Getting in the zone how do you prepare for a podcast or livestream?

Date:
Tue, 28 Sep 2021 07:00:33 +0000

Description:
The perfect podcast is a mix of tech and talent, Heres how to make yours a masterpiece.

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If like us youre a podcast or livestream enthusiast, youve probably got a
list of pet hates: the hosts who take half an hour to even start, the recordings you can barely hear, the banter that isnt funny, the pops and
booms from bad microphones and other audible irritations.

Its all the more frustrating because the trick to making a great podcast or livestream is really simple: all you need is an interesting subject delivered with energy and enthusiasm into a good microphone.

Whether youre showing off your speed-run skills, analysing Lil Nas Xs latest opus or solving cold cases in your true crime podcast, a few simple steps can help you establish a deeper connection with your audience. Heres how to do
it. Find your happy place

You can podcast or stream from absolutely anywhere. While a lot of podcasts copy the radio studio format with a presenter or group all sat in front of mics thats not the only way to do it: you can host your guests remotely, or
if its a solo recording you can walk around with a headset mic or record as you explore the great outdoors.

What matters isnt the location but whether or not you (and your guests) are comfortable and far from power drills, screaming sirens and other possible interruptions. Rock the right mic

A poor quality microphone can undo all your best efforts and a good one can bring you closer to your listeners by delivering a wonderfully clear and intimate sound.

You dont need to spend hundreds of pounds on a studio-spec mic, though: USB microphones such as the Blue Yeti, Yeti Nano and Yeti X are popular with podcasters for their superb sound quality, practicality and price.

The advanced models are particularly great: with up to four audio pickup patterns cardioid, omni, bidirectional, and stereo you can use a single mic
to record multiple speakers simultaneously with incredible clarity. (Image credit: Blue)

Theres another reason to get a Yeti: Blue VOICE software . Its a dramatic, free upgrade for Yeti customers thats perfect for podcasters.

Blue VOICE gives you enhanced, broadcast-quality audio effects and filters
and advanced voice modulation that you can use to deliver studio-quality
sound no matter where you record. Check your levels

You know about checking your audio levels, but what about your energy levels? Our favourite podcasts are all very different but the one thing they have in common is their energy: if the host sounds like theyre bored with the
subject, were not going to listen for very long.

Getting enough sleep, eating well and practicing self-care might not show up on an audio meter but it does make a huge difference to your delivery. Its hard to be enthusiastic when your energy levels are crashing. Take it easy

Take your time when you talk: its tempting to do a machine-gun delivery to
get peoples attention, but that can actually be quite tiring to listen to.

Think of yourself as a storyteller: slow it down, take little pauses and use music or other audio to break things up where appropriate. (Image credit: Blue)

Blue VOICE has some great HD audio samples you can use for just that, and you can even create macros to string multiple samples together for instant activation while you record or stream.

With so many available options its tempting to use them all, but while thats
a lot of fun its important to use effects sparingly: after all, the most important sound in your podcast is you. Know who you are

The best podcasters have a clear persona and purpose, so for example on the popular podcast Youre Wrong About presenters Michael Hobbes and Sarah
Marshall are journalists obsessed with misinformation, misreporting and righting past wrongs; on How Did This Get Made? Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael and Jason Mantzoukas are there to roast really bad films and make their listeners laugh; on Killt , true crime enthusiast Louise Blain guides her listeners to the very best true crime podcasts. Know who youre talking to

Podcasts that try to be everything to everyone arent usually very successful: the best ones are made for a particular audience and address them directly.

An individuals podcast should feel like a call from a friend or mentor; a group one should feel as if youre in the room with a bunch of really smart, interesting and (if appropriate) funny people. Plan ahead

Theres incredible creative freedom to podcasting, but if youre new to it then its a good idea to plan what youre going to say in advance.

That doesnt mean you have to write a full script, although some podcasters
do, but its wise to use cue cards or bulleted lists to remind you of the key messages you want to get across. Make connections

Podcasting is of course a one-way medium, but social media makes it easy for you to continue the conversation with your listeners; you might find that those conversations then influence future episodes.

Podcasts are all about shared passions, and if you connect with people theyll want to tell you about it.

Take notes of all the positive feedback you get and forget any negativity unless its constructive criticism. Keeping a collection of nice comments can give you an instant confidence boost that lasts much longer than any episode.

As you can see, there's plenty to consider when starting your journey into podcasting - more than anything, however, it's important to relax and enjoy your new venture!

If you'd like to find out how Blue VOICE can help make your podcasts more engaging, more professional, and more popular, then click here.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/getting-in-the-zone-how-do-you-prepare-for-a-po dcast-or-livestream/


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