How the Best in Broadcasting Maximize Productivity

Jeff McHugh • October 24, 2024

I was burnt out, and I did not understand why. Many years ago, as a 24-year-old radio host and music director, I worked long days, nights, and weekends but could not finish the job.

A nearby college advertised a time management course, and I signed up. There were so many takeaways that my hand cramped from notetaking. At the end, the teacher patiently explained why I was not getting the job done:

“You are trying to do too much.”

It was apparent to her, but the simple truth that 25 hours do not fit in a 24-hour day was an epiphany to a young person starting out. That was my first a-ha moment in learning to manage time efficiently, and I have tried to learn more ever since.

What are your tips and tricks for getting more done in less time when you wear a lot of hats and juggle multiple roles?

Here is productivity advice collected from high-performance performers you may know about our business.

Gary Berkowitz, Berkowitz Broadcast Consulting

  • Keep a regular schedule. Up early. To bed early.
  • Daily exercise
  • Be at my desk by 8 am
  • Always break for lunch
  • Always end the day with a clean, organized desk. Ready for tomorrow.

Most important. I keep a yellow legal pad with a to-do list written in pencil. It includes everything I need to do, who to call back, and other essential things. As they are done, I cross them out. No computer, no high tech, even when I travel.

Kelly Corday, program director and host, KCBI 90.9 Dallas

  • Up at 5 AM
  • Physical work outside
  • Check email and prioritize the day while listening to the morning show
  • Creative work before 2 PM, organizational work after 2 PM
  • Voice tracking from the home studio

Chris Kelly, 2 Guys Named Chris Show

  • Prep from 4-6 AM and afternoons
  • Divide content into A or B material
  • Organized content into categories: Personal, Entertainment, Crime, Trump, Sex, Parenting, Relationship. Etc.
  • Use only 60% of each day’s plan on-air
  • Post-show: endorsements and email

Coryelle Thomas, social media manager and host on JP Coryelle and Husker Nick, KX 96.9 Lincoln

  • Scheduling content posts vs doing it in real-time
  • Same tasks in the same order every day

JP, host on JP, Coryelle and Husker Nick KX 969 Lincoln

  • Same tasks in the same order each day
  • Planning with the team right after each show
  • Voice track, podcast, website, and edit audio for the next day after planning
  • Always on a to-do list

Dave Ryan, The Dave Ryan Show KDWB Minneapolis

  • The four of us prep for a couple of hours immediately after each show
  • No meetings, no emails or calls from 10-12 daily
  • We don’t voice track other shows or hold other duties
  • Use  Sales Force Chatter  for private communication/show collaboration

Steve Harvey, The Steve Harvey Morning Show

Ryan Seacrest,  On Air with Ryan Seacrest

  • Moved closer to work (LA to NY)
  • Only one sick day in 17 years
  • Try not to think about how much there is to do

Photo by  Andrew Neel  on  Unsplash

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