1. Define Your Purpose and Audience

Knowing why you’re starting a podcast is essential. Are you sharing expertise, building a community, or promoting a brand? Defining your purpose will help guide your content and strategy. Additionally, understanding your target audience – who they are, what they care about, and where they listen – will shape your content style, format, and promotional approach.

2. Content Strategy and Format

Planning content and choosing a format (like interview-based, solo, or storytelling) is crucial. Decide on your podcast’s theme or niche and brainstorm episode ideas to stay relevant and consistent. Also, consider episode length and frequency – weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly – and how long each episode should ideally be, based on audience preferences.

3. Technical Equipment and Setup

Audio quality is vital for keeping listeners engaged. A good microphone, headphones, and editing software are foundational. Research what equipment best fits your budget and needs, and find a quiet recording space to minimise background noise. Familiarise yourself with basic editing to enhance the audio experience and maintain a professional sound.

4. Branding and Marketing Strategy

Your podcast needs a strong brand to attract listeners. Create a memorable name, logo, and cover art that align with your theme. Plan how you’ll promote your episodes, using platforms like social media, a website, or collaborations with other podcasters. Think about SEO for podcast directories to help listeners discover your show.

5. Consistency and Commitment

Podcasting requires dedication, from creating content to editing and promoting each episode. Producing quality episodes consistently will help build a loyal audience over time. Plan a content calendar, set realistic goals, and commit to a posting schedule that works for you without leading to burnout.

Considering these factors will give you a solid foundation to launch a podcast that resonates with your audience and grows sustainably.

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1. Microphone

A quality microphone like the Audio-Technica ATR2100x or Shure SM58 is crucial for clear and professional-sounding audio. USB mics are beginner-friendly, but XLR mics offer better sound quality with more control.

2. Headphones

A good pair of closed-back headphones, such as the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, allows you to monitor audio while recording, and edit precisely without sound leakage.

3. Audio Interface (if using XLR mics)

An interface like the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 converts your microphone’s analog signal into digital for your computer, offering superior sound control.

4. Pop Filter

A pop filter helps reduce harsh sounds like “p” and “b” that can distort recordings. It’s a cheap but effective tool to improve audio clarity.

5. Recording/Editing Software

Software like Audacity (free) or Adobe Audition allows you to record, edit, and enhance your podcast audio.

These are your core tools for starting with a professional edge!

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1. Create Catchy Titles & Thumbnails

Your episode titles should be compelling, clear, and include keywords that grab attention. Pair them with eye-catching thumbnails to stand out in podcast directories and social media.

2. Leverage Social Media

Share short audio or video clips (teasers) from your podcast on platforms like Instagram, Twitter/X, and TikTok. Engaging visuals and sound bites can create curiosity and draw listeners to the full episode. Also, make sure that you’ve included all the information that people would need to find the full episode, either in the clip itself or in the caption – ensure that it’s obvious what the podcast name is, what episode the clip is from, and on what platforms listeners can find the full-length version!

3. Collaborate with Guests and Other Podcasters

Invite guests with their own audience to cross-promote the episode. Appear as a guest on other relevant podcasts to tap into their listenership, creating a win-win for both.

4. SEO & Podcast Directories

Optimise your podcast description, episode titles, and show notes with relevant keywords so it’s easily discoverable in search engines and podcast directories. Submit to all major platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

5. Engage Your Audience Directly

Encourage listener interaction by asking for reviews, answering audience questions, or creating community spaces (like Facebook groups or Discord). Engaged listeners are more likely to recommend your show to others – and hearing an enthusiastic podcast recommendation from a friend is often more likely to encourage someone to listen to your show than more traditional advertising methods (and it’s definitely cheaper!).

By following these tips, you can increase your podcast’s visibility, attract new listeners, and build a loyal following. Remember, consistency is key, so keep producing high-quality content and engaging with your audience. Happy podcasting!

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Four years ago I realized how important it is for women professionals to connect on a personal level. I started hosting a series of dinners where a small group of women could meet. The first dinner started with only 12 women, but once word got out, a community was formed with over 200 women.

