Podcasting is booming right now. As of 2025, there are over 4 million podcasts out there — and most hosts are desperate for one thing: time. They love the recording part. They love the conversations. But ask them how much they enjoy digging up guest bios, past interviews, or topic hooks, and you’ll watch the spark fade in real time.

That’s where you come in.

With the right blueprint, you can step in, take over that research, and package it into a tight, professional “guest prep sheet” that makes them look like the smartest person in the room. All without you ever speaking into a microphone.

The best part? You can test this side hustle in a single weekend and land paying clients within a couple of days.

What Is Productized Podcast Research?

Simply put: You research podcast guests before they go on air, then hand the host a clean, one-page document they can use during the interview.

Think of it like a briefing packet for a talk show host — only instead of being on NBC, you’re working with creators, coaches, entrepreneurs, and niche experts who run their own podcast shows.

Your prep sheet would likely include:

• A short, punchy bio
• Notable past interviews and quotes
• Key talking points and “hooks” for the episode
• Suggested questions based on the audience’s interests
• Red-flag topics to avoid

It’s specific, it’s useful, and it saves the podcast host hours of work.

Why This Works (and Pays)

Podcast hosts — especially independent ones — don’t have big teams. Many are solo operators juggling content creation, editing, marketing, and booking guests. Research is often the task that gets shoved to the night before recording (or skipped entirely).

That leads to:

• Awkward small talk instead of engaging conversation
• Missed opportunities for big “wow” moments
• Repetitive, forgettable interviews

When you hand them a solid prep sheet, you’re solving a painful problem and making them sound better instantly. That’s definitely something worth paying for.

How to Test This Side Hustle This Weekend

Here’s a simple yet effective plan to get your first client:

1. Pick 3 podcast hosts you like
   Look for hosts in niches you already understand. It’s easier (and faster) to research guests when you know the space.
2. Send a short, irresistible DM or email
   Example:“Want me to prep your next guest? I’ll send you a 1-page research sheet — free to preview. If you like it, I can do them for you regularly.”
3. Use ChatGPT to structure your sheet
   ChatGPT Prompt: Act as a professional podcast researcher. Create a 1-page guest prep sheet for [Guest Name] appearing on [Podcast Name]. Include past interview highlights, audience-relevant hooks, and unique angle suggestions.
4. Make it look good
   Drop the content into a clean Google Doc or Canva template. Add brand colors, a logo, and section headings.
5. Deliver the preview and ask for feedback
   The goal here isn’t perfection — it’s to get them thinking: “This would save me so much time.”
6. Close the deal
   Offer a per-episode price ($25–$50 is fair starting out) or a monthly retainer (4 episodes for $150–$200).

Making Your Prep Sheets Irresistible

Podcast hosts will judge your value in seconds, so presentation matters:

• Use bold headers for quick scanning
• Keep paragraphs short and bullet points punchy
• Highlight one or two “golden nuggets” — unique hooks they must bring up
• Include a “Host Notes” section for your own suggested angle or context

Where to Find Clients

• Podcast Facebook groups (search “[niche] podcast” and join active ones)
• LinkedIn (search “podcast host” + your niche)
• Guest booking services (some outsource research)
• Cold outreach to shows on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Pricing & Positioning

Don’t sell yourself as “just” a researcher. Position yourself as making their show better.

Example pitch:

“I help podcast hosts run sharper, more engaging interviews by handling all the guest research for them. You get a tight, one-page prep sheet — you just show up and crush it.”

That’s a results-focused offer.

Start low to get your first clients, but move up to $75–$100 per episode as you build trust. Retainers are gold — one host, four shows a month = predictable income.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Overloading your podcast prep sheet with fluff — keep it lean and useful.
2. Skipping design — plain text looks amateur.
3. Not niching down — you’ll stand out faster if you focus on one niche, at least in the beginning (e.g., business coaches, fitness experts).
4. Charging hourly — price per deliverable to avoid scope creep.

Scaling Beyond Research

Once you’ve nailed your process, you can:

• Add show notes writing for an extra fee
• Create audiogram clips from key moments
• Offer social post packages for each episode
• Build a small freelance team to handle multiple shows at once

One $50 prep sheet per week is a nice side hustle. Ten a week? That’s a part-time income. Twenty? You’re running an agency.

Quick Case Study (Hypothetical)

You find a marketing coach’s podcast with 4 episodes a month. You land them on a $150/month retainer. After a few weeks, you upsell show notes for another $100/month. That’s $250/month from one client — and they refer you to two more hosts. Now you’re at $750/month for work you can do in 4–6 hours total.

Your Next Step

Pick three hosts today. Offer the free preview. Deliver it fast. Land your first paying client this week.

The faster you move from “idea” to “paid,” the sooner you know if this hustle fits you — and the sooner you can grow it.