Tips From An Aging Radio Dude 1

I thought I'd start a semi irregular series of simple tips for the nonprofessional radio announcer. I've been in radio since I was 12 and am several multiples of that now, and have made every mistake in the book and am constantly inventing new ones to overcome.

So here's the first posting with a small handful of simple things you should remember:

1. It is not a legal station identification if there is any word between our call letters and our city. You can say anything before KMXT and anything after Kodiak, but nothing in between them, ever, even the word "in." So: KMXT Kodiak is legal. KMXT in Kodiak is illegal. Just remember to keep the ins out and you won't be violating federal law. (that sounds so much more sinister than it is.)

2. If you're not airchecking yourself, you're delaying your progression as an announcer. "But Jay, I think I sound just fine, why do I need to progress?" Well, we're sometimes so busy we often are totally unaware of the little things we say and do on the air that drive listeners away. And make no mistake, no matter how good your music is, if you're annoying someone, they'll change channels. Bring a cassette tape next time you come in and we can show you how to run an aircheck. Sorry, we don't have the capability to do them digitally, yet.

3. What are some of the simple things to listen for when on the air?

• Lip-smacking;
• Saying Ah;
• Saying Um;
• Starting every sentence with "and."

Can you think of others you can share with your fellow announcers?

4. If you're proud of what you do, say your name on the air. It allows listeners to compliment you by name when they call the next day, and what's better than that? If you're really proud of what you do, try saying your first and last names.