In fact, the conversations and connections that were made at these dinners is what inspired me to start the interview-based Women Authors of Achievement Podcast. I felt that a wider audience should have access to these inspirational stories, hearing them I often had goosebumps myself.

So how do you build a community around your podcast? Here are my 4 tips.

1. Start building your community before you launch your podcast (if you can)

That’s right, as mentioned above — the core WAA Podcast community of guests, listeners and supporters was formed long before I started the show. Still today, I am grateful for all the women (and men!) who encouraged me to kick start my own podcast.

2. Stay locally relevant before going global.

A lot of people that go into podcasting are overly excited by the extensive global reach of potential guests they can have on the show. They look for guests globally and not locally – which is not necessarily bad, but this makes it more difficult to form a community around the podcast.

From the start, I knew that I wanted to create a strong bond with the local community. At the moment I am exclusively interviewing in-person in a studio located at the heart of Kreuzberg in Berlin, Germany. The WAA Podcast represents women who are not only authors of their own achievements in life, but they are also building their successful careers in this city. Listeners and podcast guests can literally bump into each other on the streets, which creates closeness and proximity. And this physical aspect of meeting someone in person is a first step towards creating a community.

In the future you can always expand, but first try to establish yourself locally.

3. Stay close to your podcast guests “alumnus” network.

Don’t simply interview your guests and never speak to them again. First of all, it’s awkward. Secondly, didn’t you invite them to your show because you find them interesting? Exactly, so keep the ties close to people you are inspired by.. Stay in touch with your guests, also because they can be your biggest ambassadors and most loyal fans. What can be more rewarding than people you are inspired by, in return are excited about your work? Organize small get-togethers or simply find time for a small catch-up with your guests when possible. At the WAA Podcast we are starting to engage with our Season 1 guests by inviting them for a short written interview which is then published on our monthly newsletter.

4. Show some love to your listeners and supporters.

I know “love” is a very strong word, but I want to make a point. You should genuinely be appreciative of your listeners, followers and supporters. And I don’t mean flooding them with social media posts, I mean real gestures of appreciation. Sometimes it’s a small “thank you” or when bumping into a listener or supporter simply be present and engage into a conversation. To be treated with respect and to be heard is what matters to your community. My wish to other podcasters out there — be truly genuine to you listeners, guests on the show and people that support you.

Sometimes being a podcast host can get overwhelming, but your genuine interest and care of your community is what creates long-term and loyal connections.

How do you engage with your audience? I am curious to hear from you. Send me an email via hello@waa.berlin.

On the WAA Podcast, host Daria Suvorova interviews women in leadership positions, founders and investors, where each episode reveals a personal story of the guest and their path to success. You can listen to the episodes via waa.berlin or directly on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or any other platform of your choice.

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“A bad sounding podcast will turn away new listeners from what could be a successful podcast”

Whether you’re brand new to podcasting or have been making a podcast for years, it’s important to consider a Podcast Editor. An Editor can help you find your feet with a new podcast project or take your existing show to the next level. Hiring a professional to take care of the technicalities can help you get the most ROI from your substantial efforts. Here are 5 reasons why you should consider working with one of our Podcast Editors:

It saves you tons of time

Did you know that editing out all the pauses and irrelevant parts of a podcast can take up to eight times as long as the recording itself, and up to four times as long even when you know your editing software already? Editing a podcast takes a long time, especially if you are new to the world of podcasting. The biggest benefit of hiring a Podcast Editor is no doubt saving the time (not to mention the colossal headache) it takes to actually go through and edit your podcast. And if you hire an Editor before you launch it can save the time spent learning how to use new complicated editing software.

A second pair of ears

If you hire a podcast editor, you’ll be getting a new perspective on your podcast. They can provide a fresh take and offer impartial feedback on your show before you publish it. It’s easy to overlook things that could be improved upon when it’s your own project and a Podcast Editor can help point out ways to enhance your podcast. They will have a good ear for the most engaging parts and help refine your recordings. For example, at Podcast Editing Services, we can attach an engaging leading clip at the top of your episode or create small engaging clips for socials to draw in more listeners.

