PODCAST STARTER-KIT

PODCAST STARTER-KIT

PODCAST STARTER-KIT

With a never-ending list of things to do, people have less time than ever before, which is altering the way content is consumed.

Listening on the go, and show availability in an engaging and informative format is what’s driving audio consumption at a rapid speed.

Launching a podcast is the perfect opportunity to present yourself as an expert in your field and really add value to people’s lives in a way that proves you know what you’re talking about.

We will be covering:1. Equipment needed to record a podcast

2. iTunes requirements

3. Audio requirements

4. Pitching potential podcast guests

5. Podcast day checklist

PODCAST STARTER-KIT

1 EQUIPMENT NEEDED TO RECORD A PODCAST

To get started you’ll need…

Equipment checklist

• A good microphone• A mixer/audio interface• Aboom arm/shock mount/pop filter• A computer

A good microphone:It’s no surprise that great audio is paramount to producing a great podcast show. Spend as much as you can afford. Rode Podcaster is what the team and I use but others you could look at are Blue Yeti and Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB.

A mixer / audio interfaceMost microphones can plug straight into a USB port on your computer. But if you want the ultimate sound quality you’ll need to look at sound mixer. We use Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 (2nd Gen) which is compact and easy to use and allows us to have two microphone inputs for interviewing guests on the show.

A boom arm / shock mount / pop filter:A microphone boom arm, shock mount and filter are additional equipment you might like to look at if you’re looking for better quality sound recording and flexibility.

A computer:You’ll also need a good computer that can be used to edit and render the audio files and to upload them to the podcast platforms.

PODCAST STARTER-KIT

2 ITUNES REQUIREMENTS

iTunes is just one podcast distribution platform, others include Soundcloud, Stitcher and Anchor. The one you choose will depend on where you think your audience is, otherwise publish to as many as you think you can manage. iTunes is probably the most popular but when you’re starting out you might like to publish to Soundcloud or Anchor which are two platforms very easy to set up and get you into the habit of podcasting, then when you’re comfortable you can move over the iTunes, Stitcher and other platforms.

As iTunes is a ‘distribution’ platform, to publish your podcast on iTunes you will need a dedicated audio hosting platform that will deliver your audios to iTunes and other platforms.

We use Libsyn, starting at $7USD per month, but there are other video hosting providers and some platforms like Soundcloud and Anchor can actually host the audios files for you, no messing around.

To get started on iTunes you’ll need…• An Apple ID login

• A thumbnail image for your podcast 1400 x 1400 pixels

• A title for your podcast

• And a short description.

Once you have your iTunes podcast account set up and integrated into your audio hosting provider, you’ll upload your first episode and then wait for 2 to 3 days while iTunes approves your first episode. Then you’re on your way… each time you upload to your audio hosting provider your new episodes will automatically publish through iTunes.

PODCAST STARTER-KIT

3 AUDIO REQUIREMENTS

To publish your podcast episodes you’ll need to save them as MP3 files. You can use free software like Audacity or for more advanced audio editing check out what my team use Adobe Audition.

It’s a good idea to have a few episodes in “the can” before you get started. Publishing a number of them quickly, say daily, which will give you good audience traction and a chance to be listed as “New and Noteworthy”.

You have one chance to have your podcast show listed in “New and Noteworthy” which will get you more coverage and listed on the discovery page of iTunes for you category. Once you’ve given your podcast show a good start, then you can settle into a routine.

Also, to keep your audience engaged, you’ll need to set a schedule and publish consistently, ideally weekly, this will help them get into a habit of downloading your show.

You’ll also want to encourage your listeners to leave reviews on iTunes, this helps build credibility and will help your show get found by new listeners.

Productivity HackTo become more efficient with your content creation, you could record a video of the show; then scrape the audio using software; then publish that file as your podcast episode; get the audio transcribed by someone like Rev.com and then use that as a blog article on your website; and upload the video to YouTube - minimum of 3 pieces of content across 3 different platforms. It’s all about reaching your audience where they are.

