While it’s fascinating and fun, producing a podcast can be one of the most challenging and confusing things you’ll do in your entire life. To make a good podcast, you need to plan for the different stages of its production and know all these stages well. Join us as we explore ten expert tips you’ll need when producing a podcast.
Podcast production steps
First, you should know that the podcast production process consists of three main stages; the pre-production stage, the production stage, and the post-production stage. Understanding each of these steps can help you create a podcast.
Pre-Production
The pre-production phase of the podcast includes all the planning you need to present your podcast. Whatever work you do to prepare the podcast will fit into this step. During this stage, you should determine your main goal of creating your desired podcast. You should even choose a title so that that name will know your podcast.
Another one of the most essential and fundamental things you need to do to design and produce your podcast is to choose a structure for it. It would help if you did this in the pre-production stage so that you don’t get confused in the production stage.
It is enough to choose a suitable structure and stick to this structure from the beginning of each episode to the end. You must find the correct format for presenting your podcast at this stage. We also recommend that you prepare a draft of what will be said in the podcast at this pre-production stage.
Podcast production
The podcast production stage will begin when you start recording the podcast. It doesn’t matter what kind of podcast you produce, Whether the desired podcast is interview-oriented or is performed by a single person. In any case, as soon as you press the record button, the work of producing the podcast starts, and this way, you will get content that will be used for the next stage. That is, you will need it in the post-production stage.
Post-production
The stage after the podcast’s production is the stage during which you can start editing your podcast. This allows you to significantly increase your podcast quality before publishing it. In fact, at this stage, you give shape to your work and breathe life into your podcast.
The most important things you should do at this stage to increase the quality of your podcast include sound editing and podcast sound design. You should listen to the podcast, correct any mistakes in your speech and remove the necessary parts.
In this step, you need to add the music and sound effects you want to the podcast. Listen carefully to the podcast and add appropriate sound designs wherever necessary. At this stage, you should also do the work related to mixing and mastering, format conversion, etc. Don’t worry; the process will become routine and more straightforward for you soon after doing these steps a few times.
Podcast production tips
To produce a suitable podcast, you must pay attention to the points of podcast production. One of the most critical points is planning. Remember, this is vital. Never start your podcast without a recording and production program.
Another thing that you should pay attention to is that you should proceed according to the program’s schedule. So it would help if you always were a few episodes ahead of the podcast. For example, if it’s time to play the 10th episode of the podcast, it shouldn’t mean that you’re editing the 10th episode! Instead, you must be editing episode number thirteen or fourteen.
This is because you should never fall behind on your schedule. It may happen that you cannot record the episode you want. Or you cannot edit it for any reason. But if you are a few episodes ahead, you can rest for a while and start working again.
1. Podcast Equipment
One of the essential points you should pay attention to when producing a podcast is the right equipment. The more you invest in your podcasting equipment, the better the quality of work will be. Get a suitable microphone, use robust sound editing programs, and have the program for mixing audio files available.
2. Podcast production tools
It is imperative to know that to produce a good podcast; you need tools to host it. Some of these tools are:
Anchor
ANCHOR’s free service is one of the most attractive podcasts hosting services. This service has a simple structure that makes it easy to work with.
Libsyn
Libsyn is another podcast hosting service. This service is a plugin that connects the WordPress site to the podcaster account.
Podbean
The Podbean app is a podcast hosting service for iPhones through which podcasters can produce their podcasts.
SoundCloud
Few people have not heard of SoundCloud. This site is one of the most reliable and professional podcasts hosting services.
Blueberry and Buzzsprout
Blubrry and Buzzsprout plugins are also WordPress plugins for uploading and publishing podcasts.
Tips to increase sound quality
Of course, sound quality is essential in podcast production. It’s not just about the equipment you use. It also depends on how you record. Knowing where to place the microphone is essential to get good sound quality. An excellent way to improve sound quality is to hold the microphone about a fist and a half away from your mouth. Also, try to record your podcast in the quietest place possible.
