Happy International Podcast Day!
It’s that day again – I’ve previously blogged (and podcasted!) about this particular day, but one of the great things about podcasting is that it continues to develop and change over time.
Here’s some recommendations that I have about podcasting, some I’ve hosted on my own site and some elsewhere. However you celebrate the day, please consider a review for the shows I do – not only Token Skeptic, but 365 Days Of Philosophy and Talk the Talk!
- Serial and the Podcast Explosion – Live Forum https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HM6M69v6u7o
- Why Podcasts Work? http://bigthink.com/videos/alex-goldman-on-why-podcasts-work
- Seven Secrets of podcasting – https://medium.com/podcasting-101/seven-secrets-of-podcasting-success-8a95fa58eead#.6y6sq4d7m
My tips for interviewing:
- Why are you interviewing the person? Have a plan before contacting
- Listen / pre-interview interviewee before you commit to having them on your show (prevents bad surprises!)
- Plan your questions in advance – beginning, middle, end
- Estimated 6 questions for 10 min interview if reasonably chatty (always have more!)
- “The power of silence” – allow them to fill the gap. It’s not always necessary to pre-empt or interrupt
- If don’t know something – ASK – listen during interview to ask the questions you didn’t prepare for!
- Who / What / When / Where / Why / How – always the classics!
- Exercise your skills with improvisational games with co-hosts – practice listening, encouraging – think of a strategy if you have co-hosts to allow balance and how everyone can contribute to the show
Anecdote (most likely just a myth!): John Lennon used to always have his D string slightly out of tune, so he could point out to his Aunt Mimi which guitar sound was his. When you’re part of a band – or a podcast team – make sure that your individual contributions count… how can you be fair to everyone participating? How can they be fair to you?