It’s something we’ve talked about before, but podcasts come in all different variations of style, genre, and approaches. Most new podcasters are simply looking for a way to have their voice heard by the world and have no experience being a podcast producer.
Maybe they have a business approach or philosophy they feel others would benefit from. Maybe they have a personal story about wellness or a radical life change that they want the world to hear. Maybe they have professionals or people in their network who are working through industry changes that they would like to talk through as a resource for others in the industry. These are all valid ideas for new podcasts.
Most of these concepts are very simple and easy to execute with little headache by just getting a few microphones, a few pointers on recording high quality tracks and finding some simple intro and outro bumpers. These few basic elements will help you have a cohesive, well crafted podcast.
But for some podcasters, they want more. They want something that is more of a creative expression of their idea through more complex structures. Or perhaps they are interested in telling a story through their podcast, one that they would like to be engaging and captivating for the listeners. This can be an overwhelming thought for podcasters, especially for those just getting into podcasting for the first time. A podcast concept like this usually requires a lot of planning and preparation ahead of time. It requires someone to have an overall vision of the goal of the podcast and know the steps it will take to get the objective completed.
But it requires more than just finding a visionary for the podcast to succeed, it’s about finding or becoming someone who can execute the game plan to get the job done. This is often where a podcast producer comes into the picture.
The 5 Roles of a Podcast Producer:
- Create Vision
- Oversee the Podcast Production
- Coordinate Podcast Interviews
- Podcast Editing & Post-Production
- Manage the Podcast
What is a podcast producer?
A podcast producer is someone with the knowledge and experience to get a vision of the podcast (or help develop it) and see it through to completion on their own or with a team. They are the glue that holds the podcast together. Just as the role of a movie producer is to bring the director’s vision to life on the big screen, the role of a podcast producer is to bring the podcaster’s vision to life on the podcast feed.
What does a podcast producer do? 5 key roles
The more complex the overall concept of the podcast, the more a producer will need to do. For simple, straightforward podcasts, the podcast host usually takes on a lot of the responsibility of the producer, at least in the administrative areas. If there are additional elements that require support, a producer will be brought on to support the overall goal in some way. If the podcast concept is very complex it may require a team of people to work together to fulfill the roles usually associated with a producer. Who the producer is and what the producer does will be tailored to the overall vision and complexity of each podcast. While there is no set description of what the producer does or does not do, here are a few key areas they will focus their time and attention on.
1. Set Creative vision
As part of the overall process, the podcast producer will help develop and maintain the creative vision of the podcast. They will help map out the story that’s being told, what needs to be done to tell that story, and who will help to tell the story. They will identify what things need to come into the overall game plan. They will help make sure that the rails are being laid down through the overall vision-casting, but will also help to make sure that the train is keeping its course and going where it needs to go through execution. Now sometimes that game plan will develop and adapt as things unfold (especially if it’s an investigative-style podcast), but they will make sure that the overall concept is being maintained from start to finish.
2. Oversee the podcast production
Getting a podcast episode going from start to finish can be a lot of work, especially if it’s a more complex concept. The podcast producer is someone who has enough vision and know-how of what needs to happen that they can oversee the entire process from start to finish and either deliver the results needed themselves or work with someone else who can. They make sure that all the elements come together in a smooth, cohesive way.
3. Coordinate guest interviews
Another responsibility that often falls to the podcast producer is coordinating the interviews for the guests or people being interviewed for the podcast. Now, this is more complex than simply making phone calls, sending emails and keeping the calendar. Remember, the producer is tasked with making sure the overall vision of the podcast is coming together. So as they are planning and preparing the interview elements of the podcast, they will also need to identify each person’s role, how they fit into the overall picture and then develop interview questions or talking points based off of this. The producer will be the one who guides the host or interviewer on making sure the content is effective and worthwhile.
4. Oversee Podcast editing and post-production
After the vision is cast, and the interviews are scheduled and completed, the podcast needs to be prepared for the world to hear. That process involves editing, mixing and mastering the content recorded into cohesive episodes. This will likely involve a lot of elements like narration, incorporating news clips, music transitions and other elements to help tell the story. The producer’s role will be to either execute this process themselves, if they have an editing or engineering background, or work with the production team to make sure the vision is being carried out.
