Qualities of a good producer

Talk Show Producer

The radio is one of the most amazing discoveries of all time; it has become a very important part of the lives of almost everyone across the globe. Just switch it on and tune into your favorite channel and listen to songs, news, talk shows of your choice.

In last few years there has been a great demand for talk show producers for radio. Life of a radio talk show producer evolves from individual to social and interpersonal. Working as a talk show producer is the same as moving through a ladder of entertainment, prestige, mental dominance, knowledge and intelligence. Let's first have a look at what the primary requirements are for this job.

Many people like to listen to the radio for the talk shows that are generally hosted by an individual and usually feature interviews and with guests who are masters in their field. Some shows also provide the facility of listener participation where listeners can interact with the guests and express their reactions. While broadcasting live conversations; the producer screens the incoming calls and keeps the audience interested. These shows are generally organized in segments with commercial advertisements in between.
The job of a talk show producer

As far as the job of a talk show producer is concerned, this kind of a job where you must have good experience of multi-managing tasks simultaneously and have the natural ability to organize and schedule work. You should also have the ability to work under pressure, meet tight deadlines and utilize problem-solving skills. You should be able to participate in all aspects of preparation and its presentation on-air. Research, review and presentation of daily stories are a very important part of this job. To survive as a talk show producer one has to be highly creative with what is being presented on air and also be focused on the strategy, perception and performance of the talk show. The success also lies in efficiently managing a database for topics and guests. A good producer should always pre-interview a guest and evaluate how well the person fits into the requirement of the talk show. You should also be a good coordinator who is able to effectively manage integrated marketing/promotion programs with whatever resources available (should be able to produce daily show promos). Strong journalism background (preferably in public radio and live talk) is a very important requirement for this job; you should be very comfortable with writing, interviewing, editing and research skills. So in other words you should be able to firm up big powerful images of what can be achieved from the show. To be a winner you should be able to convert these images to positive, tangible accomplishments.
Time management skills are very important for a talk show producer

Time management is a very important skill for a talk show producer. In this profession it is all about exercising expertise in finding how much time is worth concentrating on the right things, deciding work priorities, problem solving, tackling the right tasks first through prioritized to-do lists, and executing the plan in a timely fashion. You must have the penchant for using time wisely. Understanding the key principles of time management in a talk show is very important, and you should be able to:

· Know the big picture Understand the difference between urgent and important

· Learn to think and act in a proactive way Avoid time wasters

Qualities of a good producer

· Main record of daily activities, should know how to manage people and performance, should also be able to prepare host with script and background material

· Good Oral communication, listening and interpersonal skills, should be able to maintain good relationship with publicists and news maker

· Should be aggressive, should be able to lead and manage staff and work collaboratively, and should be able to work under pressure as well as part of the team

· Establishing a collegial, flexible environment for the talent, should be flexible and professional under pressure and deadlines

· Should be excellent in research work related to finding interesting topics, creative angles and stories for the talk show, maintaining a database for contact and work experience of the guests

· Stay updated and informed about the latest events related to the talk show

· Should possess the ability to inspire the talent in a positive way, to give 100% and achieve high standards of performance level. Small gestures can actually go a long way toward building loyalty.

· Direct the talent consistently to exceed expectations by making sure the team is aware of how people are reacting to the show.

· Should be able to invite interesting guests to the show (should be able to identify the best guests).

· Should have a good understanding of digital recording and editing tools.

· Perform technical duties – running the sound board, screening phone calls

Today's leaders in Radio talk shows need to understand both how to create profits in their business and how their shows create profits. If you are a visionary producer who has proven to be able to accomplish both of these things, then there would never ever be any shortage of opportunities for you. This profession needs professionals who do their tasks with finesse, expertise and dedication. Also remember that experience itself does not mean that that a person is competent. What really counts in moving up in this profession is how much a person gains from time spent on this job. Your primary focus should be to face challenging responsibilities with creativity based on strategy and satisfying the listeners. Remember, enthusiasm plus action equals success and success starts with knowing what you want from your job.