Hiring The Right Fit - What to look for in a podcast producer
Episode 29 - Hiring The Right Fit - What to look for in a podcast producer
Hiring the right fit: What to look for in a podcast producer
The right podcast producer is both an artist and a technician. As you look to secure the perfect match for your show and long-term goals, zero in on these key qualities:
- Technical expertise: Command over the technical aspects of post-production, particularly video and audio editing skills, is non-negotiable.
- A knack for creativity: A keen creative eye (and ear!) for storytelling, episode structuring, and content innovation.
- Strategy-first mindset: An understanding of the broader podcasting landscape. Your producer should have skills in audience growth, analytics, and monetization strategies, and be on top of the latest trends and tools in podcasting.
- Organizational and communication skills: You need a producer who will streamline operations and make your life easier, not harder. Whoever you bring on board should be able to manage schedules, guests, resources, and workflows efficiently and on time.
- Passion for the craft: Look for someone with a genuine enthusiasm for podcasting and a drive to explore new ideas. Bonus points if they love your niche and could talk about it for hours.
Interviewing your candidates
Just because someone looks good on paper, it doesn’t mean they’re the right person for the job. Hence, the interview.
Asking the right questions will help gauge a candidate’s skills and alignment with your vision and work ethic. It will also reveal whether their communication style and personality fit well with your team's culture (or the culture you want to establish as you grow your podcast team.)
Here are a few talking points to help get you started:
Experience and background
- Can you share your experience with podcast production, including any specific genres, formats, or types of podcasts you've worked with?
- Describe a podcast project you're particularly proud of and your role in its success.
Technical skills
- What video and audio editing software are you most proficient in? Do you have expertise in sound design, mixing, and mastering? How do you like to collaborate on the edit — via script or in the audio tool?
- How do you ensure the best audio and video quality, especially when dealing with remote interviews or less-than-ideal recording conditions?
Creative process
- How do you approach content planning and podcast episode structuring?
- Can you give an example of a creative challenge you faced in a similar role and how you overcame it?
- What was your biggest or most difficult podcast guest to book, and how did you do it?
Strategic thinking
- How do you measure the success of a podcast, and what metrics do you focus on to grow the audience?
- How have you positively impacted (or grown) the audience size of a show you've worked on, and what strategies did you employ?
Organizational skills
- How do you manage deadlines and make sure that all aspects of podcast production stay on schedule? What project management tool do you like to use to streamline collaboration?
- Can you describe a time when you had to juggle multiple projects and how you prioritized your tasks?
- How would you define your communication style? What’s your preferred way of collaborating with other people on your team?
Passion and alignment
- Why are you interested in working on this show, and how do you see yourself contributing to its vision?
- What podcasts do you enjoy, and what trends in podcasting are you excited about?
Once you have a shortlist of candidates, you can ask for additional resources to help you make the final decision. Consider requesting:
- Access to their portfolio or specific episodes they've produced. This will give you a tangible sense of their style, quality, and versatility.
- References from previous clients or collaborators to get insights into their work ethic, reliability, and impact on previous projects.
- A paid trial project, such as editing a short segment or planning a new episode, for a hands-on demonstration of their skills.
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