Podcast production agency: A to Z process

The French are increasingly interested in the podcast format, with over 20 million monthly listeners. The average listener is 38 and remains loyal to his or her favorite shows, and the number of listeners over 55 has risen by 30%. Which just goes to show that podcasts have a bright future ahead of them.

Behind every podcast is an idea, a creator, an agency, a studio. Each podcast tells a unique and captivating story. Faced with this craze, brands are looking for a partner capable of transforming an editorial intention into a flawless audio series.

That's exactly what Calliopéoffers: Parisian and mobile studios, journalists, sound engineers, voice casting, dressing, secure or public broadcasting, detailed reporting.

In this article, discover all the steps involved in creating a podcast with a professional production agency.

Step 1: Framing the strategy

Every project starts with a stakeholder listening session. First and foremost, you need to define your objectives, target audience and key success indicators. Each parameter is set down in black and white in an editorial charter. This document sets the tone, duration, publication rhythm and place of the podcast in your brand ecosystem. Without this framework, it's impossible to assess performance or get buy-in from your teams. Only once this stage has been completed can you consider writing the script for your audios.

Step 2: writing for voice

The voice is a primary method of expression that touches the ears and hearts of listeners. It lives on through the mental images it conjures up in the audience. You need to understand your listeners' expectations and adapt to their preferences.

Calliopé's authors adapt your message to spoken language, structure the episode in short sequences and prepare relays to maintain narrative tension. Each script is read aloud to check rhythm and intelligibility, then validated by your teams before recording.

Find out how branded podcasts can make a difference on our "What's at stake for brands" page.

Step 3: Choosing the right stamp

A calm, warm tone reassures, while a more energetic voice energizes a start-up culture. According to a recent survey, 44% of French listeners say they prefer podcasts with multiple speakers. Calliopé organizes listening sessions with actors, journalists and in-house experts.

In this way, you can select the voice that will embody your brand in the long term, taking into account your audience. For example, if you're targeting an audience of under-30s, a younger, more dynamic voice would be ideal for attracting young people.

Step 4: Recording and realization

In our acoustically-treated studios, or on site to capture the ambience of the field, a sound engineer manages takes, levels and ambience. Editing removes hesitations, equalizes voices, inserts credits and sound commas. The mix finalizes the target volume for optimum listening comfort, whether through headphones or car speakers.

Step 5: broadcast safely... or shine publicly

Calliopé offers encrypted hosting with SSO authentication for in-house podcasts, or uploading to Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube to reach your external communities. The rise of the video podcast opens the door to filmed versions, shot in our multi-camera studio.

Whatever your industry, we'll get your podcasts in front of a large, receptive audience. Browse our case studiesand discover how over 60 brands have already thrilled their listeners, and gained visiblity and authority through sound.

Step 6: Measure and optimize

It's very important to analyze the performance indicators of your podcasts to improve their quality. Complete listening rate, average time, shares, comments: each indicator feeds a monthly dashboard.

The data reveals what grabs attention and what pulls it away. Calliopé then makes recommendations: adjust duration, vary formats, invite a new voice or launch a bonus capsule to boost the audience curve.

Case study: Fitness Park, from brief to broadcast in eight weeks

In 2023, the Fitness Park network wants to add an inspiring medium to its digital ecosystem: a podcast capable of talking fitness, performance and inclusion without jargon or advertising posturing. The challenge is to establish a lasting presence in the audio world, while remaining true to the brand's "push your limits" DNA.

The challenge was threefold: to create a legitimate format for enthusiasts and beginners alike, to make the brand more human by giving members a voice, and to stand out in a market saturated with sports content.

Calliopé chose well-known fitness trainer Bilal Bourazza for its casting, whose energetic voice embodies the credibility and closeness we were looking for.

Results

Right from the first season, the podcast established itself as a new community showcase: listening peaks on Mondays (the day of good resolutions), increased engagement on Instagram around the video extracts and a rise in registrations for club "initiation" sessions. Noting the impact, Fitness Park renews the collaboration for a Season 2 and now includes the episodes in its welcome program.

Would you like to listen to the podcast episodes Calliopé has recorded for Fitness Park to get an insight into our expertise? Click on this link.

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Turn your voice into value

In a market where 3 out of 4 weekly listeners say they want to listen to even more podcasts in the next six months, entrusting your project to a specialized production agency is no longer a luxury but a success gas pedal. From initial strategy to impact measurement, Calliopé orchestrates every stage to ensure that your message reaches its target and remains etched in the memory.

Visit Calliopé's "All our customers" page right now, listen to our achievements and book a discovery slot; your audio series could see the light of day in the next six weeks.