How to build a profitable podcast.
A podcast producer? What do they really do and how can you become one? This post shares all...
Podcasting people will tell you that it is easy to begin a podcast mainly because there is SO much content online that teach the basics.
This is true...
The basics ARE easy to master.
But in the hyper-competitive podcasting world of today... you are going to need more than just the basics.
You are going to need to hire or become a PODCAST PRODUCER.
Now it sounds scary... but fortunately, mastering the skills of a podcast producer isn't actually that challenging.
In this post we will detail exactly what a podcast producer does, and how you can become one 🧑🎨
Podcasts are getting more and more popular because people are consuming more and more audio. It is the BEST way to build a relationship with a busy audience. A podcast producer is like an overseer and technical director. They handle responsibilities such as strategy, recording, editing, research and the production of podcast episodes.
The podcast producer can be said to be a creative genius.
What does the work of a podcast producer entail?
It is a challenging role, but it can be rewarding as well. Before you decide to apply for the job of a podcast producer, you need to understand the actual position and function.
The job of a podcast producer is numerous and can change depending on the experience of the person on the job, and the kind of podcast they are managing. To buttress my point, I will list some critical roles and responsibilities of a good podcast producer and the several functions they can manage...
A lot goes into making a podcast. From birthing ideas to managing production to creating strategies for a successful promotion of the podcast show, this all falls under the vital responsibility of a podcast producer.
The podcast producer is the administrator of podcast development and the one that ensures the smooth running of the podcast show.
Asides managing the podcast shows, it is up to the podcast producer to find a guest for the show. It includes, but is not limited to managerial duties like scheduling, calling, and emailing the guests.
It is up to the podcast producer to ensure that the guest is well suited for each podcast episode; they will also do their best to prepare both host and guest for each show.
They have to create interview questions, develop them, and guide the host and guests to create fantastic content.
The primary function of a podcast producer is to work on all aspects of audio production. That means they oversee the recording, editing, and broadcasting of every episode of the podcast.
This is an essential part of their job because it involves engaging the core of their creativity, to be able to produce something of premium quality.
The podcast producer observes metrics, like downloads, the demographics of the listeners, times, and so on. They do this to improve the quality and structure of the podcast.
The producer would share these results with other team members, or the sponsor of the podcast show, and try to achieve better results.
A podcast producer is in charge of the different people on the team of podcast production, and he has to make sure that everyone does their work diligently.
This means that a podcast producer should be able to assume the role of a leader to support the host and the rest of the podcast team.
When hiring a podcast producer, experience matters a lot. A podcast producer should not only have experience in audio engineering, but they should also be skilled in research and communication.
A podcast producer should be able to create content, have exceptional editing skills, and know-how to tell a story so well as to capture the audience.
These are the primary roles and functions of a podcast producer. However, if you don’t have any experience in podcast production, all hope is not lost. You need to build your skills, and with the following guideline, you will learn in no time.
If you do not have prior knowledge, you can start by learning from some podcast producers. There are several people online to learn from; an example is Pat Flynn, a podcaster who takes his time to talk about the ins and outs of setting up a podcast on YouTube and several many others.
Videos like these are excellent means of understanding the technical parts of starting a podcast and can quickly give you a head start on beginning your first recording!
The moment you feel you have learned to an extent, it is advisable to start your podcast as it would give you first-hand experience and help you to understand the different levels of podcasting.
Besides, if you enjoy making your podcast show, nothing is holding you back from engaging in it professionally.
A podcast producer must learn recording, editing, and audio management. Though the producer may not actually edit the show... a producer that CAN edit is going to be much better and managing and working with an edit to produce awesome audio content.
As a podcast producer, you need to understand how to get great quality audio content in any situation and therefore need to have experience with setting up microphones, soundboards, and audio interfaces. If you lack this knowledge, you should study the tools for a while and become good at capturing audio.
You must know the best equipment that you can use. To learn about microphones, visit this link. You must learn how to make a great recording in both indoor and outdoor settings.
There are several video guides on YouTube that could help you fine-tune your skill as a podcast producer.
The job of a podcast producer involves spending so much time with audio recording and editing software. You have to learn to use software like GarageBand, Audacity, and Adobe Audition amongst others. This software is called digital audio workstation, and professional podcast producers make use of this software to arrange, edit, and mix audio:
Some of this software requires payment to use, but DAWs are the best for podcast editing. To know more about these tools, visit this link, where I share much more detail...
There is also a free version you can use in practice. Before you can get comfortable with these tools, several YouTube tutorials can help you.
Having a great flow on the storyline for your podcast will help you win more fans for your podcast.
Listen to some of the best podcasts; you will notice a flow to how they tell their story. The truth is, every listener loves a great story, and incorporating these great stories in your podcast will help improve audience engagement.
Before you begin recording your podcast, try to come up with an exciting storyline for your podcast episodes. Write out unique scripts that could cover numerous episodes; this will help you have a flow to your episodes.
For podcasting newbies, the fastest way to learn about podcasting and improve your knowledge is to get involved in podcasting groups that have old industry heads. Online podcasting groups are available on several social media platforms. Find one and get involved.
Check out our Profitable Podcasts Facebook Group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/profitablepodcastshq
It takes a process to get better at anything, no matter how long you have been practising to become a podcast producer.
With time, you will build your skills and acquire more knowledge, get confidence, and belief in yourself to produce a great show.
If your goal is to get a podcast producer job, you should start practising by producing your podcast, or those of your acquaintances. With this, you will build an impressive portfolio, and you will be sure that you are ready when the job of a professional podcast producer appears.
In the case of podcast newbies, most of them combine these responsibilities as they cannot afford to hire one. The job of a podcast producer can be tasking and fun, but with time it becomes more comfortable as you would have a system in place that you are familiar with.
More so, the job of a podcast producer is as important as that of the podcast creator. Be that as it may, the roles of a podcast producer can differ based on the level of professionalism of the podcast. A podcast producer can be the team lead, research guests, and schedule appointments with guests. These are the tasks during production; the editing and post-production roles are also there to fulfil.
On a final note, there are several ways to learn the art of producing a podcast. You can go the individual route by learning through online videos. You can also understudy a professional podcast producer to gain useful experience to become a professional yourself.
We are always looking for talented podcast producers at our sister company Fame, if you have skillz, then please complete this form and we will be in touch! 💥
