What makes a podcast episode truly engaging - and keeps listeners coming back? The importance of maintaining a structured yet flexible format can’t be stressed enough by our guest, Wendy Wawrzyniak.

Our discussion, no matter which way we turned, ended up landing on one form of consistency or another. Consistency not only enhances a listener’s enjoyment but can also promote sustainability and growth.

Guess what: Consistency also benefits Podcast Editors like you too!

Key topics covered:

• Why predictability in podcast formats keeps audiences engaged and builds community
• The role of podcast editors as managers and consultants to improve show structure and format
• Tips to streamline production and make better podcasts

Key moments:

(00:00) "Podcast Consistency Over Structure"

(06:07) Keeping listeners engaged mid-episode

(07:20) Consistency: The way to earn Trust with an audience

(10:38) When a podcast changes their episode format

(12:37) Using a compelling clip as a “cold open”

(14:55) How consistency during recording benefits the Podcast Editor

(18:31) Insight on Directing a Podcast

About Wendy Wawrzyniak:

Wendy is an experienced educator, speaker, and consultant, specializing in AP History instruction and content creation strategies. As the founder of AP History Help, she provides online courses, tutoring, and resources to help students excel in AP History courses.

With a background in virtual teaching and curriculum development, Wendy has also created The World is Your Classroom, where she has expanded her expertise to the podcasting world, speaking twice at Podfest and serving as an education consultant for conferences.

She is now leveraging her experience to help podcasters improve their show structure, audience engagement, and presentation skills.

Find her at https://TheWorldisYourClassroom.net

• Connect with Wendy on Instagram
• Connect with Wendy on Facebook
• Connect with Wendy on LinkedIn

Let's have some fun!

• Can you find the content edit points? Send Steve an email with the timestamp(s)
• Want to watch the entire 32 minute, unedited video recording? Email Steve

Tools:

*Riverside.fm to record

We used Riverside to record this episode. Use code Yetis at *https://creators.riverside.fm/Yetis for 15% off a membership plan.

*Castmagic.io for show notes

Castmagic assisted in the crafting of this episode description. Of course, we removed the phrases “Join us as we dive into”, “Uncover the secret behind” and “elevate your podcasting game” - because we also edit our copy!

What are the consequences of hiring the wrong client? What if you need to make money but don't have any good clients yet? Do you start with UpWork or Fiverr?

Ashley Dickerson-Ellison shares some great stories about leaving her teaching job when they moved overseas for a couple years. She starting her podcast editing business and did what many of us do: Offered services on UpWork.

Make sure you stay to the end for the story about the guy who interrupted her trip, then came back and asked if she had references. It's a horrible, but funny story I think we can all relate to.

• The cost of lower-value clients on commodity job websites
• The mental shift from an employee to self-employed mindset
• Building a personal brand with a podcast and website
• The importance of getting help

Episode Notes: https://podcasteditorsmastermind.com/episode/the-mental-health-of-hiring-the-wrong-client

Ashley Dickson-Ellison has been in the podcasting world since 2018 with the launch of Unabridged, a podcast about books.

She has 17 years of working in education before transitioning to full time podcast work in 2021.

Ashley founded and runs Unabridged Digital Media Solutions, LLC, where she supports podcast launches, offers podcast consultations and strategy support, and provides ongoing podcast management with a full suite of services for several partners.

In her free time, you'll find Ashley exploring the world and spending time outside with her life partner and two daughters. Find her at https://www.ashleydicksonellison.com

Connect with Ashley:

• https://www.ashleydicksonellison.com

Mentioned in this episode:

Podcast Editors Club Newsletter

Stay in touch with events, live streams, and news that YOU want. Join the Podcast Editors Club Newsletter https://PodcastEditorAcademy.com/newsletter

The word for 2024 in podcasting was "CHANGE". We had the rise of AI, the increasing importance of video, and key industry leaders leaving their roles.

Podcast Editors Club members emphasized the need to sound natural and not scripted, navigate the complications of offering video editing, and the significance of knowing how to use dynamic ad insertion.

We particularly highlight the importance of staying adaptable and diversifying income streams to maintain staying power. Podcast Editors like you can enhance your value by offering SEO services, collateral for social media, and media host management. Most importantly, Podcast Editors need to effectively communicate the value of these services to their clients to ensure continued growth and success in the evolving podcasting landscape.

• Rise of AI tools and the significance of sounding natural
• Importance of video components and challenges in video editing
• Dynamic ad insertion as a valuable skill for editors
• Staying adaptable and diversifying income streams
• Effective communication of the value of additional services

Note: Ai was used to generate the basis of this episode summary.

Special thanks to Podcast Editors Club community members:

• Joshua Liston
• Roy Garcia
• Sarah Decker
• Matthew Bliss
• Dave Jackson
• Mike Wilkerson

Episode Notes: https://podcasteditorsmastermind.com/episode/whats-critical-for-a-podcast-in-2025

Join the Podcast Editors Club newsletter for free:

https://PodcastEditorAcademy.com/newsletter

Mentioned in this episode:

Podcast Editors Club Newsletter

Stay in touch with events, live streams, and news that YOU want. Join the Podcast Editors Club Newsletter https://PodcastEditorAcademy.com/newsletter

You are a podcast editor, otherwise why are you listening to this show?

You wanna know how to make it as a podcast editor, whether professionally, or as a serious side hustle, or if you just want to get better at editing your own podcast.

If you're a Podcast Editor, Manager, or Producer...this is the show for you!

And since you're a Podcast Editor/Manager/Producer, I don't need to tell you how to follow this show in your favorite podcast app 😉.

