Listener-First Strategy
We don't start with what you want to say. We start with what your audience needs to hear. That shift changes everything — from episode titles to interview questions.
Your podcast doesn't need another template.
It needs a listener.
We don't sell packages. We build your show around what your audience actually wants to hear — and we explain exactly what that costs, line by line.
£0
Discovery Call
Always free. No obligation. We listen first.
Line-item
Pricing Model
You see every cost. No bundles hiding margins.
Yours
Full Ownership
Every file, every asset, every master — you own it all.
How Pricing Actually Works Here
We don't bundle services into bronze/silver/gold tiers. Instead, every element of production has a transparent rate. You pick what you need, skip what you don't.
| Production Element | What It Covers | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|
| Concept & Strategy Session | Audience mapping, format selection, episode arc planning | £180 – £320 |
| Recording (per episode) | Remote or in-studio capture, mic setup guidance, multi-track | £95 – £210 |
| Editing & Sound Design | Noise removal, pacing, music beds, transitions, mastering | £120 – £275 |
| Show Notes & Transcription | SEO-ready notes, full transcript, chapter markers | £45 – £85 |
| Cover Art & Branding | Podcast artwork, episode thumbnails, visual identity kit | £250 – £500 |
| Distribution Setup | RSS feed, platform submission, analytics integration | £75 – £140 |
| Ongoing Production Retainer | Monthly episodes, scheduling, guest coordination, publishing | £400 – £900/mo |
Why ranges instead of fixed prices?
Every podcast is different. A solo monologue episode takes less editing than a four-guest roundtable. A brand-new show needs more strategy than a rebrand. We quote precisely after your free discovery call — but these ranges let you budget honestly before we even speak.
Average first project
£680
3-episode pilot bundle
“The line-item approach meant I knew exactly where every pound went. No surprises.” — Gareth D., Swansea
“We started with just editing. Added strategy later. That flexibility matters.” — Priya K., Bristol
The Studio Journey
From the moment you reach out to the day your first episode goes live, here's the path we walk together. No phase is mandatory — enter wherever you need us.
“The discovery call alone gave us more clarity than three months of trying on our own.” — Tom & Nia, Aberystwyth
Phase One
Discovery & Listening
We spend 45 minutes understanding your goals, your audience, and the gap your podcast fills. This call is always free. We take notes, ask hard questions, and send you a written summary within 48 hours.
Phase Two
Architecture & Quoting
We design your show's structure — format, length, frequency, tone — and build a line-item quote. You approve each element individually. Nothing is bundled or hidden.
Phase Three
Production & Craft
Recording, editing, sound design, and mastering happen here. We share rough cuts for your feedback before finalising. Revisions are included — we don't charge extra for getting it right.
Phase Four
Launch & Distribution
We handle RSS configuration, platform submissions, show notes, and artwork delivery. Your podcast goes live across Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and every major directory simultaneously.
Ongoing
Growth & Iteration
Optional monthly retainer for continued production, listener analytics review, and format evolution. Most clients start here after their pilot season.
What Makes Our Approach Different
Most podcast studios sell you a package and disappear. We stay in the conversation because your show evolves — and your production should evolve with it.
No Lock-In Contracts
Month-to-month on retainers. Per-episode on production. You stay because the work is good, not because a contract says you must.
Wales-Based, UK-Wide
Our studio is in Wales but we work with clients across the UK and beyond. Remote recording sessions are our speciality — studio-quality sound from your home office.
Full Asset Ownership
Every recording, every edit, every piece of artwork we create — it's yours. If you ever leave, you take everything with you. No hostage files.
Recent Output
A glimpse at the range of shows we've helped bring to life.
Business & Leadership
"The Quiet Authority"
A fortnightly interview show for introverted founders. 22 episodes produced. Reached top 50 in Apple Business UK.
Culture & Identity
"Hiraeth Conversations"
A bilingual Welsh-English podcast exploring belonging. Six-episode pilot. Now in its second season independently.
Health & Wellbeing
"After the Diagnosis"
Solo narrative show for a charity. We handled concept, recording coaching, editing, and distribution. Featured on BBC Radio Wales.
"They understood the brief before I'd finished explaining it."
Working with Ideal Listener Pod felt like collaborating with someone who'd been listening to my imaginary show for years. The strategy session alone was worth more than what I'd paid a previous agency for a full season.
— Dafydd M., Podcast Host, Carmarthen
Cost Scenarios — Real Examples
To make the pricing logic concrete, here are three real (anonymised) project breakdowns from the past year.
| Strategy session | £220 |
| Recording × 6 episodes | £570 |
| Cover art | £250 |
| Distribution setup | £100 |
Client chose to self-edit using our templates. No editing fees applied.
| Strategy + audience mapping | £310 |
| Recording × 10 episodes | £1,050 |
| Editing & mastering × 10 | £1,150 |
| Branding suite | £280 |
| Distribution | £80 |
Included guest coordination and pre-interview briefing documents at no extra charge.
| 4 episodes: recording + editing | £480 |
| Show notes + transcripts × 4 | £100 |
| Scheduling & publishing | £40 |
Cancel anytime. No minimum term. Quarterly analytics review included.
Is This a Good Fit?
We're selective about who we work with — not because we're exclusive, but because the best podcasts come from genuine alignment between host and production team.
✓
You have something specific to say
Not just "I want a podcast" but "I want to explore this topic with this audience."
✓
You value craft over speed
We don't rush episodes out. Quality listening experiences take time and care.
✓
You're ready to invest in your audience
Budget starting from £500 for a pilot. Monthly retainers from £400.
✓
You want a partner, not a vendor
We challenge ideas, suggest improvements, and care about your show's success.
Might not be the right fit if…
- ✕ You need episodes turned around in under 24 hours
- ✕ You want a white-label service with no creative input
- ✕ Your primary goal is viral clips rather than deep content
- ✕ Budget is below £300 total for a multi-episode project
Still unsure?
Book the free discovery call. There's genuinely no obligation — and we'll tell you honestly if we're not the right studio for your project.
Book a Free Call38
Shows Launched
91%
Continue Past Pilot
6
Charting Shows
Common Questions About Costs
No. We invoice per phase. Strategy is invoiced before production begins. Episode production is invoiced in batches — typically per 3–4 episodes. Retainers are invoiced monthly in advance.
That's perfectly fine. Many clients come to us with raw recordings and we handle editing, mastering, and show notes only. You'll still get the same line-item quote transparency.
Yes. Two rounds of revision are included in every editing quote. We've never needed a third — but if we do, we'll discuss it openly rather than surprise you with a bill.
Absolutely. Most clients start per-episode and move to a retainer once they've committed to a regular publishing schedule. We'll adjust the pricing to reflect the volume commitment.
Start a Conversation
Tell us about your podcast idea — or your existing show that needs a refresh. We'll respond within one working day with either a discovery call invitation or honest feedback on whether we're the right fit.
⚑
1 Oak Lane, Castle Schowalterwick,
Wales, XI37 9XP, United Kingdom
Wales, XI37 9XP, United Kingdom
Working Principles
Radical Transparency
Every quote itemised. Every revision tracked. Every file accessible. You always know where your money goes and where your project stands.
Audience Obsession
We research your listeners before we touch a microphone. Episode structures, titles, and pacing are all shaped by who's actually pressing play.
Craft Over Volume
We take on a limited number of shows at any time. This means deeper attention, faster feedback, and production that sounds genuinely premium.