5 Podcast Production Hacks To Save You Time
Dec 08th
Recording a podcast is one thing; producing it is another. The podcast production process is unlike any other form of content. So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the process, you’re not alone. We’ve got you covered though. This article shares five hacks to refine your workflow and make audio content a breeze.
Preparation
As with most things in life, preparation is key. So, it’s only right we kick off with a couple of hacks to help you prepare for a great episode.
Share questions and notes with guests ahead of recording
Whether you’re following questions or discussing specific topics, share your episode plan with guests before recording so they can be well prepared. Not only will it put them at ease, but it will make for a better conversation, too.
Script your intro & outro to repurpose as show notes
Ahead of recording, take the time to script your intro and outro. Not only will it make for a great opening and closing to the episode, but it’s an easy hack for creating show notes. Don’t forget to SEO optimise!
Recording
Recording is not something that can be rushed or automated. However, there are ways to save yourself time – here’s our favourite:
Shoot any retakes at the end of an episode/interview for quick editing later
Whether you’re a first-timer or a pro, retakes are usually a given. However, save any retakes for the end of the episode or interview rather than retaking mid-episode. This way, you’ll have all your retakes in one place for quick editing later.
Automation
Automation is your best friend, so make use of it wherever possible. From using tools like asana to keep on top of tasks to calendly to manage appointments, if you can automate it, you should. Below are two of our go-to tools for podcasters.
Use Headliner for social promos
Easy and accessible? Yes, and yes. We get it; captioning videos is time-consuming, so it’s easy to see why you might choose to skip this task. However, if you want your podcast to be accessible to everyone, subtitles are necessary. Thankfully, Headliner.app is an excellent tool for accurate subtitles, with minimal editing needed.
Otter.ai is our go-to for transcripts and quick paper edits
Speaking of accessibility, transcripts are a great way to make your show more accessible. While you may not have the time to create transcripts for your show manually, there’s a program for that, too. Otter.ai automates meeting notes with audio recording, transcribed text and highlights summary. Plus, you can use transcripts to pull quotes and create promotional content for the episode. It’s a no-brainer!
Defining your workflow
Of course, what works for us, may not be suited to you. So, the aim of the game is to use trial and error to create a workflow for you. Here’s how you can get started.
- Start by breaking down the process of creating a new episode from inception to distribution, for example, planning, preparation, recording, editing, uploading, automation and promotion.
- For each stage, list everything that needs to be completed, for example, researching the topic, booking the guest, and creating social assets.
- Now for each task, research and write down the tools you can use to automate and refine your process.
Here are some examples:
Planning > researching the topic > Answer the Public, Google trends and Buzzsomo
Preparation > confirming a time with guests > Calendly and Google calendar
Promotion > creating social assets > Canva and Headliner
Once you’ve listed out all the tools you’ll use, take the time to map out your process from start to finish. Having a clear picture of your production will help to highlight any space for optimisation.
Creating a podcast from start to finish is no mean feat! Thankfully, with hacks like these in place, you’ll be able to wrap up a finished episode faster, delegate when needed, and refine your processes. Got a hack? Comment below!
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