Episode 70 - Podcast Services and AI - From Editor to Podcast Strategist, Broadening Your Horizon

Re-imagining Service Offerings for the AI Era

Auditing Your Current Services: What to Automate, Enhance, or Drop

Audit Checklist:

• Identify Repetitive Tasks: Make a list of all tasks that you perform routinely—audio clean-up, basic sound leveling, removing filler words, etc.
• Leverage AI for Automation: Use modern AI tools for time-intensive, less creative tasks (e.g., auto-transcription, noise reduction, AI-based mixing). This frees you up for high-value work.
• Enhance Human-Centric Services: Highlight services requiring emotional intelligence, creative decision-making, or nuanced judgement—such as show structuring, content curation, and branding.
• Eliminate Obsolete Offerings: Some services (manual transcription, bulk simple edits) may no longer justify the same rates. Consider dropping or repackaging these as part of broader offerings.

Reflection Tip:

Regularly survey your workflow, ask clients what they value most, and stay up-to-date on available AI podcast tools that could save time or add value.

Crafting New Packages: Consulting, Creative Direction, Coaching, Content Strategy

Package Ideas:

• Podcast Strategy Consulting: Help clients define goals, target audience, and long-term vision. Offer launch audits or strategy sessions.
• Creative Direction: Guide style, tone, and episode structure to create a distinctive brand and sound.
• Podcast Coaching: Run workshops or 1:1 sessions for hosts on confidence, storytelling, or interviewing, leveraging your expertise in skills development and encouragement.
• Ongoing Content Strategy: Assist with topic ideation, guest planning, repurposing content for multiple formats, and community building.

Practical Steps:

• Bundle services (e.g., coaching plus strategy consultation) for added value.
• Offer entry-level packages (audits or strategy calls) and premium services (end-to-end launch, seasonal narrative direction).

Pricing in a World Where “Editing” Is a Commodity Task

Pricing Strategies:

• Value-Based Pricing: Charge for your impact, not just your time. What is it worth to the client to have professional, strategic, and creative support?
• Tiered Packages: Offer DIY/AI-only editing at a lower rate, but reserve mid and top-tier pricing for hands-on creative services, coaching, and consulting.
• Transparent Add-Ons: Let clients choose basic or enhanced options—such as AI editing versus full human creative review.

Communicate Value:

Emphasize your expertise, creative input, problem-solving, and how your approach leads to better client outcomes than automation alone.

Upselling Services That Leverage Both Tech and Expertise

Upsell Approaches:

• Hybrid Packages: Blend AI efficiency for technical edits with in-depth human review for creative polish.
• Analytics & Insights: Provide regular reporting on audience growth, episode engagement, and strategic recommendations powered by AI metrics.
• Content Repurposing: Use AI to generate transcripts, then step in to craft blogs, social content, or audiograms that provide cohesive brand messaging.
• Host Support & Training: Offer personalized feedback with AI listening analysis plus human coaching tailored to the host’s strengths and goals.

Future-Proofing: What New Problems Can You Solve for Clients?

Opportunities to Innovate:

• AI Workflow Integration: Help clients implement and optimize AI tools for their podcasting process.
• Content Monetization Guidance: Advise on strategies (paid memberships, sponsor fit, exclusive content) using data-driven...

Episode 69 - Podcast Services and AI - Standing Out While AI Does the Heavy Lifting

Redefining Your Value in an Automated World

Identifying Services AI Can Automate vs. Services Needing a Human Touch

Automation is transforming podcast editing and support, especially with the rise of AI tools that can:

Automate Routine Editing

Noise reduction, audio leveling, removing filler words, and transcript generation can be efficiently handled by modern AI platforms.

Speed Up Production Tasks

Batch editing, file format conversion, and scheduling can often be streamlined using software.

However, there are key areas that still require a human touch:

Creative Editing Decisions

Deciding what to cut for flow, choosing music cues, and structuring episodes in a way that serves the story or brand voice.

Contextual Sensitivity

Differentiating between intentional pauses, emotional moments, and mistakes that AI may not recognize.

Relationship Management

Coaching hosts, providing encouragement, and helping podcasters develop confidence and storytelling skills.

