Podcast Editors Mastermind

Do filler words matter?

Tom Hanson found several key findings from research and industry data that shows filler words do matter!

"Episodes with >4 filler words per minute saw 18–22% higher drop-off rate in the first 10 minutes compared to “clean” episodes" according to a Riverside listener study.

How can you and I use this knowledge to convince potential clients that it's worth paying us t...

Carrie’s story feels like a real, behind-the-scenes look at what it actually takes to grow beyond "just" editing.

She talks about how she went from editing simple interview shows to landing a major role with the Legal Media Network—all sparked by a note in the Podcast Editors Club Facebook group with a pitch. Carrie didn’t wait until she felt “ready.” Instead, she kept saying yes to opportunities, learn...

#126: What are the biggest podcasts doing?

Megan Dougherty of One Stone Creative shares information from their research into the trends and best practices of the top 100 Business Podcasts.

Key topics:

• Churn: Nearly 48% of top 100 business pods are new to the list
• Branding visuals and colors
• Format/structure and show length
• How many have video and go “video first”?
• Websites and show notes

Resources ment...

#125: In the ever-evolving podcast industry, attending big podcons events can be pivotal for creators and service providers alike.

Chad Parizman shares his experience from the new Podcast Movement SXSW event in March 2026.

I ask Chad:

• What was different?
• How much did he spend?
• Was it worth it?
• Will he go again?

About Chad Parizman

Chad provides Podcast Production and Strategy for brands and organizations. Connect with...

#124: "Storytelling as a Service” (SaaS, as Mark Deal would say) is a way Podcast Managers, Producers, and even Editors can make money on the development of a serialized, documentary-style podcast.

Mark Deal and Pat Fenner created “Habitat: Heart, Hammer, and Home”, a documentary podcast about housing, hope, and the people building stronger communities. The project serves as a proof of concept for a higher-tier ser...

#123: Implementing fees without alienating clients is a key challenge for contractors like us. Things become exceedingly difficult when trying to balance a normal full-time workload and "incentivize" clients to send their files on time.

What are the options we have to shuffle jobs around to accommodate a client who "needs it tomorrow"? Angelina Gurrola and Charles Commins provide solutions you can use in your own business.

Key mo...

#122: Are Podcast Chapters a good thing?

Most people would say "Of course they are".

Steve has reservations, mostly because chapters help listeners more easily skip ads, and that's not a good thing for clients who have ads in their show. However, Podcast Chapters are useful. And very cool...especially when you hear about what can be done with Chapter Images (see chapter #11 of this episode)!

In our conversation with Daniel J. Lewis, w...

#121: There have been SIGNIFICANT changes in our industry this past year.

• A.I. is being added to everything
• Across-the-board price increases on the tools we use
• The loss of Todd Cochrane and Niel Guillarte, plus the separation of some very influential people from the companies they helped build

Our panel of pros reflect on 2025, talk about how A.I. isn't making us undervalued, and we share predictions for Podcast Editors i...

#120: Jeremy Enns joins us to discuss observations from his Podcast Marketing Trends report that pertain to Podcast Editors, Podcast Managers, and anyone who helps podcasters grow their reach and audience.

Our conversation covers the balance between audio and video content, the challenges of monetization through sponsorships, and the significance of understanding client goals in podcast production. Jeremy shares valuable data on bus...

#119: There is a peculiar paradox where many Podcast Editors, Managers, and Producers do not host their own shows.

Our panel today explores the reasons behind this, including time constraints and perfectionism, while also highlighting the significant benefits that podcastING can bring to our careers and reputations.

The core debate centers on whether post-production professionals should have their own shows -- and no... the answer is...

#118: Megan Shields discusses the intricacies of Facebook advertising, particularly for podcast editors who want to help their clients expose their clients’ shows to a larger audience. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the relevance of Facebook ads in today's digital landscape, debunks common myths, and outlines strategies for both client acquisition and podcast promotion.

Megan explains the role of the Meta track...

#117: Can posting your prices harm or help your business?

Matthew Bliss and Mike Wilkerson join us to debate the benefits and pitfalls of giving potential clients a peek at what you charge, and the need for a strong value proposition regardless!

At the end, Steve shares his 2025 experiment of posting rates on his website. Did it help? Listen to find out!

Summary:

Visible pricing can attract the right clients but may deter othe...

#116: Adam Schaeuble discusses the three buckets of podcast growth that we can share with our clients:

1. Effort-based marketing
2. Paid advertising
3. Organic discoverability

We discuss insights on leveraging paid ads on podcast platforms and the significance of SEO in podcasting - plus the need for helping our clients focus on growth strategies that yield tangible results.

Key takeaways:

• The three buckets of podcast GR...

#115: I've been saying for over a decade that 50% of downloads are lies. The truth came out when the IOS 17 update hit, and everyone realized the Emperor had only half of his clothes.

But Analytics? Those are GOLD!

Seth Silvers from storyon.co shares the importance of analytics and metrics in measuring success.

We go into the significance of retention rates, the need for experimentation in formats and the first 5 minutes of an episode...

#114: Want to help your clients grow revenue? We ask Heather Osgood, CEO of True Native Media, to share how Podcast Editors and Podcast Managers can work with sponsorships and advertising.

Heather shares her expertise on what podcasters want from sponsorships, what works best to get a better ROI, and how podcast editors can work with agencies like True Native Media.

Key learnings:

• The different types of podcast ads and wh...

#113: Meredith Hackwith Edwards founder of an "idea consultancy" called Outsider Advantage, shares with us the challenges and opportunities of using social media to promote our clients' podcasts. She says to have fun when focusing on authentic and purposeful content.

Meredith shares her experience working with clients on their specific strategies, while appropriately pricing and packaging our services to include social media support...

#112: How do you charge for your service as a Podcast Editor?

Most charge a flat rate per episode or monthly retainer, but how do you come up with those rate?

And how do you know it's earning you more than a part-time job a McDonald's?

Learn from top podcast editors as they reveal their proven pricing strategies, helping you optimize your income and building a sustainable business!

Key moments:

• Charging by the Length of the...

#111: Getting paid is one of the most important steps in running a thriving podcast editing business. How you invoice for your work can have a huge impact on your cash flow and profitability.

Eric Rosenberg shares some best practices when invoicing clients, as a freelancer, and the challenges of balancing your client's needs with our self-employed realities.

While listening, pay particular attention to the importance of strategic inv...

#110: What warning signs should podcast editors watch out for when working with clients? Matthew Bliss shares some of his recent “red flags” — those subtle (and not-so-subtle) signals that things might go wrong in a client relationship.

How many of these red flags have you experienced?

• Unclear expectations
• Poor communication
• Unreasonable turnaround times
• Late payments

Listen in on our candid stories, and ar...