Welcome! Chances are, if you're reading this, you're interested in podcasting. Maybe you've got an idea, but you don't have the equipment. Maybe you've got the equipment but you don't have an idea. Wherever you're at, this guide is written with the beginner in mind. It's perfect for those new to podcasting who need a quick and to the point list of what to do (and not do) when starting a podcast. So let's begin...
YOUR IDEA
Coming up with a podcast idea is no easy feat. If you've got one, great! Move on to the next section. But if you're still gestating it might help to know how others arrived at their ideas. Start with a subject that interests you, something you can easily talk about for an hour or more. For this example let's say you enjoy gardening. What do you have to say about gardening? Consider other interests you have that might not appear related at first glance. Let's say you're also interested in futurism. So you're going to combine those two interests and bam you've got your podcast "Gardens of the Future".
Another thing to consider is whether or not your idea has already been done (don't feel bad, chances are it already has). Search podcast directories with keywords similar to your podcast. The trick is in putting your unique spin on an idea, tackling it from a new angle that represents your insight or expertise. Another example, is that there's a ton of movie podcasts out there. Some of them are just movie review shows and others are interviews with celebrities. But there aren't a ton of movie podcasts specifically dedicated The American New Wave or The Criterion Collection.
Most importantly, you have to like your idea. You have to feel comfortable with it. I encourage you to double down on those subjects you unabashedly enjoy and then share that enthusiasm with your listener. That authenticity will translate into an audience.
YOUR MEDIA HOST
Every podcast takes up space on the internet. This means, much like a car roaming a parking garage, you have to find a spot for your podcast. Your spot will be maintained by your media host (a company that stores and distributes your podcast to podcast directories). The Sarah Lawrence Library podcast uses the free media host Anchor.
Other media hosts like Libsyn cost money - i.e. you pay for your spot in the garage.
There are advantages and disadvantages to either choice. One might be free and more user friendly, but it will lack customization and good analytics. One might offer a suit of options, but cost $15/month. One might have so-so customer service and the other might have spectacular customer service.
This decision really comes down to what you're specifically looking for and what your long-term plans are. Speaking from experience, Anchor is a perfectly viable place to start if you just want to get up and running with your show especially on short notice, where Libsyn is better for the more thoughtful approach.
YOUR EQUIPMENT
Early on in the life of your podcast it would help to figure out what kind of show you'll be recording. Is this a sit-down interview between two people? Is this a weekly monologue on the life and times of a Sarah Lawrence student? Are both subjects in the same room at the same time or in different parts of the world? Answering those questions will determine what kind of equipment you need. If there will be multiple people recording at the same time in the same room then you will need a recorder, XLR mics, and XLR cables. If you're talking with someone at a different location you'll need a computer with a web cam and the ability to record that session (we recommend Zoom and we also recommend connecting your external microphone to the computer and changing the audio setting so that it's picking up the external mic and not the built-in mic). So just keep in mind the style of your show, the number of people involved, and the location of those people. Once you've squared that away you'll know what equipment to rent, check-out, or buy.
Click here for a thorough article on mics
Click here for a good video beginner's guide
YOUR AUDIO QUALITY
Don't allow your show to have poor audio quality simply because you're a beginner or an independent podcaster. There are tools and practices to purchase and follow that can result in affordable, good quality audio. Consider that your podcast will be making a first impression on every new potential listener. This could happen at any time - you don't know exactly the point someone is interacting with your podcast. If the first thing that listener hears is crackly audio or feedback, they're going to switch off after only a second and find one of the thousands of better-sounding podcasts. You have to grab your listener's attention immediately and one way to do so is clean-sounding audio.
YOUR PODCAST ON APPLE PODCASTS
You'll want to get your podcast on Apple Podcasts because it's the largest, most popular podcast directory around.
Click here for instructions on submitting your podcast to Apple Podcasts.
The RSS feed for your show will be available through the backend of your Media Host. It should be prominently displayed in your Account.
