This document outlines the qualities and responsibilities of a radio jockey (RJ). An RJ hosts radio talk shows where they select music and topics of discussion, interacting with listeners by phone, online, or email. To be an effective RJ, one must have strong communication skills, cultural awareness of local events, knowledge of movies and music, and the ability to write scripts and adapt to changing situations. Additionally, RJs must be able to engage listeners through their voice modulation, original style, and ability to handle mistakes diplomatically. Formal training is not required but can help build confidence, though many successful RJs learned on the job through talent searches. Being an RJ provides opportunities for career growth through contracts, commercial work

1. BY
Somya Pandey
QUALITIES OF A RADIO JOCKEY
OR RJ

2. Introduction to Rj’s
 A radio jockey (or RJ) is
a person who hosts
a radio talk show where
the RJ selects the music
to be played, or topic of
discussion, by interacting
with the audience; the
interaction is often via
telephone, but may also
be online, or via email.

3.  These days a RJ not only plays a
part of the navigator but his/her
main aim is to entertain the
listeners and simultaneously
provide regular online
information. Every successful RJ
has its own style of
communicating. A sweet, mid to
heavy voice is considered
suitable for broadcasting but
moreover its your own aptitude,
your overall confidence, your
personality to deliver all of it
through your voice.

4. What does an RJ has to do
everyday
 First of all, an RJ does not have a regular 9 to 5
job. He can be called to host or anchor a show
anytime of the day or night. An RJ has to be very
open to himself. Whatever may be your emotions an
RJ is always happy. He should be culturally active.
He/She should know his/her city well, the culture
and be aware of main events taking place.

5. Rj should know of the language or
further some dialects of other
languages also, to punch in
whenever necessary. Since Radio
cannot survive without Movies,
Songs or Bollywood in terms of
India, so awareness about them is
considered a necessity. An RJ
should also be able to write scripts
for a show. One thing more if you
have written your script yourself,
you know of the subject matter and
can change or manipulate at your
own will.

6. In short you may have the
following qualities-
 You enjoy talking to people and have a desire to be
aware.
 You must be original and should have your own style.
 Your other voice performance or qualities like
mimicry, local dialects and comedy or humour items
helps to carry on the show.
 You can't afford to have inhibitions.
 You should know how to provide variations and
modulation in your voice. You should be fluent but
not monotonous as this may create boredom in your
audience monotone is a surefire way of losing your
audience. Modulate your voice well and your fan
following will increase and open the way to other
assignments. If you can sound different on your
show, people will enjoy listening to you.

7.  Humans have a tendency to make mistake, if somehow
a mistake has been made, either admit it or cover it
up diplomatically. This may come up with experience
or better listen to experienced RJs how they tackle
these issues. Their professionalism, their relationship
with listeners, the flow they are speaking, their
interactiveness and so on. Also note how they
interact live with listeners, how do they tackle some
awkward queries or comments from callers. You
should be ready to face that and cover up in your
style quickly by changing the topic or by taking a
break or playing a song. Mostly the telephone callers
are briefed before for a minute or so before they
come on live, this gets you an idea of the caller.

8. Is formal training required to
become an RJ?
 No. Anchoring or Radio Jockeying depends on how you
deliver, your originality, the punch in your content, your
style, your personality, how you present your program
and further how you connect with your audience. An RJ
should have good communication powers and language
skills. Never the less, RJ courses do help to develop
your confidence or bring out your personality or inbuilt
caliber in hiding but are not a necessity Many of the
RJ's today have never gone through any course and
have a good name today. RJ hunts or talent search are
often conducted by FM channels to bring out original
unique talent.

9. Gains
 There is a lot of scope for quick
growth. All you need is talent,
confidence and perseverance. As
a radio jockey, besides getting
contractual good money you earn
by doing Ad commercials. As you
get famous and your voice is
recognized, other Radio Channels
tend to attract you with better
package. Alternatively RJs are
also busy with doing voice-overs
for ad films and movies. When
they are being connected to their
audience RJs also can anchor or
compare TV shows or live shows /
events.