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At a glance
What it is
Complete podcast production from concept development through recording, editing, distribution, and monetization including equipment recommendations, growth strategies, and sponsor acquisition workflows.
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SKILL.md
447 lines · 2,458 words
Gather requirements. Ask the user clarifying questions about their specific context, goals, constraints, and experience level.
Analyze the situation. Review the information provided and identify key factors, challenges, and opportunities relevant to podcast producer.
Complete podcast production from concept development through recording, editing, distribution, and monetization including equipment recommendations, growth strategies, and sponsor acquisition workflows.
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Step 1
Send your Chief of Staff this message. It proposes the bot and its role first, and creates it when you say go.
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“Create a bot that uses the Podcast Producer skill, and show me the plan first.”
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Step 2
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Step 3
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Step 4
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What it covers
When to Use
Process
Questions to Ask First
Format Selection Framework
Equipment Setup by Budget
Recording Techniques
Editing Workflow
Show Notes Template
Distribution: Getting Listed Everywhere
Monetization Models
Growth Strategies
Output Format
Example
Edge Cases
Develop the framework. Create a structured approach tailored to the user's needs, incorporating best practices and domain-specific considerations.
Deliver actionable output. Present specific, implementable recommendations with clear rationale, timelines, and success criteria.
Address edge cases. Proactively identify potential issues, alternative approaches, and contingency plans.
Use this skill when:
User needs guidance on podcast producer
User asks about podcast producer best practices or techniques
User wants a structured approach to podcast producer
Do NOT use this skill when:
A more specialized skill exists for the specific subtopic
The request is outside the scope of podcast producer
Before launching any podcast, work through these foundational questions:
What is the core purpose of this podcast? (Build authority, generate leads, create community, monetize directly, creative outlet)
What specific topic or niche will you cover? Can you describe it in one sentence?
Who is your ideal listener? Demographics, interests, what they're struggling with?
What format appeals to you? (Solo, interview, co-hosted, narrative, roundtable)
How long can you realistically commit to producing episodes? (Weekly, biweekly, seasons)
What is your budget for equipment and hosting? ($0, $200, $500, $2000+)
Do you have an existing audience or platform to launch from?
What are 3 podcasts you admire in or adjacent to your space?
Are you comfortable editing audio, or will you need to outsource?
What does success look like at 6 months? At 1 year?
| Format | Prep Time | Production Complexity | Guest Dependency | Scalability | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solo | High (must carry alone) | Low | None | High | Experts with strong opinions |
| Interview | Medium | Medium | High | Medium | Network builders, curious hosts |
| Co-hosted | Low-Medium | Medium | Moderate (partner) | Medium | Chemistry-driven shows |
| Narrative | Very High | Very High | Variable | Low | Storytellers, journalists |
| Roundtable | Medium | High | High (multiple) | Low | Industry commentary |
| Hybrid | Variable | Medium | Variable | High | Versatile creators |
Under 15 min: Daily news, quick tips, commute-friendly
15-30 min: Focused topic deep dives, solo shows
30-60 min: Standard interview format, most common
60-90 min: Long-form conversation, dedicated audiences
90+ min: Niche audiences only, requires compelling content throughout
Rule of thumb: Your episode should be exactly as long as the content demands. Padding to hit a length target degrades quality.
Continuous (rolling episodes):
Builds habit with listeners
Constant production pressure
Easier to build momentum
Best for: evergreen topics, interview shows
Seasons (8-12 episode batches):
Batch production efficiency
Built-in breaks to avoid burnout
Creates narrative arcs
Best for: story-driven, research-heavy topics
Microphone: Smartphone with wired earbuds ($0) or
Fifine K669B USB mic ($30)
Recording: Anchor app (free) or Audacity (free)
Editing: Audacity or GarageBand (Mac, free)
Hosting: Spotify for Podcasters (free)
Acoustic: Record in a closet with clothes (natural dampening)Quality level: Acceptable. Many successful podcasts started here.
Microphone: Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB ($80) or
Samson Q2U ($70)
Interface: Built-in USB (no interface needed with these mics)
Headphones: Audio-Technica ATH-M20x ($50)
Pop filter: Basic foam windscreen ($8)
Boom arm: InnoGear or similar ($25)
Recording: Audacity, GarageBand, or Riverside.fm (remote)
Editing: Audacity (free) or Hindenburg Journalist ($95)
Hosting: Buzzsprout ($12/mo) or Transistor ($19/mo)
Acoustic: Moving blankets on walls ($40)Microphone: Shure SM7B ($399) or Rode PodMic ($99)
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 ($170) or Rodecaster Pro II ($599)
Headphones: Sony MDR-7506 ($100) or Beyerdynamic DT 770 ($160)
Boom arm: Rode PSA1+ ($120)
Recording: Riverside.fm or SquadCast (remote), DAW locally
Editing: Adobe Audition ($23/mo) or Logic Pro ($200 one-time)
Hosting: Transistor ($19/mo) or Captivate ($19/mo)
Acoustic: Foam panels + bass traps ($200-400)
Remote: Rodecaster handles multitrack nativelyMicrophones: Electro-Voice RE20 or Shure SM7B (multiple)
Mixer: Rodecaster Pro II or Tascam Mixcast 4
Interface: Dedicated rack-mount (Apollo Twin, etc.)
