Stepping into the world of podcasting is an exciting move, but it is far from easy.
There’s a lot that goes into the nitty gritty work involved with podcast production. There’s the planning one needs to do, the detailed editing that grinds the gears of even the most experienced podcast editors, and there’s the recording, with all the stress that comes with it.
All of this can be overwhelming, which makes hiring a podcast producer an absolute must. Of course, typing anything into an article like this automatically makes it sound easy. Before you make a decision, it pays to know exactly what such a producer can do for you and what you’re getting out of having one.
The Work of a Podcast Producer
To sum it concisely, a producer is the one in charge of the podcast’s planning and logistics. To be more specific, there are at least four separate areas within the overall production where a producer’s contributions are felt the most.
First, there is the pre-show research. Your producer will be either directly responsible, or he or she will contribute greatly to reaching out to potential guests, and then booking them for the show. The producer will also be involved with planning the topics of your episodes and do the research related to them.
Second, there is the scheduling of the show itself, which is where a lot of the logistics come into play. The producer will create notes as the show goes on, and he or she will be responsible for setting deadlines for specific tasks and sub-projects.
Another area of podcast production that a producer may get involved in would be the sound engineering. Either your producer will work hand in hand with the podcast engineer, or he or she will take on that role and absorb it into his or her already-considerable list of tasks.
Lastly, there is the editing. Just like with the sound engineering, the producer can either work closely with the editors or he or she can also do some–if not all–of the editing needed for the show. Little details like noise reduction and mixing will become part of his or her tasks in that case.
As you can imagine, it is a heavy responsibility that bleeds into various areas of the show’s production. Although many who try their hand at podcasting may end up filling the role themselves, but when things get too rough, hiring an extra hand to help out will be beyond beneficial.
The Perks of Having a Great Podcast Producer
Besides easing the stressful day of those who are already part of the production team, there are various other clear perks to having a quality podcast producer by your side. The first among these would be the uptick in your content’s quality.
Although your team will already have the necessary skills to put out high quality podcast episodes, the additional help and guidance they can get from a producer will help them even more. Not only will there be an extra set of eyes on the lookout for potential mistakes or areas of improvement, the speed in which the production moves will also increase.
That means you’ll be able to procrastinate less. Your productivity will soar and you can start releasing episodes in a faster and more consistent manner. This is beneficial not only for those involved in the production, but also for your listeners as well. Once your fans start noticing the improvements, that can only mean good things for your podcast’s brand overall.
Speaking of branding, having a producer means you can start focusing on other areas that might have fallen to the wayside. That means more attention and effort can go to your marketing now, so that more people can discover your show. And all of this is possible once you have a quality producer by your side.
Considering that the vast majority of podcast producers are freelancers, you’ll need to know the best freelance sites to find the one best suited for your needs. You can try sites like Fiverr or Upwork. Similarly, you can also ask around within your network of connections to see if they have someone they can recommend.
If this was an interesting read for you, then you may want to book a call with the peerless professionals at Podcast Engineers! Learn from their vast knowledge and expertise using your free discovery call today!