Podcast Production Services: How to Find the Right Partner for Your Show
Podcasting has exploded in popularity over the last few years. As of 2022, there were over 2 million active podcasts and more are launching every day. With this growth, many podcasters are looking to work with a podcast production company to help them create a high-quality show.
In this comprehensive blog post, we'll cover everything you need to know about podcast production services—from what they provide to how to choose the right partner for your needs.
An In-Depth Look at Podcast Production Services
So what exactly do podcast production companies do to turn your idea into a polished, professional-grade show? Here is a detailed overview of the services a production team provides during the different stages of creating a podcast.
Pre-Production Services
The pre-production phase is all about developing your initial concept into a viable podcast format and getting everything ready for recording. Production companies assist with:
Brainstorming & Concept Development
Having an idea is just the first step. A producer can help flesh out the potential of your concept by:
- Discussing your vision and goals for the show
- Determining the topic focus and boundaries
- Proposing positioning and format options
- Creating the show identity and tone
- Crafting episode templates and segments
This brainstorming forms the strategic foundation for building out your podcast.
Conducting Market Research
Smart podcast development begins with understanding your target listener. A production group will research:
- Your current and potential audience
- Your competition in the podcast space
- Opportunities and gaps in your niche
- What makes your concept unique
These insights ensure your show fills a need and attracts your ideal listener.
Dialing in Your Format
A producer will help finalize your format details:
- Length of episodes
- Structure for each episode
- Types of segments to include
- Number of hosts/guests
- Release schedule (weekly, daily, seasonal?)
Determining these details early allows for more efficient episode production down the line.
Script Writing & Question Prep
For interview-style episodes, a writer will create:
- A scripted episode intro and outro
- Pre-interview questions for guests
- A rundown sheet for the host with prepared questions and talking points
This ensures your conversations flow smoothly and hit the right topics.
Booking & Scheduling Guests
A big task in pre-production is finding and booking expert guests that align with your podcast themes and provide value for listeners. A producer can:
- Make a list of ideal guests for your niche
- Contact potential guest and gauge their interest
- Schedule guest interviews across multiple episodes
This ensures you build a roster of relevant guests from the start.
Sourcing Music, Sound Effects & More
Legal use of music and audio effects requires licenses from creators. A production team will:
- Suggest theme and transition music to match your vibe
- Source licenses for any copyrighted audio used
- Build libraries of sound effects and drops
This keeps your podcast properly licensed as you scale.
Studio Time & Equipment Rentals
Unless recording at home, you’ll need access to studio space and gear. Production companies provide:
- A recording booth suitable for interviews
- Professional mics, mixers and audio interfaces
- Ability to record remote guests via Skype
The studio environment enables high quality sound.
Graphic Design & Branding
A podcast needs visual assets like logo, cover art and more. Designers can develop:
- An icon that represents your brand
- Cover art for your episodes
- Graphics for your website, ads and social media
- A media kit for PR use
This visual branding strengthens your podcast identity.
Podcast Production Services
Once pre-production is complete, it’s time to start recording episodes. Here are the key production services a studio provides:
Hosting & Moderating
For interview shows, an experienced host will:
- Set the scene and introduce the guest & show
- Pose questions to keep the conversation flowing
- Wrap up each episode and transition smoothly
Their hosting skills create better interviews.
Recording Interviews & Episodes
Studios handle the technical process of recording episodes via:
- High-quality mics, audio interfaces and mixers
- Multi-track recording of each element
- Recording remote guests via Skype
- Proper microphone technique to optimize sound
This results in clean recordings free of distracting background noise.
Editing & Post Production
After recording, episodes are edited for polish and pace. Editors will:
- Trim out silences, filler words and mistakes
- Balance audio levels across interviews
- Insert intros, outros, music and effects
- Enhance sound quality through mastering
The result is a tight, professional-sounding final edit ready for release.
Podcast Launch & Marketing
Once your episodes are produced, you need a strategy to successfully launch and market your show. Production groups offer:
Launch Plan Creation
A launch strategy ensures maximum impact when your podcast goes live. This includes:
- Optimal launch timing based on seasonality
- Pitching premier episodes to media outlets
- Promoting across your existing channels
- Rolling out marketing content across launch
- Allowing time for reviews post-launch
A producer will craft a strategic multi-touch plan.
