Implementing fees without alienating clients is a key challenge for contractors like us. Things become exceedingly difficult when trying to balance a normal full-time workload and "incentivize" clients to send their files on time.

What are the options we have to shuffle jobs around to accommodate a client who "needs it tomorrow"? Angelina Gurrola and Charles Commins provide solutions you can use in your own business.

(00:00) Defining Late and Rush Fees

(06:35) Enforcing Fees Without Alienating Clients

(12:13) Including Fees in Proposals and Contracts

(15:38) Client Choices and Boundaries

(22:00) Transparency and Trust in Client Relationships

(27:53) Preventing Late Submissions and Rush Jobs

(35:54) Percentage vs. Flat Rate Rush Fees

1. Charles was Non-Employee of the Week (week 38)
2. Thanks to Chad Parizman and Alejandro Ramirez for their contributions
3. Steve's clients sent flowers instead of paying a late fee

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Angelina Gurrola is a podcast producer, manager, and strategist offering full-service launch and monthly management packages to creative businesses & brands.

She helps her clients connect more deeply with their audience, disrupt the status quo, and create a profitable ecosystem of content through values-aligned support, systems, and accountability.

A former music producer & current DJ, Angelina resides in Chicago with her cats, hobbies, and a growing vinyl collection.

Website: https://wildwavepodcasting.com

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@_angelinagurrola

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelina-gurrola

Charles Commins is the host of the award winning It's All Cobblers To Me podcast, founder of podcast production company, Vibrant Sound Media and co-runner of the largest UK podcaster community, MIC's Podcast Club.

From Warrington, Charles spends most of his time running - be that for exercise or simply chasing his two kids around!

Website: https://vibrantsoundmedia.com

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We used Riverside to record this episode and create video shorts for marketing the show.

PodChapters allows us to create chapters, incorporate them into the MP3 and RSS feed, and include chapters in the show notes.

Are Podcast Chapters a good thing?

Most people would say "Of course they are".

Steve has reservations, mostly because chapters help listeners more easily skip ads, and that's not a good thing for clients who have ads in their show. However, Podcast Chapters are useful. And very cool...especially when you hear about what can be done with Chapter Images (see chapter #11 of this episode)!

In our conversation with Daniel J. Lewis, we talk through all the ins and outs of podcast chapters, their benefits, and how they can transform your client's show into a more interactive experience for your audience.

1. Podcast chapters enhance navigation and engagement
2. They allow for additional multimedia elements, enriching the listener experience
3. Properly structured chapters can improve retention and manage ad placements effectively

(00:00) Daniel J. Lewis Explains the Technical Side of Podcast Chapters

(02:44) Are Chapters a Good Thing?

(04:58) Making Ads More Actionable with Chapters

(08:43) Making Ads More Engaging

(10:16) Hiding Chapters in the Table of Contents

(12:17) Media Hosts and Adding Chapters

(16:08) Should Spotify and Apple Podcasts make our Chapters?

(21:02) The Lazy Benefit of Automated Chapters

(23:08) Formatting Chapters for Optimal Performance

(28:02) What about Chapter Images?

(34:09) GIFs as Chapter Images! Really!

(34:53) Guidelines for Chapter Images

(40:53) PodChapters.com

1. Daniel's Podcast Chapters tool: https://PodChapters.com
2. Episode about how to use Chapters on The Audacity to Podcast: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/why-and-how-to-use-podcast-chapters
3. JSON chapters: https://podcasting2.org/docs/podcast-namespace/tags/chapters
4. Daniel's Subscribe and Follow plugin for WordPress: *https://SteveStewart.me/subscribeandfollow
5. Daniel's Podgagement service for tracking podcast chart rankings and reviews *https://SteveStewart.me/podgagement

As Hall of Fame podcasting educator, advocate, and innovator, Daniel gives you the guts and teaches you the tools to start and grow your own podcasts for passion and P.R.O.F.I.T.

Daniel has been podcasting since 2007 and has created numerous resources for podcasting, such as hosting award-winning The Audacity to Podcast, he created the Podgagement service to help podcasters supercharge their podcast engagement, and co-founded International Podcast Day. Most recently, he created PodChapters.com for quick transcribing & chaptering podcast episodes....

There have been SIGNIFICANT changes in our industry this past year.

1. A.I. is being added to everything
2. Across-the-board price increases on the tools we use
3. The loss of Todd Cochrane and Niel Guillarte, plus the separation of some very influential people from the companies they helped build

Our panel of pros reflect on 2025, talk about how A.I. isn't making us undervalued, and we share predictions for Podcast Editors in 2026.

Our conversation with Pam Cameron, Jay Yow, and Chad Parizman highlights the need for podcast producers to adapt - and embrace - changes while maintaining the human touch in our work.

1. The landscape is changing with the rise of video podcasts
2. The industry is seeing a shift towards more professional production standards
3. AI has significantly improved post-production workflows
4. AI tools can enhance creativity rather than replace it
5. The future of podcasting may involve more partnerships with major media companies
6. The demand for multi-platform presence is increasing for podcasters
7. The podcast community needs to adapt to the changing landscape and embrace new technologies

1. BlogFox.ai for YouTube chapters
2. PodChapters.com, the new chaptering tool from Daniel J. Lewis
3. YouTube's branded video midrolls coming in 2026

Pam Cameron began as a freelance editor and now runs end-to-end production. She’s the full-time producer of Acquiring Minds.

Connect with her LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pam-f-cameron

Jay Yow is an audio professional (for over 16 years) in both music and podcast production. He’s collaborated with the likes of Benedict Cumberbatch, Mike Myers, Mary Louise Parker, Dashboard Confessional, and The James Altucher Show.

Connect with Jay at https://www.jayyow.com

Chad Parizman provides Podcast Production and Strategy for brands and organizations. Connect with him at https://www.adercommunications.com

Mentioned in this episode:

Podcast Editor Academy