By MuddHouse Media Team
A podcast producer is the creative genius behind the scenes of every podcast series. Here's what to look for when hiring a podcast producer for your branded podcast series.
What is a Podcast Producer?
Podcast producers have a lot of work to do for each podcast episode. The podcast producer manages scripts, oversees all aspects of the production, and handles all (or most) of the editing responsibilities.
But the producer's role goes well beyond the sheer technical responsibilities of podcast production. In fact, the producer's involvement begins well before an episode is even recorded.
The Producer's Role: Pre-Production
Producers get their hands on a series at a very early stage. If you're planning to launch your branded podcast and haven't recorded yet, a producer should be involved in all your conversations to help you iron out the details of your series. They're the ones who will tell you what's realistic and what's not, and they'll make crucial creative decisions early on that can determine the success of your podcast.
In fact, you want a producer who has been involved from the beginning because it allows them to spend time researching topics and guests that will enhance the series. A good producer will become your subject matter expert, which is integral in getting your series recorded and published. Their active involvement will not only bolster your podcast, but it will also allow them to construct a better roadmap for the series.
Having all this information in place beforehand will then allow the producer to seamlessly move into the next stage of the process, recording.
The Producer's Role: Recording
Now that your series is planned and scheduled, it's time to record! This is where the producer really starts to get into the thick of it. And funny enough, the producer's role during the recording phase begins… before the recording actually starts.
That's right — much like their role in the planning stage of a whole series, a producer needs to be in the loop for every episode before it's time to record. This can range from brainstorming (and later selecting) topics, booking guests, and finalizing the recording plan, that is, figuring out if the recording will take place in person, virtually, or a mix of both. The producer should (and must) work with the hosts to have a clear outline in place before recording. This may come in the form of a script or a rundown, but either way, the producer needs to manage that outline.
With all this in place, the recording process is then all about the technical side of things for the producer. This includes a microphone and sometimes camera setups, checking and balancing the audio, and ensuring that the recording software is working properly. It's a lot of management during this phase, meaning the producer must be able to handle a bit of pressure and manage their time wisely.
If something isn't working right, they need to be able to address the situation in a timely manner because recording schedules are oftentimes very tight with quick turnarounds. If someone's microphone sounds funky, the producer needs to step in. If the recording software is buggy, the producer needs to have a backup plan just in case.
The Producer's Role: Post-Production
Now that the episode has been recorded, the first step is for the producer to structure the audio into a cohesive arrangement, which is a major key to cutting a podcast episode. A producer has to ensure that the entire episode, from the opening introductions to the closing remarks, resembles an organized and authentic conversation. This may mean cutting awkward silences, the "um's" and "ah's," or trimming pieces of a segment. A good producer will be comfortable reaching out to the host or a guest if there is a need to re-record a segment of the episode.
Once the raw audio is arranged accordingly, the producer can then really add their creative flair to a series. This may mean adding sound bites, music, or transitions to the episode, but it also means putting the final polish on the episode before it is ready for distribution. Again, it is their responsibility to make sure everything sounds professional.
The producer is responsible for approving the final cut of a podcast episode before it goes live, but at MuddHouse Media, we want our hosts to love the finished product. Therefore, we regularly share the final cuts of episodes with our hosts to field questions, feedback, and suggestions. We recommend having a producer who is adaptable and prepared to make adjustments before publishing.
The Producer's Role: Overall Outlook
A podcast producer has a lot on their plate. They are just as involved as the host and guests are. In fact, one could even argue that a producer is more involved in a series than anyone else.
Not sure where to start? That’s why we’re here.
At MuddHouse Media, we are a team of experienced media professionals who specialize in expert storytelling. We’ll help you find the right story (or stories) to tell through a podcast, and we’ll be with you every step of the way.
Want to learn more? Head on over to our Corporate Podcasting page for all the information!