Sound more professional

If you think it doesn’t take a team to create a professional podcast, think again! Many successful podcasts that look like they have small teams often have many people working behind the scenes. Our Podcast Editors wake up in the morning with the sole purpose to get the best out of your recording and enhance it in every way they can. We have access to pricey professional audio tools to improve the sound quality of your recordings. Did you know there are even tools that Podcast Editors can use to remove background noises? These tools can save a ruined recording, but these are often in the £££-££££ range. You don’t always want to buy expensive software for a one-off or new project. Fear not though, as we own and study them and know exactly how to utilise them.

Having good sound quality is important in making a good first impression, to both listeners and potential sponsors. But if you’re trying to do this for a living, working with a company like us means you’ll be able to put all your energy into a professional performance and looking after your guests.

Ongoing support

Hiring a Podcast Editor goes beyond just a transactional service – you’re entering a partnership with someone with a wealth of experience. Making a podcast seems simple and straightforward but to keep up the consistency takes a lot of work, so having someone to support you on that journey is really important. Once you sign up to Podcast Editing Services, you will speak to the same Editor at all times. There will be unexpected issues that you’ll run into but having your Editor to guide you through these challenges will make your life much easier.

Added extras

Oftentimes, Podcast Editors will provide other services related to podcasting that you might not have even considered. Some will help you out with promoting your show on social media by making Audiograms (short highlight clips with a simple visualiser). Some can provide a transcript of each episode. They will also know graphic designers who can make the artwork for your podcast, which is important in standing out from the crowd. Our Editors all have experience of working on lots of other podcasts, and will share this knowledge and wisdom with you. This way you can work smarter, not harder, and put wheels on your project from the beginning.

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If you are unsure about what kind of support you require with your podcast, drop Podcast Editing Services an email via our website. Or call for a friendly chat to discuss your needs on 02071937592 and mention you saw us on the Pod Bible website. We can bring your project to life.
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This article was produced as part of a paid advertising package. To enquire about advertising with Pod Bible email info@podbiblemag.com.

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Regardless of where you are in the podcast chain, legal issues and contracts are increasingly used to develop and protect podcast content. Although no-one ever wakes up in the morning and thinks “tell me more about contracts!” there are some high-level areas where it may be worth looking at the licence or contract you have in place.

You need licences to use IP

Unless you bank only on the attractiveness of your talents’ voice and persona to fully develop your audience, you are going to have to think about how best to integrate third party audio, visuals, artwork and any other 3rd party intellectual property (IP) into your podcasts. Broadly speaking, licences to use someone else’s IP can either be ‘open source’ or under specific terms from the owner of the IP (or ‘licensor’).

• Open-source licences are usually provided under standard licences released by Creative Commons, and each CC licence sets out the type of use attributed to the relevant IP being licensed. You can generally use open-source IP as long as you comply with the terms of the underlying CC licence.
• 3rd party licences that aren’t open source usually set out the scope of the licence, how and where the IP can be used (e.g. in the UK only or worldwide), the royalties that you have to pay etc. There are some exceptions under copyright law for “fair dealing” of copyright without needing to get licence, but these exceptions tend to be fairly limited. In terms of audio and video content (for example music, audio from TV shows), licensing will usually be managed through rights clearance agencies rather than direct licensing from the composer, producer or broadcaster. If you haven’t obtained the proper clearances, you run the risk of distributors de-listing your podcasts (if the rights haven’t been properly cleared) and potential claims against you from from the relevant licensors (as well as commissioners where you are being commissioned to produce the podcast).

