The Job of A Radio Announcer

There’s a job for everyone in radio, depending on where your strengths lie. For those who want to ensure the radio’s output is the best it can be, radio announcer positions are the ideal option.

Radio announcers are an important part of a station’s on-air sound. They handle a number of elements to ensure the station will attract people’s attention. Announcers also make sure that large audiences are maintained. This role involves a number of other duties.

Radio announcers are in charge of producing, writing and editing news programmes, news reports as well as acting as an announcer. They are required to represent the station at industry and community functions and other events. Announcers are expected to conduct interviews and operate the equipment. It is essential that they exercise professional news judgement when accessing what is appropriate for broadcasting.

Other typical duties can include writing and editing introduction and continuity for reports, actualities and other elements inserted within network programming. Monitoring sound levels and ensuring programme quality is maintained is an essential part of the job. Announcers will need to review programme material prior to broadcast.

The job can vary from station to station, however. Some stations will expect announcers to read pre-printed scripts for adverts and messages to listeners, as well as producing good quality radio programmes. They will be required to introduce songs and radio shows along with announcing the station name and their tag line.

For smaller stations, radio announcers may be required to sell commercial time to advertisers and write commercial and news scripts. They could also be expected to read news and sports reports whereas, in larger stations, journalists will do this.

To get into the radio announcer business, you could undertake a course in journalism, communications or even English. Degrees aren’t always necessary, but they can help you get where you need to go. Taking up classes in communications, journalism or public speaking can help you grow both your skills and confidence in radio.

Volunteering with a local station or working with college radio will provide you with valuable and practical experience. However, it’s important to note that you may not get much on-air time at an established station, but you will get to see how the radio announcer operates. You will also be able to build up some contacts in the industry.

It’s essential that you can speak well and cleary if you would like to be a radio announcer. You must have correct grammar, punctuation and a good speaking voice. By practising your “broadcast” voice often and listening to the radio to hear what works and what doesn’t, it won’t be long until you’re comfortable.

You need to have a strong on-air presence and to appear confident, even if that’s not the case. Showing that you’re relaxed and knowledgable will stand to you. Having a good understanding of what is a good news story and what is not is essential for the job. Putting together news features with interviews is a key part of the role and if you can do it well, you’re destined to succeed.