Cultivating Your Unique Value Proposition: Relationship, Creativity, and Expertise

AI is a tool, not a replacement for the nuanced value you bring:

Relationship Building

Communicating regularly with clients and offering consistent encouragement fosters loyalty and trust.

Creative Collaboration

Bringing new segment ideas, helping with show structure, and brainstorming content show you’re thinking beyond the edit.

Expert Guidance

Drawing on your industry knowledge to suggest best practices, marketing strategies, and growth opportunities.

Sharing lived experience—from building confidence to community engagement—that resonates deeply with clients.

Communicate to clients not just what you do, but how you do it differently and why that approach matters.

Combining AI Tools With Personal Branding

Leverage AI to demonstrate efficiency, but always pair it with your personal values and story:

Transparency

Share with clients how you use AI to give them faster turnarounds or lower costs, freeing your time for higher-value collaboration.

Showcase Your Process

Document your workflow for your audience (on your podcast or website), highlighting how you blend tech and experience.

Content as Proof

Host your own podcast to show both editing chops and a human-centric approach; let the world hear your values in action.

Stories: Editors Who’ve Blended Technology and Personal Touch

Case 1: The Empathetic Editor

An editor uses AI to prepare rough cuts, then schedules check-in calls with clients to tailor each episode based on their goals—building relationships while saving time.

Case 2: The Community Coach

By automating administrative tasks, a podcast support person runs live “podcaster confidence” workshops, directly supporting clients’ development with solutions only experience—and empathy—can offer.

Case 3: The Hybrid Creative

Editor launches a show that combines AI-powered production with dialogue-driven storytelling, openly discussing both the tech choices and the artistry behind each episode, positioning themselves as both innovator and trusted human collaborator.

In an automated world, your greatest differentiator is your humanity: your insight, your coaching, and your creativity. Use AI as your ally—but let your unique perspective and relationships lead the way.

___

https://podcasteditingandsupport.com/

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Episode 68 - Podcast Services and AI - AI at the Doorstep, What Every Podcast Editor Needs to Know

In podcasting, Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to machine learning-powered tools that automate or enhance tasks across audio production, post-production, and podcast management. AI capabilities include audio cleanup, transcription, text-based audio and video editing, voice cloning, content summarization, and workflow automation. Modern AI doesn’t just make editing faster—it enables podcasters and editors to create higher quality content, accessible to wider audiences, with a fraction of the manual effort compared to traditional tools

The Major AI Tools Shaping Audio Editing and Support Services

The 2025 AI toolkit for podcasters and editors is robust and rapidly evolving:

Audio Cleanup:

• Tools like Krisp and Descript’s Studio Sound remove background noise and enhance voice clarity, even from low-quality recordings, making content feel studio-produced.

Transcription:

• Otter.ai, Descript, Rev AI, Sonix, Riverside, and Krisp use AI to rapidly produce accurate, speaker-labeled transcripts. These not only boost accessibility and SEO but also enable quick editing and content repurposing.

Text-Based Editing:

• Descript leads with innovative text-based editing, where users can edit audio simply by changing text, dramatically reducing production time.

Automated Show Notes and Summaries:

• Platforms like Riverside and Podcastle can now generate episode summaries, keyword lists, pull quotes, and even suggest social media posts using AI content analysis.

Filler Word & Silence Removal:

• AI can automatically identify and cut out “ums,” “ahs,” and dead air, streamlining editing and improving listening experience.

Social Media Automation:

• AI tools create “magic clips” or highlight reels (e.g., Riverside’s Magic Clips) optimized for sharing on social media, further expanding audience reach.