Speed or quality?
Remember, never sacrifice the quality of your podcast for speed. It takes a long time to get an audience. It would help if you did this by planning and marketing your podcast. Also, be sure to speak calmly, slowly, and naturally when you say your sentences, and don’t rush.
Pay attention to the audience.
Consider your audience. Read their comments and be sure to have a way of communicating with them.
Tips for editing podcasts
One of the most critical tasks for producing a good podcast is editing. Try to be creative. Reduce background noise as much as possible. You can also use keyboard shortcuts to speed up editing.
Podcast distribution
You can use trailers and ads to distribute your podcast. Each trailer assures the audience that a new episode is on the way and that it will be released on time.
How much is the equipment to start a podcast?
The reality is that purchasing the necessary equipment when starting a podcast always seems challenging. You are at the beginning of your career, and it will probably be a little difficult for you to get podcast equipment, especially if you are not yet familiar with your needs. It is possible that you may spend a lot of money and buy the equipment you don’t need at all, or you may stop making podcasts because of the fear of the cost of the necessary equipment.
The best thing to do is to research and research the content and length of your podcast, just as you are going to study and search for podcast equipment. It is enough to prepare a list of the essential equipment you need to start working. Later, when your podcast audience grows, and you want to expand your work, you can make this list more high-quality.
Microphone
The first and most important piece of equipment to produce your podcast is a microphone. This microphone doesn’t need to be sophisticated and professional. It is enough to pay attention to some points in this regard and, of course, consider the type of content you will produce.
One of the essential points you should pay attention to is that you should not use a computer microphone because this type of microphone works poorly and dramatically reduces the quality of your voice and work. But you can use USB microphones to start your career.
Of course, you should also remember that if the type of podcast you produce is conversation-oriented, this microphone will not work for you. In addition, you will need an audio interface that can connect the microphones of several people. But if there is only one person as the presenter and host of the podcast, there is no need to prepare such podcast equipment.
One of the points that you should pay attention to when getting a microphone is the environment in which you will record the podcast. For example, if you are talking in the open air or if you are going to interview different people in a play environment like the street, you will need a digital audio recorder.
Computer
You may be able to design and produce one or two initial episodes of your podcast with a mobile phone, but you must know very well that the more the work progresses, the better its quality should be. Therefore, we advise using a computer or laptop to record, edit and edit your voice and even send or play it.
You don’t need an up-to-date computer or laptop with high speed and unique features. Even old models can handle sound recording and editing well; of course, they do it much better than mobile phones.
One thing that is not bad to pay attention to here is that if you want to get a new laptop specifically for producing your podcast, it is better to pay attention to the hardware features of the system. In other words, ensure that your computer has a microphone input port and, of course, a headphone output port. These ports can make it easier for you to record and edit sound.
Audio software for podcast production
One of the most fascinating and, at the same time, most crucial podcasting equipment you need is audio software. This software is usually designed to produce, record and edit podcasts. It is better before preparing the podcast production software.
Do enough research on this.
Some software is straightforward, while others may be a bit more complicated. But this complex software usually has more features than other types of software. Adobe Audition software is one of the most straightforward audio software available that you can easily use.
If, for any reason, you cannot work with a computer and intend to use the application for making podcasts, you can use EASY VOICE RECORDER for Android or Voice Recorder Free for iPhone. These two audio applications are free and are suitable options for starting work. But remember that working with a mobile phone will never have good quality.
How many microphones do you need for a podcast?
If the podcast you’re producing has a host, you can do just fine with one microphone. But if your program is conversation-oriented and has several presenters and hosts, you will definitely need more microphones as your podcast equipment.
Remember that if the program is conversation-oriented, you will need a few microphones and other equipment to produce your podcast. In addition, using more powerful and high-quality microphones in such a situation is better.