Also keep in mind that you will need an Apple ID to sign in to Apple Podcasts Connect so you may want to create an Apple profile with your show's contact email (e.g. GardensOfTheFuture@sarahlawrence.edu).
YOUR STYLE
Don't shy away from being your authentic self when podcasting. In fact, your authentic self is exactly who people want to hear. Feel free to open up on your podcast, share your process, thoughts, and feelings. If you're podcasting with a friend or colleague, converse how you would in real life. That banter is entertaining and people will connect with it. Or, if you're doing something more formal, be thoughtful about your cuts and music choices. Your style, embodied in your tone of voice and the choices you make in structure, will create a distinct atmosphere your listeners will come to rely on. Whatever you do, don't attempt to manufacture comradery or put on your "podcast voice". It has to be natural for people to believe it.
YOUR DAW
DAW is short for Digital Audio Workstation. Put another way, it's simply the computer and software you use to process/edit your vocals. Garageband on a MacBook Air is an example of a DAW. Before you begin podcasting, figure out what your DAW will be, and a workflow that's sustainable.
YOUR PROCESSING SOFTWARE
You have several options for processing/editing software. The most accessible is likely Garageband which comes standard on Apple computers and devices. Audacity is free and it's used primarily for Windows, though it's also available for Mac. There's also Logic Pro and Pro Tools for more advanced users.
YOUR SCHEDULE
When will you publish new podcast episodes? Weekly, bi-weekly, bi-monthly? Know that there is no wrong answer to this question. Just be honest with yourself about the amount of time you can devote to podcasting. Also consider what format is best for your subject matter. If you intend to review the latest Star Trek series as it's happening then you know you're going to produce weekly episodes for however long that season airs. If you're charting the evolution of one's conference work then it makes sense to check in once or twice a month. Whatever you decide, it's a good practice for your podcast to come out on the same day of the week every time you publish a new episode. Also, whether weekly or monthly, it's best to stick to regular intervals and condition your audience to expect a new episode at a particular day and time of the month. Don't drop two episodes on Wednesday, March 15th and then one episode Tuesday, April 4th. Confusion and lack of clarity can prevent a podcast from generating positive momentum and earning a reliable fan base.
Consistency and clarity will deliver a professional product listeners can trust.
YOUR PREP
You'll want to prepare for you podcast, no matter the quality of your equipment or the type of episode. Each show will demand at least a small amount of planning. Like most collaborative works, it's probably better to be over-prepared! Make sure your batteries are fully charged for your recorder (the Zoom H4N Handy recorder picture to the left takes two AA batteries). Make sure your SD card has enough storage for the type of recording you'll do. Do you want the file to be WAV or MP3 (WAV files are significantly larger, but are superior audio quality). If there are multiple people involved in a recording make sure they all know the location and the time of the recording days in advance.
As a podcaster, it's also good to just always be prepared. You never know when someone interesting might stop by your office, or when some spontaneous event occurs that would be great to capture. Keep a recorder charged and handy.
YOUR BRAIN
Lastly and most importantly is your brain. No one has your brain. That means no one has your exact experiences. That means no one else has your thoughts, feelings, ideas, hopes, and dreams. Certainly, people share those thoughts & feelings, but not everyone is using a podcast to express them in the exact manner you can. Take a mental inventory of who you are and what you're really like. Consider your values and your aesthetic. What's really important to you? Do you value kindness, hard work, a high emotional IQ, humor, etc? How can those values inform your podcast, from the way you open a show to the kinds of questions you'll ask guests. Always remind yourself that your brain, that which powers your consciousness, is your best tool for podcasting. It's how you'll create, evolve, and sustain your idea.
Sarah Lawrence College's AV department has lots of equipment to help you with your recording. AV is located on the bottom floor of the Performing Arts Center (PAC) where students can check out this equipment:
Zoom H2's and H4's.
Sony Wireless Lav/Shotgun Kit
Shure SM58's
1 Blue Yeti USB Microphone
Click here and sign in to your MySLC account to view a complete list of AV equipment.
Tim Kail can be reached via email at fkail@sarahlawrence.edu.