed and involved in current events.
- Talking about Sports: Covering sporting events, matches, or news, as well as discussing game highlights, player performances, and team updates, to appeal to sports fans.
Is RJ a good career?
A radio jockey can be a rewarding career if you are sincerely interested in becoming one and have the necessary talent and mindset. You must have great language knowledge, outstanding communication skills, and the ability to explain yourself clearly. It can be beneficial to have a nice, spontaneous personality, a good sense of humour, and the ability to keep people involved and entertained. In addition, you must have a strong work ethic, a desire to learn, and the ability to handle difficult assignments.
The national average salary for RJs is ₹2,38,823 per year. However, experienced and well-known radio jockeys with a strong following may earn more. Aside from radio jockey work, they may provide their voices for ads, show voice-overs, audiobooks, announcements, public messages, and instructional films.
What is the age limit for RJs?
There is no set age limit for radio jockey jobs. You can apply for positions as a radio jockey presenter at any age. You may be able to fill the radio jockey position if you possess good linguistic skills, clear pronunciation, and a well-modulated voice. You should be able to hold the audience’s attention when speaking, be educated about the music and issues you offer, and have the technical ability to operate radio equipment.
Can I be an RJ after 12th grade?
You can become an RJ after the 12th grade because there are no special educational requirements for employment in radio jockey presenting. However, furthering your education may benefit you both professionally and intellectually. Various media training institutes, acting academies, and drama colleges provide short-term and long-term radio presentation courses. Some radio experts host classes where you can learn how to become a radio jockey. You can also perform internships at radio stations and apply for radio DJ positions for new graduates.
How to Become a Radio Jockey?
Let’s find out what it takes to become a Radio Jockey.
The good news is you are not required to be highly educated to become a Radio Jockey or RJ but you do need some skills and basic education. So, if one wants to start a career as a Radio Jockey, he or she should first complete an undergraduate degree or bachelor’s degree in mass communication.
Secondly, an internship can take an aspirant in the right direction as it offers practical exposure.
Further, to make progress in this career one should make great professional contacts as referrals work wonders at times. Networking is the key.
However, referrals work only when you are great at what you do. This being a highly creative field, some of the qualities required are imagination, wit, out-of-the-box thinking and a voice that can move people. Not necessarily in that order though.
Top Colleges to pursue a career in Radio Jockey
- Radio City School of Broadcasting, Mumbai
- Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi
- Xavier Institute of Communications, Mumbai
- Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi
- Xavier Institute of Communications, Mumbai
- The Mudra Institute of Communications (MICA), Ahmedabad
- Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune
- Zee Institute of Media Arts, Mumbai
Radio Jockey Courses
Here are some of the Radio Jockey courses that you can pursue to get started on your journey to become a successful RJ.
- Diploma in Radio Programming and Broadcast Management (DRPM)
- Diploma in Radio Production and Radio Jockeying (DRJ)
- Post Graduate Diploma in Radio and Broadcast Management (PGDRBM)
- Certificate Course in Radio Jockeying (CRJ)
Radio Jockey Career Path
- Announcer: This is the most basic position in the radio station. An Announcer is a person who reads advertisements and is responsible for introducing content on radio. This job profile is the initial post before one is promoted.
- Music Director: This post gives an idea of how a music library is maintained on a radio station and how music is played when demanded on show. This professional is responsible for the music we hear on the radio.
- News Reader: Radio news has a set format and hence one needs to learn the way to speak on radio before jumping into the mainstream jockeying world.
- On-AIR Personalities: These are the radio jockeys we hear regularly and their major work is to keep listeners entertained along with scheduling ads and managing studio arrangements.
- Production Director: This is the position one may attain after being a senior On-Air personality. This is the person who controls On-Air traffic schedules production and strategizes programs.
- Station Manager: This is one of the senior positions on the radio station. This is the person responsible for managing the station issues and programs.
NDTV takes you behind the scenes at the Red FM studio to explore the exciting career opportunities that exist in the industry and to understand what is the job of a radio jockey.
Radio Jockeys have to take care of the most interesting and creative tasks and fill it in their day as this Radio Jockey job is all about entertainment and information.
In his or her job role, a Radio Jockey may have to control consoles; write a script for a program, record infomercials and commercials for future broadcasts; publicise and make music tracks, program breaks, and advertisements, and accept song requests from listeners among many other tasks that may vary depending on the actual role of a Radio Jockey in a radio station.
To carry out these tasks successfully, a Radio Jockey is required to have some essential skills such as voice modulation, speech recognition, reading and writing comprehension, along with basic technical knowledge to handle various equipment used in the production of a radio show.
Many radio stations demand basic languages whereas there are a few which may require you to know the regional or colloquial language. You can have an edge over other candidates if you know it.
Radio Stations that you can approach for a Radio Jockey job:
- All India Radio
- Radio Mirchi 98.3
- Red FM 93.5
- Big FM 92.7
- Ishq 104.8
- Fever 104 FM
- Radio Mango 91.9
- Indigo 91.9
- Radio Sharda
- 94.3 Club FM
Radio Jockey Salary
A Radio Jockey can earn anything between INR 10,000 to 30,000 initially but as one gains experience and popularity, the salary of a Radio Jockey can go up to 1.5 to 2 lakhs per month.
Moreover, popular RJs get additional earning opportunities by hosting private shows, and voiceovers for television and radio ads among others.
FAQ on How to Become RJ
Q1. What is a Radio Jockey (RJ) and what do they do?
Ans. A Radio Jockey (RJ) is a personality who hosts radio programs, entertaining listeners through music, talk shows, interviews, and engaging content. They connect with the audience, share information, and keep them entertained during the broadcast.
Q2. How can I become a Radio Jockey?
Ans. To become a Radio Jockey, follow these steps:
- Develop Communication Skills: Work on improving your speaking, pronunciation, and language skills.
- Get Relevant Education: Pursue a course in Mass Communication, Journalism, or Media to gain industry knowledge.
- Build a Demo Reel: Create an impressive demo reel showcasing your voice modulation and hosting abilities.
- Internships and Local Radio: Start with internships or work at local radio stations to gain practical experience and exposure.
- Apply to Radio Stations: Apply to established radio stations and networks for job opportunities.
Q3. What qualities make a successful Radio Jockey?
Ans. Successful Radio Jockeys possess the following qualities:
- Good Communication: Clear and engaging communication to connect with the audience.
- Creativity: Ability to create interesting content and add a personal touch to shows.
- Quick Wit: Thinking on their feet to handle unexpected situations during live broadcasts.
- Knowledgeable: Staying updated on current affairs, music, and pop culture.
- Positive Energy: Radiating enthusiasm and positivity to keep listeners entertained.
Q4. Is formal education necessary to become a Radio Jockey?
Ans. While formal education is not mandatory, it can significantly enhance your skills and knowledge in the media industry. Pursuing relevant courses in Mass Communication or Journalism can provide a competitive edge and better job prospects.
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