With more time on our hands and the increasing desire to consume engaging and informative content, this could be an optimal time to experiment with podcasting.
Around 7.1 million people in the UK now listen to podcasts each week, according to Ofcom. That’s an increase of 24% over the past year. The demand is growing, and the audience is captive.
Podcasting doesn’t require expensive kit or a recording studio. We share some of our best tips for making the jump into the world of podcasting:
Planning is key
Your audience is fundamental. Think about the journey you want to take them on and how you’re going to keep them engaged. The beauty of working with sound is that you can be creative. Try using atmospheric audio especially if recording on location, or downloading royalty free music. Agree the topics with your contributor ahead of the recording so you have an idea of the shape and rhythm of your podcast. It will help your interviewee relax and ensure, without over-scripting, you are confident about what you want to achieve from the discussion.
Editing
There are plenty of free options for editing software including Audacity and WaveEditor but if you want a professional paid-for option, Adobe Audition is a well-respected platform. Make sure you’re not over editing; stutters and pauses are natural and if you cut them out it’s likely the conversation won’t flow as well. Royalty free music can be downloaded from Pond5.com, StockUnlimited but often tracks don’t cost a lot and you have a bit more freedom on intro or break music. Epidemic Sound is another cost-effective option if you want to regularly download music. It’s a subscription service so instead of paying per track you get can download music over the month.
Quality of sound
Podcasts are a means of speaking directly to your audience in a personal manner. That’s part of their charm and popularity. The quality of sound, therefore, is incredibly important. It’s worth investing in a microphone which doesn’t have to be expensive. If you’re recording during lockdown and can’t physically interview your guest, you can use software like Microsoft Teams or Zoom, but make sure you check your contributor’s mics ahead of recording.
JBP recently produced our own podcast to celebrate the company’s 35th anniversary. Take a listen here.
