Dan wrote:
Sean,
I read you were a radio DJ. I’m going to school for that and I’m even interning at a local station. They asked me to fill in on an overnight shift and I blew it, big time. I kept stammering, I sounded nervous and timid, and I’m surprised they didn’t fire me. Did you have this issue? How did you overcome it? I’m also not good in public events. How do I get better at that?
Dan
Dan,
I am no vocal badass, but as you can see in the picture above, I trained my daughter to be one. I would like to think I was a pretty average radio DJ. I didn’t rely on gimmicks and I didn’t talk WAY too much like some (Cities 97) DJ’s today..I was there to give the listeners music and let that to the talking.
When I first started, my boss (perhaps the greatest boss I’ve ever had) told me I should have a beer or two before getting on the mic, so I would loosen up. It worked. Now, I didn’t go into the station half popped every time, but it helped me loosen up for my first few shifts. I stopped thinking of all 12 people listening (haha) and just concentrated on talking. I also invited a friend or two to sit with me while I did my shift. The joking and conversation off air made me forget my perfectionism and get down to business while on air. It really helped. I don’t know if your station allows that, but ask…and make sure your friends shut their yaps while you’re talking.
As far as public gigs go, after my first two, I had no issues. For my first gig (bar trivia), I stammered so much that people kept asking me to repeat the question. For the second gig (at Lone Tree), I must have called it Lone Star twenty times before the bar manager corrected me. After that, I was a pro. Beer in hand, I could take the mic at any event. What I am trying to say is that you have to have a few “shit your pants” moments before you wear big boy shorts. Don’t be afraid to talk to people either. It’s not rocket science, it’s conversation. Enjoy it.
Good luck! I hope you follow your dreams!
Sean
