I am looking for a smart, reliable, can-do person to manage the production of my weekly podcast, This Is Your Life. After producing thirty-one episodes myself, I want to outsource the post-production aspects of my workflow, so I can focus on creating the content.

The purpose of this page is to explain the responsibilities and qualifications I require. Toward the bottom of the page, I provide the time I believe this will require, along with next step you need to take if you are interested.

Responsibilities

I will continue to write the “show prep” and record my show. I want to hire a Podcast Producer to do everything else.

Prior to my recording of the show, the producer will …

• Change the copy on my “Ask Me a Question” page to reflect the current podcast topic.
• Download voice mail messages, review and select the top 3–5, edit as needed (for noise reduction and sound enhancement), and then upload them to the server. I will embed these in the actual show, along with my answers.

After I record the show, I will deliver to the producer an unedited WAV file and a PDF (or OmniOutline file) of my Show Notes. The producer will then:

• Edit the file and tag it with the appropriate metadata.
• Upload the show to my media server and send a link to me for review and to my transcription service to transcribe.
• Create “show notes” in WordPress, using the pattern I am currently using. It includes a basic outline of the show, listener questions (with links to the caller’s website or blog), and a list of resources with links. (Here’s a recent example. Much of this is boilerplate)
• Schedule the post to go live each Wednesday at 4:00 a.m. Central Time (U.S.).

Qualifications

The ideal producer should be experienced and skilled with the following tools. (Note: I have used the masculine “he” for the sake of convenience. However, gender is irrelevant. This could be a man or a woman.)

• WordPress. He should know how to create a new post, insert images, and media links, and schedule posts for later publication.
• HTML. He should know HTML. He doesn’t have to be a programmer, but he should understand basic HTML tagging, particularly as it relates to lists and links.
• Audio Editing Software. He should have significant experience in audio editing, preferably with Adobe Audition. My show is not heavily edited, but the occasional gaff will need to be fixed. The music and caller questions do not need to be edited, as I embed those live while recording each episode.

In addition to these tools, the ideal candidate should be positive, upbeat, and able to deliver under pressure—usually 24 to 48 hours. I typically record on Monday and shoot for finishing the recording by noon of that same day. Occasionally, I don’t finish until late Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning, depending on my schedule.

Training

I will supply a detailed workflow, including screencasts, to the producer I hire. I am not married to my process. All I care about is producing an excellent outcome. However, my process will provide a starting point. The producer will be free to improve upon it.

Compensation

The producer should expect the process to take 2–4 hours per week. We would like to pay a flat fee per episode, upon delivery of that episode. This amount is negotiable. The producer will work as an independent contractor. This could lead to other audio production projects.

Next Step

If you are interested in this opportunity, please send an e-mail to Joy Groblebe, my manager. Please include your qualifications and why you think you are the right person for the job.