Students How 2

A newsletter for you, the college student

who wants to learn how to do everything
better, easier or cheaper
Fall 2023

(Photo of two women working together by Andrew Neel from pexels.ccom)

This Issue will present you tips on how to:

Become a Good Radio Host &

learn how to manuver a Radio Board
1
 How to be a successful radio host

By Anna Tart

Talk about things that interest you:

When scripting your show, it is important to
include topics that you know. Whether it includes
a movie, a major news headline or even a recent
outing you had with friends, the possibilities are (Radio hosts by George Milton from pexels.com)
limitless. In other words, try not to overthink when
it comes to finding topics for your show. When you
are passionate about what you are talking about Be Prepared before your show:
while on air, your listeners will notice. Knowing what you will be talking about before going
live is key to ensuring that your show runs smooth-
ly and follows a flow. Some radio hosts like to have a
Be Yourself: script on hand during their shows, whether it be a bul-
leted list or a word-for-word script. It is also important
Letting your personality shine is the best way
to rehearse and review your script before going live to
to grab your audience’s attention. According
avoid any major issues.
to Shayna Jones, the WZMB 91.3 FM adviser,
Wagner suggests that for shows with co-hosts, some
people tend to pressure themselves into be-
DJs may not write a script before going live.
coming someone they are not while on-air, but
doing this can impact the success of a show.
“That’s what Demitri and I do, but it’s a little easier for us
because we have a show together, and with two people
“Be authentic to you and then your topics
you don’t really need that much stuff because you just
and your music will naturally align,” she said.
have a conversation on-air,” Wagner said when talking
Building an on-air persona that reflects who
about how she and her co-host prepare for shows.
you are is a great way to express your interests
and connect with listeners.
Jones believes that by taking time to prepare, you can
also consider other assets you can bring to your show.
“Whether that’s guests, or quotes, or soundbites, or
clips, or anything else that you can add to that unique
perspective,” Jones said.

2
 How to properly use a radio board

By Charlie Marban

PhotoInforgraphic
Inser regarding 2nd article
where this
is. (Music board by Lukas from pexels.com)

Multitasking:
When working the radio board, you are also in the
position of a DJ, meaning that you are still on-air
people listening to you while you are handling the
radio board. Knowing how to multitask while work-
ing the radio board at the same time is an essential
tactic that can keep the music running smoothly for
the listener. Ana Tart, DJ at East Carolina’s WZMB
91.3 F.M. radio station, said multitasking is not as
hard as it seems when working the console,
“I came into WZMB not knowing anything and I
literally got the hang of it. You are really just working
with two or three buttons at most.” she said.
Practice:
Practice is key to developing your skills and the same
thing applies to working the radio board. Shayna
Jones, advisor at WZMB, described this practice as
developing your muscle memory.
“You are constantly developing your muscle memory
into working the board, as advisor I have seen many
DJ’s get intimidated by the counsel and rethink their
decision in being a DJ here at WZMB. However, they
get shocked by how easy it is to work the board and
express how practice is what drives them into learn-
ing the board.”

3
 Radio host unemployment and turnover rate
over time

12

10
Unemployment rate

2 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Year by year

Stats provided by Zippia

(Infographic containing data conducted on the uemployment/turnover rate in the last ten years)

For more topics and tips, visit studentsshow2.wordpress.com