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Table of Contents

Preface

Acknowledgements

About the Author

Chapter 1: Podcasting Growth, Trends, Landscape

Chapter 2: Title, Description, Music, Cover Art

Chapter 3: Microphones, Recorders, Filters

Chapter 4: Best Practices for Recording

Chapter 5: Interview Preparation, Listening, Ending

Chapter 6: Scripting, Opens, Bumpers, Outros

Chapter 7: Voicing Tips, Exercises, Script Marking

Chapter 8: Audacity, Garageband, Audition Editing

Chapter 9: Publishing Hosts, Transcription, Promotion

Chapter 10: How Do You Measure Audience?

Chapter 11: Avoiding Legal Trouble

Appendix A: Newsletters, Podcasts, Conferences
Appendix B: Resources
Appendix C: Podcast Assignments & Examples

Ancillary Material

American University

About the Book

Welcome! If you're interested in learning about the growing universe of podcasting, how it works and finding tools and inspiration to create your own podcast, this online resource is for you. My focus is on audio podcasting and this practical guide will help you navigate the technology and best practices in an easy-to-understand handbook.

You will also find many audio and video clips that provide examples and video tutorials leading you through editing software, vocal delivery, promotion ideas and more. All videos have closed captioning and there is an extensive section on the importance of transcription of podcasts to enable web accessibility for the deaf, hearing impaired and language learning audiences. There is also an emphasis on diversity and inclusion with resources listing mentorships and employment opportunities. For even more information click on the extensive links throughout this e-book.

In addition, each chapter has learning objectives and there are practice exercises in Appendix C at the end of the e-book along with additional resources about podcasting from newsletters and conferences to how-to-create tools and podcast recommendations.

Podcasting is a dynamic way to use your smarts and creativity to tell stories about compelling subjects. This handbook provides instruction and tools to produce your own podcast - whether you are a professional in journalism, the arts, sciences, business or law, an activist or just someone who has a story to tell. The tools discussed are focused on keeping costs low for entry-level podcasters and designed to help anyone who wants to record, edit and distribute podcasts.

About the Contributors

Author

Jill Olmsted is a full-time professor of Journalism at the American University School of Communication in Washington, D.C. She has taught communication courses for 30 years, specializing in audio and video storytelling and public affairs reporting. She writes and comments about media issues, does freelance voice-over work and has done media training for law enforcement and government agencies. She has worked as an on-air television and radio news anchor, reporter and editorialist as well as a producer, editor, photographer and news manager. As a former Washington, D.C., correspondent for nationally syndicated programs, she covered federal agencies and the White House. She's been a member of professional organizations that include the Online News Association (ONA), Radio-Television Digital News Association (RTDNA), National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) and The Association of Educators in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC).

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Tools for Podcasting - Open Textbook Library

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Welcome! If you're interested in learning about the growing universe of podcasting, how it works and finding tools and inspiration to create your own podcast, this online resource is for you. My focus is on audio podcasting and this practical guide will help you navigate the technology and best practices in an easy-to-understand handbook.

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Freelancing
Planning a podcast is something that everybody seems to be doing nowadays, but that doesn't mean that each new podcast you hear about just materializes out of thin air. In fact, behind every good podcast is a whole lot of planning. Even the most popular and prolific podcasters in the world map out a strategic plan that outlines episode themes, topics to cover, guests to invite, and so much more.

In here you'll find:
The 10 steps to planning a podcast How to write a podcast script (and some podcast show templates, to boot) How to structure and script your podcast segments Some podcast interview formats to use for guest episodes
Let's start by going over the 10 essential steps of planning your podcast.

How to Plan a Podcast in 10 Steps:

1.
Brainstorm Podcast Topics: Make a list of subjects you're both passionate and knowledgeable about. Take a look at what's already out there to help you determine how your podcast will function as an extension of your content strategy.

5.
Get the Right Equipment and Setup: For a professional-sounding podcast, you'll need a good microphone, some voice recording software, and a home studio setup.

