How To Make A Podcast Part 1: Planning And Preparation

As tempting as it may be, just sitting down in front of your computer and pressing play and record will probably end in disaster - Podcasting and radio obviously share a lot of skills, and even the most casual and impromptu sounding radio show is planned rigorously. We spoke to Nigel Mitchell and Danny Kelly, two experienced radio and podcast presenters to find out how they make their shows sound so good...

The trick is to not do too much. They need to know that if this thing isn't floating their boat, there will something else along in a few minutes. that's something you learn from radio - a menu at the top so you know that something else will be along soon.

Sometimes hear people talking about nothing. Audiences are interested in what you've done & you can make a connection.

It also helps if you've got "furniture" - stabs of music, etc. These make the listening experience better.

Try and keep everything down to 45 seconds. This is the audience's attention span. Hit punch line at 45 seconds.

You should also pick topics that will be relevant in the future. They aren't live, so you've got to talk about things so they won't go out of date.

We have "Stuff to include in the show" (talks us through it). Not scripted but bullet-points to get "The ball rolling".

Podcasts tend not to have scripts as they're people talking about things that they're passionate about and that works best if it's unplanned.

Podcast should be your best stuff as you never know who's listening...

Podcasts tend not to have scripts as they're people talking about things that they're passionate about and that works best if it's unplanned.

In summary, then:

Don't waffle. Stick to subjects your audience will relate to.

Use strings and jingles to mark the end of one section and the start of another.

Keep jokes and stories to around 45 seconds, but don't end a discussion or argument prematurely.

Try and pick subjects that aren't too topical. Your podcast may not be listened to until some time after current events.

Plan your podcast and create a running order, but don't feel you have to stick to a script.

Put a menu that tells people what's coming up in in your podcast at the start.

Always give a podcast your all, as you never know who's listening.