Table of Contents
What is a podcast manager?
A podcast manager can be the person who looks after all aspects of your podcast production.
But the term also means a management service provider that helps you move your podcast from an idea to a polished reality. They guide you in the process of creating the show, finding listeners and implementing monetization strategies.
Content creation is just the tip of the iceberg when first creating content for a winning podcast. There's a whole process to go through first. Pre-launch tasks include:
- Devising a podcast strategy including goals, ideal audience and brand identity (logo, cover art, description, introduction, music etc.)
- Finding and securing guests and writing scripts for several episodes. (Experts advise launching with at least three pre-recorded episodes so that people who loved the first episode can go straight onto the second. )
- Getting recording equipment to ensure top audio quality.
- Recording podcast episodes.
- Completing production tasks (e.g., professional audio editing, adding dynamic ad spots, introduction and music.
- Uploading episodes to your podcast hosting service and organizing distribution to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and other directories.
- Promoting your weekly episodes on social media, in newsletters, through other podcasts, and on your website.
As a podcast host, you can do all this on your own, and many, many people do just that. However, using a dedicated podcast management service takes much of the work off your hands and gives expert guidance on creating a top podcast.
Top podcast management services
You'll find many podcast management services out there, so how do you choose the best one for your needs?
- Decide what services you require: Podcast producer? Content creation? Guest management? Post-production editing, show notes, etc.? Strategy guidance? Promotion? Monetization?
- Review your budget.
- Check reviews to see which services other clients highly recommend working with.
- Find a podcast manager that specializes in serving clients like you.
We've found five very different top-rated podcast management services, each with unique features, to kickstart your search for the ideal podcast manager.
Resonate Recordings
Resonate offers a comprehensive range of podcast services. Services include production, launch and marketing support, each with several price tier options. The company also provides three podcast products: Hosting, Private Hosting and a Remote Recorder app.
In their own words:
"Since 2014 we’ve worked with over 3,000 podcasts, giving us unmatched experience. Our team has helped produce 13 shows that have reached #1 in Apple Podcasts."
Who do they serve?
Podcasts from a new do-it-yourself host needing a budget-friendly option to big brands and tech, with the budget to match.
Pricing
Resonate has various price options for audio and video podcast production, including standard, premium and custom.
For example:
- Podcast audio production: Standard = $69, Premium = $159 Custom = $750
- Video production: Basic =$239, Advanced = $359
Podcasts can purchase launch packages (basic $1999, advanced $3499 or custom $5799) or use Resonate Credits on individual services.
Stand-out features
The website includes a bot to direct you to articles that answer FAQs and a blog full of educational posts.
New podcast hosts sometimes wonder how much editing can enhance their audio quality. Resonate's homepage answers that question with before and after podcast excerpts so you can see the difference editing makes to a podcast episode.
More often than not, the host and guest will be recording an episode in different locations, which can throw up problems with audio quality. Resonate solves that problem with their Remote Record app, which lets you record up to 10 guests, mix the audio and host your podcast all from one app.
Social media
Connect with Resonate on Facebook and Twitter.
Castos
Castos is a podcast company working with individuals and brands to launch their own podcasts or grow an existing podcast. They offer a complete range of services, including podcast hosting, concierge podcast editing, scheduling and production and a white-hat enterprise podcast platform catering to the needs of large companies.
In their own words:
"Castos is the podcast platform for creators. Here you can grow your audience and monetize your podcast with ease. We strive to make podcast hosting easier so you have more time to focus on what matters… connecting with your audience. "
Who do they serve?
Castos strives to make the business of podcasting easy and accessible to all. They offer differentiated services for hobby podcasters, content creators who want to monetize their podcasts and large brands or companies.
Pricing
Choose from four pricing options:
- Starter - $19/mo. or $190 per year
- Growth - $49/mo. or $490 per year
- Pro - $99/mo. or $990 per year
- Premium for large companies - from $4990 per year.
Stand-out features
Seriously Simple Podcasting - a WordPress plugin that helps you create and manage your own podcast from inside your WordPress dashboard.