8.
Invite Guests to Speak on Your Podcast: Featuring guests on your podcasts is a great way to add some variety to your episodes, consult subject matter experts to bring authority to the topics you cover, and even expand your listenership.

To streamline the process of inviting guests, consider making a one-pager that sells a potential guest on why they should consider coming on the show. One-pagers typically include your show's listenership stats, your website's performance stats, social followings, etc. Use it alongside personal messages to your prospects to pitch your podcast more efficiently and effectively.

9.
Devise a Podcast Advertising Strategy: Podcasts often have devoted audiences who are more willing to act on an advertisement served to them via a podcast they enjoy compared to a TV commercial, online video ad, or radio ad.

Breaking into the podcast advertising space is a must if you want to generate revenue and collaborate with like-minded brands.

10.
Generate an RSS Feed and Submit Your Show to All the Major Podcasting Platforms: In order for your podcast to reach your audience's ears, you'll have to generate an RSS feed and ensure your show is available wherever listeners find their podcasts.

How to Write a Podcast Script

Before getting granular with each word of your podcast script, try to look at your show from a bird's-eye view. What are the elements of your script that will make the listening experience feel consistent for your listeners from episode to episode? Will your show be fully scripted, ad libbed, or somewhere in between?

Scripted Podcasts

A polished and professional-sounding podcast is similar to what you might hear in a newscast or documentary. The script is written out and rehearsed prior to recording. Generally, this podcast may have particular themes that are explored in sequential order, demanding more structure and precision. Each episode is typically edited by a podcast editor or audio editor.

You should also adopt a more conversational tone of voice-speak to your audience and not at your audience. Our 2022 Trends Report underscores how a conversational voice is much more appealing and effective in creating an emotional connection with your audience.

Ad lib Podcasts

Freestyle recordings are most similar to live radio shows or television interviews. Freestyle is an ad lib recording style that can become greatly successful with an engaging and charismatic voice. This is most often where podcasters work from a list of bullet points of topics to cover in an episode, so because it's not fully scripted, the character and charm of their voice and personality really seal the deal.

Yield best results by combining these two methods and developing your own unique podcasting style.

Once you have a listening audience, ask them for feedback about your show and gain valuable information that will help you to improve your podcast.

They may even introduce new ideas that will give you an edge over any potential competitors and enhance their listening experience. Ideas that they provide might refer to the length of segments, topics discussed, guests on the show, and so on.

Keeping that bird's-eye view in mind, here is a show template to help you identify what aspects of the show will become a part of every episode. Here's an example of a podcast outline template that we've used at Voices.com for our 4 podcasts, and shared the template with hundreds of new podcasters. It's easy to follow and fill in the blanks.

What to Include in the Outline of a Podcast Script

Podcast Script Template

1. Opening: A quick musical jingle or your brand's sonic logo.

2. Introduction: A monologue-style intro outlining your guests and what you plan to talk about on your show.

3. Segue: This can be achieved using music or podcast sound effects, or a vocal segue.

4. Topic 1: Discuss the first topic for X number of minutes.

5. Vocal Segue: "We are going to move on and talk about..." or "In other news this week..."

6. Topic 2: Discuss the next topic for another X number of minutes.

7. Ad Insertion: This is the moment to insert a sponsored message or a podcast advertisement. It can be pre-recorded and inserted in post production (think radio commercial break) or you can speak about the sponsor in a conversational style that doesn't feel like a commercial break.

9. Topic 3: Discuss this for X number of minutes.

10. Closing remarks: Thank your listeners and your guests, then provide a sneak peek of what will be discussed on the next show.

11. Closing Musical Jingle

Creating Momentum With Your Podcast Script

Regardless of whether you're creating a long-form discussion or a short and snappy show, you should keep the topics moving in order to keep listeners engaged.

Try to use guests as a way to break up the conversation, pace, and tone of your shows.

