Opening a podcast, photo or content studio means pulling together a lot of specialists: someone to design the room, someone to make it sound right, someone to build the website, and ideally someone who has done it all before and can teach you the business side.
This is a list of companies and educators we've come across while working with studio owners. We add to it as we find more, so check back. If you know someone who should be here, let us know.
Nobody on this list paid to be included, and we don't take a commission from any of them.
Studio design and build
Yellow Technology (UK, international projects)
Yellow Technology designs and installs podcast and recording studios, from the first consultation through to commissioning. They also offer ongoing support and maintenance once the studio is running. Most of their work is in the UK, but they have taken on projects around the world.
Sound Zero (London, projects across Europe)
Sound Zero is an acoustic design and studio build specialist working at the high end of the market. They cover podcast and vodcast studios as well as music studios, and have built studios across Europe.
Websites and branding
Peanut Butter Creative (Denver, USA)
A branding and web design studio run by Becca and Jenna. They work with creative businesses, including new studios that need a brand and a website before launch.
CFGroove (Texas, USA)
A web design and development agency working with clients across the US. Their portfolio includes Studio 250 NYC, a rental creative studio.
Courses and communities
The Studio Business (Tom Brown)
A paid online community for people who run, or want to run, content and podcast studios. The focus is the business side: pricing, sales, marketing and operations. Tom also publishes free videos on YouTube.
The Studio Blueprint (Brandon Esparza)
A guide to starting a rental photo studio, written by someone who runs rental studios in Los Angeles. It's a good starting point if you're planning to rent your space by the hour.
Studio Prep School (Becky Durigan, Denver Photo Collective)
Programs for current and future studio owners, created by the owner of Denver Photo Collective. They cover finding a space, legal basics, branding, memberships and launch, with online options and an in-person retreat in Denver.
Start a Podcast Studio Rental Business (Ryan Snaadt)
An online course on finding a space, building it out and choosing a business model for a podcast studio you rent to others.
Before you hire a studio builder: questions to ask
A few questions that are worth asking any studio designer or installer before you commit:
- Have you built studios that are rented to outside clients? A studio for paying guests needs to be easy to reset between bookings and robust enough for people who don't know the equipment.
- What does the room need to achieve? Audio-only podcasts, video podcasts and photo shoots have very different needs for sound, lighting and space.
- Who will support the setup after launch? Find out what happens when something stops working on a busy day.
- Can the room work for more than one use? Flexible rooms are easier to fill across the week.
- What will the guest see and touch? Signage, simple controls and clear instructions cut down your support time.
When your studio needs its own booking system
Many studios start by taking bookings over email, Instagram or a marketplace. That works until you're juggling several rooms, add-ons like an engineer or extra lights, deposits and repeat clients.
Signs it's time for a proper booking setup:
- You spend more time answering availability questions than running sessions.
- Clients ask for extras (an operator, gear, longer sessions) and you price them by hand.
- You've had a double booking or a no-show you couldn't charge for.
- You want clients to book and pay directly on your own website.
StudioDock is booking software built for photo, podcast and content studios. Clients see live availability, book rooms with add-ons, and pay or leave a deposit online, with 0% StudioDock booking fees. You can try it free for 7 days.
Know a studio builder, designer or educator we should add? Email hello@getstudiodock.com.
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