What’s An Audio Producer (and how can I become one)?
When someone asks me the question What do you do? and I reply, I’m a freelance audio producer, their response is generally a blank stare, followed by a puzzled frown. And then we talk about something else.
Occasionally, however, someone appears to be truly curious. They’ll want to know what an audio producer does, exactly. And then I’m faced with a decision: Should I tell them everything an audio producer does or just give a quick summary?
If I decide the person asking the question is only a little bit curious, I’ll say something like, “Oh, I’m a project manager for podcasts, music albums, audio books, oral histories, video narrations, voice-overs for advertisements… anything audio. Kind of like an office manager, only with different duties.”
If the person asking the question is seriously interested, however, and might want to consider a similar career path, my response can get lengthy. As a freelance audio producer, I must:
build and maintain my business website, which includes samples of previous and current projects
maintain my social media accounts and post, or respond to posts, frequently
write blog posts
contact prospective clients via emails, text messages, and phone calls
schedule free, exploratory phone or in-person meetings with prospective clients
create budgets and accounting systems
put together detailed financial proposals, using either a flat or hourly rate, that include travel expenses, if applicable
create written agreements/contracts for work I’ve been hired to do
request and receive a deposit, based on a percentage of the total cost of the project
Get ready to do the work:
create a production schedule
schedule production meetings to determine content and generate ideas
hire additional talent, if needed
book interviews and recording sessions — in-person, online, or a combination of both
take an equipment inventory and purchase additional equipment or online services, if necessary
find and license music and sound effects for the project, or compose and record them myself
send written project instructions to all participants
And then the real fun begins:
create a project storyboard
write, or help finalize, a list of interview questions
schedule and participate in project meetings to check in, problem solve, and strategize
record, or oversee the recording of, all audio components: interviews, voice-over narratives, sound effects, ambient room sounds, etc.
write voice-over scripts
format and edit audio files, focusing on story, continuity, and sound design
schedule, facilitate (or oversee) pickup recording sessions, if necessary
mix final recordings with music, sound effects, and voice-over tracks
format and distribute the final episodes or tracks
If my contract includes post-production tasks, I might also:
oversee the creation of program art and logo design
write compelling episode descriptions, meta tags, and titles
publish episodes or tracks via hosting and distribution platforms
create ad copy and schedule ads on social media etc.
compile and distribute listener statistics
promote podcast episodes or album tracks via social media
arrange for hosts or guests to be featured on other sites, social media accounts, and/or shows
write press releases
interact with listeners on social media
If my project is a live production, there will be many more items on the above lists. Every project is different. But this gives you an idea of what’s involved. As you can see, attention to details and impeccable organizational skills are essential for any audio producer. First and foremost, however, you must burn with a red-hot passion to create something new — an entertaining or informative story, music, a unique combination of sounds — something that no one has ever heard before.
If that’s you, I encourage you to dive in and succeed. You might want to begin by reading How to Choose a Microphone or 5 Podcast Mistakes to Avoid or Interviewing 101.
Good luck! And feel free to Contact Me if you need help, advice, or a perspective.
