Digital Media Toolkit : Podcasting

1. Plan and write out a script or outline with key excerpts for your program.
2. If applicable, craft interview questions for guests.
3. Record original audio (your voice, cohost, guests)
4. Gather additional audio clips (sound effects, music, ambient noise). See Audio Resources tab for more info.
5. Edit audio using Audacity, Adobe Audition, GarageBand, ProTools, depending on your knowledge.
6. Contact Studios staff for any questions about editing or post production.
7. If eligible, submit project to platforms of your choice, such as iTunes, Sound Cloud, etc.
8. Promote your project and get subscribers!

• Have a specific target market or audience in mind. This will help to define episode structure, tone, themes, guest selection and aesthetic.

• Commit to a regular, realistic production and release schedule. When interruptions arise, keep the audience informed and develop a plan to get back on schedule.

• Develop and commit to an episode structure, including general episode length, regular segments and regular contributors.

• Plan and storyboard each episode ahead of time. Identify a general theme for the episode, complete any background research, and develop interview questions for guests (and, if possible, a general outline for the interview itself). Working from an outline will help keep the show on track.

• Provide detailed show notes for each episode, including names of guests, links to supplemental information and tags to make content easy to find.

• Identify podcast directories in which to distribute. Popular directories include Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, and Google Play to name a few.

• Develop a unique aesthetic or brand, including music, album/cover art, sound effects and social media voice.

Write your script:

• Introduce yourself and the topic
• Determine your "intros" and "outro."
• Figure out how you will transition from one segment to the next. You can use phrases, musical interludes.
• Find a structure to enhance the story you are trying to tell.
• Determine who your audience will be.

Determine your style:

• Use a simple conversational style.
• Use simple language and clear sentences. Avoid being wordy and longwinded.
• Write out each word, number, and symbol (and, if needed, add the phonetic pronunciation).
• Watch out for awkward pauses and filler phrases ("um," "you know").
• Use the active voice.
• Use the words "we" and "our" to build a connection with your listener(s).
• Consider using sound effects, music, and ambient noise to add more texture to your final audio project. Plan how you will incorporate these additional sounds by including them into your script.