If You Don’t Have A Producer, You Do Have One: YOU

If you have a producer, ask yourself if she helps you do better shows or is just a go-fer.  If it’s the latter, you might actually be more effective without one.

A great producer adds value to everything by..

• Understanding the roles and character of every member of the team.
• Maintains and actively programs your monthly, weekly and daily planners
• Is a constant content hunter, looking for stories that fit the values of the team and the listener
• Reads voraciously
• Keeps a large “rolodex” address book with contact info for anyone who might suddenly be good to place on air immediately and maintains good relationships so that when something happens right now they line up the best ‘gets’
• Uses streaming recorder to monitor and edit down the radio stations and personalities who create content that might be adaptable to your situation
• Writes well, producing bits and promos that are so good they make it to the air
• “Gets” PR and knows who in local media can get you publicity, creates press releases that get you in print, online and on TV whenever you do something noteworthy
• Updates the appearance schedule, maximizing every out-of-station event
• Keeps a diary of the best ideas that occur during brainstorming sessions, on air or anytime a great concept surfaces

A rookie mistake is to hire a potential producer who wants to be a morning personality and not making it clear that their job is to help the existing characters be better by directing them productively not to compete for mic time with them.  Make it clear that you'll mentor and help with their personal goal, but for now their job is to make you shine.

It’s a full time job, but if no one else is doing it and there’s no budget for this position, it’s important to bake these tasks into your personal prep and self-promotion.