Seriously Simple Podcasting - a WordPress plugin that helps you create and manage your podcast inside your WordPress dashboard.
Castos is a fully remote company committed to sustainable environmental principles. The company also offers podcast editing, launch services, and optional marketing extras like AI-powered short video clips ($990/mo.)
They also have a range of free and paid resources, including their help section, blog, YouTube channel, and 13 Integrations, e.g., Stripe, Shopify, Zapier, MemberSpace and ConvertKit.
Social media
Connect with Castos on Facebook and YouTube
Podglomerate
Podglomerate is a podcast services agency specializing in production, marketing, and monetization for some of the biggest podcasts in the world.
In their own words:
"We bring curiosity to life through critically-acclaimed and award-winning podcasts ranging from narrative-driven stories and sound-rich dramas to branded series and interview shows."
Who do they serve?
Podglomerate works best with institutions and organizations that share Podglomerate's vision of sending educational, impactful stories into the world.
Pricing
CEO Jeff Umbro says his team crafts a unique, holistic strategy for each podcast. With their three business lines structured differently, he recommends people reach out via the website to request more information on Podglomerate's services and prices.
Stand-out features
Podglomerate's team offers a personalized, collaborative and transparent approach to help podcast clients conceive fully set up, start, produce, grow and monetize their shows.
They also make podcasts and their team has produced more than a dozen shows as originals or with partners like Lifetime and The History Channel.
Social media
Connect with The Podglomerate on LinkedIn and Twitter.
The Wave
The Wave is a podcast editing company and community founded to help address a perceived "one-sidedness" in the podcasting industry. They offer podcast editing and podcast launch, services, educational resources, a podcast and a community to help women launch and grow their podcasts.
In their own words:
“I’ve helped dozens of women take their podcast from idea → production → money-making machine & I want to help you do the same.” Lauren Popish, founder.
Who do they serve?
The Wave focuses on employing and serving women in podcasting.
Pricing
Use The Wave's handy quote calculator to select the services and see how much they cost. For example, Launch, including cover art, theme music, trailer writing and editing, is quoted as $315. Select the services you need.
Stand-out features
As well as podcast editing services, The Wave features numerous free educational resources, including audio, video, written content and free downloads. Whether you have an existing podcast or you're just getting started, it's well worth searching The Wave for everything from Equipment and Exercises to Marketing and Monetization.
Their store features do-it-yourself digital templates, which are especially handy for those new to the podcast business.
Social media
Connect with The Wave on Instagram and YouTube
Sweetfish Media
Sweetfish has a mission to produce "every leader's favorite show." They offer podcast launch services, on-g0ing production work, strategy calls and add-ons, including guest booking, LinkedIn, YouTube and other social media platform content in written, audio or visual form.
In their own words:
"Too much of marketing is optimized for attention, when we should be building for affinity. We’re focused on reach when our buyers are starving for resonance."
Who do they serve?
Sweetfish offers podcast production, guest management and show promotion services focused on the B2B market.
The Sweetfish Media website doesn't disclose any prices. Schedule a call with a representative in your time zone to discuss available options.
Stand-out features
Knowing whom they serve allows Sweetfish Media to streamline its services toward brands and businesses. They include a dedicated podcast producer for your show, quarterly review podcast audit, guest outreach and prep, professional audio editing and voiceovers, show notes and social media content, thought leadership coaching and more.
The site also includes a blog full of educational articles.
Social media
Connect with Sweetfish Media on LinkedIn and YouTube.
Final thoughts
Each of these podcast managers offers a unique take on their role and the services they provide to the industry.
You'll find high-quality options here for:
- A host dipping their toe into podcasting for the first time
- Seasoned professionals wanting to grow and monetize
- Branded and B2B podcasts
- And podcast management services for institutions and large companies.
Are you looking to attract more listeners to your podcast?
You can use our free embed tool to show reviews on your website and find like-minded cross-promo partners with Rephonic.
