--- name: podcast-producer description: Podcast production workflow including episode planning, show notes creation, transcript editing, guest management, and distribution strategy. Use when launching podcasts, planning episodes, or optimizing podcast workflows. --- # Podcast Producer Comprehensive frameworks for launching, producing, and growing podcasts across all stages of production. ## Podcast Launch Checklist ### Pre-Launch (8-12 Weeks Before Episode 1) - [ ] Define podcast concept, niche, and target audience - [ ] Choose podcast name (check availability across platforms) - [ ] Write podcast description (150-250 words, keyword-rich) - [ ] Select format: solo, co-hosted, interview, narrative, panel - [ ] Decide episode cadence: weekly, biweekly, monthly - [ ] Determine episode length target (see table below) - [ ] Purchase domain and set up website - [ ] Design cover art (3000x3000px, readable at 55x55px) - [ ] Record intro/outro music or commission original - [ ] Choose hosting platform (see comparison below) - [ ] Set up recording environment and equipment - [ ] Record and edit 3-5 episodes before launch (backlog) ### Launch Week - [ ] Submit RSS feed to all major directories - [ ] Publish 3 episodes simultaneously on launch day - [ ] Announce on all social media channels - [ ] Send launch email to personal and professional networks - [ ] Ask early listeners for ratings and reviews - [ ] Set up analytics tracking ### Recommended Episode Length by Format | Format | Target Length | Audience Expectation | | ------------ | ------------- | ------------------------ | | Daily News | 5-15 min | Quick, digestible | | Solo/Tips | 15-30 min | Focused, actionable | | Interview | 30-60 min | In-depth conversation | | Co-hosted | 30-60 min | Dynamic discussion | | Narrative | 20-45 min | Story-driven, produced | | Panel | 45-75 min | Multiple perspectives | | Deep Dive | 60-120 min | Comprehensive exploration| ## Episode Planning Template ``` EPISODE PLANNING: Episode #: ___ Title: _______________________________________________ Publish Date: ___/___/___ Status: [ ] Planned [ ] Recorded [ ] Edited [ ] Published TOPIC: Main topic: _________________________________________ Angle / Hook: _______________________________________ Target audience segment: ____________________________ Key takeaway for listener: __________________________ OUTLINE: 1. Cold Open / Hook (30-60 sec) - Compelling question, stat, or story 2. Intro + Episode Overview (1-2 min) - Intro music - Welcome, episode number, topic preview - Sponsor message #1 (if applicable) 3. Segment 1: _________________ (X min) - Key point A - Key point B - Supporting example or story 4. Segment 2: _________________ (X min) - Key point C - Key point D - Data, research, or case study 5. Segment 3: _________________ (X min) - Key point E - Practical application / how-to - Sponsor message #2 (if applicable) 6. Recap + Call to Action (2-3 min) - Summary of key takeaways - CTA: subscribe, review, share, visit link - Tease next episode 7. Outro (30 sec) - Outro music - Credits RESOURCES TO MENTION: - Link 1: ___________________ - Link 2: ___________________ - Book/Article: ______________ RECORDING NOTES: - Estimated recording time: ___ min - Target final length: ___ min - Special editing notes: ____________________________ ``` ## Guest Booking & Prep Workflow ### Guest Pipeline Tracker | Guest Name | Topic | Outreach Date | Status | Record Date | Publish Date | | ---------- | ----------- | ------------- | ---------- | ----------- | ------------ | | | | | Contacted | | | | | | | Confirmed | | | | | | | Scheduled | | | | | | | Recorded | | | | | | | Published | | | ### Guest Prep Package (Send 1 Week