If you’re considering investing in a professional podcast editing service because you’re tired of doing it yourself, you’re not alone.  

Most podcasters don’t enjoy editing their podcasts and even podcasters who do enjoy the editing process, know that their time is better utilized in creating content, promoting their podcast and connecting with their listeners. 

But the cost of hiring a podcast editor can be prohibitive. You may also be wondering about what to expect and how much it will cost. 

The good news is there are affordable options available. The bad news is choosing the right one for your podcast can be overwhelming. This article will guide you on the 4 most important steps to take when making this decision so you make the most of your investment.  

1. Be clear on what services you need for your podcast  

‘Podcast editing’, ‘Podcast production’, ‘Podcast management’ can mean different things to different people but are used almost interchangeably. Even though it is tempting to jump straight to the price, you need to get clear on exactly which part(s) of the process you actually want to outsource and delegate. 

For example, do you want just basic audio editing done on the main episode? Or do you also want sound imaging with an intro and outro produced? Perhaps you take a video recording of your podcast as well and need that edited too. And even though Capsho is amazing at using AI to generate your show notes, do you want someone else to take care of reviewing and editing those too?

It’s a slippery slope so having this clarity will also help you assess the price you are being quoted. 

Reputable podcast editors - whether they are a freelancer or an agency - will specify exactly what deliverables per episode are included in their packages and pricing. So make sure you know exactly which part of your workflow you want to hand over.   

2. Understand what turnaround time you can expect from your editor for their tasks 

Once you have confirmed the exact list of things you need them to do for your podcast, you have to make sure you factor in how long it will take them to do it. This is important for a couple of reasons:

• If their editing turnaround time is too high, it may not be the right option for you even if they are really affordable. This is especially the case if you are currently recording your episodes as they need to go live.  

• Knowing how long it will take an external podcast editor will help you re-plan the steps so that you can release and publish on time. For example, if you currently record on Friday, edit on Saturday and publish on Monday but an external editor will require 2 working days to complete editing, you will need to record on Wednesday (instead of Friday) at the latest to be able to publish by Monday. 

3. Confirm the level of support you get as part of the service 

 One of the challenges of working with freelancers on the budget end is that you only have a transactional interaction which is limited to a task-completion based approach. Working with someone new always entails a learning curve where they need some time to get a real sense of your style so make sure you clarify with them how many revisions are included in their quote.

If you are engaging a more full service provider, make sure you ask them what their support model is as it relates to keeping you updated on the progress of your edit, and taking and actioning your feedback on current and future edits. You also want to understand what quality control measures they enforce in their processes to maintain the standard you are expecting. 

Another criteria you need to watch out for is their availability to oversee your podcast edits day in and day out. Can they provide 24/7 updates on the status of your podcast even before you ask for it? Can you communicate with them easily via chat when you need them? Having a podcast support representative or a podcast manager will definitely make your life easier.   

4.  Validate the quality of their past and current work  

Unless you are happy to be a guinea pig for a brand new podcast editor (in which case they should be offering their service for free or a heavily discounted price) any professional podcast editing you are outsourcing to should have an existing portfolio that is publicly available for you to check out. 

It is also worth asking them if they have any references from past and/or present clients so that you can get an idea of how satisfied they are.  

Our recommendation

If you're the kind of podcaster who needs end-to-end podcast management: whether it's producing, marketing and growing your shows, then Capsho recommends Podmachine. 

Podmachine is trusted by 280+ shows globally, empowering podcasters to produce quality podcast edits at scale. 

Podmachine use Capsho outputs as an integral part of their workflow and take the little time and headache away from reviewing and editing what Capsho produces for you. 

They offer you professionally edited podcasts in 48 hours with 24/7 support where you can chat with or book a call with one of their podcast managers. With pricing plans starting at just $49.99 / month (Basic Plan) for 4 fully edited podcast episodes, this is the most affordable option on the market.  

As the holy trinity of speed, quality and accuracy is very important for Podmachine users, the Podmachine team cut, clean, mix and master every episode audio file within 48 hours. 

Podmachine is more than happy to share examples of their current portfolio and the best thing is you can test the service for yourself for your own podcast for free. Every new user gets a professionally edited podcast episode created for free. Click here to start your free PodMachine trial.