Who owns the intellectual property in the podcast itself

One of the most important issues you should consider when producing the podcast is understanding who owns the copyright (and other IP) in the podcast that you are producing. Where podcasts are commissioned by a 3rd party commissioner, the commissioner will usually want to own all IP rights in the podcast, including rights in any spin-off or “derivative” use (for example, rights to create different language adaptions or TV versions of the podcast). Commissioners will also usually want rights over distribution and monetisation of the content, although some producers and talent may have enough leverage to agree royalties in connection with any monetisation.

Another key issue is around “work-for-hire” or exclusive licence arrangements between the commissioner and talent (actors, writers, graphic designers, directors, producers). These types of arrangements usually clarify that the talent does not retain ownership over the IP that they create as part of the podcast production (whether it’s the actual audio or any scripts, artwork, summaries or any other production material).

Guests and releases

If you have an interview-style podcast, it may make sense that you ask guests to sign a release form before recording an episode. The release form ensures that the producer/commissioner owns all IP in anything that the guest says on the podcast and enables the producer/commissioner to edit and use that guest contribution in whatever way it feels. Releases are also helpful if your guest’s content is likely to be contentious or make your podcast go viral for all the wrong reasons.

Advertising

Contracts for advertising and sponsorship in podcasts usually centre around three areas: (1) sponsors will look to have control over their brand and make sure you don’t harm their brand (2) any ads or sponsorship during the podcast need to comply with regulatory requirements (3) negotiating the best rates and commercial deal you can for placing ads or sponsorship during your podcasting. As a producer, you will want to ensure that you are not overly restricted from acting for different sponsors, or that brands or advertisers have overstepped the level of editorial control they have over the content of your podcast.

Help with podcast contracts

This is just a whistle-stop tour of some legal considerations podcasters should consider. Whether you’re working independently, looking for advertisers or hoping to get your podcast commissioned, it’s worth thinking about these aspects – and if you’re ever in doubt, you can ask an expert to help you further.

Did you find this article useful? Let us know on Twitter @PodBible. You can find Marlon on LinkedIn.

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My tips below are born out of the research that makes Audio Audit’s quality checking tool. Of course, if you want the quickest way to find out what’s relevant to your show, head over to audioaudit.io and upload your latest episode. Your report gives you a score and offers guidance on how to use various tools to make the recommended enhancements. Hopefully, you’ll find something that you hadn’t thought about to help you delight your listeners.

1. Improve your metadata

You’ll be used to setting your episode title and show notes for each episode — this goes in the feed — but there’s metadata that can be included in the audio file itself. Why should you care about this? Well sometimes your audio file will be played by someone that’s not using a podcast listening app. People may share the individual MP3 file with a friend or they may download it on their PC. There are also things you can include that are not part of the RSS podcasting standards.

A cover image is essential branding for podcasts so why not embed this so it can be displayed outside of podcast apps? You can even create episode-specific artwork so it’s slightly different each time – for example with photos of your guests. VLC, FFmpeg and others can handle this for you.

Chapters help listeners find a particular part of your show. Maybe you cover several different stories or topics per episode. Breaking your episodes down into sections can make it more digestible and less daunting for longer shows. Some good tools for this are Forecast, Chapter and Verse – find out more here.

Finally, there are a bunch of other text fields — things like copyright info, artist names, show name, and web address, that you probably always want to be attached to every audio file. Most DAWs, VLC, Picard and many other tools will easily let you set text metadata.

2. Check your loudness and peak volume

One thing that can be really annoying is when one podcast finishes and another one starts with much louder or quieter volume. There is a standard way of measuring loudness called LUFS, which outputs a number. Platforms have agreed upon what range this should be but surprisingly few people know how to set it correctly.

Peak volume is another type of measurement, which has an agreed standard and can help ensure levels aren’t clipping. Most DAWs have an option for setting loudness, for example in Audacity it’s under “Effects” > “Loudness Normalization”. -16 LUFS should be the perceived loudness target you’re aiming for. You’ll want to run this normalisation as the final step before exporting.

