KDHX Podcast Guide
From KDHX Production
Contents
General Guidelines for Programs on KDHXtra.org
- include KDHX Community Media identifier phrases:
- Opening?: "From KDHX Community Media in St. Louis Missouri, this is [show name], the podcast that...[super short show description]"
- Ending: "[show name] is a production of KDHX Community Media in St. Louis, MO, brought to you by the generous support of our listeners. I‘m [host name] - thank you for listening."
- introduce self as host at beginning (and end) of podcast
- minimize fluff - get to the heart of the material quickly
- introduce topic and guest with credentials: "The focus of this episode of the program is [topic]. My guest is [guest name], [credentials, and/or position at organization they represent]"
- give framework and/or tease content to be discussed later in the program
- give follow up links to reference materials that are listed in the show notes - use of show numbers will simplify this
- outro - call to action! ask your listeners to do something - subscribe, re-post, etc
- provide written description to KDHX production staff prior to recording - Andy or John - containing guest name, credential, and short synopsis of program topic, with links to organization and/or other support materials to be posted with episode on podcast channel. Writing this in advance is good practice, and will be a part of your general preparation for the introduction, interview and, and closing
Technical: Content Guide
- we'll produce a catchy intro that we'll reuse regularly, and immediately follow with what’s in this episode, teasing content that will keep them listening
- during record, a consistent audio level from host and guest is key - maintain similar distance from mic throughout, and technicians will compress, normalize and master
- make the podcast as long as it needs to be - did the "story" get told? were all of your audience's potential questions answered?
- episodes should be numbered, and should lead strong. consider beginning show anew with the first episode
- edit away any trainwrecks, but don't over edit - keep some rough edges to keep it real
- do not use music that you or kdhx doesn’t own or have rights to use in download. seek royalty-free music if you use any
- avoid time sensitive content by excluding these types of phrases:
event promo e.g."X event is coming up on X date" references to the weather - ok to use as setting/context, but avoid if not relevant to this episode’s content references to day of the week and time of day - "yesterday," "tomorrow," "tonight" or "today" unless setting is relevant, e.g. recorded the day of a significant event, and the ramifications are being discussed "this week" (depending on frequency of production)
- avoid breaks and throw-to-messages - there won't be a break in the podcast
- avoid use of "88.1 fm"
Tips toward building audience on the Podcast Platform
- find the fun in what your doing, consider the possibilities of really connecting people with the info they want
- Build relationship with your audience by including personal information that you are willing to use in this context - enough that reminds that you are a person and not just an info source.
- encourage listeners to subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or by using the RSS feed link on the showname.KDHXtra.org show page
Some good resources for better understanding the Podcast Platform
- Pat Flynn gioves good advice opn building audience and good content practices for your podcast's success: http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/how-to-start-a-podcast-podcasting-tutorial/
- The Podcast Answerman, Cliff Ravenscraft - http://podcastanswerman.com/learn-how-to-podcast/ -a lot of technical info, but a good source for general info
Technical: Audio Production Guide
- make audio levels consistent with compression/normalize routine - record and edit as AIFF or WAV
- must add ID3 (Metadata) / tagging the mp3 file in iTunes - data that is embedded in the mp3 itself. Most important iTunes info:
Artist, Album Artist, and Composer = Host name with basic credentials Album and Grouping = Show Name Comments = 150 char description of this episode Track Number = episode number Artwork embed - should do on each
- Filenames for each episode mp3 will be shortened to:
Break a Leg = B00#.mp3 Earthworms = E00#.mp3 Collector’s Edition = CE00#.mp3 Collateral Damage = CD00#.mp3 Literature for the Halibut = L00#.mp3