Before) ``` GUEST PREP DOCUMENT: - Date, time (with timezone), platform, and recording link - Technical requirements: quiet room, wired headphones, external mic preferred - Discussion topics (3 conversation guides, not scripted questions) - Promotion plan: social assets provided, request to share when live ``` ## Recording Setup Guide ### Essential Equipment by Budget | Budget | Microphone | Interface | Headphones | Software | | ---------- | ---------------------- | -------------- | ------------------ | -------------- | | Starter | Samson Q2U ($70) | Built-in USB | Any wired ($20+) | Audacity | | Mid-Range | Shure MV7 ($250) | USB/XLR hybrid | Sony MDR-7506 ($80)| Hindenburg | | Pro | Shure SM7B ($400) | Focusrite 2i2 | Beyerdynamic DT770 | Adobe Audition | | Remote | Rode PodMic ($100) | Rodecaster Duo | ATH-M50x ($150) | Riverside.fm | ### Recording Environment and Remote Setup - [ ] Room treated for echo, background noise minimized - [ ] Microphone 4-6 inches from mouth, pop filter in place - [ ] Gain levels peaking -12dB to -6dB, recording in WAV/LOSSLESS - [ ] Backup recording running (phone or secondary recorder) Remote platforms (ranked by quality): Riverside.fm, SquadCast, Zencastr, Zoom (local recording only). Always record locally on both ends as backup. ## Show Notes Template ``` SHOW NOTES: Episode [#] — [Title] [2-3 sentence episode summary with primary keyword for SEO] IN THIS EPISODE: - [Key topic 1] ([timestamp]) - [Key topic 2] ([timestamp]) - [Key topic 3] ([timestamp]) - [Key topic 4] ([timestamp]) GUEST BIO: [Guest name] is [1-2 sentence bio with credentials and links]. RESOURCES MENTIONED: - [Resource 1] — [URL] - [Resource 2] — [URL] - [Book title] by [Author] — [affiliate link] CONNECT WITH [GUEST]: - Website: [URL] - Twitter/X: [@handle] - LinkedIn: [URL] CONNECT WITH US: - Website: [URL] - Newsletter: [URL] - Twitter/X: [@handle] - Instagram: [@handle] SPONSORS: - [Sponsor 1] — [description + promo code/link] - [Sponsor 2] — [description + promo code/link] TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 — Introduction 02:15 — [Topic 1] 08:30 — [Topic 2] 15:45 — [Topic 3] 22:00 — [Topic 4] 30:15 — Rapid Fire / Lightning Round 35:00 — Key Takeaways 37:00 — Where to find [Guest] TRANSCRIPT: [Link to full transcript] ``` ## Transcript Editing Guidelines | Level | Use Case | Key Actions | | ------------------ | ------------------ | ------------------------------------------------ | | Verbatim | Legal, archival | Every word including fillers | | Clean Verbatim | Show notes | Remove fillers/stammers, fix grammar, keep tone | | Polished | Blog posts | Restructure for readability, add headers | Workflow: auto-transcribe (Whisper, Descript) then review speaker ID, apply editing level, add timestamps, include resource links, proofread proper nouns. ## Distribution Platform Comparison | Platform | Free Tier | Analytics | Monetization | Best For | | --------------- | --------- | --------- | ------------ | ----------------------- | | Spotify/Megaphone | Yes | Advanced | Built-in ads | Broad reach, analytics | | Buzzsprout | 2hrs/mo | Good | Affiliate | Beginners, simplicity | | Transistor | No | Advanced | Multiple shows| Brands, multiple shows | | Podbean | 5hrs | Good | Built-in | Monetization focus | | Captivate | No | Advanced | Sponsorship | Growth-focused | | RSS.com | Yes | Basic | Basic | Budget-conscious | | Libsyn | No | Good | Ads | Established podcasters | | Anchor (Spotify)| Unlimited | Basic | Sponsorship | Zero budget start | Submit RSS to: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music, Amazon Music/Audible, iHeartRadio, Podcast Index. Overcast and Pocket Casts auto-index from Apple. ## Episode Promotion