3. Check your sampling and export settings

Often people will go with whatever defaults their DAW suggests or will set things up once and not re-asses. Audio software can be used for many different types of content and there is a trade-off to be had of quality vs. download time, device storage, and hosting costs. This also skews slightly over time as the average internet speed increases. Most podcasts will sound great if they’re within the most common ranges shown below. If your show is specifically about high-res audio or you have a listener base that is on slow internet then obviously adjust accordingly.

• Sample rate: 44100 Hz or 48000 Hz.
• Sample Width / Bit Depth / Sample Size: 16 bit for export but it’s better to use a higher bit during editing.
• Bit Rate: 128 kbps – 256 kbps MP3.

4. Provide transcripts

More and more podcasts are producing transcripts as part of their show notes. These can be quickly generated via AI speech-to-text tools or human freelancers you can hire online. There are several benefits to producing transcripts:

1. SEO (search engine optimisation) — Search engines are primarily building their indexes based on text. Converting the content you’ve already made into a different form opens you up to different audiences. People might not be looking for podcasts specifically but find you because they match with the topics you discuss.

2. Hearing restricted — Some people have impairments, others find it easier to understand content when it is written down. A transcription opens your show up to people that wouldn’t engage with it otherwise.

3. Navigating within an episode — More advanced transcripts are time-stamped allowing listeners to find a keyword and decide where to start listening. This can also be a life-saver if you are adding chapters to your episodes.

5. Consider silences

Sometimes one show can run into another and the listener might hear an abrupt transition. Silences at the beginning and end give your content space to breathe. Slowing down and leaving your listener time to absorb what you have said might work well especially if your content has a narrative. This is a technique used in highly produced, highly scripted podcasts like 99 Percent Invisible. Standards from the audiobook industry recommend 0.5–1 second at the start of a track and 1–5 seconds at the end.

What else?

If you’ve already nailed everything above then here are a few bonus jumping-off points that might peak your interest.

• Compressor — Filter that automatically adjusts volume within a short time window which is great if you
have multiple presenters.
• Band filtering — Cut out high or low frequency noise that isn’t speech.
• Equalisation (EQ) — Boost/reduce certain frequencies of your voice to improve the tone.
• Panning — Spread out each person within stereo space to make it easier for the listener to tell who’s
speaking.
• Noise reduction — Remove artefacts from inferior recording equipment and the environment.
• Sibilance and De-essing — Filters can reduce sounds like “sss” or “shh” which are not pleasant.

Damian Moore is the Founder and CEO of Audio Audit, an automatic benchmarking and proofing tool which checks the quality of your podcast MP3 files, giving you peace of mind before you publish. Find out more at audioaudit.io.

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This article was produced as part of a paid advertising package. To enquire about advertising with Pod Bible email info@podbiblemag.com.

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Banged Up is a chart-topping series hosted by prison lawyer Claire Salama and two former inmates (entrepreneur Rob Morrison and former professional footballer Mike Boateng aka Boats) who were each convicted of fraud and match fixing, and met in the gym of Wandsworth prison. Wildly entertaining and hugely thought provoking UK podcast Banged Up, about the reality of going behind bars  the most honest and darkly comic podcast out there about what prison is really like. After features in newspapers like The Independent, it has found its way onto many ‘best new podcasts’ lists (including our own!)

We asked the hosts how this podcast about prison came to be. Plus, Boats gives some first-hand advice about background noise for podcasters…

From left to right: entrepreneur Rob Morrison. prison lawyer Claire Salama and former professional footballer Mike ‘Boats’ Boateng

Some of the people you interview are speaking about very personal stories in an honest way. What do you think the secret is to being a good podcast interviewer?

Rob: Let them talk (something I have to keep reminding myself – Claire and Boats help too!). I think also by keeping the conversations generally pretty relaxed and light hearted.

Claire: Not being judgmental; I think we have avoided focusing too much on our opinions of matters relating to the criminal justice system and given the guests their chance to say what they think.

Boats: Sharing our own stories, our vulnerabilities, bad decisions. Especially in Season 1, when we went in-depth about our experiences, how we got to be in prison and how we found it, our reflections about our own actions, shows others that we have something in common and can relate.

