What Does a Podcast Producer Do?

Have you ever wondered, “What does a podcast producer do?” Let me answer with another question. Have you ever heard a podcast episode and said to yourself, “I love the transition effects on this!” Or, “It’s so much easier on the ears than all those other podcasts.” If yes, then there is one person you need to be thankful for — the podcast producer. A podcast producer is a member of the podcast’s main production crew. He or she makes sure that you get the best overall quality with each podcast episode.

A podcast producer handles all parts of a podcast episode’s production, from direction and scriptwriting to guest booking and tracking podcast analytics like the number of downloads it clocked. They also assist the podcast host and other team members throughout the production process.

A podcast producer will handle almost all the decision-making processes of a podcast show. They may tend to the podcast production of one or many podcasters, and may even handle their own podcast, too. To know more about this career, here are the responsibilities and expertise of a podcast producer:

What Do Producer's Do?

Supervise the podcast’s creation process

One of the critical responsibilities of a podcast producer is to oversee the production process of podcasts from start to finish. Their work starts the moment that there is a new podcast show to manage, or a new episode to make ready for release.

For new podcasts, they need to pitch in new ideas for the show. They also ensure that the team will produce high-quality episodes. Therefore, each episode requires an immense amount of knowledge from podcast producers.

Podcast producers keep the ball rolling and are the lifeblood of any podcast. They will give birth to podcast shows and make sure that they thrive correctly in the podcast industry. Hence, they are also in charge of strategic work and podcast promotion.

Manage guest research and scheduling

For a podcast to be successful, it needs to present quality content. When using an interview format, it needs to welcome guests with authority around the subjects that the podcast covers. However, these experts are busy most of the time and can be hard to find. Podcasting newbies can have difficulty catching them for an interview.

Podcast producers can offer podcasters help with this task. They have expertise in guest management. They will look for guests or influencers who can offer their knowledge or experiences on the episode’s topic.

Podcast producers make sure that they seek fascinating persons who can increase the number of podcast listeners. Aside from that, they are also fully accountable for booking and scheduling.

Podcasters will ensure that they sit with renowned guests and consider the interviews’ long-term sustainability as the number of episodes grows and weeks pass. Do you already have guest names on schedule for the next episodes?

Additionally, the host, co-host, and guests should have chemistry when talking with each other, even only through audio. Audiences can feel out by listening if both parties are not on good terms or comfortable with each other’s presence.

So, what does the podcast producer do? He or she will handle guest selection and introductions. Producers know how to choose the right people and how to forge bonds between guests and hosts. They also know how to prep guests and hosts before the recording starts.

Research audience information

A good podcast producer should also be an excellent researcher. They should know which platforms to delve into so that they can garner all the needed information. Some producers leverage social media groups to get inside the thoughts of their target audience.

With proper research, podcast producers help their clients produce a valuable show. This will keep listeners engaged so that they become hooked on every episode.

Prepare questions prior to an interview

Before starting the audio recording and processing, a podcast producer should finish all the paperwork first. This includes the episode outline flow. They are usually in question form given to both the host and guest before the interview.

Podcast producers also give out these questions for both parties to stay on track during the entire course of the interview. This will give them a glimpse of what specifics of a particular topic the conversation will revolve around. Greater familiarity will also lessen stutters that are hard to edit out later on.

Manage the audio production process

Another critical role of podcast producers is audio editing. For this task, they need to produce high-quality audio. A podcast producer does not have to be an audio engineer. He or she will possess some of the same skills, though.

Audio production involves podcast recording to start. During this stage, podcast producers need to ensure that the host and the guest are recording in a quiet environment, free from background noises, echoes, and other unnecessary sounds.

After recording, the next stage is audio processing, which requires editing, mixing, and mastering. At this juncture, podcast producers handle “cleaning” the audio, aiming for the highest audio quality possible.

A podcaster can put in a ton of effort during recording sessions. He or she may set up a suitable noise-free space. Yet, no matter how careful they are, they can still end up with low-quality sound.

So, what do they do in these situations? He or she will be a big help in troubleshooting studio setups so that their clients can produce quality recordings. A podcast producer knows what equipment podcasters should use. He or she can point out what’s wrong and make recommendations for the right microphone, headphones, pop filter, and laptop to use.

