Open course: The power of podcasting

Why podcast?

Here we’ll set the scene by looking at how other individuals and brands are using podcasts for marketing and sales.

Planning your podcast?

• What are the key elements that makes podcasts engaging?
• A look at the various editorial treatments used in podcasts and the different styles of podcasts available.
• How best to structure your podcast – considering the individual audio elements required
• Reverse engineering ‘interesting’ content - the structure that journalists use when defining what makes ‘good quality content’ (T.R.U.T.H)

Scripting a podcast introduction: practical session

Here you will script a podcast introduction. Don’t worry if you don’t already have a podcast idea. We’ll help you to come up with something so you can learn the skills and apply them to your future podcasts.

Tutor review, coaching and guidance will follow each practical session.

What equipment do you need for podcasting?

Depending on your budget and the type of podcast you are creating we will give advice on what equipment you need to get started or to develop a more professional sound.

You’ll also get a chance to explore Media First’s own radio and podcasting studios, as well as getting to play with our portable and online podcasting equipment and software.

We’ll look at:
- Recording devices
- Microphones
- Headphones
- Online software
- Editing software

A strong introduction: practical session

During this practical session, you will present and record the opening of a podcast. We’ll teach you proper microphone technique and will guide you through the whole process. We’ll even show you how to quickly edit your recording and add audio branding such as a music bed to your introduction.

This could be a podcast you’ve introduced before, or one that you’re planning to record in the future.

Tutor review, coaching and guidance will follow each practical session.

Voice and language workshop

• How to bring scripted content to life
• The importance of tone, pace, pitch and light and shade
• Creating intimacy with your voice
• Vocal techniques to convey different moods or messages
• Painting pictures with words
• Using relatable language
• Jargon busting
• Using imagery to bring facts and figures to life

Presenting with impact: practical session

During this practical session you will again present the opening section of a podcast, putting into practice the above techniques and the tutor’s feedback from the first practical session.

Review, feedback and coaching will follow

Interview and hosting skills

• Connecting with your audience and guests simultaneously
• The importance of being impartial
• Active listening
• Giving guests equal ‘air time’
• Being a confident but compassionate host – controlling a ‘wandering speaker’
• Subtly landing your own corporate messages whilst not stealing the limelight from your guests
• The power of paraphrasing

Podcast interviews: practical session

Employing the techniques learnt, you will host a mock podcast and interview your tutor about a topic you know little about. The aim is to test your ability to dig into the interesting elements of the story and your ability to lead the interviewee without appearing over-bearing.

Review, feedback and coaching will follow

Podcast sign offs

The importance of a strong and consistent call-to-action.

What do you want your audience to do next?
- Read the associated show notes?
- Become a member?
- Sign up to your blog
- Like, share and subscribe?
- Visit your website?

Editing and launching your podcast

• The 2 day editing process
• Editing with colleagues – sign off and approval processes.
• Basic editing techniques and software choices

James White is Media First’s managing director. He launched our The Media Landscape podcast in 2021 for comms and media professionals. He has also worked with our clients, including Sagentia Innovation, Frontier Economics and WRAP, to launch and produce their podcasts.

Tom Idle is an experienced podcast host who has spent the last 20 years working in business journalism and corporate communications. His Better Business Show podcast showcased innovators, start-ups and small businesses, doing things differently and more sustainably to create better businesses. It boasted more than 3,000 weekly listeners.