Podcast VA are a new type of virtual assistant that are becoming increasingly popular in the podcasting industry.
The podcasting landscape is exploding. More than ever, consumers from every industry are using podcasts for entertainment, education, and valuable insights. Many people find podcasts to be more convenient than other forms of content (like videos and text). After all, you can listen to a podcast anywhere, whether you’re on the go, driving to work, or enjoying your lunch break.
Around 80 million Americans listen to podcasts on a weekly basis, and around the world, demand for this kind of content is growing all the time. Podcasting can even be an excellent way for brands to reach out to younger audiences, with Edison research showing “spoken word” media consumption has increased by 214% in less than 10 years.
Of course, as great as podcasting can be – it’s not without its challenges. Not only do you need to research topics and create engaging content, but there are various other tasks involved with podcasting too, from editing clips, to promoting episodes.
Getting a little help could ensure you can generate a positive ROI from your podcast a lot faster.
But exactly what kind of help do you need?
What’s the Difference?
A “Podcast Manager” is the name used to refer to a professional who is responsible for overseeing podcast hosts, and helping them stay organized. Some people use this term interchangeably with “Podcast producers”, who edit, process, and prepare audio for publication.
Podcast managers are generally responsible for making sure a piece of content is ready for publication, and helping their team members stay on track. They can edit audio, upload episodes to a podcast streaming platform or website, and help teams to find guests or sponsors. In some cases, a podcast manager will also offer feedback to podcast hosts on how to improve upcoming episodes, or assist with promoting podcasts across social media and other channels.
Podcast managers can also track analytics and generate reports which offer insights into engagement levels, downloads, and conversions stemming from podcast episodes.
So, how is a Podcast VA different?
There aren’t actually as many differences as you might think. A podcast VA does virtually everything a podcast manager does – and more. They can handle all of the difficult tasks associated with creating a podcast, while also managing various other jobs which might consume a host’s time.
The main difference is versatility, a podcast VA can assist with virtually any task associated with podcast creation and promotion. Additionally, when you work with a VA, you can dictate how much creative control they have over your work.
What can a Podcast VA Do for You?
A podcast VA is simply a virtual assistant (VA) with expertise in the podcasting landscape. They can often assist you with all the tasks a traditional VA would usually take on, such as communicating with guests, co-hosts and clients, organizing your schedule, and tracking reports and analytics.
However, podcast VAs can also handle highly specialized tasks for podcast creators, such as researching topics for your content, preparing graphics for podcast episodes, arranging partnerships,, and editing audio to remove any background noise or mistakes.
The roles of a podcast manager and podcast VA are so similar the two terms are often used interchangeably. Here are some of the things a podcast VA can do on your behalf:
- Podcast launching: Podcast VAs can help you set up, research, and even launch a new show. They can set up your podcast hosting service, upload content to the right cloud environments, research topics, and even edit episodes so they’re ready for publication.
- Editing and proofing: A virtual assistant dedicated to helping you manage your podcast can edit content, removing irrelevant sections, getting rid of dead air, and eliminating noise. Your VA can perform edits, check for any inconsistencies and factual errors, and then send reviews to you for final approval before publishing.
- Transcribing: If you want to make your podcast more accessible to people with hearing difficulties, or you’re concerned about people misunderstanding some of the words you say, then you may consider asking your VA to transcribe your content. This can improve engagement, enhance your SEO, and lead to a range of other benefits.
- Scheduling: Podcast VAs can also help with scheduling your podcasts, ensuring new episodes are aired at the best possible time. They can even help with scheduling guests and professionals to come onto your show and share airtime. They can configure your RSS feed, get it ready for distribution, and ensure you always have great content to share.
- Content repurposing: Repurposing your podcast content is a great way to get more value out of your audio. A VA could convert segments of your podcast into animated videos, snippets to share on social media, and even blog posts or emails.
- Promotion: Getting your podcast in front of the right customers can take a lot of time and effort. A VA with experience in marketing and promotion can help by promoting your show and growing your audience. Your VA can not only publish links to your content across other channels and social media, but also create graphics and press kits to help with promotion.
- Communication: Creating an effective podcast can sometimes mean spending a lot of time communicating with other hosts, and connecting with guests. A podcast VA can help you build relationships with experts and influencers within your niche. They can follow up with guests, and even create interview questions to help guide the discussion.
Why Do You Need a Podcast VA?
A podcast VA can be the most versatile, flexible partner for your promotional efforts. They can relieve a lot of the pressures associated with running a successful show, giving you more time to focus on coming up with ideas, and expanding your brand presence.
Used correctly, a podcast VA can save you both time and money, taking care of everything from editing, to scheduling content, and repurposing the pieces you produce. They’ll help you build credibility with your audience, improve the quality of your content, and ensure you make the right impression on your customers.
If you want to discover what a podcast VA can do for you, reach out today for a consultation with your very own podcasting virtual assistant.
If you are interested in finding out how I can help, book a call here.