Trailer Production
A trailer is crucial for priming your audience pre-launch. This entails:
- Creating an intriguing 60-90 second trailer
- Getting the trailer in front of your target market
- Building a landing page to capture emails
- Adding the trailer across your social channels
This generates anticipation and buzz.
Submission to Directories & Platforms
To get your podcast everywhere, a company will:
- Submit your feed to all major podcast directories
- Create and optimize your profiles on each platform
- Get your show on new and notable sections
This expanded distribution exposes you to new demographics.
SEO Optimization
Production groups optimize your metadata for discoverability:
- Keyword-rich titles and descriptions
- Transcripts of episodes with keywords
- Tags and categories around niche topics
- Chapter markers for conversation topics
This improves your search rankings and visibility.
Chart Placement Monitoring
Companies track:
- Your rankings on podcast charts
- New subscribers and follower growth
- Episode performance across platforms
- Reviews and ratings over time
These insights inform marketing efforts.
Ongoing Marketing & PR
Post-launch, your producer provides:
- Press releases for new seasons and milestones
- Continued pitching of episodes to media
- Partnerships with relevant brands
- Cross-promotion with other podcasters in your space
This expands your audience and exposure over time.
Key Benefits of Working with a Podcast Production Company
Trying to produce your podcast fully in-house can be extremely challenging and time consuming, especially as a beginner. Here are some of the biggest benefits of partnering with a podcast production company:
Higher Production Quality
A professional team brings experience in everything from recording technique to editing polish. Their expertise and high-end equipment leads to superior sound quality and production value.
Faster Progression from Idea to Launch
DIY podcasting means a slower process from concept to completed show. With help from experts, you can develop, produce and launch your podcast on a much faster timeline.
Marketing & Promotion Support
Most indie podcasters struggle to market their productions. A company has in-house marketing pros to craft your positioning, branding, trailer, launch strategy and ongoing PR.
Less Administrative Work
You want to focus your energy on creating amazing content. A production team handles the time-consuming logistics like scheduling, editing, distribution and data analysis.
Creative Guidance & Problem Solving
Stuck on how to structure your episodes? A producer provides the creative experience to guide your format, style and content approach, ensuring your podcast stays compelling.
What to Look for in a Podcast Production Company
Not all production companies are equal. You want a team equipped to meet your specific needs. Here are some tips on vetting and choosing a production partner:
Relevant Genre Experience
- Review their portfolio of produced shows. Do they have experience in your topic niche?
- Look for clients similar to you. Ask for references you can contact.
- More niche experience means better creative guidance.
Services that Align with Your Needs
- Do they offer the exact services you’re seeking? From concept development to distribution and marketing?
- Will they be able to scale those services as your show grows?
- Look for a full service team over piecemeal vendors.
Location & Time Zone Cohesion
- If recording in their studio, ensure they are geographically accessible to you.
- Remote collaboration works but consider time zones for scheduling ease.
- Visit the studio in person if possible to tour the facilities.
Industry Connections & Partnerships
- Ask about their partnerships with podcast networks, press outlets, brands, etc.
- These connections can aid in promotion, sponsorships and press coverage.
Personality Fit
- You'll be collaborating creatively with this team regularly. Make sure you vibe well together.
- Look for good communicators who “get” your vision.
- Trust your gut instincts during calls and meetings.
Technical Capabilities & Resources
- Review gear and software they utilize for recording, editing, distribution, etc.
- Opt for cutting-edge over outdated production tools.
- Look for adequate staff to handle your show long term.
Pricing Transparency
- Get detailed rate sheets and pricing models from a few companies.
- Ask pointed questions about what’s included vs. extra fees.
- Look for fair prices but don’t assume higher cost always means better quality.
Clear Rights Agreements
- Clarify who owns the podcast IP rights once production is complete.
- Understand any constraints around future use of your episodes.
- Get everything laid out clearly in contracts.
Vetting production partners thoroughly upfront ensures you choose the right fit.
Top Podcast Production Companies Worth Exploring
To give you a sense of the options out there, here is a sampling of leading production companies across different focus areas, locations and pricing tiers:
Pacific Content
- Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Focus: End-to-end development, writing, hosting, production, and growth.
