Creating your podcast: Internal vs. external production?

If podcasting consisted of just talking into a microphone... We'd all be podcasters.On the contrary, today's listeners are demanding podcasts with good sound, a host that makes them want to listen to other episodes and unique guests.Creating successful audio content takes a lot of time, effort and creativity (Even big financial outlays...)We thought that before you took the plunge you'd like to know some of the pros and cons associated with podcast production.Should you create your podcast in-house? Or externally?

We answer them in this article.

The benefits of creating your own podcast

There are many benefits to creating your own podcast. There are 4 of the most common:

• Establish your authority (show your expertise, become an opinion leader)
• Create evergreen (reusable) content
• Create a community (and develop your mailing list)
• Expand your commercial/professional network.

Producing your own podcast: things to consider

The benefits of producing your own podcast in-house?

From A to Z, you choose:

• How you edit your podcast,
• Who will be the guests?
• What tone you set for your episodes.

Secondly, I'd add cost management. Logically, if you apply yourself, your podcast will cost less to produce on your own (but will be costly in terms of time).

The dangers of producing your own podcast in-house?

Bear in mind that producing a podcast is not something you can improvise. Among other things, you'll need to :

• Find the guest,
• Research him,
• Plan the day of the podcast recording,
• Edit podcast,
• Distribute the podcast on streaming platforms,
• Promote the podcast on social networks.

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This will have a considerable impact on :

• Time management (allow 4 to 10 hours of production time for each episode)
• Production costs (paying for the site's domain name, hosting provider, editing software...)
• Loss of motivation (few podcasts explode immediately. If your audience is stagnant, and your podcast isn't an immediate success... you'll get bored).

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Why produce your podcast externally?

Outsourcing your podcast means optimizing your time

‍Today, to continue to exist, all brands are forced to become media.Outsourcing your podcast means giving yourself more time! For example, you can concentrate or ensure that your marketing team focuses on tasks relevant to your brand, such as:

• Connect with potential guests,
• Interact with your audience on social networks

"Outsourcing podcasts allows you to create better content at a faster pace."

Make the most of your podcast launch

‍Whenyou launch a podcast yourself, it's often after weeks or even months of work during which you've worked on finding the logo, subjects, guests, equipment. To produce it externally is to have the peace of mind that everything will be managed for the launch date!

‍Access toexpert knowledge

‍Thelaunch of a podcast requires careful thought. Now with competition heating up, nothing is left to chance. With an expert on your side, like a podcast agency, you'll learn a lot about the process of launching and managing podcasts. What works in your industry, what doesn't. Or (and this is the Holy Grail) what your competitors haven't done before.

Create your own podcast with a freelancer

This option is often needed to manage time-consuming tasks such as :

• Edit your audio,
• Write show notes,
• Format and distribute podcasts on streaming platforms.

The advantages of creating your own podcast with a freelancer

The main advantage is cost. Freelancers will charge you their hourly rate.

The disadvantages of freelance podcasting

Your time is bound to be taken up

‍It's rare to find someone who can complete the entire process to the highest quality, so chances are you'll have to manage several freelancers or virtual assistants.

‍Managingcollaboration problems

• Communication failure,
• Power failure,
• Sick for a week,
• Family emergency.

Quality may vary

‍Withoutmonitoring or review, podcast production by freelancers or virtual assistants can quickly become problematic. What's the problem? They get the job done... and won't go any further than that.

Produce your podcast with a podcast agency

The advantage of a podcast agency is that it can support you from A to Z.

There's no more wasting time, losing control of your strategy or abandoning your podcast mid-season. A podcast agency will offer you more than fifteen services to create your podcast:

• Podcast concept and editorial line
• Creation of the podcast's graphic design
• Studio available
• A dedicated producer at your disposal
• Identification of relevant guests
• Guest awareness and coordination
• Preparing guests for the interview
• Resources for hosts and interview tips
• Complete audio engineering and podcast editing
• Intro, outro and commercial recording
• Professional voice-overs
• Creating notes for each episode
• Podcast distribution on streaming platforms
• Promoting the podcast on social networks
• Guest follow-up

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Avner UZAN