A podcast producer is like a podcast doctor, locating which part of the setup went wrong and posing immediate solutions to the problem. This is an essential component of their profession because it requires them to use their creativity to create something of high quality.

Plan and execute episode distribution

Creating a podcast might theoretically be as simple as clicking the record button on your laptop. Figuring out how to best distribute, however, is typically the most challenging part. Please leave it to podcast producers.

Podcast distribution equates to book publishing. It is like posting your show on various channels, like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher to make it available to your target audience. This process, as we said, is tricky, as it involves a lot of technical work.

Picking the correct podcast hosting platform is critical. If you get this wrong, you could kill your show’s potential for growth. So, what does the producer do to help? He or she knows the best podcast hosts and distribution channels to provide you with the growth your podcast needs.

Lead the podcast team

A podcast producer establishes the team’s atmosphere and tone. They serve as a pillar, assisting the host and the rest of the crew. Throughout the conceptualization and production phase, a producer should be present. They can also provide reports or keep track of episode content that is pertinent to the next release.

To put it another way, podcast producers will be there to help the entire production team every step of the way. They should never abandon a member of their team. Each one should know their respective roles inside and out to foster a smooth flow within the process.

Oversee analytics

There are a lot of elements a podcaster should consider when producing a podcast. Luckily, a podcast producer knows all of these. One of the variables is the audience demographics. Podcast producers oversee which member of the listenership shows interest in each release.

Why is this important? Podcast producers help podcasters produce shows with valuable information by improving the design of the podcast. This is crucial since it will determine what content structure and podcast needs to resonate with its listeners.

They know how to track the podcast’s progress through observing the metrics like downloads, peak times, and hottest episodes. Through this, the team will know the perfect time and day of the week to release an episode.

Ensure podcasts meet internal deadlines

Producers can also develop a content calendar. This tool will help the entire team stay on track with their schedules. They are the ones who communicate with their clients about what they need and want.

Aside from the audio production, there are usually other elements to consider. For each episode, there are show notes, summaries, and artwork. A podcasting calendar will allow the entire team to prepare the necessary elements for each episode before the release date.

And what does a podcast producer do when the team slacks off? They are on the ball, giving team members a push to keep going!

Manage the podcast production budget

Podcast producers are not only skillful on the creative side. They know how to handle numbers. They know how to create a podcast production budget. Indeed, there is no free stuff in this world. Yet podcast producers will help you reduce the cost of the process.

Some podcasters want their podcasting careers to serve as a business to generate income. What does a podcast producer do to help them make a profit? They know which equipment is necessary for success. A podcast producer also knows strategies to help hosts improve to achieve their financial goals. These podcast marketing experts will devise ways for hosts to use capital properly and focus on the best ROI investments. They know how to reach a wider audience, win more conversions, attract better guests, and achieve excellent media quality.

What qualities should your podcast production team have?

• Experience in the podcast industry
• Excellent research and communication skills
• Exemplary writing skills
• Excellent storytelling talent
• Knowledge of and experience with marketing strategies for podcast growth
• Values deadlines and schedules
• Ability to work collaboratively on creative content
• Strong attention to detail

How much does it cost to hire a podcast producer?

Roughly, a podcast producer’s hourly wage falls at around $23. Their educational background and professional experience are factors that affect this average, however. An expert in this profession can charge up to $42 per hour. You may not need to hire a senior producer, however. Many outsourcing businesses and podcast production agencies can assist you in finding the proper person for the job and your budget.

Go here for a breakdown of podcast editing rates.

Key Takeaways

A podcast producer can help you reach your show’s goals. He or she will not only save you from the many headaches that come with podcasting, but will also ensure that you are able to produce high-quality podcasts that your listeners will like.

Here are the important points you need to remember:

• Podcast production is not an easy task, and a podcast producer can alleviate your stress.
• Having a podcast producer is better than walking the podcasting path in the dark alone.
• Podcast producers have varied skillsets and expertise – just make sure to ask for a portfolio before hiring one.

As a podcaster, this will free up a lot of time for you to concentrate on other things that demand your knowledge and attention.

However, if you are hesitant to hire a podcast producer, you can opt for trusted and credible podcast production companies like Podkick. They have an in-house team ready to assist you in launching a quality podcast. Never hesitate to ask for help in achieving your dream podcasting career!

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