Tips on creating an interesting and fun podcast?
March 6, 2010 8:09 AM Subscribe
A friend and I are about to record our first ever podcast on a niche topic. What tips, tricks, and hints do you have for us?
This will be a weekly series.
Specifically, we're not looking for anything technical -- we have our rig setup and ready to go.
We're looking for tips, tricks, and hints about keeping the podcast interesting (assuming those listening are interested in the subject) and fun. What is it about other podcasts that you enjoy so much? What about things that other podcasts do that annoy you?
This will be a weekly series.
Specifically, we're not looking for anything technical -- we have our rig setup and ready to go.
We're looking for tips, tricks, and hints about keeping the podcast interesting (assuming those listening are interested in the subject) and fun. What is it about other podcasts that you enjoy so much? What about things that other podcasts do that annoy you?
Check out the Skeptic's Guide to the Universe for an example of a podcast that I think really gets the balance right. Importantly, it isn't waffly: it is structured into a series of short regular segments, from skeptical news and views and a featured guest interview, to more light-hearted games for the listener like a Science or Fiction quiz. Each weekly episode goes for well over an hour, but the pace is very fast.
It also has a great balance of thoroughly researched, original, meaty content with strong news value that the hosts have spent time prepping their takes on -- and free-flowing, mostly improvised, jokey banter. That blend of interesting, serious news and witty banter is a winning formula.
posted by dontjumplarry at 9:57 AM on March 6, 2010
It also has a great balance of thoroughly researched, original, meaty content with strong news value that the hosts have spent time prepping their takes on -- and free-flowing, mostly improvised, jokey banter. That blend of interesting, serious news and witty banter is a winning formula.
posted by dontjumplarry at 9:57 AM on March 6, 2010
Best answer: Run the files through The Levelator.
Makes a big difference for the listener.
posted by kall at 11:59 AM on March 6, 2010 [2 favorites]
Makes a big difference for the listener.
posted by kall at 11:59 AM on March 6, 2010 [2 favorites]
WHAT I CAN TELL YOU ABOUT INTERVIEWING AFTER CONDUCTING, EDITING AND BROADCASTING 100 OF THEM.
Ira Glass On Storytelling
posted by conrad53 at 3:32 PM on March 6, 2010 [1 favorite]
Ira Glass On Storytelling
posted by conrad53 at 3:32 PM on March 6, 2010 [1 favorite]
Don't make the resulting mp3s bigger than they need to be. They take too long to download and take up too much space.
And while banter should feel spontaneous and natural, don't make the listener feel like an outsider overhearing a clique. Don't laugh hysterically at each other's jokes all the time. Don't come off as too smug or clever.
Avoid cliches. And try not to sing or do impressions unless it's really really worth it. But other than that...
posted by TheSecretDecoderRing at 6:11 PM on March 6, 2010
And while banter should feel spontaneous and natural, don't make the listener feel like an outsider overhearing a clique. Don't laugh hysterically at each other's jokes all the time. Don't come off as too smug or clever.
Avoid cliches. And try not to sing or do impressions unless it's really really worth it. But other than that...
posted by TheSecretDecoderRing at 6:11 PM on March 6, 2010
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posted by three blind mice at 8:26 AM on March 6, 2010