Hello, I host a podcast called Looking Sideways, and have been interviewing people as a journalist for the last 20 or so years. I put together this piece on my Substack about interviewing people which might be useful to people thinking of getting into podcasting: https://lookingsideways.substack.com/p/10-things-ive-learned-about-interviewing
Including equipment, software recommendations, services, and more. I wrote it off a comment I made on one of these threads. Thought it would be useful for people (and save you a ton of time vs what I went through).
I have two podcasts I run on Substack - a Marketing interview one, and a weekly one about 1960s Marvel Comics.
Great article! If you’re recording a read-along version of a written post or you are just doing a free form monologue, you should check out Trebble https://www.trebble.fm . It is perfect for people with no experience in podcasting because it lets you edit your audio like a word document. It even uses A.I to make your audio sound professionally edited.
Thank you. This is helpful. I've recorded my 5th podcast and while it's quiet on my end, I find it's this kind of guidance on recording which I need to send out to my guests.
These are helpful suggestions. Thanks for sharing. I just started a podcast, The Rivers of My Life Podcast. I don’t know how to do anything fancy, but since my writing is long-form, I wanted to generate audio recordings of each essay to make my essays more accessible for busy people. I found a text-to-speech app, but was curious where you got the synthetic voice that recorded this article? It sounds a little nicer and more natural than the voices I found. Thanks.
I published my first podcast episode earlier in June, with Henry Ford style (no quality control) production. I used iPhone's voice memos, added some background music with Anchor, and that was that. The quality turned out "okay" and that says more about iPhones nowadays than me.
I see you recommend writing a script. My default tone when talking into my phone is very lecture-y, and part of my goal with starting the podcast is to improve my public speaking. I would like to, ideally, have a more conversational tone and speak more-or-less off the cuff, but my first episode and future episodes until I can figure it out will be reading past blog posts from my old site.
Any advice for operating without a discrete script, or even how to sound conversational WITH a script? I don't want my podcast to turn into Scoot's Lecture time--but when I experimented with speaking I had trouble restraining the ums and uhs and speaking in a relaxed and conversational way. That's why I decided to go with the read-aloud.
In terms of a script, have a phone or tablet device which has the script on it. The ability to scroll silently - as opposed to flapping paper about or pressing keys on a laptop - makes a lot of difference
Don’t record too close to a window and preferably have your mic positioned away from it
Also, if you have the option on your recording device, use a Low-Cut, eliminates some of the background noise
I had a semi-podcast question: how can I embed audio into the Substack editor without using YouTube or some other platform? I'm hesitant about using those platforms because they remove the reader from the essay, which is the opposite of the blended experience that I want.
Hello, Carol Mossa here, affectionately known as The Footloose Muse. One of the benefits my paid subscribers receive is a short (+/- 10 minute) guided meditation delivered to their inboxes at 7:00am EST every Monday morning. I can't tell you how wonderful it is to have this audio function. It's been a game-changer! I've also begun offering both written and audio versions of my written content, and I'm finding all subscribers appreciate the option. Thanks, again! I love it here.
Conceptualization: Begin by brainstorming ideas for your podcast. Consider your target audience, niche topics you're passionate about, and potential guests or co-hosts. Define the format, length, and frequency of episodes.
Scripting: Plan out your episodes by creating an outline or script. This helps maintain coherence and ensures you cover all relevant points. While spontaneity is valuable, having a structure enhances the quality of your content.
Recording Equipment: Invest in quality recording equipment. This includes microphones, headphones, and audio interfaces. Consider acoustic treatment for your recording space to minimize background noise and echoes.
Recording Software: Choose reliable recording software such as Audacity, GarageBand, or Adobe Audition. These tools allow you to capture clear audio and make necessary edits during post-production.
Recording Process: Find a quiet environment for recording. Ensure proper microphone technique and monitor audio levels to avoid distortion. Conduct test recordings and make adjustments as needed.
Editing: Edit your recordings to remove mistakes, pauses, or irrelevant content. Add intros, outros, music, and sound effects to enhance the listening experience. Pay attention to pacing and flow to keep listeners engaged.
Hosting: Select a podcast hosting platform to distribute your episodes. Popular options include Libsyn, Podbean, and Anchor. Upload your episodes along with metadata such as titles, descriptions, and episode artwork.
Promotion: Promote your podcast to attract listeners. Utilize social media, email newsletters, and collaborations with other podcasts to increase visibility. Engage with your audience by responding to feedback and encouraging reviews.
Monetization: Explore monetization options such as sponsorships, advertising, or listener donations. Partnering with relevant brands can generate income and support ongoing production costs.
Continuous Improvement: Continuously refine your podcasting skills by soliciting feedback, analyzing listener metrics, and staying updated on industry trends. Experiment with new formats, topics, and techniques to keep your content fresh and compelling.
Remember to keep your content relevant and engaging for your audience. For more tips on podcasting and to sell your old laptops, visit https://www.gizmogo.com/sell-laptops.
