“We already have someone editing the podcast.”
That’s a common line I hear from podcasters, coaches, consultants, and content creators alike.
And yet… their episodes still sound “off.”
Not terrible. Just not polished.
The type of audio that subtly says,
“This is DIY.”
And whether you realize it or not, your audience hears it, and it affects how long they stick around.
The missing piece?
It’s post-production…
What Is Post-Production (And Why Does It Matter)?
Basic editing trims the fat, cutting out major mistakes, pauses, and obvious stutters.
Post-production, however, adds the polish that makes your podcast feel professionally produced. It includes:
- Balancing volume between hosts and guests
- Removing background noise, hum, echo, and mic hiss
- Fixing sibilance (those sharp “S” sounds)
- Applying EQ and compression to make voices richer, warmer, and easier to listen to
- Smoothing transitions between edits
- Mastering your final audio to industry standard levels (LUFS -16)
But there’s one more piece that too many editors skip,
And it’s a silent killer of audience retention:
Filler Words; And They Are Tanking Your Credibility
Even professionally produced podcasts are often filled with:
“Umm…Ahhh… Uhhhh…”
“Right?” repeated 10 times per guest
Filler words are not just annoying, they’re momentum killers.
They make you sound unsure. Nervous. Less confident.
And while some natural speech quirks are fine, too many filler words wear out your listener’s attention and patience.
A Columbia Business School study found that excessive filler words decrease how competent and trustworthy a speaker sounds, especially in audio formats.
That’s why in every professional post-production pass I do, I flag and clean up repetitive filler words, without making it sound robotic or overcut.
You still sound like you, just more focused and confident.
Why This Matters More Than You Think
- Listeners judge your podcast within the first few minutes or even seconds
- Sound = trust. People subconsciously equate clean, smooth audio with competence
- Bad sound (or too many “uhhhhs”) makes them tune out without telling you
- And unlike YouTube or blogs, you rarely get feedback, just… silence and a dip in listener retention.
Ready to Elevate Your Podcast?
If you’re serious about growing an audience, building trust, and standing out in a crowded space, your podcast can’t just be edited.
It has to be professionally finished.
