Introduction:
The best way to get better at being on the air is to listen to how other DJs do it. Note their pattern, their tone, what they do and don't do. This page takes snippets some of the on-air hosts and then dissects them into the good and not-so-good. Songs have been cut out to keep the focus on the DJ breaks.
CRAIG COOPER
GOOD
- Craig has a smooth, conversational voice that comes through in everything he says. He has a few regular phrases that he uses to enhance different segments, such as Lost & Found and the end of his shift.
- He transitions smoothly into reading the PSAs from the index cards and website without fanfare or a rambling introduction.
- Likewise, underwriters just get played. No comments.
- He forward promotes what's coming up in the next hour as well as the rest of the day.
- The weather report is not overly detailed and gives folks the gist of what to expect.
- He often thanks his listeners for tuning in and says the station's call letters (KPCW)
NOPE
- Craig draws out how he says the time, "It is now 12 minutes before the hour of 12..." Nobody says that in conversation; don't say it on the air. "It's eleven forty-eight," is fine. So is, "It's 12 minutes before noon."
- He should limit the number of public service announcements / index cards he reads each segment. He could break it up some by playing one underwriter, read a PSA, another underwriter, Read PSA, etc.
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