However, to stay in touch with other information that can help Podcast Editors like you, subscribe for free to the https://www.PodcastEditorAcademy.com/newsletter.

We will see YOU on the other side of the mic!

Are you charging enough?

Do you charge more or less than your peers?

What can you do to earn more for your podcast editing efforts?

Find out as we reveal the rates and effective hourly rates being charged by indie podcasters just like you!

Episode Notes: https://podcasteditorsmastermind.com/episode/the-2024-podcast-editor-industry-survey-reveal-

• Editors charged $199 USD for an average hour-long episode
• They spent less time to complete the task, making their effective hourly average rate higher!
• We also discuss which additional services seem to impact what editors charge for their audio editing projects

• Get the survey slides by signing up for the free Podcast Editor Academy newsletter
• Receive special access and benefits by joining The Mastermind

This episode of the Podcast Editors Mastermind was edited by Alejandro Ramirez. You can find him on LinkedIn if you're interested in talking with him about editing your show.

The Podcast Editors Mastermind Show has entered a new season.

In this episode (which is #101, btw): Steve Stewart and Mark Deal lay out for you what’s new in Season 2.

We share what the show will be about, the benefits for all Podcast Editors everywhere, and how YOU can be involved!

To be involved and get instant access to the Mastermind member benefits we talk about at 09:22, use coupon code Season2

Episode Notes: https://podcasteditorsmastermind.com/episode/whats-new-for-season-2-of-the-podcast-editors-mastermind-show

This episode of the Podcast Editors Mastermind was edited by Steve Stewart. Why? Because it's been years since he has podcasted and needed to review his performance. #experiencepoints

Celebrate with us in this milestone Mastermind Show: Episode 100!

Yeti Bryan and Yeti Jennifer reflect on what we got right, what could have been done better, and things that were "not so good".

Joining us is Steve Stewart and Mark Deal from the Podcast Editor Academy - WITH A BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!

We are wrapping up Season 1 of the Podcast Editors Mastermind Show, and Season 2 will be hosted by Steve & Mark (with appearances from the founders too, of course).

After listening, PLEASE send in your feedback AND REQUESTS FOR FUTURE TOPICS to umyeah@podcasteditorsmastermind.com. We hope to incorporate them into future releases!

• The story behind how the Mastermind started
• Year 1 and Year 2: What changed?
• What we got RIGHT: Community, the need for a show like this, "editing practice" for new Podcast Editors
• What we didn't get right: No clear monetization strategy, inconsistency, stopping our off-camera mastermind meetings
• The transition to Season 2
• Everybody hates change, and here's why change is needed (listen to the episode to hear more)

• Podcast Editor Academy: https://podcasteditoracademy.com
• Podcast Atlanta: https://podatl.com
• Article by The College Investor: https://thecollegeinvestor.com/47758/google-ai-misleads-in-43-of-finance-related-searches

• Bryan's fave: Ep 82 - How Virginia Elder Went From Accounting to Owning a Podcast Production Company
• Jennifer's fave: Ep 90 - Darrell Darnell's Journey to Build a Podcast Editing Team
• Steve's fave: Ep 11 - Britany Felix: Attract the RIGHT Clients for Your Business

Feed (to subscribe): https://feeds.captivate.fm/podcast-editors-mastermind/first-client-stories

Playlist Link: https://player.captivate.fm/collection/96ecac6b-0152-49ab-912e-78727f644efd

This episode of the Podcast Editors Mastermind was edited by Alejandro Ramirez. You can find him on LinkedIn if you're interested in talking with him about editing your show.

Are your podcast clients getting bad audio and video from themselves or their guests? We share tips on how to address the issue, whether you're there to help them or not.

Episode Notes: https://podcasteditorsmastermind.com/episode/keys-to-helping-podcast-clients-look-and-sound-great

• Follow the Podcast Editors Mastermind
• Rate or Review the Podcast Editors Mastermind
• Send us a message or comment for the show!

We're sharing some of the keys to helping your podcast clients sound and look great. It might feel uncomfortable initially, but it offers great benefits for your clients, their audience, and you.

We'll explore how to help them create a good recording space for success, whether it's an audio studio or a video set. Then we'll talk about the thing we ALL love to obsess over - the GEAR!

Of course, it doesn't stop there, because having a great studio with great gear won't get the results your clients are looking for if they don't use it right. Or if they let their guests set the standard for what should be considered "good."

Editors can assist by encouraging clients to speak up if guests aren't performing well or by stepping in for the host during live recordings.

This episode is sponsored by Riverside.fm, the leading tool for podcast and video recordings. Visit riverside.fm and use code Yetis to start recording studio quality sound and video and get 15% off a membership plan.

https://creators.riverside.fm/Yetis

• The importance of a controlled space
• How to bring up the discussion of quality with clients
• What is more important than expensive cameras and mirophones
• Recognizing that sometimes clients have different expectations, and we can't always "fix" everything

• Zoom PodTrak P4 Portable Multitrack Podcast Recorder
• Rode RCP2 RODECaster Pro II Integrated Audio Production Studio
• sE Electronics V7 Handheld Supercardioid Dynamic
• Sennheiser e 835 Cardioid Handheld Dynamic Microphone
• RODE PodMic USB and XLR Dynamic Broadcast Microphone
• Shure MV7+ Podcast XLR/USB Microphone
• Samson Q9U XLR/USB Dynamic Broadcast Microphone
• ATR2100x-USB
• Samson Q2U
• CapCut
• OpusClip