Do You Need a Production Company for a Podcast? – Here’s Our Answer

Quick Summary

We compare podcasting with a production company versus going solo, highlighting the pros and cons of each option. While hiring a production company or agency offers its own benefits, managing your podcast production by yourself offers creative control, cost savings, and skill development. If you're considering going solo, Cleanvoice can help streamline your editing process for a polished final product. For more tips, check out our blog on podcast production techniques.

Looking to Hire a Production Company for Your Podcast?

With a whopping 69% of podcasts being produced by larger companies, you may feel inclined to hire a podcast production company too.

But do you need a production company for a podcast? Or could there be a better alternative?

In this Cleanvoice guide, we’ll break down and compare producing podcasts via a company vs. by yourself, and by the end, you’ll have a crystal clear answer.

But before that…

Why Listen to Us?

At Cleanvoice, we've supported over 15,000 podcasters and content creators in producing high-quality audio using our AI-powered tools. Podcasts like Rework by 37signals highlight how our AI-driven features— background noise removal, filler word elimination, and podcast mixing— enhance audio clarity and engagement.

Our first-hand experience shows that you can save time and produce polished podcasts without manual editing. Cleanvoice is a comprehensive solution for seamless, professional podcast production, from noise reduction to podcast summaries.

What Is a Podcast Production Company?

A podcast production company handles the technical and creative aspects of podcasting, like:

  • Recording
  • Editing
  • Sound design
  • Marketing
  • Distribution

This can be ideal if you want a high-quality podcast without getting involved in any post-production hassles.

For instance, PodThrift provides podcast production services, handling everything from editing and distribution to promotion and guest scheduling. With a production company, you have a team of professionals who can make your podcast sound polished, aligning the end product with industry standards.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Podcast Production Company?

The cost of hiring a podcast production company typically ranges from $150 to $1,000 per episode, depending on factors like:

  • Recording and Editing: Basic editing services start at $50 per episode and can go up to $500 for more detailed work. Advanced edits, such as sound design and multi-track mixing, can exceed $1,000.
  • Studio Rental: Renting a recording studio costs between $30 and $200 per hour, depending on the location and amenities. Premium studios can charge up to $300 per hour, while monthly rentals range from $500 to $3,000.
  • Distribution and Hosting: Podcast hosting platforms typically charge between $20 and $50 per month for storage and distribution.
  • Marketing and Promotion: Basic marketing services start at $450 per month, while full-service packages—including guest booking and social media management—can range from $2,000 to $6,000.

In total, a full-service podcast production package may start at around $1,000 per month for smaller projects and can increase to $10,000 for premium services and marketing.

Do You Need a Production Company for a Podcast? Pros & Cons

The decision to hire a production company isn't straightforward. It's crucial to weigh the pros and cons to determine what's best for you and your podcast.

Pros

1. Professional Quality and Expertise

When you hire a production company, you gain access to a team of experts skilled in various aspects of podcast production. From sound engineering to editing and marketing, they can improve your podcast quality and provide a polished, professional product that may attract a larger audience.

2. Time-Efficient and Convenient

Podcasting involves a range of time-consuming tasks, like planning episodes and post-production editing. A production company takes these off your plate, letting you focus solely on content creation and audience engagement while they handle the rest.

3. Comprehensive Services

Production companies often provide end-to-end services, from post-production editing details and audio engineering to distribution and marketing that involve developing strategies, creating promotional content, and managing guest coordination​.

They even help with branding and audience growth, offering you a comprehensive package that covers everything necessary to build a successful podcast.

Cons

1. Limited Creative Control

When working with a production company, you might need to compromise on creative aspects. The company may make editorial decisions, which could influence your podcast's tone, format, and style.

This can limit you from fully expressing your unique voice and vision.

2. Dependency

You may have to depend on your production company for most aspects of podcast creation, like audio recording, editing, mixing, sound design, and distribution. This dependency can create delays if the company is busy or has other priorities, slowing down your release schedule.

A Cheaper Alternative: DIY Podcast Production

DIY podcast production means ditching a professional podcast production team in favor of handling all aspects of podcast creation yourself—from planning and recording to editing, publishing, and promotion.

It’s difficult at first, especially if you don’t have experience. However, with the right approach and toolset, it’s definitely possible to create a crisp, professional-sounding DIY podcast.

Let’s go over the main pros and cons:

Pros

1. Full Creative Control

As an independent podcaster, you have complete control over your content. You can experiment with different formats, storytelling methods, and release schedules, so that your podcast truly reflects your personality and vision.

2. Skill Development

By handling each aspect of podcasting yourself, you’ll gain experience in audio editing, content strategy, and marketing. This hands-on approach is beneficial to become a well-rounded content creator and can lead to a deeper understanding of your audience and what works best for them.

3. Affordability

One of the major benefits of DIY podcast production is that it saves your costs. You can handle tasks like recording, editing, and distributing your podcast using free or low-cost tools, which would have otherwise been very expensive had you chosen a podcast production company!

Cons

1. Time-Consuming

Managing all aspects of podcast production can be demanding. Without a helping hand, you’ll need to dedicate a lot of time to learning editing skills, marketing strategies, and technical setup, which can be challenging if you have other priorities.

2. Learning Curve

There can be a steep learning curve when starting out solo, especially if you’re unfamiliar with audio editing or digital marketing. You might take time to master these skills, which could delay your podcast’s launch or impact its initial quality.

Tools That Simplify DIY Podcast Production

When you hire a podcast production company, you outsource most of your tool and software requirements to

With Cleanvoice, producing a podcast solo is easier than ever, removing the need for a production company by providing comprehensive AI-driven tools.

Here’s how:

  • Audio Enhancing Tools: Automatically removes filler words, mouth sounds, background noise, stutters, and dead air, ensuring your audio meets professional standards.
  • Podcast Summary & Show Notes: Generates concise summaries and show notes that highlight key moments in each episode, helping you promote and organize your podcast content efficiently.
  • Podcast Mixing: Enables seamless multitrack editing and audio balancing to produce high-quality audio with clear sound.
  • Podcast Transcription: Instantly transcribes episodes, allowing you to repurpose content and reach a wider audience with text versions.
  • Episode Title Generator & Podcast Name/Questions Generator: Generates creative episode titles and engaging questions, providing essential support for solo podcasters in content planning.
  • Cleanscore - Podcast Audit: Assesses audio quality and provides feedback for improvement, ensuring your podcast consistently meets high standards, especially for solo creators aiming for polished episodes.

Final Thoughts

While a production company can certainly make the podcasting process smoother, it's not a must for everyone. For beginners, especially those on a budget, starting a podcast solo is very much possible with the right tools.

Cleanvoice can be an excellent resource for podcasters who want to simplify their workflow while maintaining top-notch audio quality.

Join our community of successful podcasters who have transformed their shows with Cleanvoice’s innovative tools. Sign up for free today.