Why podcasting? What is it about the format that appeals to you?

R: I like that it’s long-format and you don’t have to condense answers or stories down into short soundbites.

C: I think there is great access to an audience. The fact you can multitask when listening to a podcast means that people can engage on a topic while going about their daily lives, that they might not otherwise have time to sit down and read a book about, or watch a documentary. Plus, the episodic nature means you can keep things entertaining and light.

If you could go back to before you started podcasting and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?

R: Talk a bit less and a bit more slowly!

C: Enjoy meeting up in person as you will soon have to do this through a computer!

B: To always be yourself and don’t act up for the camera/microphone because you’ll get found out…

C: You mean, don’t watch football in the background while recording because you’ll get found out!

B: That! and be prepared to do interviews and sound like a broken record.

Which episode of your podcast means the most to you?

R: Ep 1 of the second series – Laura AKA Babs. We were really good mates and then lost contact while we were both inside and I wasn’t sure how she was getting on. Hearing her talk in the episode in such a funny way was just really enjoyable.

C: I really enjoyed Ep 4 with the prison governor, Andy. In my job, I am usually only in contact with staff when things are going wrong, chasing them for things that haven’t been done or raising concerns about a prisoner’s treatment. It was great to hear how empathetic the officer was, how he understood the importance of good governance and a reminder of how hard it is, not just for those locked up, but for those doing the locking up.

B: Episode 7 you’ll hear from a victim of serious violence. It’s not something Rob and I have really had to think about much before, there not being a direct ‘victim’ to our offences. His experience was mad and he doesn’t hold it against anyone, he manages to still recognise how important it is we treat people who have committed offences well.

Do you have a dream listener for the podcast? Who most needs to hear these stories.

R: Anyone who has formed their opinion of the prison system based on news articles in the Sun.

B: I would have liked to have heard these stories before going into prison myself.

Which podcasts or podcast hosts inspire you most?

R: I love Joe Rogan because he is a brilliant interviewer and the range of guests he gets on. Also How to Fail w/ Elizabeth Day for the same reasons. Malcolm Gladwell (Revisionist History) and Michael Lewis (Against the Rules) because of their ability to look at stories with depth and a different angle.

C: I’ve always been a fan of Louis Theroux as an interviewer and I have really enjoyed his ‘Grounded’ series over lockdown.

R: Boats, you can say Rob

You recently had a group photoshoot and described the results as ‘the World’s Worst Band’ – what would the band be called??

R: Rough Justice

B: (laughs and shakes head)

C: I don’t think Boats would be seen in a band with us! And it would certainly be a bad one with my lack of musical talent.

Finally, what is your current favourite podcast you would recommend to readers?

R: 1. Banged Up 2. Quickly Kevin will he Score – the 90s Football Show

C: Let me guess Boats, you don’t listen to podcasts?

B: Haha, correct!

C: He hasn’t even listened to ours!

Listen to Banged Up now on ACAST, SPOTIFY and ELSEWHERE. Follow Banged Up on Twitter @BangedUpPodcast and Instagram @BangedUpPodcast

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Whether you’re a podcaster yourself, or promoting a business, being a guest on podcasts is a great way to get in front of your target audience for free. And it takes way less effort than guest blogging. No-brainer really.

But as a marketing strategy, it only really works if you’re able to make a genuine impact on the listening audience. If they come away from the interview thinking “meh”, it’s not going to do much to help build your brand.

Keep in mind that most regular podcast listeners consume a lot of content (more than 7 hours a week on average). So all that competition makes it harder to stand out.

But you don’t need to be a comedian or professional entertainer to get listeners to remember your name. It just needs to be extremely clear you’re passionate about what you do and you know exactly what you’re talking about.

An Easier Way to Book Podcast Guest Slots

The traditional approach to booking guest slots involves researching shows in your niche, tracking down email addresses for hosts and producers, writing pitch emails, and keeping tabs on all your outreach in a spreadsheet.

