History of Podcasting
The term podcasting was developed by Ben Hammersly after he noticed a gap that needed to be filled in the aspect of radio back in 2004 (Robertson, 2019).
There was this problem that radio production wasn’t made available to audiences who mean to explore more on the field and that the only time people get a taste of the actual production was when they already work in radio stations.
He was looking for a way to make radio production boom on an amateur level where people coming from all walks of life are able to record and express themselves audio-visually without necessarily working in a radio station.
It was through this that he coined the term podcasting.
Podcasting is blogging, newscasting, and reflecting all converged into one medium: the voice.
Qualifications of a Podcaster
“I do not have a good voice, does that disqualify me from being a podcaster?”
While having a good voice is an advantage for aspiring podcasters because it helps with a podcast’s marketability, podcasting does not entirely stand on whether you have a good voice or not.
Ironically, the qualifications of a podcaster are that it requires you only two main things: content and clarity.
Content is the king that sits upon the throne of every aspect in audio media communication. No matter how good one’s voice is, if their content is not appealing, the podcast would not be as effective.
A podcaster’s content is the first thing listeners are exposed to. After which, listeners now inherently proceed to ask themselves: “yeah, he/she has content, but can I understand this content?”
This is where clarity comes in. Clarity is not about how beautiful your voice is, but instead about how understandable the things you’re saying are.
Clarity does not just involve your skills in speaking or how well you get to the point and make listeners absorb your content. It also involves the technical aspects of a podcast which may take the form of microphone quality and audio quality.
Once you have content and clarity, congratulations! You are officially qualified to be a podcaster!
Podcasting 101
Step 1: The technicals
Before diving into the official production of a podcast, one has to first prepare the technicalities to put a podcast to fruition.
In simpler terms, a podcaster must prepare the input and the output.
The input involves all the tools that you need to record your voice in the best quality there is and in the most convenient way possible. This includes but is not limited to: a laptop or a cellphone to which the podcaster would like to record his voice, a microphone where the podcaster would be speaking, and audio editing software for which the recorded voice could be edited.
Some of the most popular and reliable audio editing software includes Audacity, Adobe Audition, GarageBand, etc.
Of course, podcasters must also familiarize themselves with these audio editing applications or they can opt to hire someone adept at utilizing it. Once the input is already finalized and deemed functional, they may now proceed to the output.
The output includes the medium or application on which the podcast would be released on. Some of the good podcast streaming platforms include Spotify and SoundCloud.
Podcasts are not purely audio media communication. Podcasters can also make use of YouTube as a podcast platform as well, but this requires additional input tools as many podcasts converge audio media and audio-visual communication when it comes to YouTube. Additional input tools may include a good quality camera and a video editing software where the audio and video would be merged to produce a podcast.
Other aspects of preparing the output include familiarization with the podcast streaming applications and finding an audience for the podcast.
Step 2: Conceptualizing content for the podcast
Podcasts vary in different types. There are a lot of ways to do a podcast, and there is a multitude of content possible.
Conceptualizing content for the podcast includes choosing a podcast name and a title your podcast episode. There is no bad podcast name, but a name that stands out is one that best expresses you or your group and what you talk about the most. Ideally, you can think of any name you want!
Regarding the podcast title, it’s best to think of these titles as headlines in newspapers or YouTube thumbnails whose purpose is to capture the audience’s attention. Impressions and tractions mostly start through the podcast title and make sure that what you present in the title is exactly what the audience gets.
Now it’s time to establish your objectives. Objectives include asking yourself the question, “why am I starting a podcast?” and “what’s my ultimate goal in this podcast?”
Don’t take establishing these goals lightly, because, in the long run, it’s what’s going to keep you hanging on and inspired to continue making these podcasts.
After establishing your objectives, thinking of a podcast theme is the next part. Podcast themes can be as heterogeneous as you’d like them to be if you do not want to lean on just one type of theme. However, the most important aspect here is making sure the audience understands your theme no matter the different types of podcasts you create.
Step 3: Choose a podcast format
Do you want an improv podcast or a scripted podcast? Do you need a co-host or do you want to speak by yourself? Does your theme compel you to do an interview type of podcast? Scripted non-fiction and an educational podcast? Newscasting type of podcast? Relaxation podcasts?
These are the things you need to think of when choosing the podcast format. Similar to conceptualizing a podcast theme, a podcaster does not have to entirely make use of only one podcast format for the rest of their podcast career.
It is necessary to know that having a co-host or a guest in the podcast makes them stakeholders in the podcast. They are in it just as much as the host. They have to be involved in every phase of production as to how much is necessary for them to participate and perform well in the podcast.
Step 4: Podcast production phase
This is the final step of creating a podcast. In this production phase, the actual practice of conducting the podcast takes place. All the hosts and co-hosts start performing, and the podcast is in due motion.
In this phase, all the prepared content and script, if there is, are used and facilitated by members of the production team.
Conclusion
This is the bare minimum of creating a podcast. Unlike actual radio production, everyone can create podcasts in their homes and generate content suitable for audience consumption.
Finally, once everything has been concluded, there is no better way to end a successful podcast than to celebrate!
Congratulations and welcome to the field of podcasting!
Mangtas Nation Podcast
In the Mangtas Nation Podcast, we talk about business, outsourcing, technology, teams, and other related content. We constantly look for guests to co-host or to be interviewed in our podcast.
Do you feel like guesting for our podcast episodes? Follow Mangtas Nation on Spotify andn YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for podcast updates, and send us an email at info@pro5.ai We’re looking forward to hosting with or having you as our guest at Mangtas Nation!