Headphones: Multiple pairs for guests
Room: Professionally treated recording space
Software: Adobe Audition + iZotope RX for repair
Camera: Sony ZV-E10 or similar for video podcastingChoose the smallest, most carpeted room available
Close all windows and doors
Turn off HVAC, fans, appliances that hum
Hang blankets or foam on bare walls facing you
Position mic 4-6 inches from mouth, slightly off-axis
Use a pop filter for plosives (P and B sounds)
Record 30 seconds of "room tone" (silence) for editing reference
Gain staging: Set levels so normal speech peaks at -12dB to -6dB
Headphone monitoring: Always wear headphones while recording
Clap sync: If recording multiple tracks, clap to create a sync point
Water nearby: Mouth clicks increase when dehydrated
Stand or sit with posture: Slouching compresses your diaphragm
Record in WAV/AIFF: Compress to MP3 only for final export
Best quality approach: Each person records locally, combine in post
Use Riverside.fm or SquadCast for synced local recording
Backup: Record Zoom/Google Meet as safety track
Send guests a recording checklist (quiet room, headphones, mic position)
Do a 5-minute test call before the real recording
Pre-interview:
Send guest a brief (topic, 5-7 questions, logistics)
Do NOT send exact questions - you want natural responses
Confirm recording time with buffer (book 90 min for 60-min interview)
Test tech 24 hours before
During interview:
Start recording before you begin talking (capture natural warm-up)
Open with an easy question to relax the guest
Listen more than you talk (60/40 guest/host ratio)
Follow interesting threads - deviate from your outline
"Tell me more about that" is your most powerful tool
Leave silence after answers - guests often fill it with gold
Post-interview:
Send thank-you within 24 hours
Share promotion assets (audiogram, quote graphics)
Tag them when the episode goes live
Maintain the relationship for future episodes
Pass 1: Structural Edit (Listen at 1x)
Remove false starts and major stumbles
Cut tangents that don't serve the episode
Rearrange segments if needed for better flow
Mark spots needing sound design or music
Pass 2: Fine Edit (Listen at 1x)
Remove excessive "ums," "uhs," and filler words
Tighten pauses (but don't eliminate all - sounds unnatural)
Fix audio levels between speakers
Add intro/outro music and transitions
Pass 3: Sound Design
Apply noise reduction (light touch - heavy processing sounds worse)
EQ: Roll off below 80Hz, gentle boost at 2-5kHz for clarity
Compression: 3:1 ratio, threshold at -18dB (approximate starting point)
Normalize final output to -16 LUFS (Spotify standard) or -19 LUFS (Apple)
Add music beds under transitions
Pass 4: Quality Check (Listen on different devices)
Listen on headphones, phone speaker, and car speakers if possible
Check beginning and end for clean cuts
Verify all links/resources mentioned are correct
Export: MP3 at 128kbps mono or 192kbps stereo
| Experience Level | Edit Time per Finished Hour |
|---|---|
| Beginner | 4-6 hours |
| Intermediate | 2-3 hours |
| Experienced | 1-2 hours |
| Outsourced | Your time = 15 min review |
Consider outsourcing when:
Your time is worth more than $30-50/hour
You're spending more time editing than creating
Episode quality is suffering from editing fatigue
You want to increase publishing frequency
Outsourcing costs: $50-200 per episode depending on complexity and editor experience. Services like Podcast Motor, We Edit Podcasts, or freelancers on Fiverr/Upwork.
# Episode [Number]: [Title]
[2-3 sentence compelling summary that includes target keywords]
## Key Takeaways
- [Takeaway 1]
- [Takeaway 2]
- [Takeaway 3]
## Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction
02:30 - [Topic 1]
15:45 - [Topic 2]
28:00 - [Topic 3]
42:15 - Key takeaways and action items
45:00 - Wrap-up
## Resources Mentioned
- [Resource 1](link)
- [Resource 2](link)
## Guest Info
- [Guest Name] - [Title/Company]
- Website: [link]
- Twitter/LinkedIn: [handles]
## Connect With Us
- Website: [link]
- Newsletter: [link]
- Social: [handles]
- Leave a review: [Apple Podcasts link]Your hosting platform generates your RSS feed. This single URL powers all distribution.
| Platform | Submission Method | Approval Time |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Podcasts | Apple Podcasts Connect | 1-5 days |
| Spotify | Spotify for Podcasters or auto via host | 1-3 days |
| Google Podcasts | Automatic via RSS | 1-3 days |
| Amazon Music | Amazon Music for Podcasters | 1-5 days |
| Stitcher | Stitcher Partner portal | 1-3 days |
| iHeartRadio | iHeartRadio for Podcasters | 5-10 days |
| TuneIn | TuneIn submission form | Variable |
| Podcast Index | Automatic | Immediate |
| Overcast | Automatic via Apple | After Apple approval |
| Pocket Casts | Automatic via RSS | 1-3 days |
Submit to Apple Podcasts first - many smaller directories pull from Apple's catalog.
