When learning how to make a great podcast, gear is everything – particularly for audio podcasts, as all you have is sound. Here’s a list of must-have equipment:
While not strictly ‘equipment’, talent (someone who loves talking) is a must-have when it comes to audio or video podcasting – especially for audio-only content, as your host’s voice and personality are going to be the main drawcards for brand awareness and recall. You’ll also want someone with a strong editorial style to give your podcast its unique flavour.
To script or not to script? Podcasts, for most people, are about tuning in during downtime, so the format generally follows authentic, laid-back conversations. As a result, unless your niche favours densely-packed information, you’ll want to steer clear of over-scripting your episodes; mainly as it hinders banter and spontaneity. Which, let’s face it, is what usually makes podcasts awesome!
That said, not scripting doesn’t mean not planning. Know your format – if you have a templated intro and outro that varies based on content every week, make sure you have the key points you need to cover off. If your podcast is longer and has multiple segments, with their own intros / outros / segues, note points for these too. And don’t forget interviewing – do your due diligence and come prepared with questions for your guests e.g. how they got started in their careers, if they have any advice, and what some recent accomplishments are. It also helps to close your podcast with a call to action, like asking people to visit your website, in order to help market your brand (or personal) products and services.
Don’t be put off by the idea of needing a studio if that’s unrealistic for you. You can still create a great recording space with:
In terms of podcasting software, you can use Audacity to both record and edit your audio podcast – or even the native Voice Memos app on your iPhone. For video, you’ll need a camera and mic(s) as a bare minimum – check out our blog on how to shoot videos like a pro for more information.
* If you’re shooting on a mobile phone, you might also be interested in our recent blog post, ‘6 Tips For Filming On Your Phone’.
Once you’ve launched your podcast, you’ll want to promote it to your target audience – so don’t forget basics like:
Congratulations, and welcome to the world of podcasting! We hope this blog post helped you create a successful podcast. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch – we’d love to help.
