Some of my best memories are from when I was a radio DJ.  I worked my way up from the early morning graveyard shift to a job in commercial radio, and it was during this time I learned a lot about people, business, and myself.

Here is how what I learned will help you: 

Be True To Yourself

You can please some of the people all of the time, or all of the people some of the time – but never both. 

My introduction to radio came when I was working at our school’s Television station.  The radio station manager, Laney, watched one of my shows and suggested I do double duty in radio as well.  She said, “You have a good radio voice and we have an opening for a DJ.”  I gave it a little thought and accepted. 

The problem was - I did not know how to be a DJ.

Since my first shift on the radio was from 3am – 6am, I was certain that no one was listening.  If they were, they were only listening for the music and not any of my commentary.  So, I started to try on different personalities like they were clothes.  I went through more personalities than Beyonce does wardrobe changes at one of her concerts.

My frustration must have showed because Laney called me into her office.   I remember exactly what she said to me, “James. People like you just as you are. That is why I asked you to be on air.  Do not try to be someone you are not.  Be yourself, and you will be just fine.” 

Those were inspirational words.  Once I quit trying to be someone everyone would like all the time and just started to be myself, both the show and my confidence improved.

Lesson Learned: Do not try to change who you really are, it is what makes you unique.

Know Your Audience

As soon as I began to progress and gain confidence behind the microphone, a very sought after specialty show position opened.  Friday nights 8-11pm.  I was given the position.

I also was very nervous.  This was a popular timeslot because, in a college town, Friday night meant tons of parties, and I was responsible for the musical entertainment.  We took things very seriously because we were rated the Number 1 radio station in the listening area, and this was competing against major market Denver commercial radio stations. 

This audience would be so much different from my 3am audience.  But, it was my job to know who would be listening and what their agenda was.  If I understood who was listening then I could meet their needs.

Lesson Learned:  Never walk into a test without doing your homework.   

Take Risks

I write in my book, Developing a Million-Dollar Relationship, about how important security is for relationships. 

In radio, being secure means having a solid listener base, keeping them listening, and not making a fool out of yourself.  However, when you take a risk you create margins.  The truth is, security is not freedom from risk, but rather it is freedom to risk. 

By my senior year, I was a full time DJ.  It was a far cry from my weekly ’specialty show’.  Where was I going to come up with material to fill so many shows? I thought for awhile, and remembered something a mentor once told me.  When you do not have alot of experience borrow from those that do. 

One morning, I was walking down the hall and our new, quiet, yet extremely personable station manager, Ryan, was walking towards me.  I thought  he would compliment me when, without slowing down, he said, “I heard your show today.  It sounded a lot like so-and-so’s show, and I think he is dull.” 

Wow! What a blow to my ego.

I then worked hard to come up with original material.  When something worked well, I would add it to my arsenal to use again later. 

One day, I had a great show. Feeling good about myself, I was walking out of the studio when in walks Ryan.  He said, “Heard your show today.  You said the same thing on last Thursday’s show, and I thought that one was boring too. Take some risks already.” 

Ryan was not trying to be ugly; he wanted me to get out of my comfort zone.  I took some risks, and in the end, taking risks allowed me to produce a widely popular show. 

Lesson Learned:  Sometimes without risk, there is no growth

Review Your Progress 

To some, the hardest thing a DJ has to do for the first time is speak to the large listening audience, all of whom are invisible to you.

For me this was not the case.  While pressing the on-air button for the first time scared the hell out of me, the hardest thing for me to do the first time was review my show. 

Every time I hit the On-Air button, I taped myself on what we called ‘the skimmer’.   Once a week all the DJ’s would meet, review, and analyze each other’s work.  It was uncomfortable, because you knew you would have to replay those bad moments you hoped no one heard. 

However, every time I did this my show would improve and I would sharpen my skills.   

Lesson Learned:  Some say experience is the best teacher.  I say, Evaluated Experience is the best teacher.

Believe In Yourself

There is a fine line in show business between being cocky and being confident, but the one thing I know is that having confidence in yourself will get you further.

What is the difference?  Cockiness comes from walking into a situation unprepared, failing, and learning nothing from it.  You can witness this on American Idol when the judges tell someone they just do not have what it takes and the auditioner yells what an a$$7o!3 Simon is.

Confidence stems from preparing to the best of your ability and giving an authentic performance.  Confidence does not mean you succeed everytime, but it gives you the ablility to learn from your mistakes and improve.  Without confidence, you will simply defeat yourself and never reach your desired goal.  However, with confidence, you will be able to reach your goals. Because you believe in yourself. 

Confidence is what gives the audience a reason to believe in you. 

Lesson Learned: You have to believe in yourself before anyone else ever will.