Steve Crossman – - Helping you take the next step in radio
How did you know that you could do the job you did?
The short answer is that I didn’t. I’d trained for three years at university so I knew I had a good enough voice to pull off a commentary but nothing prepares you for the moment when you hear a presenter hand over the live output of a station to you for the first time and it hits you that for the next 45 minutes your voice will be the only thing that thousands of listeners will hear.
The truth is you will either sink or swim, and all you can do is be as prepared as humanly possible by spending at least six hours researching and using websites like soccerbase.com (if it’s a football match) and local newspapers/club sites to make sure you know that specific match as well as a die hard fan of either club would.
Who are the best people to listen and learn from?
Listen to local radio commentators and watch highlights shows on television to decide whose style you like. You’ll notice some rely heavily on statistical information and others are more friendly and chatty so work out what suits you best.
Broadcasters will often be impressed if you phone them, if you rate someone highly at your local station then give them a call for a chat, you’ll be surprised how willing to talk about themselves some commentators are! Some people are less friendly than others, but nothing ventured.
And generally, how tough and competitive is radio for a would-be sports presenter/commentator?
Everyone says that it’s tough and very competitive and they’re right but if you work hard you WILL get your chance to shine and if you don’t stop working hard, keep your feet on the ground and remember that it’s often as important to be liked as it is to be good at the start of your career, you’ll be successful.