You can use musical backgrounds (also known as jingles or music beds) or other non-music interludes (referred to as stagers, sweeps, and IDs) to transition between topics. These topic breaks are typically described as bumpers or sweepers, giving your listeners the time they might need to digest the content you just presented.

How to Structure (and Script) Your Podcast Segments

There is no "one size fits all" approach to a podcast as the very nature of podcasts is based on their broad variety and uniqueness from show to show. That said, giving some thought to how your segments are structured and what they'll consist of during the planning phase will set you up to deliver a consistent show format that your listeners will come to expect when tuning in.

The First Podcast Segment

The first segment should be the most interesting in order to sustain listeners' attention. This segment should appeal to the entire audience. Broad content is encouraged to serve the majority. For example, news and current events related to your podcast subject matter are often of interest to an entire audience.

The Subsequent Podcast Segments

All subsequent segments can be more in-depth and focus on specific areas of interest. Depending on your comfort level, you can fully script these segments to make sure you're speaking to them exactly as you want or you can make yourself a set of bullet points to speak to in a more conversational and free-flowing style. The latter option works best when you have guests on the show as scripting a full conversation with your guest tends to take some of the authenticity out of the podcast episode listening experience.

What Goes Into a Podcast Introduction Script?

We've covered the 10 tips to planning a podcast and show structure template, and now it's onto scripting. Again, not everyone needs to be fully scripted in order to deliver a compelling podcast, but components like intros and outros are most often scripted. Because of that, we thought you'd find these tips about what to include in a podcast intro, and an example of an intro, helpful.

What to Include in Your Intro

When writing the intro script for the podcast, you should consider that this intro format will bring each episode of your podcast to your listeners. It's best to keep it short, say 10 or 15 seconds maximum. That way, the podcast intro won't get skipped over with the +30 skip setting on most podcast players.

So what do you write? After (or even before) introducing yourself and any co-hosts you have, think " Hook, Line, and Sinker."

3 Tips on Things to Include in Your Podcast Intro

1. Give your listeners the #1 coolest thing happening in the show and the lesson or take away that comes from it as a result. (If you didn't already introduce yourself, do it now. But skip the CV to keep it short)

2. If you have something juicy and exciting to share during your last segment, for example, you want to share it right off the bat in order to entice listeners to listen the whole way through-or at least skip ahead to the segment that most interests them.

3. Play your intro jingle at this point to signal that the show is getting started.

Sample Intro Podcast Script

She wore WHAT to the costume party?! Hi, my name is Lily Turner and welcome to 'Talks with Turner.' Today on our show, I am joined by Pete Saver, my awesome co-host.

We're talking about our favorite movies, the best costume party ideas of the year, and later on we have a special guest.

I don't want to give it away, but she is a very famous model who is known for her costume parties, so stick around to hear her best-and worst-dressed stories and tips on throwing the best costume party around!
Don't Forget About Your Podcast Outro Script

In the outro of your podcast script, you will want to make sure you thank all of the guests who were on your show and recap a bit about what was discussed.

Now is also the time to talk about any exciting future episodes that are coming up and include a call-to-action for the listener.

For example, you may want to promote a special event that is relevant to your podcast and/or brand or entice listeners to become loyal subscribers. You can also direct your listeners to your show notes for links to videos or articles mentioned during the show so they, too, can enjoy those pieces to the fullest and better understand where you were coming from when talking about them!

You will also want to play your outro jingle at this point.

Sample Outro Podcast Script

" Well, that's all for today's episode of 'Talks with Turner.' Thanks for listening, and thank you to Pete Saver for joining me today, along with Gerda Greets for sharing her tips for throwing the best costume party this year. Join us again next week for the top songs of the year. Musician Teddy will be stopping by, and you're not going to want to miss it. Make sure you subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or Spotify. Plus, if you haven't got your tickets to our live show in Georgia next month, check out this episode's show notes for a link to ticketbay.com.

Podcast Interview Formats

If you are running a podcast that includes guests, you have additional considerations to keep in mind when crafting your podcast script.

For instance, you will want to prepare a list of questions to ask your guest and group them based on the different topics you will cover.

