Radio Announcer's Job Profile
As per the radio show format, the radio announcer has to prepare for it. This involves researching on the program theme or topic and also writing the show. The announcer must ensure that the chosen topic that is interesting and current. They also need to shortlist the guests who are invited on the shows. If one is a DJ then, researching latest songs and playing them on the show is also one of the duties. Depending on the show one is doing, one may even be required to talk to listeners in a pleasant way which will interest the audience. They also run various contests and give away prizes.
It is the responsibility of the radio announcer to exercise professional news judgment to determine the news or information that they might find appropriate for broadcasting. Other than merely selecting news and programs for broadcasting, there are various other duties that need to be performed by the radio announcer who operates and controls the equipment in the control room. Preparation and reviewing the program paraphernalia before they are broadcast is also the duty of the radio announcer. Reporting, interviewing, writing, editing and producing the program segments are some of the additional tasks looked into by the announcer.
Training and Qualifications
In most of the radio stations, a person having a bachelor's degree in literature or mass communication is preferred. They may even take up courses in broadcasting. Other than just having the educational qualifications, radio stations also ask for work samples that have already been recorded. Having training in college or in some technical school is one of the basic requirements for being a radio announcer.
Skill Sets Required
Since a radio programmer undertakes the work involved in the broadcasting process, from reporting to the time of producing the program, it is essential for the radio announcer to understand and have knowledge of the format that is followed in the radio stations. They should also know about different kinds of topics and music that can be discussed and played in the talk show. A radio announcer must be a great researcher as optimum research is necessary to be conducted before writing any newscast. They must be creative, jovial, updated on latest and interesting information and facts.
Radio announcers must also be experts in selecting the guests who have to be invited in the talk shows depending upon the topic or issue being discussed. Confidence and efficiency to carry on the work effectively and quickly are some of the set skills that should be essentially found in radio announcers.
Radio announcers need to know about news broadcasting, feature reports and public affairs. Well written news copies that are researched properly and highly produced are some of the other requirements for being a radio announcer.
Job Prospects and Salary
With the opening up of more and more radio stations, competition for the job of radio announcers has increased and is continuing to increase because there are more job seekers in the broadcasting field than are available in the other fields. The salary of radio announcers depends upon talent, experience and place where they work. Announcers in large radio stations draw more salary than small station announcers. The average salary that is paid to a radio announcer is about $40,000 annually.
Radio announcer jobs are increasing with time and this is why there are more job opportunities that are available for the candidates interested. The responsibilities and duties of radio announcers largely depend upon the station where they work.
