So, you’ve decided to get into podcasting. And you’ve had an awesome idea for the first one, but you’re going on holiday next week and know how busy you’ll be on your return.
You’ve got two options:
- forget about it – you’ll get onto it one day; or
- just go for it.
Go for the latter option – you won’t regret it (plus, you’ll never get onto it if you keep putting it off).
Recording a podcast at such short notice and without weeks of research and planning might sound like madness, but it will almost definitely result in a fantastic piece of content and give you the bug for this addictive form of content marketing.
Here’s how to record an awesome podcast without the luxury of time:
1. Grab a colleague, close partner or understanding customer
Sure, you can do the podcast alone, but they’re always better when someone else tags along for the ride.
Have a think who might be up for such a venture at very short notice. A colleague, partner or customer would be ideal, but if they’re not forthcoming, why not involve one of your friends and get an outside take on your industry?
2. Forget the importance of the venue
It would be brilliant to record this podcast in a sound-deadened room and away from any form of interruption, but that would be a luxury right now.
Instead, pick the nearest venue – even if it’s simply at the other end of your office on that old table no one uses any more.
3. Forget getting all techie about it
It remains important to have the right podcasting equipment, but if that really isn’t an option given the time, opt for the next best thing.
Using your smartphone in ‘Dictaphone’ mode will be adequate – if not perfect – and it will enable you to get those words recorded, at the very least.
You haven’t got time to be precious about the kit you’re using, so use whatever you have to hand. Remember – there are over 60,000 podcasts on iTunes, and very few of them benefit from top-of-the-range recording studios!
4. Brain dump!
You need to talk about something, and with your subject matter in mind, conduct a brain dump; get everything out of your mind and onto paper.
5. Turn that brain dump into a loose outline
That brain dump will start life as a random collection of thoughts, suggestions and questions, but if you start to pick through it, you’ll find the gems that will form brilliant conversational points during the podcast.
Choose the stuff that jumps off the page and form an outline from it; a numbered list of discussion points is all you need – just keep in mind a running time of around thirty minutes.
Share the outline with your guest.
6. Grab some customer questions
Still struggling for content ideas? Give some loyal customers a call and tell them you’re recording a podcast during which you’d love them to have some input.
Ask for questions on the subject that you’ll put to your guest during the recording. Most people will be forthcoming.
7. Be honest with the audience
When recording, make it clear that this is an off-the-cuff affair, but one that you simply couldn’t wait to tell everyone about.
And if something goes wrong – embrace it. Podcasts are all the better when something unintentional happens.
And finally…
Enjoy yourself!
If you treat this as a spur of the moment thing, it will be a vibrant, energetic and fascinating podcast, regardless of how or where it was recorded.
In fact, you’ll enjoy it so much, you’ll want to do it this way again and again!