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...