Checklist ### Per-Episode Promotion - [ ] Create audiogram / video clip (30-60 sec highlight) - [ ] Write platform-specific social media posts, tag guest - [ ] Email newsletter with episode summary - [ ] Cross-promote with related podcasts - [ ] Respond to all comments and engagement ### Content Repurposing Matrix | Source Content | Repurpose Into | Platform | | ----------------- | ---------------------------------------- | -------------------- | | Full Episode | YouTube video (with waveform or video) | YouTube | | Key Moments | 30-60 sec clips (audiograms or reels) | Instagram, TikTok | | Guest Quotes | Quote graphics | Twitter/X, LinkedIn | | Show Notes | Blog post with SEO optimization | Website | | Transcript | Article, newsletter content | Blog, Substack | | Key Takeaways | Twitter/X thread or carousel | Twitter/X, LinkedIn | | Multiple Episodes | "Best of" compilation episode | Podcast feed | ## Analytics & KPI Tracking ### Key Metrics Dashboard | Metric | Frequency | Target | Actual | Trend | | ----------------------- | --------- | -------- | ------ | ----- | | Downloads per Episode | Weekly | | | | | Unique Listeners | Monthly | | | | | Avg Consumption Rate | Monthly | 70%+ | | | | Subscriber Growth | Monthly | | | | | Reviews & Ratings Count | Monthly | | | | | Avg Rating | Monthly | 4.5+ | | | | Website Traffic (from) | Monthly | | | | | Newsletter Signups | Monthly | | | | | Social Engagement Rate | Weekly | | | | | Revenue (if monetized) | Monthly | | | | ### Industry Benchmarks ``` PODCAST DOWNLOAD BENCHMARKS (per episode, 30 days): Top 1%: 35,000+ downloads Top 5%: 8,000+ downloads Top 10%: 3,400+ downloads Top 25%: 1,100+ downloads Top 50%: 200+ downloads Average: 100-200 downloads Source: Data from Buzzsprout, Libsyn, and industry reports. Numbers vary by niche and should improve over time. ``` ## Monetization Strategies | Strategy | Min Audience | Revenue Potential | Effort | | -------------------- | ------------ | ----------------- | -------- | | Host-Read Ads | 5,000+ DPE | $15-50 CPM | Low | | Dynamic Insertion | 10,000+ DPE | $10-25 CPM | Low | | Sponsorships | 1,000+ DPE | $500-5,000/ep | Medium | | Premium Content | 500+ fans | $5-15/mo/sub | Medium | | Affiliate Links | Any | Commission-based | Low | | Merchandise | 1,000+ fans | Varies | Medium | | Live Events | 5,000+ fans | Ticket revenue | High | | Consulting/Services | Any | $100-500+/hr | High | | Courses/Products | 2,000+ fans | $50-500/sale | High | | Listener Donations | Any | $1-25/mo/patron | Low | ``` SPONSORSHIP RATE CALCULATION: CPM (Cost Per Mille) = Price per 1,000 downloads Pre-Roll (15-30 sec): $15-25 CPM Mid-Roll (60 sec): $20-50 CPM Post-Roll (15-30 sec): $10-15 CPM EXAMPLE: 5,000 downloads/episode x $25 CPM mid-roll / 1,000 = $125 per mid-roll ad spot per episode ``` ## Season Planning Template ``` SEASON PLANNING: Season [#] THEME: _____________________________________________ Episodes: [#] episodes Cadence: [weekly/biweekly] Season Start: ___/___/___ Season End: ___/___/___ Break Duration: ___ weeks EPISODE MAP: | Ep # | Title/Topic | Format | Guest? | Record By | Publish | | ---- | ------------------- | --------- | ------- | --------- | --------- | | S_E1 | | | | | | | S_E2 | | | | | | | S_E3 | | | | | | | S_E4 | | | | | | | S_E5 | | | | | | | S_E6 | | | | | | | S_E7 | | | | | | | S_E8 | | | | | | | S_E9 | | | | | | | S_E10| | | | | | SEASON ARC: Open with theme preview, deep dives in middle, high-impact penultimate, recap finale. BATCH RECORDING: Record 3-4 episodes per batch for efficiency. ``` ## See Also - [Audio Production](../audio-production/SKILL.md) - [Marketing](../marketing/SKILL.md) - [Video Production](../video-production/SKILL.md)