Voice Cloning and Enhancement:

• Descript’s Overdub feature and similar tools use AI for realistic voice cloning, letting hosts fix mistakes or record new content in their own voices without re-recording

The Promise and Pitfalls: Strengths and Current Limitations

Strengths:

• Dramatic Time Savings: Editing, transcribing, and producing a podcast episode is now significantly faster, freeing editors and producers to focus on creative work.
• Consistency & Accessibility: Automated processes help standardize quality, expand accessibility via transcripts, and ensure reliable episode formatting.
• Ease of Entry: Lowered technical barriers mean more people can start and sustain a podcast, growing the market and community.
• SEO & Repurposing: Transcripts increase discoverability, and AI-generated content can be repurposed for blogs, newsletters, or social channels

Pitfalls & Limitations:

• Accuracy Gaps: AI transcription and editing can struggle with strong accents, crosstalk, and specialized vocabulary, requiring careful review.
• Loss of Personal Touch: Over-reliance on automation can make content feel generic or miss out on creative nuances.
• Ongoing Learning Curve: AI features evolve rapidly, so keeping up with the latest updates, limitations, and best uses requires ongoing attention.
• Ethical & Authenticity Concerns: Voice cloning and AI-generated content raise questions about transparency and authenticity in creative work

How Client Expectations Are Shifting

As AI becomes central to podcast production:

• Turnaround Times: Clients now expect much faster...

Episode 67 - From Editor to Creative Partner - Redefining Roles in the Age of Automation

Podcasting is undergoing a profound transformation as artificial intelligence rapidly automates many technical aspects of production. Tasks that once took hours—such as noise reduction, audio leveling, and filler word removal—can now be accomplished in seconds with AI-powered tools like Descript, Adobe Podcast Enhance, and Auphonic

These advancements have made high-quality editing accessible to more creators, reduced reliance on traditional hourly editing services, and even introduced AI-generated voiceovers and automated guest-matching platforms.

Yet, this shift raises an urgent question for podcast editors and support teams: Where do humans fit in a landscape where so much of the technical work is being automated?

AI excels at:

• Automating repetitive, technical editing tasks (e.g., removing ums, silences, leveling audio)
• Producing studio-quality sound from imperfect recordings
• Generating transcripts, show notes, and even social media content from raw audio

However, AI falls short in areas that require:

• Deep understanding of narrative flow and storytelling nuance.
• Emotional intelligence, coaching, and motivation.
• Building genuine human connection and fostering community.
• Providing personalized feedback, encouragement, and creative collaboration

As one industry analysis notes, “Listeners value human experience. Lived experience is what allows you to share personal stories, anecdotes and other things that create a powerful and relatable connection between you and your audience. Experience is something that AI categorically can’t have”

1. Human-Centered Coaching and Creative Direction

• Editors and support teams can act as creative partners, helping hosts shape their story, refine their message, and develop their unique voice—something AI cannot replicate
• Providing coaching, motivation, and constructive feedback to help podcasters grow in confidence and skill

2. Community Building and Relationship Management

• Supporting podcasters in building engaged communities around their shows, facilitating listener interaction, and nurturing a sense of belonging
• Offering guidance on audience engagement strategies, live events, and collaborations.

3. Quality Assurance and Brand Consistency

• Ensuring episodes meet a consistent standard of quality and align with the podcaster’s brand identity—tasks that require subjective judgment and a nuanced understanding of the show’s goals.

4. Handling Complex and Sensitive Content

• Editing for tone, context, and sensitivity in episodes that address nuanced or controversial topics, where human judgment is essential.

5. Innovation and Customization

• Developing new show formats, experimenting with storytelling techniques, and pushing creative boundaries beyond the capabilities of preset AI templates.

As AI democratizes access to technical editing, podcasters increasingly seek support teams who can:

• Serve as trusted creative collaborators and sounding boards.
• Offer tailored coaching, encouragement, and mindset support—especially for new creators.
• Help with strategic planning, guest curation, and audience development.
• Provide a human touch in an increasingly automated world.

Podcast editors and support teams should lean into the uniquely human skills that AI cannot replicate:

• Develop expertise in coaching, creative

Episode 66 - When to Fire a Podcast Client - Protecting Your Business and Sanity

Knowing when to end a client relationship as a podcast editor or support person is a tough but sometimes necessary step to protect your business, reputation, and well-being. Here’s a practical guide on when to consider letting a client go, how to do it professionally, and what you can try before making the final call.

