FAQs

Welcome to the world of Podcasting.

You’re in good company. There are more than one million podcasts world-wide and counting! 

Podcasts can be a few minutes long to a few hours. Depending on which research you believe – the average length of a podcast is either 22 minutes, 30 minutes, or 43 minutes. But listeners are said to prefer podcasts less than 16 minutes. 

Microsoft says the average person's attention span is approximately eight seconds - so the first few sentences of your podcast needs to grab your listener’s attention. And hold them. We, at ELM Podcasting, can help you do this a few different ways, including…

• Production value (which is hugely important in the world of audio)
• Consultation on vocal delivery
• Consultation on your existing podcast

Click on 'Getting started on your Podcast' to learn more

Before you get started on your Podcast – some things to think about. 

An idea: What's your podcast idea?

• • Your podcast should be something that you are passionate about, and very knowledgeable in. Maybe you're a business manager or a teacher, and your podcast will be a summary of your meeting(s) or class(es). Maybe you love travel, or movies, or music  - and you want to start a podcast that speaks to like-minded people.

A title: What are you going to call your Podcast?

• • Try to be catchy, clever and clear so the listener knows exactly what your podcast will be about.

Your audience: Who is going to listen to your podcast?

• • Who is your target audience? (demographic and psycho-graphic)
  • What is your USP? (Unique Selling Proposition). In other words - what makes YOU and YOUR Podcast unique from the other hundreds of thousands of podcasts out there?  Why would the target audience want to listen to YOUR podcast? 

Episode break-down:  Make a template / break down of each episode.

• • What is the topic of Episode 1? 2? 3? etc.
  • What is the focus of that topic?
  • Is it just you? A guest? Guests?
  • How are you planning on producing your Podcast? (writing / recruiting guests / recording / releasing / marketing)
  • How often do you plan to release an episode? Weekly? Bi-weekly? Monthly?

Click on 'Recording your Podcast' for information on equipment and technique

The Recording Space.

• The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that you don't need a fancy studio or expensive equipment to record audio. Well-known broadcasters and podcasters went from recording their shows in million-dollar studios to recording their shows in their closet. Why the closet? Because it's a small 'dead' space - not a lot of acoustics, and the clothes act as a sound absorber. If you want to build a studio - go for it! Or - maybe work toward it?  But to start out, all you really need to do is find yourself a dead space - low ceiling and sound absorbers like blankets or clothing or curtains.

Recording yourself and the Equipment:

Super simple? Little investment.

• Buy a good pair of headphones (not earbuds) to be able to hear the recording, room noise etc. ‘Good’ does not mean super expensive. There are good brands out there that won’t break the bank. AKG / Sony etc. 
• Use your hand-held digital device's  ‘voice recording app’ or ‘voice memo’ (it comes with the phone) to record yourself. Once you are done the recording - stop the recording and look for the 'share' button (...). Your digital device will now save your recording as an 'mp3' audio file. Email that file to yourself and read on...

More complex: bit more of an investment

• Above – but add on a microphone that plugs into your digital device (other recommended names: iRig, Rode IXYL, or for android – something like this)
• OR invest in an USB all in one microphone – such as Blue Yeti or Blue Snowball 
• Subscribe to a computer audio software program to enhance your audio (Adobe Audition, Garageband, or check out these options)
  • YouTube has free and easy tutorials on how to use these programs.

Even more complex: you are serious about this.

• Above, and add on a mixer with cables etc. A package like this
• Or visit a place such as Long n McQuade – they have a portable studio with all the fixings and they will be able to help answer your  

Click on 'Storing your Podcast' to find out how to share your podcast.

We are going to keep this area SUPER SIMPLE: Soundcloud

• Create a free Soundcloud account 
• Copy the mp3 file you emailed to yourself and save it somewhere where you can access it
• Upload that mp3 file into your Soundcloud page
• Play around with title, description. options, hashtags – photos etc.
• Then hit ‘share’ and copy the link; take that link and post/promote your Podcast to your social media platforms, networks - or send out via an email. 

Voila! Congratulations. You are one of the more than one-million Podcasters!  If you want to go more pro - let ELM help. Click on 'Services' and let's get to work!