That process still works for some. But here at Podcasts.co, we know that it eats up a lot of time, especially during the research phase. So we created a new platform to speed it all up. MatchMaker.fm is a free online booking service that matches podcasters with ideal guests. You can find lists of relevant speaking opportunities with a few clicks.

After creating a profile by filling in some basic details about your background and experience, you can start browsing the database of podcasts. There are thousands on there, and you can quickly filter shows by category, location, language spoken, and more.

You then add any podcasts that look like a good fit for you to your favorites list.

Writing Your Podcast Guest Pitch

You can quickly pitch to podcast hosts through MatchMaker’s instant messaging feature. This will help you line up guest slots much quicker. But most producers and hosts tend to be picky about who they’ll have on their show. They only want guests who they think their listeners will enjoy. And the more popular a podcast is, the more guest pitches they’ll receive. So if yours doesn’t stand out, it’s going to get buried with all the rest.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when crafting your initial MatchMaker message:

• Understand who you are pitching to by listening to an episode of the show
• Personalise your pitch, avoid generic copy-paste templates. They’re easy to spot
• Keep it clear and concise (it’s a pitch, not your life story)
• Suggest a few topics you could discuss on the show
• Proofread for typos and mistakes before hitting ‘send’

How to be a Great Podcast Guest

And now you’re booked as a podcast guest! But the process isn’t finished yet. During the interview, you need to wow listeners. And that takes preparation. So here are a few things you can do to get the most value out of each podcast appearance.

Do Your Research

Before appearing on a show, we advise listening to at least two episodes beforehand. Knowing the answers to the questions below will help you feel more relaxed before the interview, and it’ll prevent anything from catching you off guard

• How long are the episodes on average?
• Is it a standard interview show? Or are the conversations edited?
• Are there any recurring segments in the episodes?
• What are the main talking points or themes that usually come up?
• Are the intros pre-recorded or done live at the beginning of the episode?
• Is there an opportunity for guests to pitch their product or service at the end of the interview?

Rehearse Key Answers & Prepare Anecdotes

Think about the kinds of questions the host is likely to ask you and write them down. Then practice your answers so they’re tight, crisp, and deliver your message clearly.

Also try to think of any relevant stories or anecdotes you could use to illustrate your points. People tend to remember information much better when it’s presented in a relatable narrative format. But it can be hard to think of the perfect story when you’re put on the spot! So having a few anecdotes stashed in your back pocket can be a big help.

Don’t Ramble

When the host asks you a question, keep your response focused and on track. A few tangents here and there are fine and generally help to give the interview a more natural feel. But you should always aim to guide your answers back towards the host’s original question. Repeatedly going off-topic can be quite frustrating for both the host and listeners.

Consider Sound

Don’t let all your preparation go to waste by failing to consider sound quality. To be blunt, your internal laptop or phone mic aren’t quite good enough. If you’re going to be doing a lot of podcasting, you need to invest in a dedicated microphone. Fortunately there are loads of great plug-and-go USB microphones on the market that won’t break the bank.

Think about where you are recording as well. You don’t need to soundproof entire rooms. But make sure you choose a nice quiet space where you’re unlikely to be interrupted or pick up pesky background noises. If possible, move fans or other things that make a lot of noise into another room. Recording in a room that’s carpeted can also help as it dampens echoes.

Avoid Filler Language

We all tend to have our own unique filler language – things like “umm’s” , “ahh’s”, “you know’s” or other words and phrases you say out of habit. Filler words aren’t a major issue, but they can be distracting and may take away from the message you’re trying to get across. Make note of any you use often and work on cutting them out when you’re talking. This takes practice, but it’s worth being mindful of.

Promote Your Episode

If you’ve gone to the trouble of doing the interview, then it only makes sense to promote it as best you can. Most hosts will be keen for you to help them amplify their voice by sharing the interview across your own channels. Some hosts may even send you unique graphics or audiograms you can use to advertise the episode on social media – if they do, use them! And also make sure you tag the host where possible for added visibility.

Ready to Start Booking Interviews?