• Consistent Payment Issues: Chronic late payments, missed invoices, or clients who go silent when it’s time to pay signal a lack of respect for your work and time
• Disrespecting Boundaries: Clients who ignore agreed-upon communication times, demand last-minute changes, or disrespect your personal time create ongoing stress and instability
• Unreasonable Demands or Impossible to Satisfy: If a client is never happy, constantly nitpicks, or makes unrealistic requests, it can drain your energy and impact your other work
• Breach of Contract or Unethical Behavior: Any violation of your agreement or inappropriate conduct is a clear line in the sand
• Toxic or Abusive Behavior: Verbal abuse, harassment, or bullying is never acceptable and should prompt immediate action

• Open Communication: Clearly express your concerns and ask if the issues can be resolved. Sometimes, a candid conversation can reset expectations and boundaries
• Revisit Boundaries and Expectations: Remind the client of your original agreement, deadlines, and communication protocols. Setting or reinforcing boundaries can sometimes correct problematic behavior
• Offer Solutions: Propose changes to the workflow or suggest a different package or service level that better suits their needs.
• Mediation or Third-Party Referral: If the fit isn’t right but the client isn’t inherently difficult, refer them to another editor or support person who might be a better match

1. Review Your Contract: Check for termination clauses, notice periods, and any final payment or deliverable requirements
2. Communicate Directly: Whenever possible, deliver the message in person or via a call—tone and empathy matter. Keep it factual, brief, and professional
3. Document Everything: Keep written records of all communications, invoices, and the termination notice to protect yourself if disputes arise
4. Settle Finances: Send a final invoice or refund as appropriate. Make sure all financial matters are resolved cleanly
5. Offboard Smoothly: Remove the client from your systems, revoke access to shared files, and provide any necessary handover information
6. Wish Them Well: End on a positive note for your reputation and future referrals, even if the relationship was difficult

Firing a client should be a last resort after clear communication and boundary-setting. If you do need to part ways, approach the process with professionalism and empathy—protecting both your peace of mind and your reputation in the industry

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Source:

Episode 65 - It's Not Me, It's You - When to Say Goodbye - Firing Your Podcast Team

Here’s a comprehensive guide for podcasters considering when and how to end a working relationship with a virtual assistant, podcast editor, or support person, including key indicators of a broken relationship, how to initiate a difficult conversation, and important considerations for a smooth transition.

Work Isn’t Getting Done

• Missed deadlines, lack of deliverables, or work not appearing in shared trackers are clear red flags. If you’re still being billed but not receiving results, it’s time to reassess the relationship

Work Isn’t Done to Your Liking

• After multiple rounds of feedback and opportunities for improvement, if the quality or style doesn’t meet your standards, the fit may not be right

Lack of Transparency

• Inconsistent time tracking, unclear billing, or unexplained absences erode trust. Transparency is foundational for remote working relationships

Unreliable Communication

• If your assistant or editor becomes difficult to reach, goes MIA, or fails to respond in a timely manner, the relationship is likely breaking down

Negative Attitude or Unprofessionalism

• Sassy, negative, or uncooperative behavior can create unnecessary stress and friction, making collaboration unsustainable

Ghosting or Disappearing

• If your support person suddenly stops responding or working, this is a clear sign the relationship is over

Acknowledge the Situation

• Start by acknowledging the current state of the relationship and any specific issues. For example: “I’ve noticed some challenges with our workflow and communication lately. I’d like to talk about how we can move forward or if it might be best to part ways.

Advocate for Your Needs

• Clearly express your perspective and needs without minimizing the other person’s efforts. Use “I” statements: “I feel that the quality of the edits hasn’t improved despite our feedback, and it’s impacting our podcast’s consistency.

Problem-Solve or Decide to Part Ways

• Offer to brainstorm solutions if there’s room for improvement. If not, communicate your decision to end the relationship professionally and respectfully

Sample Conversation Openers

• “I have something I’d like to discuss that I think will help us work together more effectively—can we talk?”
• “I’d like to talk about our workflow and see if we can find a better way forward, or if it’s time to make a change.”

Contractual Obligations

• Review your contract for notice periods, payment terms, and any deliverables owed. Always honor your obligations, even if the other party does not

Password and Asset Management

• Secure all passwords and access to podcast assets (e.g., editing software, hosting platforms, social media accounts) before the transition. Change passwords if necessary to protect your content

Asset Transfer

• Ensure all files, project backups, and documentation are transferred to you before the relationship ends. Request a final handover of any outstanding work or assets

Gap Between Service Providers

• Plan for a potential gap in support. Have a backup plan or interim solution to avoid disruption to your podcast schedule

Professional Offboarding

• Maintain professionalism throughout the process. Thank your assistant or editor for their work and wish them well, as you may cross paths again in the industry

Documentation and Communication

• Keep records of all communications and...

