Top Podcasting Jobs - Roles, Positions, and where to find them
According to Podcast Insights, as of December 2021, there were 2,000,000 podcasts available. Compare that to the number of podcasts in June of 2018, which was 550,000, and you begin to see how quickly podcast popularity is growing.
While the most downloaded podcast in the very early podcasting history of 2007 was a comedy show, today you can find podcasts on topics ranging from veteran status, disability, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, pop culture, and anything else you can think of.
With such steady podcast industry growth comes the need for specialist skills. This article examines the growing number of job opportunities that are becoming available, arming you with information that is still not generally available because the podcasting industry — even as fast as it’s growing — is still a relatively new marketing concept for most. I share most of this from my experience running a leading podcast company.
With my own experience running a podcast agency that is constantly hiring, I can tell you there is a high demand for great talent in the podcasting space. (Apply to work with Content Allies)
We’ll tell you what you need to know about careers in podcasting, what skills and roles are needed, and where to find podcasting jobs.
Why work in podcasting?
There are many benefits to a career in podcasting, such as:
Working remotely
Because all the functions of podcasting can be done digitally, many podcast team members work together from all over the world. Where this is the case, it means that you also have job flexibility. Bear in mind that working remotely depends on the company you work for — some will have in-house teams while others outsource many of the roles.
Become an expert in your niche
By focusing on a podcasting career, and making it a specialist capability, there will be more demand for your skills as more and more companies start seeing the value of podcasting. There is already tremendous demand for podcasting skills because the skillset is so varied.
Interesting work
For the most part, if you work on podcasts that revolve around topics you are interested in, you will always be learning something. You’ll often be interacting with niche experts because podcasting is all about providing value to listeners. Therefore, the hosts and guests involved in discussions are typically experts in their fields.
Work for progressive companies
At this stage, it takes a forward-thinking business to invest in podcasting. This means that it’s likely that when you make a career out of your podcasting role, you’ll be working with other forward-thinkers as well as the most progressive companies.
Industry growth potential
While the popularity of other marketing mechanisms decrease, podcasting is still a relatively new concept — and the statistics show that the industry is growing steadily. This means that those who work in podcasting roles are likely to always have work, at least until something better than podcasting comes along.
Career growth
Podcasting requires a whole team of skilled people in multiple disciplines and capacities, so you can always cross-skill and learn related roles in order to climb the ladder.
What podcast jobs or roles exist in podcasting?
One podcasting show requires a whole team of skilled people. Let’s take a look at all the players, but be aware that many of these roles go by different terms.
For example, a Producer can be called a Project Manager, a Guest Scheduler can be referred to as the Outreach Manager, and the Writer as Copywriter or Mission Social Media Writer for Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn.
Here are some of the main players:
Audio Editor / Audio Editing Creator
A technical role, an Audio Editor in the audio production team (sometimes called Podcast Editor Host when the position involves multiple roles), requires skills such as audio editing, mastering, mixing, and exporting audio. This position is responsible for making a show's raw audio file (which comes with unwanted noises and speaking mistakes) sound professional by editing out all the bad stuff and adding effects like music.
Content Writer
The podcast writer must produce articles, show notes, and social content, all with the purpose of attracting more of the right traffic and pointing potential listeners to the podcast. Additionally, a podcast writer will convert show material to articles for the company’s website.
(Imagine writing Gimlet show notes, a podcast based in New York that gets downloaded millions of times every month!)
Scriptwriter
Although podcasts should sound like a natural, flowing conversation, the Scriptwriter is skilled at script writing and is responsible for planning the outlines for podcast content that enables the conversation to flow. The script is not something that is followed word for word, but rather a guide so that the show doesn’t get “stuck”.
Producer
The Podcast Producer runs the show and keeps everything on track. This person needs to create and then focus on maintaining the podcast’s vision. He or she manages each episode and ensures that deadlines are met. It is the Producer’s responsibility to develop the strategy, sometimes find guests, sometimes edit the audio, and compile analytics to report to the company.
The Podcast Producer may also be expected to come up with marketing strategies as well as understand the pros of SEO software such as Page Optimizer in order to attract traffic to the podcasting website.
This role is best suited for those with a passion for producing podcasts.
