What makes a good radio DJ?

Question

This came up as a topic of conversation over the weekend, and I am looking for additional input. While talking with a few DJ's for internet radio stations, the question was asked "What makes a good radio DJ?"

Thanks.

Answer 1

first of all knowladge of communication.....confidence...you need confidence to speak to the whole country...good voice..ppl should like it...good degree..otherwise you aint getting a job..

Answer 2

The gift of gab combined with a knowledge of how to use your voice. You need to know hot to improvise, as well as keep the attention of the audience. You can't talk into a microphone with a normal voice, you have be about three levels more hyper than your listener in order to manufacture excitement. Treat every word like what you have to say is the most interesting thing anyone has ever heard. On top of this, you have to be able to improvise and actually have something to say. You need to make the annual dog walk for Cystic Fibrosis sound like its the happening event to be at and, if you're not there, you missed the event of a lifetime...even if you don't even know what Cystic Fibrosis is.

Answer 3

just check out follow Uk dj's like:

Chris Moyles

Zane Lowe

Jo Whiley

Carol McGiffin

Annie Mac

Nick Ferrari

Clive Bull

Fearne Cotton & Reggie Yates

Hope i helped:)

Answer 4

Some one who plays lots of popular music, and can tell funny, witty jokes. It also helps if they come up with fun competitions for people to call up and participate in.

Answer 5

You have to  be total idiot with the garbage that the CORPORATE morons force you to play!

Answer 6

Toucan Sam has a great line on it. IF the DJ Can select his own music, it should be stuff that will wake up and excite the listener.

After that, someone with great personality , who can keep people interested in what will happen next. Some do it with parts of their life, others only how looney the comments they are saying.

Identify with your listener is the biggest thing I've heard from people. Bring information that would be interesting and fun for them......And depending upon the format and how much excitement you want to put into the show, will be the tonal changes Toucan was talking about....  As you don't want to overly hyped introducing Dr. Gene Scott's next religious sermon

If not, It's who ever can play the best music , shut up and not talk over the songs:-)

Answer 7

Here's what I like from the DJs I listen to:

-No dead air. There should be constant talking or music playing.

-Be willing to share personal things. Listeners like to hear DJs experiences.

-Put callers on the air. Listeners like to hear themselves on the air.

-Have contests. Listeners like to win free stuff.

-Have entertaining guests. Comedians who improvise are great!

-Have a website with a photo and make personal appearances at radio events. Listeners like to see what the DJ actually looks like... putting a face with the voice.

Answer 8

You have loads of good answers here already.  I guess I would just add that the only real answer to it depends on the listener.  I like some DJs that others hate - some people enjoy DJs who joke and chat etc, others prefer knowledgeable ones (Bob Dylan) where you will learn something.  You might like one in one kind of mood, and a different one later, if you are feeling more mellow.  So, it depends!  Oh, and by the way, Cosmic Rough Riders track is called 'You've Got Me' - did you get to hear it?

Answer 9

having fun with it