By following these tips, it should boost the quality of each interview you do – which will ultimately help to establish your authority in your field and win some new fans in the process.

If you impress the audience enough, a percentage of the listeners will want to learn more about you. Of those who make their way to your website, some may be convinced enough to start checking out all the other things you’re involved in. And this kind of interest compounds over time. Every interview you do makes a small contribution to the growth of your brand.

Join MatchMaker.fm today for free – if you’re a podcaster looking for guests, or if you have expertise and stories to share with the world.

James Deeney is the Head of Content at Podcast.co. He’s been into podcasting since the pioneering days of The Ricky Gervais Show back in 2006! James graduated in Science Communication at the University of Manchester after writing his masters thesis on how podcasts are influencing the way people learn new information. James also hosts his own show, which you can find by typing ‘meet the podcasters` into Google.

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ACAST: Let’s kick things off: how did your podcast come about?

Dane: Howard, aka “The Hza”, approached me while I was doing my group podcast, Quotas Full, with some other comedians. It was already an idea I had, but Howard came with some microphones and a free room, and then I came with a series of questions and ideas for guests. We put it together and hey presto, podcast!

Howard: I couldn’t cope with people not hearing Dane talk like he does! We were having lunch and he was speaking his mind about
something and I told him the world needed to hear this side of Dane Baptiste — he embodies the ‘question everything’ mantra.

What do you love about making a podcast?

Dane: I love people watching; it’s a natural part of the comedian’s complex in my opinion. Having a podcast allows you to ‘people listen’, which always allows you to have a much more rounded idea of who somebody is. As children, only slumber parties gave people the opportunity to be intimate with friends and acquaintances — podcasts bring that opportunity back.

Howard: For one hour or so we get to connect with a guest in a totally unique way, not knowing whether we’ll end up going deep or just having a real laugh. Some funny people have come on the show and talked really seriously, which has been amazing. The format of the show keeps it fresh and different every week.

How do you plan an episode?

Dane: It’s a collaborative effort between the Hza and I; we basically look at people we think are both interesting and iconic to our listeners, and we do our best to curate these people for the best meeting of minds.

Howard: Our questions are generated in different ways. I’ll usually know the guests’ questions before the show, and I’ll think of my question in a way to balance against theirs. Dane just does his thing, which works!

Once it’s recorded, what’s the process for getting it out to your listeners?

Howard: It always feels like a chore, but it’s not that bad! I’ve taken a few notes as the show records, but I’ll always edit it from start to finish just to get it flowing as best it can. Someone always coughs, don’t they? Once I’ve edited it we send the individual tracks over to our sound mix master Dee Dhanjal at Audio Culture, so it sounds perfect. Without the mix the show just isn’t the polished product the audience loves. Dee is our unsung/sung hero!

Do you do anything to connect with your listeners?

Dane: Well, the show’s ethos is for listeners to hear what’s being discussed in the hope they’ll question their reality more often. We encourage them to question us and their environment and, when we can via live shows, we can include them in the conversation. In the meantime keep your questions coming, folks!

Howard: We push the socials pretty hard every week and love to mention to our listeners during the show that they should contact us with their questions. The opening of the show is a question from one of the audience, which is a brilliant way to connect with the listeners.

What’s one hot tip for budding podcasters out there?

Dane: Choose a subject or guests who you’ll enjoy speaking about and to, respectively. Keep things exciting and, if not, brief — as the attention span isn’t what it used to be. Think of who you want as listeners and think about how best to engage them. Most of all, have fun — it’s really supposed to be a conversation that interested people wanna hear, so keep it informative and inclusive.

Howard: Grow your show in your own way, tweak it along the way, and just keep going! And enjoy it!

You can listen to Dane Baptise Questions Everything on Acast and all other podcast platforms. Got a podcast or thinking of starting a podcast? Join the world’s biggest podcast network to grow your show and make money. Find out more about joining Acast.

This article came from Issue #013 of Pod Bible magazine, which you can read online or buy in our shop.

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