Difference between revisions of "KDHX Podcast Guide"

Revision as of 00:12, 19 May 2015

Introduction to Podcasting with KDHX

Podcasting has become one of the best ways to build audience for in-depth informative types of programming, and is THE vehicle for getting content to the listeners who want it most. It is a highly successful method of building community around a topic, and providing richer and more engaging information to your audience.

Something to consider is how you as host are a big part of what the listener is subscribing* to. Your personality, expertise, connections to the content, and ability to inform are key to the ability of the program to build audience. Some of the tips and guidelines below reference how you'll handle this best on the platform.

(*subscriptions to KDHX podcasts are FREE, by the way, but encouraging your audience to support KDHX and converting listeners to supporting donors is still an important facet of producing your program)

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. oftewn podcast subscribers will go back and listen to an entire season of content to feel "caught up."
• 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

• record and edit as AIFF or WAV
• make audio levels consistent with compression/normalize routine
• convert to mp3 in iTunes using these specs:

 spoken word shows:  stereo bit rate = 192kbps (will be cut in half as mono), sample rate: 44.1kHz, channels: mono
 music programs: stereo bit rate: 128kbps, sample rate: 44.1kHz, channels: stereo
 DO NOT use Variable Bit Rate (VBR) - should be CBR (constant bit rate) 

• add ID3 (Metadata) / tagging the mp3 file using "get info" 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