Are you new to the internet radio broadcasting world? Just like everything else, practice makes perfect. It takes time to get into the swing of things and learn about your audience. To help you get a kick-start, we’ve outlined some common rookie mistakes and how to avoid them while you’re on the air.
The Technicalities:
Turn Your Mic Off
In the beginning, the microphone can take some getting used to. Always remember to turn it off if you’re done with your segment! While the conversations you might be having could be amusing to some listeners, you probably don’t want to broadcast your personal details out to everyone.
Avoid Dead Air
On the other end of the spectrum is dead air. It’s bound to happen every now and then (we’re all human), but avoid it at all costs. Have a backup plan though, in case it’s ever unavoidable. One way to ensure that you never experience dead air is to always have AutoDJ enabled. That way, if there is ever a disruption, AutoDJ will take over.
Play Fresh Content
It's also important to make sure your content is consistently fresh. Don’t play the same songs in the same order every few hours or even every few days. Listeners will pick up on that. Mix things up a bit. Put yourself in a loyal listener's shoes. If they were to listen nearly every single day, would they consistently hear a pretty fresh mix?
Stay Compliant
To avoid legal troubles, make sure your content is compliant with the law. By broadcasting with Live365, your station is covered for transmissions in the U.S., Canada, and U.K. With that said, when it comes to legality, it's really important that you provide us with complete and accurate metadata for each track that you play on your station.
The Personality:
Know Your Audience
DJs are the voice behind the station and often who the audience interacts with. It’s important for DJs to understand their audience. Can you go on political rants? Do you need to limit the foul language and jokes, or does your audience enjoy it?
Be Prepared
Don’t wing it. Have a script or at least a plan of some sort. Always be prepared for whatever might happen. Is your show live? Anything can happen, like your guest could get a bit off the wall. Maybe your guest won’t even show up! What will you do? Plan for the worst, but hope for the best.
Respect Your Audience
It's simple, respect your audience. After all, they’re what keeps your station afloat!
Speak Clearly
Good sound equipment will only get you so far. If you mumble, speak in a monotone voice, or don’t speak clearly, your audience will tune in to another station. Do some vocal warm-ups, enunciate, and put a little “oomph” in your voice!
Be True to Yourself
If you decide to essentially “play a character” as a DJ, it’s important to still be true to yourself. Don’t pretend to love top 40 if your heart is into 90s alternative rock. The audience will pick up on that.
Enjoy Yourself
At the end of the day, you need to enjoy what you’re doing. If you can hear someone smiling on the other end of the phone, your audience can hear you having fun on the air.
There you have it. You're well on your way to being a great live radio broadcaster! Looking for more tips? Check out 10 more here. Looking for more info on internet radio broadcasting and running your own station? See our organized list of articles here.
Ready to start your own station? Contact one of our Product Consultants or visit our website today.
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Article Image: moinzon via Pixabay.
