FAQ: B2B Podcast Production
If your company or organization is ready to start a podcast, this blog post is for you. We collected our most frequently asked B2B podcast production questions, which you can find below.
But first we want to address the elephant in the room: DIY podcasting.
You always have the option to produce your own podcast, but podcast production is more complex than you may realize.
To do it right, you’ll need:
The right podcasting equipment, like professional audio software, quality third-party audio plugins, and remote recording software
Deep knowledge of editing podcasts
Guidance on which hosting platform is right for your podcast
A distribution / promotion strategy
Access to someone who can answer your questions, help your guests feel at ease, and make podcast production as easy as possible
The time to do or research all of the above
And this is why clients turn to us for help. It’s not easy!
All your B2B podcast production questions, answered
What is the best length for podcast episodes?
We recommend starting in the 20- to 30-minute range. Shorter episodes require less time on your part to prepare and record, and this length can easily fit into your listeners’ daily commute or routine.
How often should I record and release a new episode?
There is no right or wrong answer. Monthly, biweekly, or weekly releases are all great options for a B2B podcast, but choose a pace that is sustainable for your organization. Most of our clients put out a monthly podcast year-round, but we do have a few that produce many episodes in a short period, and then release them weekly for a 10-12 week season.
To ensure your enthusiasm doesn’t get the best of you, we recommend starting with one per month and then increase frequency from there.
What is the best format for a B2B podcast?
The most common podcast formats are interviews or roundtables, which are really conversations among two to four people. Neither the host nor the guests need public speaking experience, because it really is just a conversation based on the guests’ expertise.
Do I need to record audio AND video?
No, you do not, and in fact, we recommend not recording video, because it can create a great deal of anxiety for your guests.
Do I need a professional intro and closing sequence for our podcast?
Yes, it is highly recommended. Every time your listeners hear your custom intro and ending sequence, they will immediately recognize your podcast. Plus, it’ll give your podcast a more polished touch.
Can’t our IT guy produce our podcast?
IT people are great at many things, but they are not audio producers. Just like you wouldn’t trust me with programming your enterprise router, you wouldn’t want your IT guy to edit your audio.
Likewise, video editors are not audio engineers. They are great at editing video footage, but they don’t know how to massage only audio for clean edits and impactful storytelling.
Can I record episodes on my phone?
Well, sure you can, but mobile phones do not generate professional audio quality. And we can only do so much to improve audio quality during editing. Your podcast will still sound like it was recorded on a mobile phone.
(You can listen to a comparison of good, bad, and ugly audio quality in this blog post.)
How do you produce high-quality audio with remote recording?
We achieve in-studio recording quality three ways: internet-based recording services that allow for local recording, a well-positioned, quality headset mic (which we provide to all hosts and guests), and modern audio processing techniques. Our clients and their guests can record remotely from anywhere in the world with minimal technical hurdles.
But don’t I need a fancy headset for remote recording?
Nope! We tested numerous headsets to find one that is both inexpensive and provides high-quality audio. In fact, the headsets we provide for free sound better than much more expensive ones on the market.
How do you produce audio so it sounds polished and professional?
When recording a podcast episode, we use a program that records audio locally on each participant’s computer. Even if there are glitches during an interview, they don’t appear in the final recorded audio. And each user’s audio files are automatically uploaded to the cloud for our team to immediately begin transcription and editing.
We use audio editing software called Avid Pro Tools, which has been the industry standard program for major motion pictures and television shows for the last 20+ years. Its flexibility and versatility allow for edits down to 1,000th of a second, and it supports our fast turnaround times.
We also use a variety of third-party software plugins that allow us to remove ambient noise and room reverberation. Between Avid Pro Tools and these plugins, your remote podcast will always sound clear and professional.
Finally, we edit to make sure the conversation flows AND sounds natural. This means we remove pauses, coughs, and most (but not all) um’s.
Let a professional audio engineering team handle your B2B podcast
A professional does more than produce a podcast that elevates your brand. We also manage every aspect of the process, from making sure your guests are comfortable before we start recording to sending you a ready-to-publish podcast episode the first time.
Let’s discuss how we might work together. Reach out today!