Designer
Every podcast needs a designer for creativity, someone who designs visually-appealing graphics that are aligned with the brand. The designer needs to come up with the podcast cover and visual elements to promote each podcast episode on social media, and may even secure artwork fans depending on the podcast.
Guest Scheduler
If a podcast hosts a guest, it is the Guest Scheduler who will conduct the initial research to recruit the best guests, as well as reach out to them and conduct follow-ups after the episode. It may sound simple, but the guests can make or break a show. This role needs a person who can find people who add value and attract the right traffic.
Public Relations
Typically, the podcast host will also fulfill the Public Relations role, and this is a critical one as many business opportunities arise from inviting guests to a show. The PR person builds relationships with guests and, through those relationships, secures other business deals in the form of referrals, joint partnerships, networking, and so on.
How much does a Podcast Producer get paid?
According to ZipRecruiter, the national average for a Podcast Producer is $23 an hour, or around $47,000 a year.
Another way of looking at it is payment per episode, which according to Podcast Productions School, can range between $150 and $250 per session. However, Podcast Producers who offer strategic consulting input can look at around $4,000 per month for their expertise. The more skilled you are and the more experience you have, the more money you’ll make.
Can podcasting be a career?
There are two sides to the question of whether podcasting can be a career:
You can start your own podcast, and yes, it can become a career in one sense of the word (but we are not focusing on this sphere in this particular article), or
You can get a job in a podcasting role, and yes, there is enough steady growth in the industry for you to make it a career, no matter your role. Just as with any job, you can learn new skills and work your way up to positions of greater responsibility. For example, you may start as a Copywriter, later on make the jump to Guest Scheduler, and eventually become a Podcast Producer or Project Manager.
How do I get a job on a podcast?
It can be difficult finding podcasting jobs, but only because the terminology for each position varies so greatly. (Don’t worry, next we’ll provide resources where podcasting jobs are offered.)
We can offer these tips for getting started:
Find out the different terms used for the position you are looking for so that you can conduct job searches using all the keywords — this will increase your selection of jobs.
An employer will look for the following qualities of employees whose jobs revolve around podcasting:
Consistency
Attention to detail
Deadline driven
Versatility
This will be helpful to demonstrate your commitment to the industry to prospective employers:
Knowledge and trends of the podcasting industry (keep up with industry news and well-known podcasting sites like Amazon, Audiogram, iTunes, Stitcher, and Apple Podcasts) and stay on top of all things podcasting with a weekly newsletter or subscription at the following sources:
Podcast Perspective on LinkedIn Newsletters
Better than a portfolio, if you have your own podcast, use it as a way to showcase your capabilities
Listen to podcasts yourself, making them a case study to analyze and learn from.
Where to find podcasting jobs
You won’t find podcasting jobs advertised anywhere offline because podcasting lives in the digital world. So here’s where to look:
Podcast Agencies
Podcast marketing agencies such as Content Allies are a good choice because as they grow their customer base, they need to hire more people. They tend to always have job opening deadlines they’re looking to fill.
You can see a full list of podcast agencies here.
LinkedIn Podcast Jobs
LinkedIn has a podcast jobs board that lists available vacancies in your area.
AIR
AIR is a job search site for freelancers, journalists, podcasters, audio makers, storytellers, editors, etc. Search podcasting positions using keywords and location.
Podnews
Subscribe to get a daily alert from digital platform Podnews about podcasting jobs that become available.
Podjobs
Podjobs, run by Podnews, lists jobs in podcasting in Australia, the UK and the USA.
Indeed
Find lists of podcasting jobs on Indeed, a digital job board where you may also be able to find equal opportunity employers and information on local laws.
Ziprecruiter
Search for podcasting jobs in locations near you on Ziprecruiter.
Upwork
Upwork is a freelancing platform that offers podcasting jobs by companies on the lookout for talent.
Dynamite Jobs
Search for podcasting job positions on Dynamite Jobs, one of the largest remote hiring platforms in the world.
Next steps
Now you should be equipped with all you need to know about landing a podcast job. In summary, we’ve provided information about:
The benefits of a career in podcasting
The roles needed in a podcasting team
How to find a podcasting position
Launch out and make it happen! Take the next step and reach out to my company, Content Allies, to start your career with us today.