Podcasting has moved on from being a niche hobby to a full-fledged industry — and as with any industry, there are many roles that need to be filled. Knowing which positions are available can help anyone who wants to get into the industry know what skills they need to have or develop.
The podcasting industry has grown so much over the years, and there is a plethora of podcasts out there, from industry-focused podcasts to mental health discussions, there is something for everyone.
But there is more to podcasting than just someone sitting behind a microphone and speaking for hours on end — to run a major and successful podcast now requires an entire team.
Keep your earpods in and read on as media update's Saads Abrahams is exploring the different careers available in podcasting.
Let's first take a look at why podcasting might just be the career for you.
Why Podcasting?
If you are a creative, a career in podcasting may just be the one for you. This career can provide you with financial stability while still allowing you to be your true creative self.
Podcasting, unlike traditional radio, allows you to be as creative as you like without all the redtape. If you have decided that being a host is not for you but you want to work more on the technical side of things, you can still choose to work on a podcast that aligns with your interests.
Additionally, a career in podcasting is exciting, as this landscape is relatively new — meaning change is inevitable. This will allow you to bring your own unique and original ideas to the table.
Types of Careers in Podcasting
Podcast Producer
A podcast producer's role is to oversee every single aspect of a podcast's creation. They are involved in everything from the podcast's creation to concept development to post-production editing.
Script Editor
A podcast script editor is responsible for assisting the writers and producers in creating high-quality scripts as episodes. This requires editors to fact-check and edit scripts for each episode.
Audio Editor
Audio editors will ensure that the sound quality of each episode is perfect. This role includes editing out any mistakes, adding music and sound effects and enhancing the sound quality.
Podcast Host
A podcast host is the face, and most importantly the voice of a podcast. These individuals are in charge of narrating the podcast and keeping the audience engaged. Podcast hosts are typically involved in the script writing and editing process as well.
Being a podcast host also means that you need to think on your feet and steer a conversation with guests in a certain direction if necessary.
Executive Producer
Executive producers are also known as showrunners. They are responsible for managing and approving all facets of a podcast, from the budget and the schedule to planning concepts and goals.
Production Assistant
A production assistant is in charge of assisting the podcast production in sticking to the budget and schedule. Production assistants are often working with producers in completing any additional tasks needed to produce the podcast such as editing or recording.
Researcher
These people are responsible for researching topics for the podcast, gathering any relevant information and aiding in developing compelling storylines for the podcast.
Sound Engineer
Sound engineers are responsible for managing the technical parts of audio production — such as recording, mixing and mastering.
Script Writer
A script writer is responsible for writing a podcast's script — they often work with the host and producer to brainstorm and build a script for each episode.
Transcriptionist
The primary duty of a transcriptionist is to listen to each podcast episode and turn it into written copy that can then be used across other mediums such as a blog or social media post.
They can also assist with transcribing any interviews during the research phase and creating subtitles for the podcast's video content.
Marketing Specialist
A successful podcast needs a marketing specialist — as they are the ones who do market research into how to promote the podcast, how to increase listenership and how to best engage with the podcast's audience.
Booking Agent
Many podcasts have special guests who join in on certain episodes based on their expertise or area of interest — and this requires the skills of a booking agent. They are responsible for finding and booking the right people for relevant podcast episodes.
They also handle all the admin surrounding special guest appearances such as payments, episode breakdown and scheduling.
Content Strategist
A content strategist is responsible for developing a content strategy for the podcast — they ensure that the content aligns with both the target audience and the purpose of the podcast.
Social Media Manager
Podcasts need someone to handle all their social media pages. Social media managers are in charge of creating, scheduling and posting the podcast's social media content. They also need to engage with followers and respond to comments and DMs.
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*Image courtesy of Canva
**Information sourced from Indeed and Yellowbrick