5. Act as the podcast manager
Another main responsibility of the producer is to manage the podcast on an ongoing process. They will make adjustments to the overall process as needed, whether that involves finding new personnel to carry out the elements needed for the podcast, or looking for ways to better the podcast. The producer usually will also be the one who is keeping track of the analytics of the podcast’s performance to see how it’s being received by the audience. They make suggestions or pivot points during this phase to make sure the podcast is succeeding the way it should.
Do you need a podcast producer?
A lot of the things discussed here are overall observations of the role and responsibility of the podcast producer. As I mentioned, these roles may be taken on by the host, divided between a team, or sourced out to a dedicated podcast producer. The question of whether or not you will need to bring on a producer will inevitably come down to whether or not you feel up to the task of doing it yourself. If you feel excited about taking these tasks on, you will likely be able to do it, or at least get the ball rolling.
If you have a concept or vision but feel terrified at the thought of seeing the plan through, working with a producer may be a great choice. If you do look for someone else to bring on though, make sure you have an open conversation about your strengths, your weaknesses, and where you need help carrying out the vision. Make sure you identify what everyone’s role will be so you can work together for the common good.
Recommended Reading: How to become a podcast producer
Where can I find a podcast producer?
Finding a producer is a challenge, especially one you can trust. The Resonate team has a lot of experience working with podcasters of all levels and bringing our expertise to the table to help podcasts shine. Due to popular demand, we have worked hard to build out a set of podcast producer services. Learn more about our team of experienced podcast producers and how they can help you here.
Podcasts are a great way of getting your message and your story out to the world. If it’s a task you feel unable to do yourself, partnering with a podcast producer is a great way of seeing your show through to completion.
A producer can help develop the vision for the podcast and help find the best way to tell the story through its episodes. They can also help ensure the overall production process of the podcast is completed efficiently while overseeing the interview and preparation process. They can oversee the post-production process as the episodes come together and make sure the podcast is performing as planned. They are an invaluable part of the process and help make sure the podcast succeeds instead of flopping.
If you have any questions or concerns about podcast producers, book a free discovery call to learn more.
Podcast Producer FAQs
What skills does a podcast producer need to have to do the job effectively?
A podcast producer needs several key skills to be effective.
- Communication
- Writing and Research
- Storytelling
- Creative Vision
- Curiosity
- Audio and Video Production
Communication is key because your producer needs to clearly understand and articulate the podcast’s vision to all the stakeholders along the production process.
Writing and Research are key because a producer may need to research upcoming guests, write questions, script episodes from scratch, and more. Writing is critical.
Storytelling is critical in podcasting. Understanding the frameworks, tools, and structure of a great story will be paramount to crafting a great podcast, even if you’re just making an interview podcast.
Creative Vision is a bit of a vague skill, but it’s nonetheless critical. You need a producer who can think outside the box, draw inspiration from different parts of their life, and translate your creative vision into reality as well.
Curiosity is a critical soft skill because you need a producer who is willing to explore new topics, new podcast guests, or new ideas for the production of your show.
Audio and Video Production are not the core job of a producer, but it’s important to have a producer who has great taste in quality production, and who can help you record and produce your show in a way that looks, sounds, and feels top-notch.
This is not a comprehensive list, but it’s an excellent starting point. As you can see, being a podcast producer is hard work, and requires a blend of generalist skills and deep expertise in writing and storytelling.
How much does it cost to hire a producer for my podcast?
According to Glassdoor, the median salary for a podcast producer is $80,000 per year in the US. iHeart Media, one of the companies referenced by Glassdoor, pays $18-35/hr for podcast producer services.
Resonate Recordings offers flexible producer services to manage your podcast from start to finish. You can buy a la carte services to save money, subscribe to get an all-in-one experience or pay one-time for a custom package. Get a free quote for podcast management services by booking a free discovery call.
Podcast producer vs podcast editor: what’s the difference?
A podcast producer is responsible for overseeing the entire vision of a podcast from end to end. A podcast editor is responsible for editing the audio, removing mistakes, and sometimes mixing and mastering the audio to sound excellent. Sometimes, a podcast producer is also the podcast editor, but they are often separated into two distinct roles. The role of a producer is much broader and involves choosing topics, picking guests, scheduling and admin work, reviewing, and approving the final master audio and video files, and more.
