Our 35 Step Process To Recording An Episode - Behind The Pod

Between Two Beers Newsletter

Author

Between Two Beers
July 18, 2024

How we create our podcast looks a lot different in 2024.

When we started five years ago it was simple and streamlined.

No video, no socials, no graphics, average audio, no help, no problem.

Except of course, no audience.

But today - it’s a business. And that means trying to squeeze the most out of every episode.

Here's our workflow comparison for then v now:

Our workflow in Nov 2019:

  1. Text Dad "do you want to come on our podcast?"

  2. Buy a six-pack

  3. Walk outside to garage "studio"

  4. Plug microphone in to laptop

  5. Record using voice-note app on laptop

  6. Drink a six-pack

  7. Upload audio to Soundcloud

  8. Wait for three people to text "feedback"

Today, there's a ton of mid-week hustle done to make each episode pop.

Our workflow in July 2024:

  1. Review previous episode release order and upcoming episodes

  2. Agonize over getting "the right" guest

  3. Reach out to guest

  4. Wait (simultaneously going through steps above)

  5. Confirm date and time with guest

  6. Check Auckland studio / Producer Jake availability

  7. Book studio and record date with guest

  8. Research guest for around 15 hours each (we listen to podcasts they've been on, read news articles, call their friends and family, scan their social media)

  9. Seamus writes extensive show notes

  10. Steve ignores and forms own narrative

  11. Back and forth

  12. Back and forth

  13. Back and forth

  14. Argument

  15. Settle on a structure

  16. Drive from Hamilton to Auckland to record (in separate cars to avoid more conflict)

  17. Meet at cafe pre-record to go over structure

  18. Send final episode structure to producer Jake

  19. Set up studio with sponsor collateral

  20. Record episode in studio with guest!

  21. Debrief with Producer Jake after record

  22. Drive home from Auckland to Hamilton in total silence

  23. Send video file to Marketing Marcus to prepare social content

  24. Marketing Marcus sends video files to video editor, with instructions to create episode trailer and reels

  25. Isolate short audio grabs for radio ads that play across iHeart Radio network – package and send to NZME

  26. Steve writes and records intro for radio ads (Seamus is asked but ignores request as is his way for the last five years)

  27. Marketing Marcus prepares episode thumbnails for YouTube, and social media

  28. Steve writes and records intro for episode (see above for Seamus' input)

  29. Seamus listens back through episode in its entirety (Steve is asked but ignores request as is his way for the last five years)

  30. Seamus suggests edits to Producer Jake, suggests ad marker time stamps at appropriate times to enhance listener experience to Steve, and prepares show notes for YouTube

  31. Seamus creates new episode page for website plus speakers page if applicable

  32. Review footage for social media from Marketing Marcus

  33. Marketing Marcus publishes episode trailer on Sunday on social media

  34. Steve publishes episode on iHeart Radio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube

  35. Wait for feedback while episode content rolls out through the week on social media and repeating all steps above

35 steps (if you count the back and forward), but the impact is clear.

A good episode will now do 20,000+ downloads across iHeart Radio and all podcast apps, 10,000+ views on YouTube, and 200,000+ video views across our social channels.

And a big part of this growth is from 'sweating the small stuff'. All these little things make a huge difference.

We know we have to keep evolving to keep growing.

Let us know if you see an area of our product that could be improved...

Reflection Interviews

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Reflection Interviews are the best way to record and preserve your most precious memories.

We’d love to have your input, and hear whose life you’d want to capture in a podcast format.

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