A Guide to Podcasting – Part 1
What is podcasting?
Podcasting is taking the digital world by storm. According to recent research by Ofcom, around 7.1 million people in the UK listen to podcasts each week. That’s one in eight people!
Put simply, a podcast is a series of audible episodes that can be broken up into seasons or run continually until you choose to stop. There isn’t a predetermined set of rules around length, format, style or production level, making it really easy to try your hand at.
Setting up:
It can be relatively simple and inexpensive to buy all the equipment you need to start a podcast. Here at Semetrical, we’ve recently invested in some high end pieces of industry standard equipment and editing technology to get our clients up and running!
If you don’t know where to begin or what you need to buy, we recommend the following equipment for anyone keen to explore what podcasting could offer their company:
- Microphone – Audio-Technica AT2020 Cardioid Condenser Microphone
- Microphone Stand – InnoGear Professional Adjustable Microphone Stand
- Headphones – Audio-Technica ATH-M30X Professional Headphones
- Pop Filter – InnoGear Microphone Pop Filter
- Audio Interface – Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 (2nd Gen)
- Microphone Cables – Stagg 3m High Quality XLR to XLR Plug Microphone Cable
- Editing Software – Adobe Audition
Planning:
Once you’re all set up with your recording equipment and editing software, the next thing to figure out is what exactly you want to talk about when you hit that ‘record’ button!
Planning before you start putting effort into recording will drastically reduce the time you spend figuring out what you want to say and cut down on editing out unnecessary tangential conversation that dilutes the more important points you’re trying to make.
Writing a script is a really great way of helping you structure your thoughts before you sit down to record. This doesn’t have to be a 5,000 word essay or a word for word agenda of what you want to say, too much planning can actually hinder the conversational quirks and intimate nature of podcasting. Instead, it should be a helpful set of prompts, bullet points or questions to keep the dialogue flowing and allow you to remain talkative whilst still on topic.
Here’s a breakdown of a simple podcasting outline:
- Introduction (who you are, what you’re going to talk about): 30-60 seconds
- Topic/Question 1: 3 minutes
- Topic/Question 2: 3 minutes
- Topic/Question 3: 3 minutes
- Topic/Question 4: 3 minutes
- Conclusion (thank audience and your guest, talk about the next show): 2 minutes
If you’ve got a guest appearing on your show, you should also aim to send them your episode plan before your recording session, so they feel as relaxed as you do and can help to make the conversation flow and feel more comfortable.
Recording:
There are three key tips we’ve learnt when it comes to actually recording your podcast!
Firstly, picking a good location is incredibly important to sounding professional. Office meeting rooms, studios or home setups are perfect places to host your podcast from as they are quiet and have few distractions. This will help your recording sound better and make the editing process a whole lot easier.
Secondly, your equipment layout might change depending on your surrounding environment, but one thing both you and your guest/co-host should always do is speak directly into your microphones through the pop filter. This will help you to get the clearest recording and avoid any worry of mumbling or inaudible conversation.
Lastly, it’s important to remember not to be afraid to re-record sections of your podcast, or the whole thing if you feel that’s necessary! It’s a lot easier to record your conversation the first time round than have to set up all your equipment again and have your guest come back to record for a second time.
If you found this blog post useful then please remember to check back here next month for part two of our Podcasting Guide!
