As a marketer, I’m confident that you’ve worked on projects where you’ve had to look into specialized agencies to provide expertise on a specific channel or subject matter. 

Think video, advertising, and – of course – podcasting. 

If your brand is already knee-deep in a branded podcast or thinking about starting one, understanding how to source an agency that offers the right podcast production services is key.   

The good news is that there are lots of companies out there that can transform your raw audio into a professional show that’s ready to climb the ranks.

Equipped with teams of professional editors, sound engineers, scriptwriters, and producers, partnering with the right podcast agency can be a game changer by saving you time and resources.

The key is to invest in a podcast agency that can help you create compelling material and audio that keeps your audience coming back for more – but how do you find the right one?

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Sourcing podcast production services

With so many moving parts involved in creating a quality show, you first need to figure out if you want to go one of two routes: A full-service agency or an agency that handles only certain aspects of your podcast, for example, marketing or editing. This will depend on the time you can commit to and your comfort level. 

A full-service podcast agency provides comprehensive support, handling all aspects of podcast production, marketing, and advertising. This can streamline the process for brands, offering convenience and efficiency by having a single point of contact for all their podcasting needs. Additionally, they have a team of experts with diverse skills and experience. However, they are typically more expensive.

On the other hand, partnering with an agency that specializes in certain aspects of podcasting brings focused expertise and specialized skills to the table. However, brands may need to coordinate and manage multiple agencies to cover different aspects of their podcasting process, which can be time-consuming and challenging to integrate seamlessly.

Additionally, specialized agencies may lack the holistic perspective and coordination offered by full-service agencies, potentially limiting the brand's ability to align its podcasting efforts with broader marketing and business objectives.

Quill Tip: We recommend an agency that can not only help you launch a quality podcast but can be a true partner that grows with you as you scale. If you’re interested in learning more about the benefits of working with a full-service podcast agency, check out our blog. 

Once you find out which open best suits your brand, we’re ready to dive into the ways you can source podcast production services as well as some of the notable podcast companies out there right now.

1. Google is your best friend

You don’t always have to get fancy when it comes to finding your podcast production partner. Sometimes good old-fashioned Google can get the job done! There are countless articles and blogs that come up when you type in “top podcast production agencies” in the Google search bar.

These articles are informative and allow you to not only have a line of sight to which companies are out there but often provide you with important intel such as pricing, their unique differentiator, notable companies they’ve worked with, and reviews. 

Getting deep into this kind of research will allow you to narrow down your top picks before jumping on an intro call with a future partner. 

Here are a few things to look out for in your early stages of research:

• Production quality: Take a listen to a few episodes produced by the production companies you are considering to get a taste of their style. 
• Logo cloud: What kinds of brands have they worked with? Do they operate in your industry? How large are they? Does the agency primarily work with B2B or B2C brands?
• Testimonials and case studies: How exactly has the agency helped brands similar to yours achieve their goals?
• Services: Not all podcast agencies are created equal. You’ll want to make sure the podcast agency you partner with can support your needs – whether that be video, marketing, internal podcasts, distribution, hosting, analytics, etc; 

Quill Tip: During your Google search, you’ll probably find quite a few listicles outlining the best podcast agencies – of course, we suggest checking out ours. 

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2. Don’t sleep on social media

Like Google, podcast agencies are all over social media. Simply search for relevant hashtags or the stand-out agencies you saw on Google to learn more about them. 

Here are a few things to take note of when looking at agency profiles:

• Client launches: Has the agency recently launched new client shows? Does the agency promote them using audiograms, images, videos etc;?
• Awards: Has the agency or their clients won any awards recently?
• PR: Has the agency appeared in any press pieces lately? If so, what were they about?
• Events: Is the agency involved in the larger podcast industry? Do they attend a lot of events or speak on panels? Are they a respected voice in audio?

