Do you use podcasts on your blog? A podcast can be an interesting way to engage your audience, as well as provide a little media variety to your blog. Before you start, though, it helps to have a plan — and an idea of how you can sound more professional in your delivery. Here are 7 things you can do to improve the quality of your podcasts:
1. Get the Right Equipment
A good quality mic can help you sound professional. If you are serious about your podcast, a directional mic is the way to go. Other quality equipment and software, used for editing, recording and other tasks, should also be considered. Anytime you are trying to produce high quality work, you need the right equipment. The good news is that you can produce a professional sounding podcast right from your home — as long as you spend a little extra up front.
2. Choose an Appropriate Room
When PT interviewed me for his podcast, I was interrupted twice by the door bell. PT, however, was in a spot that was more appropriate for an interview: A quiet room without a lot of other things going on. If you want to create a podcast that sounds professional, and that doesn’t include a lot of extra noise, you need to be mindful of your surrounds. Choose a location that will help you avoid extra noise, and choose a time that ensures some privacy.
3. Prepare Ahead of Time
One of the best things you can do to improve your podcast is to prepare ahead of time. If you are providing information, write out what you want to say, and be prepared with something of a script. For those who interview others, it is a good idea to do some background research on your guest. You can even provide some of the questions you plan to ask so that your guest can appear more professional as well.
4. Use Sound Bites
Not only can you prepare your questions ahead of time, but you can also prepare sound bites. It will help your listeners remember your podcast, and it will make it easier for your to choose a few sound clips for promotion purposes. Consider your options, and think about how you could a few good sound bites, including sound bites from your guest.
5. Listen
This is especially important if you have a call-in podcast. You want to make sure that you are listening to others, and that really hear what your audience is saying. While you do need to say what you feel is important, the interaction with your guests and with your listeners is important. Make sure you listen as you record your podcast.
6. Use Social Media to Promote Your Podcast
If you want more audience participation, you need to promote your podcast heavily. You can do this with the help of social media. Share information over Facebook, Twitter and other channels. Make sure you offer call-in numbers so that your audience can participate. You can even use hashtags to keep the conversation going.
7. Embed Important Information in Your Files
When you are done, and converting your podcast to MP3 or some other format, make sure you include tags that identify your podcast. This means you need to include the following information about your podcast episode:
- Title
- Episode number
- Podcast name
- Your name, or your blog name
This will make your podcast easier to find, and tag it so that it can be better identified across the Internet.
What are your tips for a better podcast?
Image source: Tom Wilson via Wikimedia Commons