PODCAST STARTER-KIT

4 PITCHING POTENTIAL PODCAST GUESTS

Create a potential podcast guest listIt’s useful to create a potential podcast guest list. The reality is, for every ten plus pitch emails you send out you may only get one confirmed guest, so you need to be working from a list that can record guest contact details and responses.

Airtable is the software we use to do this, it’s easy to use and you can easily create the datacapture you need.

Good pitches are;• Friendly, conversational and personal

• Short and sweet

• Stick to the facts - no need to waffle

PODCAST STARTER-KIT

Sample pitch emailThe format for our pitch emails are generally as follows:

Hi outreach name

My name is Danielle and I work for the marketing team at Kerwin’s Personal Training Programs. Kerwin is a high profile Australian personal trainer who is passionate about helping sole trader personal trainers develop truly effective personal training packages.

[Greeting + introduction and where you’re from + what the overarching purpose of your organisation is. This helps grabs a reader’s attention to gauge if it’s something that will align with them.]

We’re about to launch a podcast that features people who are awesome at training specific demographic groups of people, who can share invaluable insights into what exactly goes into achieving knockout fitness results tailored for clients.

[What you’re contacting them about, and the aim of your project]

We think your 20+ years of experience and time spent as an industry leader in the personal training and fitness sector would make you an excellent guest for our podcast, especially for our audience who aspire to deliver industry leading personal training coaching programs.

[Why you think they’d be a good fit]

We’ve had great traction with it so far, averaging 20K downloads per episode. We’ve also attached a press kit if you’re interested in more information about this.

[Any metrics you have on reach and engagement. This is also a good chance to link to existing episodes]

Let me know if you’re free for this, we’d absolutely love to have you on.

[Call to action]

Kind regards, Danielle

Record pitch responsesWhether your pitched guests accepted, declined or delayed their podcast invitation with you record their response for future reference on airtable or whatever software you use for this.

This ensures if you need to recontact or re-connect with this guest at a later date you’ve already done the foundation work and have a record of it. Plus, this is a great list to nurture for future collaboration.

PODCAST STARTER-KIT

5 PODCAST DAY CHECKLIST

Before your podcast guest is due to arrive, ensure;

• Interview questions and research have been pre-prepared and ready.

• Have guest sign a podcast release and consent form to allow you to usetheir image and air the podcast under your banner.

• The podcast room is ready to record.

• All equipment is working.

• If you’re taking photographs with your guest before or after the podcastall the necessary equipment and area is prepared and ready.

• Create a welcome sign for the guest, ‘Welcome Ed Sheeran.’

• Advise the internal team of the guests arrival time, put up any ‘On Air’signage needed.

• Music turned off, office quiet for recording, doorbell turned off.

• Have water jug and clean glasses ready.

• Meet and greet guest, give them a tour of the office or business.

• Take the guest into the podcast room/area ready for the podcast interview.

PODCAST STARTER-KIT

POST PODCAST

Thank them profusely for their great interview.Keep guest or guest's team advised of podcast airing date and provide them with any concluding information or details they may need.

Podcast guests may be open to future opportunities for events or partnership opportunities, so apart from simply being polite to give them a great experience in-house with you, there may be future worthwhile opportunities to build on.

GET PODCASTING!

PODCAST STARTER-KIT

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

To my gold medal talents - the K-Team:

Accounts & Administration, Digital & Community management, Editorial, Events, Executive, Sales, Social & Marketing, Video and my illustrious PA’s (current and

previous) - you are all UNSTOPPABLE! You contribute every day to everything that’s seen, heard and experienced by the Kerwin Rae community.

It’s an honour to serve with you, and I’m so grateful to each and every one of you. Kerwin

PODCAST STARTER-KIT

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Business Mastery Pty LtdPodcast Starter-kit e-resource Version 1First published & distributed by September 2018 by Business Mastery Pty LtdThis is proudly a Business Mastery Pty Ltd e-resource

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