On top of looking at individual profiles, we suggest following industry influencers, joining relevant groups or communities, and participating in discussions related to podcasting. This can help you make connections that will provide you with insights into which podcast production partners they trust. 

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3. Word of mouth is king  

Above all, consumers trust their friends. This is why word-of-mouth (WOM) is the most valuable source of marketing. According to a Nielsen study, 92% of consumers believe suggestions from friends and family more than they do advertising.

We suggest going this route when it comes to outsourcing your podcast. Look around, research, get quotes but most importantly talk to people who are already in the podcasting space and ask them about their experience. People can be surprisingly candid about their good (and bad) experiences. 

If someone else is spending their hard-earned dollars with a specific company to produce their show – there is no more incredible stamp of approval. 

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4. Test the waters

When sourcing production services, you should test out the waters. Sometimes when you’re starting a podcast you may be torn about whether you want a full-service agency or if you’d prefer to only outsource certain elements.  

There’s nothing wrong with starting on a mini-project basis and seeing how the production partnership plays out. How are they to work with? How is their communication? What results do you see? 

A large part of sourcing the right podcast partner for you comes from having some data points and experience to go off of. 

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5. Launch a pilot episode

Not all agencies will offer this, but if you’re interested in moving forward with an agency and aren’t ready to fully commit to an entire season, a pilot episode is a great option for you. 

A pilot episode is typically a one-off episode that the agency will produce for you. You’ll only be paying for that one episode but you and the agency would go through the entire production process as if it was just another episode in your season. 

At the end of the pilot project, if you liked the content and the agency, your pilot episode will act as the first episode in your season (which you should then get a slight discount on since you’ve already paid for the first episode). 

When talking to podcast agencies, ask them if they’re open to pilot episodes along with any other production questions.

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Reputable podcast agencies to explore

We figured we’d make the search for the right podcast agency a little bit easier by outlining some of the best in the biz for you to explore. 

Quill Inc. 

Quill is an award-winning production agency specializing in branded podcasts. Working with leading brands like McKinsey & Co., Expedia, PwC, and SickKids Foundation, Quill covers everything from podcast conception to growth and measurement. 

Quill also owns CoHost, a podcast analytics and audience insights tool built for brands and agencies. With CoHost, users can access deeper insights about their podcast such as which companies & industries are listening, what marketing channels are driving downloads, and how listeners are engaging with your content. 

Content Allies

Content Allies is another great contender. A full-service podcast production company for B2B companies, their team is known for creating engaging content in technical spaces. They are known to focus on guest outreach, and guest scheduling, and can often get your dream guests on your show. Some of their most notable shows include Startup Happy Hour, Rethinking Supply Chain, Subscriptions Scaled, and Leaders of B2B. 

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One Stone Creative 

One Stone Creative is known for bringing years of digital marketing experience to podcasting. They create shows that help clients get more mileage out of the content, network with other experts, and connect with the existing audience to generate business. Their impressive list of shows includes 2 Pages with MBS, Hidden Traffic, SPINSUCKS, UNLEARN, Putin’s Oil Heist, and The Intersection. 

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Larj Media 

Larj Media is a full-service creative podcast agency that helps you reach and inspire your target audience through high-quality and compelling audience-specific content. Their diverse clients, whether they are brands, NGOs/nonprofits, individual podcasters, or politicians benefit from their adaptable approach to partnering. Their stand-out clients include Oregon Shakespeare Festival, The B Team, Microsoft, UW Medicine, and Civic Action. 

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Find your partner in podcasting 

One thing about podcasting is that it takes a village. From ideation to production, each team member and agency contact plays a crucial role in creating a successful show. Collaboration among hosts, producers, editors, audio engineers, and marketing teams ensures a well-rounded, impactful podcast.

And in order for all that to happen, you need the right agency by your side.

No matter your industry, budget, or content style, we can promise that there’s the perfect agency out there for you. Curious to jump on a call with one? Feel free to reach out to our team.