I believe there are five golden rules you need to know if you are keen to create a great podcast:
1. Understand the media. You do this by downloading and listening to lots of podcasts from all different genres—comedy, other business podcasts, music, chat, special interests and so on. Listen to the podcasts, see what you like in each one and what you don’t like, find out if there are some key elements that work for you, and you believe you can incorporate into your own podcast. Take lots of notes.
2. Create a script. Or at least a set of bullet points for yourself or the presenter, so that you/they don’t wander too far off the track when the microphone is on.
3. Use a template. By that I mean decide what your format will be (light- hearted articles read by the one person, a two or three person chat, special-interest focused recordings, etc.) and what standard items there will be in each podcast edition (for example, the same intro/outro music, the same way of introducing the podcast edition, the “layout” of the podcast—e.g. intro theme, welcome, item 1, item 2, comments, closing theme).
4. Edit and polish. You can always do a number of “takes” when recording, then edit out the ums, ahhhs, fumbles and mispronunciations later. You can also edit out over-long pauses to liven up an otherwise slow and boring interviewee. Don’t go overboard on your edits—you want to keep a natural feeling to your podcast and keep it from sounding too over- produced and slick—but equally don’t ruin great content by not wielding the editing mouse firmly but fairly.
5. Publish it. Create a publishing schedule for each edition so that listeners will come to unconsciously expect your podcast to appear on their smartphone or on their computer. And tell the world about your new podcast. Splash it all over your intranet. If it’s for the “outside world” to hear, then make sure every person in the company who has any interactions with customers, clients or people outside the company lets them know about the new podcast and how they can easily subscribe, download and listen to it. Email signatures are great for this—pop a link to the podcast in the email signature, and even a short line or two on why the email recipient should listen.
What social media can do for podcasting
There are things that social media can do, best expressed by the term RRISC:
• Reputation – Social media can help a company bolster its reputation, both online and off;
• Rumours – Social media can correct inaccurate rumours;
• Information – Social media can provide correct information;
• Story – Social media can help tell a company’s story in a compelling manner; and
• Customers – Social media can address unhappy customers and help turn them into happy ones. If this is done publicly, you can bet the majority of the audience are watching closely to see how you deal with unhappy customers, helping inform their opinion of your organisation, and helping them decide whether they want to continue to do business with you or not.
With the rise of social media and its impact on various industries, it’s no surprise that podcasting has also been greatly influenced by these platforms. Social media has become an essential tool for podcasters to promote their shows, engage with their audience, and grow their following.
One of the biggest advantages of using social media for podcasting is the ability to reach a wider audience. With millions of active users on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X, podcasters can tap into a much larger pool of potential listeners. This not only helps in increasing the visibility of a podcast but also allows for easy sharing of episodes with friends and followers.
Moreover, social media provides an interactive platform for podcasters to engage with their audience. Through comments, direct messages, and live Q&A sessions, podcasters can easily connect with their listeners and build a strong community. This not only helps in retaining existing listeners but also attracts new ones through word of mouth.
Social media also offers valuable insights and analytics for podcasters to track the performance of their show. With features like audience demographics, engagement rates, and referral traffic, podcasters can gain a better understanding of their audience and tailor their content accordingly. This can lead to the creation of more targeted and relevant episodes, which in turn, can attract a larger and more engaged audience.
In addition to promotion and engagement, social media can also serve as a platform for collaborations and partnerships within the podcasting industry. Through networking with other podcasters or brands, podcasters can expand their reach and tap into new audiences. This can also lead to potential sponsorships and monetisation opportunities for podcasts.
Overall, the integration of social media with podcasting has opened up a world of possibilities for content creators and listeners alike. With its wide reach, interactive nature, valuable insights, and collaborative opportunities, social media has become an essential tool for the success of a podcast. As the industry continues to evolve, it’s safe to say that the relationship between social media and podcasting will only continue to grow stronger. So if you’re a podcaster, make sure to utilise the power of social media to take your show to new heights. So keep creating engaging content, connecting with your audience, and exploring collaborations on social media—the possibilities are endless! So make sure you don’t miss out on this valuable opportunity for your podcast to thrive in the digital age.
Remember to always stay true to your unique voice and brand while leveraging social media for your podcast.
And that’s a wrap for another episode of ‘The Podcasting Podcast: How to get started with podcasting in your organisation.’
Next episode, you’ll discover how the University of Southampton in the UK has experimented and worked with podcast and vidcasts to great effect for a long time.