ABSTRACT
Most of what you need to know about style comes from common sense and listening to the output. If you have chosen to work on a particular station or in a particular genre, you should immerse
yourself in what others are doing on the same station or in the same genre. It is the best way to forge a shared sense of purpose and identity. That does not mean copying slavishly everyone else who broadcasts on your particular programme or station.You were hired to be ‘yourself’, not an on-air clone. Remember those keen-eared listeners and viewers with their built-in insincerity detectors. They will soon spot whether you are trying to pretend to be something or somebody you are not. Of course, you must play to your strengths.You can love music, but still be a hopeless daytime DJ if you find inconsequential chatter … well, inconsequential. You would be better off finding a late night slot that lets you talk to other real aficionados of the music. And why try to be a news reporter if you find current events frankly dull? Get yourself a job on a celebrity gossip spot if that’s what sparks your real interest. But don’t let yourself be pigeonholed. Broadcasting skills are often easily transferable from programme to programme, from station to station, from local to network, and from radio to TV and vice versa, despite what some of your colleagues might imply. Broadcasting is full of people who think they do a better job than anyone else. They like to look down their noses and claim that what they do on their station or programme is infinitely superior to what you have been doing in your previous job – but you should politely ignore them. Be ready to learn, but recognize you also are bringing something with you – perhaps something new. Style ‘rules’ are made to be broken; that is how broadcasting evolves over time.