Record 5-8 episodes before launching
Publish 3 episodes on launch day (gives new listeners a binge experience)
Announce across all platforms simultaneously
Ask friends/family to subscribe, rate, and review in the first week
The first 7 days signal strength to podcast directories
Continue weekly releases without interruption
When to seek sponsors: 500+ downloads per episode minimum (some niches lower)
CPM (Cost Per Mille) Rates:
Pre-roll (15-30 sec): $15-25 CPM
Mid-roll (60 sec): $20-50 CPM
Host-read vs dynamic insertion: Host-read commands 2-3x premium
Sponsorship Outreach Template:
Subject: Partnership Opportunity - [Podcast Name] ([download numbers])
Hi [Name],
I host [Podcast Name], a [frequency] show about [topic] with
[number] downloads per episode and an audience of [demographic].
Our listeners are [description matching sponsor's target customer].
I'd love to explore a sponsorship partnership. I offer:
- Host-read ad integrations (pre-roll and mid-roll)
- Show notes mentions with tracking links
- Social media promotion to [follower count]
- Custom discount codes for attribution
Would you be open to a brief call this week?
[Your name]
[Links to media kit, sample episodes]Offer bonus episodes, early access, ad-free versions
$5/month tier is the sweet spot for most audiences
2-5% of listeners typically convert to paid supporters
10,000 downloads/episode = potential $1,000-2,500/month from membership
Mention products/services genuinely useful to your audience
Use unique tracking links (Amazon Associates, ShareASale, Impact)
Disclose affiliate relationships clearly
Realistic expectation: $100-500/month with engaged audience
Paid back catalog after free window
Deep-dive bonus series
Live Q&A or workshop access
Community access (Discord, Circle)
Cross-promotion: Swap promos with similar-sized podcasts
Guest strategy: Invite guests with audiences, provide shareable assets
SEO-optimized show notes: Full transcripts boost discoverability
Audiograms: 30-60 second video clips for social media
Newsletter integration: Email list is your owned audience
Podcast directories: Submit to every platform
Rate and review campaigns: Periodically ask listeners directly
Great Content
--> Listener shares with 1 friend
--> New listener subscribes
--> Increased downloads
--> Better sponsor rates OR
--> Higher chart ranking
--> More visibility
--> More listeners
--> Back to sharing| Metric | What It Tells You | Healthy Benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| Downloads per episode (30-day) | Audience size | Growing month-over-month |
| Completion rate | Content quality | 60%+ |
| Subscriber growth | Channel momentum | 5-10% monthly |
| Reviews | Listener satisfaction | Actively receiving new ones |
| Episode-to-episode retention | Consistency | 70%+ listen to next episode |
90% of podcasts don't make it past episode 20. Prevent podfade with:
Batch recording: Record 4 episodes in one session
Content calendar: Plan 8 weeks ahead minimum
Accountability partner: Co-host or producer who depends on you
Realistic schedule: Better to do biweekly consistently than weekly inconsistently
Celebrate milestones: Acknowledge progress at episodes 10, 25, 50, 100
Take planned breaks: Announce breaks rather than ghost your audience
Repurpose content: Reduces ideation burden (blog post becomes episode)
Track growth: Small numbers growing steadily is a success signal
Deliver the response as a structured document with clear headings and actionable content. Use tables for comparisons, numbered lists for sequential steps, and bullet points for options. Include specific examples where applicable.
[Podcast Producer deliverable]
1. Context and objectives
2. Analysis or framework
3. Specific recommendations with rationale
4. Action items with timelineInput: "Help me with podcast producer for a mid-size project."
Output: A complete podcast producer framework tailored to the specific context, with actionable steps, relevant considerations, and measurable outcomes.
Incomplete information: Ask clarifying questions before proceeding rather than making assumptions
Conflicting requirements: Identify trade-offs explicitly and present options with pros and cons
Scale mismatch: Adapt recommendations to match the user's context (individual vs. team vs. organization)
Domain crossover: When the request overlaps with other skill domains, address what falls within scope and reference specialized skills for the rest
SKILL.md
447 lines · 2,458 words
The text of SKILL.md is shown as it downloads, under the Apache-2.0 license, by Ferrox Labs. The license is the one in the file's own frontmatter.
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