Podcast Producer Jobs: Career Info & Role Description

Sure, some creators do it all on their own, but producing a high-quality podcast is tough work. It takes a team. You need someone who is creative and organized for planning, a voice to host, someone with the technical know-how to edit and refine, and someone who’s savvy at marketing it. Not to mention if you are looking into video podcasting, you might like someone who’s got an eye for visuals. 

It takes time, and various skill sets, if you find you are lacking in either one, then it might be time to hire a podcast producer. But how do you choose? 

This quick blog will help you know how to find a podcast producer, specifically one who is the right fit for your show. But before we get into picking one, let’s take a closer look at why you might need a producer.

What Does a Podcast Producer Do?

The better question might be, what doesn’t a podcast producer do? The production team is responsible for overseeing all aspects of a podcast's journey, from concept and branding, to recording, to editing and all the way publishing.

There’s a misconception that you might hire a podcast producer to only do the final edits and touch-ups. Actually, if you find one that fits right with your show, they can bring much more to the table.

Podcast Producers can help:

Provide direction and creative vision for your podcast.

From the original concept and format to the outlines of each episode, producers can help you bring that idea you’ve got in your head to life.  You can brainstorm with a podcast producer new formats and ways of sharing your message. With their knowledge, they can provide creative insight to make your podcast stand out. They can also tell you how feasible certain podcast goals might be with budget and skills available on the team, and assist you in finding the right equipment for your podcast setup.

Episode Prep.

This might include guest preparation through research, booking, and pre-scan interviews. It might also include writing scripts or outlines for narrative podcast episodes or interviews. Depending on what your podcast looks like these tasks may be different but ultimately your podcast producer sets you up for success before recording even starts.

Managing the recording process and post-production.

A podcast producer can be by your side during recording to ensure everything goes smoothly.  They can also help guide the conversation so that you don’t miss any key points. This can save you a lot of silly errors and re-recording down the line. After you’ve recorded, the producer ties it all together in post-production. They will edit the sound quality, bring together various elements of the narrative, edit for flow, and most importantly edit for value. 

The final episode of your podcast should serve great value for your audience, and off-record tangents or side conversations can pull away from that. Your podcast producer will take a look at the goal of the episode and edit for a clear final take. Then they’ll edit for the addition creative elements of music, and sound effects, to add another layer of the story. 

Basically, your podcast producer is there to make your show sound good. From the intro to the outro and the valuable content in between, they’ll help you make a great show. 

Publishing Episodes.

It’s not as simple as uploading a file to your RSS feed, you need to make sure your episodes have compelling show notes, a transcription, and of course, are in the right format. Producers can help prepare this material and schedule episodes for you, so you don’t worry about a thing.

These are some of the main activities a podcast producer would cover, but some may offer even more services. For example, others may help you develop a calendar and production schedule, and analyze your performance metrics to continually improve your show.

When it comes down to it, podcast producers are the lifeblood of a podcast, keeping the production process running smoothly and efficiently.  Hiring a podcast producer can really help your podcast’s success by improving the quality, and streamlining production.

Podcast Producer or Podcast Agency?

If you want help with every step of production, it’s hard to find one producer who can do it all. Having a team on your side can really help produce a top-tier podcast. That may be a reason to consider a podcast production company.

A production company means that there is a more combined experience. They have a team of producers, branding experts, and podcast marketing specialists to follow your show. This means you’ve always got a specialized pair of eyes or ears on your show to ensure a great final podcast and continuous growth.

If you prefer to hire your own team, it still may be good to look into hiring at least two producers to be on your team. Consider looking for a producer to help with flow, recording, and editing and another to help with content strategy and promotion. 

Do you need to hire a podcast producer for your podcast?

As you can see, hiring a podcast producer could be really beneficial for your show, and, added bonus, could take a lot of work off your hands. But do you need to hire a producer, or do you need a production company for a podcast? 

As with many questions in life, the answer is it depends. It’ll be up to you to gauge if it is the right choice for your projects. If you are a creator or small organization looking to bootstrap, and just get something out there - maybe it isn’t your moment to hire a podcast producer. If you are a brand that wants to release a high-quality brand podcast to reflect on your organization, then you’ll probably want to work with a producer or production company.