- Notable Shows: Masters of Scale with Reid Hoffman, Happiness Lab, Hurry Slowly
- Price Range: $$$$
Glow
- Location: New York, NY
- Focus: Development, strategy, branding, production, and launch.
- Notable Shows: Broad Matter, Deep Background, The Improvement Association
- Price Range: $$$$
Lantigua Studios
- Location: New York, NY
- Focus: Production and amplification of Latina and diverse voices.
- Notable Shows: Julissa Arce’s “You Sound Like A White Girl”, Put Your Hands Together with Marina Franklin.
- Price Range: $$-$$$
Realm Podcast Network
- Location: Washington, DC
- Focus: Interview shows with high-profile political guests.
- Notable Shows: Burn the Boats hosted by Soledad O’Brien.
- Price Range: $$$
Long Story Short Productions
- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- Focus: Funny interview shows and comedy productions.
- Notable Shows: Comedy Bang Bang, improv4humans, Threedom.
- Price Range: $$-$$$
Hartbeat Productions
- Locations: Los Angeles, CA
- Focus: Hollywood talent, comedy, and celebrity productions.
- Notable Shows: Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend, Literally with Rob Lowe!
- Price Range: $$$$$
Boomcaster
- Location: New York, NY
- Focus: Podcast production services for startups and small business.
- Notable Shows: The Startup Starter Kit Podcast
- Price Range: $-$$
Descript
- Location: San Francisco, CA
- Focus: Easy remote interview recording and editing services.
- Notable Shows: N/A. Technology focus.
- Price Range: $-$$
Artsy Audio
- Location: Remote
- Focus: One person audio editing and finishing services.
- Notable Shows: Case Closed, Mindful Metal Jacket, YoungPreneurs
- Price Range: $
This list provides a sampling across different capabilities, niches, locations, and budgets. Look for depth of experience in your specific genre and show format.
How Much Do Podcast Production Services Cost?
Pricing varies greatly depending on the scope of work required. Here are typical production costs:
Basic Audio Editing:
- $30-75 per hour: For editing recorded audio files.
- $50-150 per episode: For basic sound editing and finishing.
Studio Recording + Editing:
- $250-500 per hour: For studio time, engineers and basic post-production.
- $500-5,000 per episode: For recording, editing and finishing an episode start to finish.
Full Podcast Production Services:
This includes concept development, scripting, casting, recording, editing, graphics, launch strategy.
- $10,000+ per season: For producing a shorter 3-10 episode season.
- $30,000+ per season: For producing an in-depth 10+ episode season.
- $100,000+ per year: For full production needs across multiple seasons and continued growth.
For an exact quote, be clear on your full needs and number of episodes required. Many offer bundled packages or volume discounts. Weigh value over just price when choosing your partner.
Is Producing Your Podcast In-House Worth It?
While hiring a company costs significant money upfront, it’s an investment that can pay off through:
- Better audience retention: Pro-level production keeps listeners engaged episode to episode.
- Partnership opportunities: Quality productions and audience growth attract sponsors.
- Saved time: Focus your energy on creating vs production logistics.
- Peace of mind: Technical details and planning are handled by experts.
Carefully weigh the tradeoffs of handling production yourself vs. the benefits of an experienced team. Often, investing in help is well worth it long term.
Key Takeaways on Hiring Podcast Production Professionals
Hopefully this guide provided a comprehensive look at the value production companies can provide at every stage of the podcasting process. Here are a few key tips to wrap up:
- Clearly determine your goals and needs before contacting companies. Seek expertise in your specific niche.
- Vet potential partners thoroughly. Look for technical capabilities, experience, industry connections and personality fit.
- Get detailed cost breakdowns upfront. Weigh value against pricing to find the right fit for your budget.
- Be realistic on timing. High-quality production takes significant time across development, recording and marketing prep.
- Get agreements on intellectual property rights in writing.
- Focus on creating amazing content. Let seasoned pros handle production duties.
If you choose the right partner, investing in pro podcast production can elevate your show and allow you to reach the right listeners. Now get out there, start creating, and let your podcast dreams become a reality!