Episode 64 - Staying Organized as a Podcast Editor - Pro Tips for Small Business Success

Staying organized as a podcast editor and support person—especially when juggling tight deadlines and close client relationships—is essential for delivering consistent, high-quality results. Here’s a practical guide to help streamline your workflow and set yourself up for success, followed by some episode title suggestions.

• Standardize Your Process: Create a checklist for each stage (receiving files, editing, mixing, uploading, delivering, invoicing).
• Use Project Management Tools: Platforms like Trello, Asana, or ClickUp help visualize tasks and deadlines for each client.

• Buffer Your Timelines: Build in extra time for revisions or unexpected delays.
• Confirm Expectations: Always clarify turnaround times and deliverables with your clients up front.

• Batch Similar Tasks: Edit multiple episodes in one sitting, or schedule all show note writing for a specific time.
• Time Blocking: Dedicate specific hours each day to focused editing, client communication, and admin work.

• Templates: Use templates for emails, show notes, and invoices.
• Automated Scheduling: Tools like Calendly make booking meetings and reviews seamless.

• Consistent Naming Conventions: Name files by show, episode number, and date for easy retrieval.
• Cloud Storage: Use Google Drive, Dropbox, or similar to share and back up files securely.

• Daily or Weekly Check-ins: Review your to-do list at the start and end of each day.
• Client Updates: Send regular progress updates to clients, even if it’s just a quick status email.

• Set Boundaries: Define your working hours and communicate them to clients.
• Schedule Breaks: Avoid burnout by taking regular breaks and days off.

Regularly review and refine your systems. What works today might need tweaking as your client list grows or your services evolve. Staying flexible and proactive is just as important as having a great routine!

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• 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Review all upcoming deadlines for the week. Prioritize tasks by due date and complexity.
• 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Send status updates to clients. Confirm any file deliveries or feedback needed.
• 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM: Organize incoming audio files and assets. Rename and upload to cloud storage.
• Afternoon: Block time for light editing or admin tasks (invoicing, scheduling).

• 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Batch edit episodes. Focus on audio cleanup, cutting, and rough edits.
• 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Continue editing and begin mixing/mastering episodes.
• Late Afternoon: Quick review of completed episodes, prepare files for client review.

• 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Send edited episodes to clients for review with clear instructions and deadlines.
• 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Handle client feedback and revisions.
• 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Finalize episodes and prepare for publishing/upload.
• 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Update project...

Episode 63 - Referral Goldmine - Systems That Turn Podcast Clients Into Advocates

How to turn satisfied clients into your best marketers

1. Define your niche:

• Example: "The Audio Storytelling Specialist" or "Podcast Launch Concierge"
• Resource: How to Find Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) (see "Discovering Your USP" section) Source: https://www.quillpodcasting.com/blog-posts/branded-podcast

1. Visual consistency:

• Use tools like Canva or Adobe Express for logos, color schemes, and social media templates
• Resource: Podcast Branding Guide by Lovepixel Agency - Source: https://lovepixelagency.com/podcast-branding/

1. Voice & tone:

• Match your communication style to your ideal client (e.g., professional for B2B, conversational for indie creators)

1. Add referral terms to contracts:
2. Example: "Refer a fellow podcaster and receive 10% off your next month's editing package."
3. Create shareable assets:

• Pre-written email/text templates for clients
• Social media graphics with referral codes (use Canva templates)

1. Track results:

• Use HoneyBook or Dubsado to monitor referral sources
• Offer double incentives during launch months (e.g., "June Referral Bonanza")

Pro Tip: Feature a "Client Advocate of the Month" on your website/social media to showcase top referrers.

Case Study Suggestion:

Interview an editor who grew their business through referrals, focusing on how they structured incentives and communicated value to clients.

___

https://podcasteditingandsupport.com/

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