Hello, I host a podcast called Looking Sideways, and have been interviewing people as a journalist for the last 20 or so years. I put together this piece on my Substack about interviewing people which might be useful to people thinking of getting into podcasting: https://lookingsideways.substack.com/p/10-things-ive-learned-about-interviewing
Here is my primer for Substack authors on how to create a high quality podcast:
https://marketingbs.substack.com/p/how-to-create-a-podcast-bonus-issue
Including equipment, software recommendations, services, and more. I wrote it off a comment I made on one of these threads. Thought it would be useful for people (and save you a ton of time vs what I went through).
I have two podcasts I run on Substack - a Marketing interview one, and a weekly one about 1960s Marvel Comics.
Hope it is helpful,
Edward
I sopped up every word like mother's milk.
Great article! If you’re recording a read-along version of a written post or you are just doing a free form monologue, you should check out Trebble https://www.trebble.fm . It is perfect for people with no experience in podcasting because it lets you edit your audio like a word document. It even uses A.I to make your audio sound professionally edited.
Thank you. This is helpful. I've recorded my 5th podcast and while it's quiet on my end, I find it's this kind of guidance on recording which I need to send out to my guests.
These are helpful suggestions. Thanks for sharing. I just started a podcast, The Rivers of My Life Podcast. I don’t know how to do anything fancy, but since my writing is long-form, I wanted to generate audio recordings of each essay to make my essays more accessible for busy people. I found a text-to-speech app, but was curious where you got the synthetic voice that recorded this article? It sounds a little nicer and more natural than the voices I found. Thanks.
I published my first podcast episode earlier in June, with Henry Ford style (no quality control) production. I used iPhone's voice memos, added some background music with Anchor, and that was that. The quality turned out "okay" and that says more about iPhones nowadays than me.
I see you recommend writing a script. My default tone when talking into my phone is very lecture-y, and part of my goal with starting the podcast is to improve my public speaking. I would like to, ideally, have a more conversational tone and speak more-or-less off the cuff, but my first episode and future episodes until I can figure it out will be reading past blog posts from my old site.
Any advice for operating without a discrete script, or even how to sound conversational WITH a script? I don't want my podcast to turn into Scoot's Lecture time--but when I experimented with speaking I had trouble restraining the ums and uhs and speaking in a relaxed and conversational way. That's why I decided to go with the read-aloud.
Really appreciate this post, thank you!
In terms of a script, have a phone or tablet device which has the script on it. The ability to scroll silently - as opposed to flapping paper about or pressing keys on a laptop - makes a lot of difference
Don’t record too close to a window and preferably have your mic positioned away from it
Also, if you have the option on your recording device, use a Low-Cut, eliminates some of the background noise
Definitely detailed and helpful information—thanks!
I had a semi-podcast question: how can I embed audio into the Substack editor without using YouTube or some other platform? I'm hesitant about using those platforms because they remove the reader from the essay, which is the opposite of the blended experience that I want.
Any tips?
Great!
Hello, Carol Mossa here, affectionately known as The Footloose Muse. One of the benefits my paid subscribers receive is a short (+/- 10 minute) guided meditation delivered to their inboxes at 7:00am EST every Monday morning. I can't tell you how wonderful it is to have this audio function. It's been a game-changer! I've also begun offering both written and audio versions of my written content, and I'm finding all subscribers appreciate the option. Thanks, again! I love it here.
Helpful article. Thank you.
Solid tips, and thanks for the links to various recording and editing tools!
This is an amazing fantastic app: https://www.apkvidmate.in/vidmate-software/
Sure, here's a primer on podcast production:
Conceptualization: Begin by brainstorming ideas for your podcast. Consider your target audience, niche topics you're passionate about, and potential guests or co-hosts. Define the format, length, and frequency of episodes.
Scripting: Plan out your episodes by creating an outline or script. This helps maintain coherence and ensures you cover all relevant points. While spontaneity is valuable, having a structure enhances the quality of your content.
Recording Equipment: Invest in quality recording equipment. This includes microphones, headphones, and audio interfaces. Consider acoustic treatment for your recording space to minimize background noise and echoes.
Recording Software: Choose reliable recording software such as Audacity, GarageBand, or Adobe Audition. These tools allow you to capture clear audio and make necessary edits during post-production.
Recording Process: Find a quiet environment for recording. Ensure proper microphone technique and monitor audio levels to avoid distortion. Conduct test recordings and make adjustments as needed.
Editing: Edit your recordings to remove mistakes, pauses, or irrelevant content. Add intros, outros, music, and sound effects to enhance the listening experience. Pay attention to pacing and flow to keep listeners engaged.
Hosting: Select a podcast hosting platform to distribute your episodes. Popular options include Libsyn, Podbean, and Anchor. Upload your episodes along with metadata such as titles, descriptions, and episode artwork.
Promotion: Promote your podcast to attract listeners. Utilize social media, email newsletters, and collaborations with other podcasts to increase visibility. Engage with your audience by responding to feedback and encouraging reviews.
Monetization: Explore monetization options such as sponsorships, advertising, or listener donations. Partnering with relevant brands can generate income and support ongoing production costs.
Continuous Improvement: Continuously refine your podcasting skills by soliciting feedback, analyzing listener metrics, and staying updated on industry trends. Experiment with new formats, topics, and techniques to keep your content fresh and compelling.
Remember to keep your content relevant and engaging for your audience. For more tips on podcasting and to sell your old laptops, visit https://www.gizmogo.com/sell-laptops.