Ask a group of people on the street and most will tell you that they listen to podcasts – while some listen on journeys, others in waiting rooms or just doing chores around the home. Whether it’s sport or crocheting, news or video games, you’ll find it difficult not to find something you enjoy.
Although it took a while for podcasts to take off, more and more people are getting involved in the art. After all, podcasts allow people to share their stories, opinions, experiences, and knowledge with the world. It’s not just about making sure everyone hears what you have to say but also a way of connecting with your audience and building relationships.
Sadly, recording a great podcast isn’t as easy as it seems (you probably don’t need us to tell you!). It’s easy to fall into common traps. But many secrets have developed over the years, and we’re going to list ten of them here.
Choose your equipment carefully: Nobody is saying that you need to break the bank or spend thousands of dollars, but the general rule is that it’s easier to overcome smaller problems when you have good equipment. For example, a decent microphone will pick up your voice clearly and eliminate external noises.
Plan: Fail to plan, plan to fail. Even writing out an outline of your podcast before you start recording helps keep everyone on the same page and ensures that the podcast is structured and organized.
Find a great location: Find somewhere quiet, comfortable, and free from intrusive noises – think white noise machines, air conditioning units, etc. People will soon switch off if they’re forced to listen to a podcast with white noise in the background. If you’re struggling to find a quiet spot, look for a podcast studio in AZ because this can really make a difference.
Test out different microphone techniques: Play around with different ways of speaking in front of the mic to get the best sound quality out of it – experiment with different angles, distances, and techniques.
Listen back to yourself: We know, it’s awkward and you don’t like listening to yourself. Yet, listening to yourself is an important practice. Soon enough, you’ll pick up on annoying habits (if others haven’t told you about them first!). Once you get used to the fact that your voice sounds different from what you hear every day, you’ll soon be able to listen with an objective ear.
Collaborate: Have you thought about inviting others on your podcast? There are plenty of people out there who would love to help you make your podcast a success. Also, you can reach new audiences by creating podcasts with others. Just the difference in voices is a welcome reward for many listeners; if you have a rapport, even better because people will come to love the relationship. Whether it’s a friend, colleague, or subject specialist, give the people the podcast they want.
Warm-up: You enter your recording room and you want to start right away – this is a mistake. Within a few minutes, your voice will go hoarse and you’ll be reaching for the water every few seconds. An effective warm-up includes vocal exercises, tongue twisters, and other activities that will keep your speaking muscles engaged and ready for recording.
With these seven tips, you’ll take your podcast from average to amazing. We can’t wait to hear yours.
Remember, your podcast is your own – do whatever you want. So long as you don’t go too rogue and lose the attention of your adoring audience, exercise your freedom. Don’t be afraid of experimenting with different methods, techniques, and ideas – you might even come up with something that will revolutionize the industry. Or maybe just encourage more people to listen!