Being a good interviewer is an art form in itself (you can get tips on how to be an amazing host and interviewer here). As you're interviewing, listen closely to the guest's answers and ask follow-up questions based on their answers. You don't have to ask the questions in the order you have laid out.

Tip: Many podcast guests appreciate receiving the questions ahead of time so they know what to expect and can have some answers top of mind, too.

In the podcast intro and outro script examples above, the host was chatting to a supermodel, famous for her costume parties.

Here's an example of what that podcast interview sheet may look like:

Podcast Interview Sheet Example

Topic: Greta's Experience and Advice on Hosting Costume Parties

Q1: Before you share your amazing tips, tell us how your love of costume parties came to exist?

Q2: So of all the parties you have thrown, which one has been your favorite one?

Q3: If I wanted to make sure that my costume party is one to be rivalled, what do I need to know? How do I prepare?

Where to Find More Podcast Script Examples

The above examples are just an introduction on how to begin. There are several places online you can go to get inspired to write the perfect podcast script or outline.

You can search for transcripts of your favorite podcasts on various sites such as Listen Notes, which has a ton of free transcripts available for some of the most popular podcasts.

Alternatively, you can simply listen to your favorite podcast and take notes on the different elements that comprise their podcast script and use some of those elements in your own podcast script template.

To get the creative juices flowing, visit our podcast voice over page to hear voice actor demos of podcast intros, advertising segments, segues, and outros!

Sign up for a Voices account to find the voice for your next podcast intro, podcast ads, or segue music.

Happy Podcasting in 2022!

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How to Plan Your Podcast with Scripts and Templates [2022] | Voices

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Freelancing Planning a podcast is something that everybody seems to be doing nowadays, but that doesn't mean that each new podcast you hear about just materializes out of thin air. In fact, behind every good podcast is a whole lot of planning.

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Podcast recording equipment can be confusing to wade through and choose if you're just starting out. There is a lot of podcast gear you can get but that doesn't mean you need to get it all - and you can always expand your list of podcast equipment over time.

We are going to highlight the audio recording equipment you will need, as well as some things you may want to get later as you get more serious to really build out a complete podcast studio. There are separate posts about many of these individual items, so feel free to check out those posts for more in-depth info (there will be a link in the respective sections).

The essential podcast equipment you will need are:

...they are the first two items listed below.

If you have multiple people recording together, you will want to avoid USB mics, which means you'll also need an audio interface or mixer to hook up multiple XLR microphones.

Also, take a look at the podcasting starter kit for more specific equipment recommendations depending on the number of hosts you have. There are lower-budget options for beginners, along with upgrades for intermediate and pro levels.

List of Podcasting Gear
Quick Overview: Our Recommended Poscasting Gears
Common sense right? You need a computer to record and upload your .mp3 files. Most people will do just fine with what they have, but if you looking to upgrade I would invest in something that will last you a few years.

Check out the podcasting laptop suggestions here.

Find the best all-in-one or tower desktop computer here.

Microphones

Don't use your computer's built-in microphone. The easiest way to get started is to use a USB microphone. If you have multiple people or you want more flexibility, you will need one or more microphones with an XLR output.

Also consider your recording environment and the type of mic you'll want: dynamic or condenser (dynamic mics are typically better when recording multiple people together).

Recommended USB mic:

Recommended XLR mic:

Audio Interface

This is basically the bridge between your microphone and your computer. It converts the analog signal from the mic into a digital signal that the computer can use.

Here are the best USB interfaces.

Recommended audio interface: Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 (2nd Gen)

Similar the audio interface above, but a mixer gives you more control over levels, inputs, outputs, and more. Also crucial if you plan to regularly have call-in guests so you get set up a mix-minus line for your remote guests.

Find the best podcasting mixers here.

My favorite: Mackie ProFX8V2

Pop Filter / Windscreen

A pop filter or windscreen will greatly minimize or prevent plosives. Put your hand in front of your mouth and say "power" - feel the air on the "p"? That's what you're protecting the mic from - those air blasts can easily send a mic into the red.

