Consistency in podcasting is not just about showing up every week — it is about showing up with quality every week. After producing over 300 episodes across the ElevateCast Media network, we have refined our production process into a repeatable checklist that eliminates errors, saves time, and ensures every episode sounds broadcast-ready.
Use this checklist before, during, and after every recording session. Print it. Bookmark it. Make it a non-negotiable part of your workflow.
Pre-Production Checklist (Before You Record)
- Episode outline complete with opening hook, 3–5 main points, and closing CTA
- Guest confirmed, briefed, and sent the tech setup guide (if interview episode)
- Recording environment checked — door closed, phone on silent, HVAC off
- Microphone positioned 4–6 inches from mouth, slightly off-axis to reduce plosives
- Headphones plugged in for direct monitoring
- Recording software open and test recording completed
- Audio levels checked — peaks at -12 to -6 dBFS, no clipping
- Backup recording device ready (phone voice memo as failsafe)
- Water within reach (no ice — it makes noise)
- Episode number and title noted for file naming
Recording Checklist (While You Record)
- Record 10 seconds of room tone at the start (used for noise reduction in editing)
- Announce episode number and date at the start of the raw file for easy identification
- Clap once loudly if recording video — creates a sync point for audio/video alignment
- Speak 20% slower than feels natural — it always sounds faster on playback
- Mark mistakes with a loud clap or verbal note — makes them easy to find in the waveform
- Do not stop and restart for every mistake — keep rolling and fix in editing
- Record your intro and outro separately for cleaner editing
Post-Production Checklist (Editing and Mastering)
- Import raw files and rename with episode number and title
- Apply noise reduction to remove room tone and background hiss
- Remove filler words (um, uh, like), long pauses over 2 seconds, and verbal stumbles
- Apply EQ: high-pass filter at 80Hz to remove rumble, slight boost at 3–5kHz for clarity
- Apply compression: 3:1 ratio, fast attack, medium release for natural-sounding dynamics
- Add intro music and fade in over first 3 seconds of speech
- Add outro music and fade out under closing CTA
- Normalize final mix to -16 LUFS (Apple Podcasts standard) or -14 LUFS (Spotify standard)
- Export as MP3 at 128kbps mono (voice-only) or 192kbps stereo (music-heavy shows)
- Listen to the full episode on headphones before uploading
Quality Check: Before you upload, ask yourself — would I be proud to send this episode to the most important person in my industry? If the answer is no, fix it. Your podcast is your brand.
Distribution Checklist (Publishing Your Episode)
- Upload MP3 to your hosting platform
- Write a keyword-rich episode title (include the main search term your ideal listener would use)
- Write a 150–300 word show notes description with timestamps and guest links
- Add episode artwork (use your standard template with episode number and guest name)
- Set the correct episode number, season, and type (full, trailer, or bonus)
- Schedule publish date and time (Tuesday–Thursday, 6am–9am local time performs best)
- Verify the episode appears correctly on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music
- Create 3–5 social media clips from the episode for promotion
- Send episode announcement to your email list
- Engage with all comments and reviews within the first 24 hours
Monthly Maintenance Checklist
- Review download analytics — which episodes performed best and why?
- Check listener reviews on Apple Podcasts and respond to every one
- Update your show description with any new achievements or stats
- Audit your intro and outro — do they still reflect your current offer and brand?
- Review your top 5 episodes and create new social content from them
- Reach out to 3 potential guests for future episodes