Let’s put it another way. 

Do you have someone on your team:

• with an understanding of the podcast competitive landscape, and creativity to outline a show?

• who understands podcast equipment and audio recording?

• who can host a podcast?

• who can prepare guests or script a narrative outline?

• who can edit audio and handle post-production?

• who can write show notes, and manage a calendar?

• who has the time for all the above?

And finally, who can do it well. You might have a great team, with creative ideas and the ambition to learn, but if you want the end product to be the best, outside help may be needed.

Additionally, it may not be ideal to hire internally if your podcast will not be continuous. For example, if you plan on running your show in seasons and hire internally, how will you manage the employee’s contract on the “off” season?

Hiring a podcast producer ensures you’ve got a professional team dedicated to your podcast. 

But you’ll want to find someone who can work side by side with your team. So how do you find a podcast producer?

How to Find a Podcast Producer that’s the right fit

Not all podcast producers are the same, and not all have the same skills. You don’t want to hire just the first podcast producer you find. Nor you don’t necessarily want to hire the producer of your favorite true crime show, they may not be the right fit for your podcast on AI and entrepreneurship. You want to find someone who has the skills you need, is enthusiastic about your show, and can be a good fit with your team.

Here’s some things to consider for how to find a podcast producer for your show:

Define Your, and Your Brand’s Needs

Start by clearly defining what your podcast requires in terms of production, editing, guest coordination, and post-production. 

Or at least, what you know you’ll need. For example, if you know it will be an interview podcast, you’ll need help with remote recording, live recording, and guest coordination. If you are aiming for a narrative storyline podcast, you’ll need creative help to outline and tie in the elements. 

The more you know about your future podcast, the better.

Different producers have varying expertise, so identifying your specific needs will help narrow down the pool.

You’ll also want to find someone who will be a good fit with your own team. Try to find a producer that is somewhat familiar with the subject matter, and has a communication style that complements yours. They should be responsive, receptive to feedback, and able to convey ideas effectively. 

You’ll have to work closely on some big projects, so getting along, and having good communication can really make a difference.

Research Podcasts

Look at podcasts similar to yours in niche and style, and find out which ones you enjoy for the quality and for content. Pay attention to the production quality and credits mentioned in the episodes to get an idea of the producers behind successful shows. 

Ask for Referrals

Don’t be afraid to ask fellow podcasters or industry peers for recommendations on reputable podcast producers. Word-of-mouth referrals can lead you to experienced and reliable professionals. 

Consider Roles

Going back to your needs,  you may want to hire for specific roles like project management, guest outreach, audio editing, or marketing. Look for candidates with relevant skills and experience in podcast production.

You may want to hire a podcast producer only for post-production, or for help A to Z. You may also want extra help with promotion, in which case a full-service production company may be the way to go.

Evaluate Portfolios

When interviewing candidates, don’t just take their word. Review their portfolios and listen to podcasts they've produced. Just because they’ve worked years in production, doesn’t mean you’ll like their style. Listen to a few shows to feel out their production style and verify their technical expertise in audio editing and production.

Discuss Budget

It’s a given, budget is going to set some limitations on who you can hire. Don’t be afraid to openly discuss your budget and payment terms upfront to avoid misunderstandings. Consider your available funds, the project scope, market rates, and the producer's expertise.

Where to Find a Podcast Producer

To hire an individual podcast producer, there are some great podcast-focused job websites to help.

If you are open to remote collaboration, you can search, or make a posting on Podnews Jobs or AIR. 

If you prefer more local, you may want to post on LinkedIn or the popular job posting sites in your area.

Additionally, sites like Upwork and Fiverr can be great for finding international freelancers. 

Final Thoughts on How To Find A Podcast Producer

Ultimately, hiring a podcast producer can transform your podcast from just another audio recording to a leading show. From concept to publishing, producers are by your side to make your show be the best it can be.

But not all producers offer the same skills, and it’s important when looking for a podcast producer that you search for someone who will be the right fit for your show. They should be compatible and work well with your team, as well as bring the skills needed for your show.

If you’re still searching for the right producer, why not reach out? We’re a team of producers who really love what we do, and we love bringing brand podcasts to life. We’d love to hear from you.