Every podcast creator has the same problems and growing pains. Things like consistency, finding guests, social media presence, and audio struggles can seriously hold you back.
And since lots of shows are run by just one person, too many podcasters wind up overwhelmed. If this is you, then a podcasting virtual assistant (VA) is just what you need. A good virtual assistant can be a game changer — and here’s why you need to hire one today.
What Is a Podcasting Virtual Assistant?
Before we dive into all the wonderful ways that a podcast VA can change your life — let’s break down what they actually are.
The virtual assistant industry is growing rapidly as more and more people seek flexible work that they can do from home. A podcasting virtual assistant is similar to a general VA in many ways. They provide you day-to-day online support with administrative tasks so that you can do more.
But podcast virtual assistants are experts in their field. Their knowledge of the podcasting industry will optimize your show in a way that other VAs can’t.
They’ll be able to help you with all the classic virtual administration tasks — like travel logistics, emails, and scheduling. But they’ll also come with a bonus set of skills that will truly help your podcast thrive. Now let’s find out just exactly what a podcasting VA can do.
What Does a Podcasting VA Do?
A podcasting VA can help you with so many things that you might lose track — so it’s best to think about these duties in two categories.
Pre-production Duties
Manage your software, services, and equipment: Running a show requires a lot of podcasting tools. So you’ll need someone to manage a variety of software, services, and audio equipment.
Source guests and handle correspondence: Newer podcasts may struggle to find guests, and more established shows may have a hard time keeping up with them. From making first contact, to following up with a thoughtful thank you note. A virtual assistant can help you manage your flow of guests.
Research: The show-runner or host will likely want to decide the creative direction of the podcast, but there will always be topics that need additional research.
Write episode scripts: Whether your show is scripted or totally off the cuff — an episode guideline or outline can make a huge difference.
Edit audio and video: Depending on your VA’s skill set, they can provide basic to advanced audio and video editing. If you like a lightly edited show, they may be all you need. And if your show requires more sophisticated editing, they should be able to do the first round of edits and basic effects — i.e. eliminating cough sounds, adding intro and outro reels, etc.
Create show notes: A quality podcast needs good show notes so that listeners can follow-up on the ideas and topics discussed. Your VA can keep-track of any books, articles, or events mentioned, so that they can provide relevant links in the episode info.
Pitch sponsors: Most podcasts are monetized through sponsors, affiliates, and listener support. If you’re not a fan of the business side of things, your VA can take responsibility for all of these pipelines and partnerships.
Post-production Duties
Publishing and scheduling posts: This is a simple but very important administrative task. You’ll need someone to schedule and publish your episodes using a hosting site.
Create graphics and audio-visuals: Your virtual assistant doesn’t need to be a graphic designer to create eye-catching visuals. Lots of shows simply don’t have the time to focus on this. But a good VA should be able to use tools like Canva to give your website, blog, and social media accounts some extra flair.
Podcast strategy: Using analytics and reports from your different podcast services can help you make decisions that will grow and improve your podcast.
Content management: There are so many different elements to handling your content. It’s essential to have someone who can distribute, repurpose, update, or edit your content across all platforms. This may include a website, blog, and social media accounts.
Transcribe episodes: There are lots of reasons to transcribe your podcast episodes. It will open doors for repurposing content, make your show accessible to the hearing impaired, and improve your SEO.
Social media management: If you truly want to find your audience, your podcast needs a presence on Instagram, Twitter, and a few other social media platforms. So you’ll need a social media manager to create content, schedule posts, and engage with listeners.
As you can see, there are tons of ways a virtual assistant can upgrade your podcast. And realistically, the list goes on and on!
What Qualities Should a Podcasting VA Have?
Now you know all the duties that a podcasting virtual assistant should do, which means you know the hard skills you should be looking for. You can screen for these in interviews or by asking for samples of a VA’s past work.
But soft skills are equally essential. Here are some of the qualities that your future podcasting VA should have.
A Good Listener
Every podcast host will know that listening is harder than it looks. If you want a good VA, they’ll need to have exceptional listening skills so that they can cultivate an acute awareness of your professional wants and needs.
Flexible
This is a highly dynamic role, so it’s essential that your VA be creative and adaptable. You’ll want someone who can be productive in a versatile environment.
Organized
Since a virtual assistant wears many hats, they’ll need to be hyper tidy and methodical with their virtual tasks. If not, they’ll waste valuable time.
Reliable
With any remote position, you’ll need to find someone who is exceedingly dependable — that way you’re not left hanging in a tight situation.
Detail-oriented
VAs juggle tons of tasks, accounts, and schedules. And they often need to micro-organize, so attention to detail is key! Especially in a virtual role.
Self-motivated
This is another essential soft-skill for a remote position, since VAs don’t have the traditional presence of a supervisor or manager figure — they need to know how to take the initiative and be independent.
Strong communicator
Since your VA will be communicating primarily via email and other online platforms, they need to be highly skilled communicators. They should be friendly and tactful, but they should also be direct and assertive when necessary.
Deadline-oriented
There’s nothing worse than missing a deadline, especially when you’re making a podcast. Missing deadlines may lead to an inconsistent show, which can mean you lose listeners. Your VA needs to respect deadlines, always.
Resourceful
With such a wide-ranging variety of tasks, there are bound to be hiccups, so a good VA should be a problem-solver. Someone who can be autonomous and get things done.
Luckily, there are lots of resources out there to guide you as you try to find a virtual assistant. But you should make sure that they possess all of these essential qualities.
What Are the Benefits of Having a Podcast VA?
If you hire a virtual assistant, you won’t regret it. They’ll make your life easier. But if we haven’t convinced you, here are some of the very real benefits of welcoming a podcast VA to your team.
- You save time: This is the biggest sell for most podcast creators. When you save time, this frees you up to work on the big picture stuff — like new ideas, evolving your show, or even additional projects. Getting rid of all those tasks you hate will make a huge difference — and you’ll be able to make real progress towards your goals and dreams.
- You get support: Having someone on your team makes all the difference. You’ll get administrative, logistical, and all-around support from a podcasting VA. But you’ll also feel immensely relieved when you’re not doing everything alone.
- You save money: If you hire a VA, you won’t have to pay all the costs that a traditional employee comes with. You’ll forego things like hardware (computer), insurance, and even office space. There are tons of ways a VA will cut costs.
- You get flexibility: A freelance virtual assistant is always remote, and usually works a very dynamic schedule. Some are looking for part-time, full-time, or project-based work. So you’re sure to find someone with the flexibility you’re looking for.
Now, these are just a few of the many benefits of hiring a podcast virtual assistant. Are you ready to take the leap?
A Podcasting Virtual Assistant Will Make Your Podcast Better
We hope that you’ve realized by now that no podcast is an island. And that everyone can benefit from having someone on their team.
The right podcasting virtual assistant will drastically improve your show at every step of the way. They’ll be able to help you with all your needs: administrative, pre-production, and post-production. And most importantly, a podcast VA will adapt to your specific needs — saving you time, energy, and money along the way.
If you want to elevate your podcast, grow your audience, and make a difference, what are you waiting for? Start looking for a virtual assistant today!