See our pop filter recommendations here.

Recommended universal pop filter: Stedman Corporation Proscreen XL

Headphones

Headphones prevent many mistakes and retakes. It can be weird to hear yourself speaking live at first, but you'll get used to it. It's highly recommended you get used to this. You don't want to record something for an hour only to realize something wasn't turned on or there was a loud buzz the whole time.

Closed-back headphones are what you want to use for recording, and your earbuds probably aren't good enough. Avoid open-back headphones for recording because your microphone will pick up the sound.

Awesome budget recording headphones: Audio-Technica ATH-M30x

Headphone Amplifier

When you have several hosts, you'll need a headphone amp so that each of you can have your pair of headphones. Think of it as a headphone splitter and amplifier in one.

Recommended headphone amp: Behringer HA400 (don't forget a TRS cable to hook it up)

Positioning your microphone properly will greatly improve your posture and sound quality. A decent boom arm or mic stand will allow you to easily move the microphone to a comfortable position - and equally important in my mind, you'll be able to free up desk space and store the mic within reach, but out the way when you're not using it.

Here are some recommended microphone boom arms & tabletop mic stands.

Recommended microphone boom arm: Heil PL-2T

Shock Mount

Microphones are especially sensitive to any sound that doesn't have to travel through the air. A shock mount will prevent or minimize unwanted sounds from tapping the desk to typing to moving your boom arm to small vibrations that you might not even notice. Most microphone makers also offer a compatible shock mount, and some even provide one with the mic.

Recommended universal shock mount: Rycote InVision Universal Shock Mount

Microphone Cables

You have to plug your mic into your audio interface, mixer, or preamp somehow.

There is actually a lot that goes into XLR microphone cables and cheap ones can cause more problems than they're worth.

I recommend starting with a mid-range XLR cable like the Rapco Horizon.

Acoustic Treatment

Some rooms are worse than other, but if your recording area has a lot of echo or reverb, a little acoustic treatment can go a long way.

Check out some recommended acoustic panels here.

Editing Software (DAW)

For beginners, the podcast editing software I recommend is Audacity or Garageband. They're both free and relatively easy to use and learn. The next level up is Adobe Audition, and if you already have a Creative Cloud subscription, it's probably a good idea to just go with that.

Podcast Hosting

You need dedicated hosting for your podcast files (I use and recommend Buzzsprout).

It's a common misconception, but iTunes doesn't host your actual .mp3 files, they just read an RSS feed and allow people to play your files hosted elsewhere. Learn how to upload to iTunes here.

You don't want to put the files on your website host because that can easily make your site come to a crawl, and can cause problems when people try to listen.

Check out the best podcast hosting companies here.

Website Hosting

Many podcasts will need a website to give people a place to visit, learn more, or get additional resources.

I recommend using a WordPress hosting service.

One of the easiest to get started with is Bluehost and they have excellent pricing for new sites.

Mobile Podcasting Gear

Digital Recorder

If you're doing interviews on the road, a portable digital recorder will be your best friend. You can always get started with an external mic for your iPhone, but a dedicated handheld recorder will give you a lot more flexibility (they can even double as a USB interface).

Recommended option: Zoom H4N Pro

Microphone

There are a lot of different options depending on the style of podcast you will be doing. If you're interviewing people, check out these interview microphones.

Don't forget extra storage for your digital recorder! Grab a few of these SanDisk 32GB cards so you don't run out of space on the road. Be sure to double-check what the max SD card size will work for your recorder (the H4N Pro above allows up to 32GB).

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Best Podcast Equipment (For Beginners & Pros) 2019 - Podcast Insights

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Podcast recording equipment can be confusing to wade through and choose if you're just starting out. There is a lot of podcast gear you can get but that doesn't mean you need to get it all - and you can always expand your list of podcast equipment over time.

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🔊 How to use Audacity to Record & Edit Audio | Beginners Tutorial

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