Audioguide: Podcasts

Hello and welcome to Audioguide, a mini series about music technology from audio.com. I'm Laura Michelle Smith and in today's episode we're diving into the world of podcast production. Producing a podcast involves more than just great content. It's also about creating a captivating listening experience. Whether you're just starting out or want to hone your skills to make your story stand out, this episode will help you develop some key techniques. Intro & Outro Your podcast's introduction and conclusion are great opportunities to define your branding. An intro sets the tone for the story and an outro should leave a lasting impression after the podcast has finished. Here's how to make them memorable. Your podcast's introduction should be brief but engaging. Include a short description of the episode's topic and maybe even a teaser to entice listeners. Make sure to mention the podcast name, your name and any guests you might be featuring. The outro is your chance to summarise the episode, thank your listeners, promote your website or social media and perhaps even tease the next episode. Keep it concise but ensure it's informative and professional. Narration Effective narration is key to engaging your audience. Here are some tips. Make your narration conversational. Imagine you're talking to a friend. This helps create a connection with your audience. However, it's important to speak clearly. This is especially important if your podcast has global reach. Vary your pace to keep the listeners' interest and remember to match your tone to the emotional context of the story. Scripting your podcast can help you stay on topic and ensure a consistent flow but still aim for a natural and conversational delivery. Editing Editing can play a crucial role in making your podcast concise and engaging. Remove any mistakes, long pauses or awkward moments. Place yourself in the listener's shoes and think about how best to move the narrative forward. Consider adding background music or sound effects when relevant. They can enhance the mood of your podcast and give it a unique character. Don't forget to normalise your audio levels to ensure a consistent volume throughout the episode. Post-production Once you've finished editing your podcast, bounced the file and uploaded it to your favourite distribution platform, you'll want to think about the following: It's good practice to accompany your podcast with show notes, particularly if you make use of various reference materials or your story contains lots of details. If possible, consider adding timestamps to help listeners navigate to specific sections they're interested in. It's also great for SEO and discoverability. Your podcast's cover art and episode thumbnails should be visually appealing and consistent with your brand. They're often the first thing that potential listeners will see and could be a deciding factor in whether or not they tune in. Consistency is key to building an audience. Stick to a regular release schedule so that your listeners know when to expect new episodes. Encourage your listeners to engage by leaving comments, reviews and questions. Interact with them on social media and consider integrating listener feedback into your episodes. Promote your podcast through various channels, social media, email newsletters, collaborations with other content creators and tell your friends! Never underestimate the power of word-of-mouth marketing. In summary, podcast production is not just about what you say, but how you say it. Create compelling intros and outros, deliver engaging narration and polish your content with clean and concise edits. Remember that consistency and promotion are crucial for growing your podcast's audience. That concludes this episode of Audioguide. I hope you've gained valuable insights into making your podcast stand out. Stay tuned for more tips in our next episode. And don't forget to email us on social@audio.com or post on our social media channels if you have any comments or questions. Until next time!