Careers

What Do They Do?

Podcast Producers help clients and radio stations make their podcasting dreams come true.  Sometimes it involves research, sometimes editing, sometimes it's engineering a recording, and sometimes they’ll be given a brief and left to get on with it.  They will work closely with the podcast host to make the best programme possible.

A Podcast Producer's daily tasks will vary depending on where in the production cycle they are, but tasks are likely to involve:

• Coming up with ideas and pitching them to commissioners
• Researching and scriptwriting
• Interviewing contributors
• Recording and editing
• Troubleshooting remote recording issues
• Uploading content and writing accompanying blurbs
• Promoting content (and themselves) on social media
• Keeping across industry news and developments

Who Do They Work With?

• The most important relationship a Podcast Producer will have is with their presenter/s. They make sure the presenter/s are feeling confident and relaxed during the recording, and may offer feedback to help them develop their skills.  They may act at the presenter’s voice in station or client meetings, to ensure that the presenter’s interests are fairly represented.
• Depending who has commissioned the podcast, a Producer may liaise directly with the client (which can be more lucrative and come with more creative freedom), with a production company, or directly with a network or radio station.
• If there is an established production structure in place, a Podcast Producer may work with an Exec Producer.
• Podcast Producers may need to liaise with a network or client’s digital team to make sure that they are supplying the podcast in the correct format, with all the relevant documentation and images.

What Skills Do I Need?

• Podcast Producers need to be extremely organised and able to work quickly and efficiently without compromising quality.
• Podcast Producers need strong interpersonal skills, and to be flexible and understanding with their presenters, guests and other contributors. Life is chaotic at the best of times and not everyone is going to want to spend half an hour setting up their house for remote recording.  They also need to be able to view things from their client's perspective and give them the best advice based on that.
• Podcast Producers are creative as they may need to help source or generate ideas for the show.
• Podcast Producers need to be confident communicators with strong writing skills, as they may need to write scripts, draft a programme description or other promotional content.
• Podcast Producers need to be technically confident when it comes to remote recording, and ready to learn about emerging technologies or new equipment.
• Podcast Producers are confident with audio editing software and able to “turn” an edit around quickly.
• Podcast Producers tend to have curious minds, a fascination with people and a love of story-telling.
• Podcast Producers need to be disciplined about their workload.

How Do I Get This Job?

Being a radio Podcast Producer is a vocation, so although there are courses that will teach you the technical skills, you don’t necessarily need to have a degree or even further education to have this role.

Many Podcast Producers will have started by producing their own podcasts, to show their creative flair and editing skills, before adding other clients to their rostrum.