5 Tips for Working With a Podcast Editor

Written By Lauren Popish

Podcasting can be, strike that, is a full-time job. From booking guests, to hosting interviews, to making edits, to creating episode art, to scheduling releases, your time can quickly be eaten up. Getting a podcast editor on board to take some of the workload from you is the perfect way to simplify the process and make sure you have the time to focus on creating the goods.

When working with a podcast editor, you want to make sure that you are both set up in order to deliver each other the highest standard of stuff with the lowest level of stress.

Your work and your voice are needed and appreciated, so take a moment to just applaud yourself for being rad by putting it out there and for recognizing that getting help is a great thing, and then let’s jump in!

I am going to share with you my top 5 tips on how to make the process of working with a podcast editor as smooth as possible. Welcome to your post-production life! Get ready to have podcasting made a breeze by following these guidelines to success.

Step #1. Having the right equipment

The first thing you want to do is make sure you are set up with the right equipment to record your podcast. I know that there is so much conflicting information out there (often from people trying to sell you something) about what is the best microphone or set of headphones blah blah blah…

The truth is, great-sounding audio starts at the recording. Consider the fact that the better the audio quality is from the get-go, the less time your editor will need to spend trying to make it sound good in post-production. Being as successful as possible with an editor means getting the right equipment and avoiding unexpected issues.

First, you will need a good external microphone with a pop filter. Getting the right mic is going to make sure everything else falls into place with ease for you all. Getting the right mic does not mean the most expensive one.

Here are my three favorite USB/XLR microphones for you. Pick the best based on your budget, and remember, you will need one microphone for each speaker, so if there are guests or co-hosts, be sure to account for them too!

A pop filter will reduce harsh sounds and help with post-production:

It is important for you to know how you sound or to be aware of any outside noises or interruptions from your end, like laptop hums, fridge buzzes, and neighbors with basketballs in the driveway as you record. High-quality headphones will help you hear yourself and self-edit while speaking. Audio Technica is the industry standard (and it’s what we at The Wave use, so I am a big fan)!

Step #2. Set up your recording space

Be sure to prep your space for optimal quality if you are recording from home or anywhere that isn’t a designated studio space:

  • Find leaky spots in your room and seal them up with foam or padding or even a blanket at the crack at the base of your door

  • Cushion your space to reduce any echo or reverb there might be in your room

  • Find a comfortable but upright seat, like an upholstered dining chair, so you can maintain your energy

  • Lastly, make your space your own by adding things that are visually inspiring to your content

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Step #3. Your recording tools

There are lots of ways to record a podcast, and the choice you make will depend on your format. The ideal recording is done on desktop tools like GarageBand (for Macs), Audacity, or Audition. All of these platforms are used by podcasters of every level and are well-known for their easy-to-use interfaces. Don’t you just love new things that are easy to learn?

If you have a guest and you are recording remotely, you can use a recording platform like Riverside, Squadcast, or Cleanfeed. These, once again, simple-to-use platforms will host your conversation, record them and clean up the audio from all the little glitches and buffers you can encounter with things like a wifi hiccup. You may be tempted to use Zoom as a cost-effective option, but it will sadly not offer the quality other platforms will.

You should always record on separate tracks. What does that mean? It means that as well as the recording platform of choice — which will allow you to hear each other and host the conversation — you and your guest can also record directly to your own device. This could just be as simple as the software built into your computer found by searching “voice recorder.” So, as well as the full conversation, you will have two separate tracks, that regardless of if your guests’ internet goes funny, your editor has two versions they can morph together if needed.

Lastly, export your audio files as WAV file. This file format can be large and take awhile to upload, but the quality of the audio will be easier for your editor to work with. For more information about WAV vs MP3, check out this article.

Step #4. Organizing your files

A well-organized file is going to make it easier for your editor to jump right in and start making their magic out of your magic! 

When naming files, I recommend that you include the date and name of each person’s track. This will save the editor time trying to figure out who is who by opening them and playing a little audio version of Guess Who. Additionally, when naming theme songs, inserts, or closing tracks, identify them based on where they go in the episode. For example, Intro_My Awesome Podcast or Outro_Best Podcast Ever, or Ad_Season 2_Episode 4.

Step #5. Communicating with your editor

Your editing team is going to become your best friends, so when you’re recording, it helps to pretend like they are in the room with you. It might feel strange at first but trust me when I say that you should have a conversation with them. It makes all the difference and saves you from having to make notes and send them over, which, let’s be honest, you might forget by the time you are done recording.

While you are recording, when something needs to be changed or removed, you can say:

  • “Hey, Louise - can you remove that section? I’m going to take it from the top” 

  • “Hey, Molly - I think this question would work better at the beginning of the episode, so can you pop it there instead?” 

  • “Hey, Amy - I’m going to submit a new outro file separately, will get that to you right away!” 

If, after hearing the first edit, you have changes you wish to make, don’t use vague language like “when I start talking about hippopotamuses.” The best thing you can do, as you have it right there in front of you, is state the exact time and best timestamps to cut or rearrange.

✦ Bonus tip!

As promised, my bonus tip for podcasters and editors is to gather all of your information from the start. This way, you both have what you need, and you both have an expectation set of what to deliver and receive. A standardized onboarding form for new clients is the best way to do this. Ask your editor to send one over! If they don't have one, this might give them the gentle nudge they need to create one while placing you firmly in the seat of ‘I am a professional podcaster, thank you!”


Getting everything right the first time will save both you and your editor time — time that you can spend enjoying the rewards of your successful podcast. Be upfront from the start about your expectations, and ask them for theirs. Then follow these tips to streamline the process. Your podcast will suddenly become far less work and far more joy!

Lauren Popish
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