Find the Best Podcasting Jobs

What does a podcast host do?

Podcast hosts take charge of delivering interesting and engaging content to their audience. As the face of the show, you will interview guests, write show notes, engage with the audience on social media, and build both credibility and trust as you scale the audience.

Some freelance podcasters interview a wide variety of people. This requires building rapport with guests and capturing that rapport for listeners to take in. As you discuss topics, it’s vital to allow your personality to shine through. Listeners become fans because of your style.

Other podcasters rely on their capacity to entertain or ability to inform.

What skills do I need for podcasting?

Freelance hosting requires a broad skill set to achieve great podcast episodes. Freelancers that work in this role may be performing live, via recording, or a mix of both. Live shows often require more synchronization and planning. Recorded podcasts generally leave more room for creative control.

Here’s an aggregated list of common skills that freelance podcasters should have:

• Ability to interview various types of people for podcasts in a studio or at specific events
• Create and maintain a recording and posting schedule for podcast episodes
• Create or commission podcast artwork for the website and social media
• Create a page for Apple Podcasts (iTunes), Google Play, Spotify, and other podcast directories
• Writing a show outline and script, or some combination of the two depending on the nature of the podcast. A script might be used only loosely to guide a conversation
• Find guests for the podcast via social media, in-person interactions, and online summits
• Conduct, record, edit, and publish podcast interviews
• Ability to work with a podcast production team, including a podcast producer, a co-host, audio editor or other podcasters

What are the responsibilities for a freelance podcast host?

Podcast hosts must take charge of creating vocal content for the show. Freelancers in a podcasting role may plan guest appearances or only select guests for a production team to approach and collaborate with on an interview plan. Initially, freelance podcast hosts may be responsible for managing all of the basic tasks for their own show, such as managing social media, securing transcripts, and working to acquire new listeners.

The following list outlines job responsibilities podcasters may have when they are starting out, though senior freelancers may prefer to delegate one or more of the tasks.

• Gather and research information for each episode by interviewing guests and experts
• Write an outline and script for each new podcast episode
• Write show notes for each episode and check them for search engine optimization (SEO)
• Work with a transcription service to transcribe each podcast episode
• Post and promote the show to acquire new listeners
• Answer listener emails and messages
• Upload podcast audio files to podcast hosting or distribution sites
• Design and update the website with new content
• Design and update social media pages with new content
• Gain new listeners by communicating and collaborating with other podcasters
• Advertise the show on other podcasts and work to cross-promote the podcast with other, relevant podcasting hosts
• Manage and optimize ad revenue streams
• Design or commission marketing materials and sell advertising space
• Research and monitor your competitors’ podcasts
• Use audio editing software, such as Audacity and GarageBand, to create an intro and the show for each podcast