Day 1: Is Podcasting Right For You?

Today, we're going to find out if you actually enjoy podcasting and how you could create a low production podcasts in less than an hour.

Steps for Skill Mastery:

1. Try a test episode
2. Decide if you want to start a podcast

Step 1: Try a test episode

Before having you dive into the rest of the course and spend time creating a podcast, we need to find out if you even enjoy podcasting. So today we will go through the entire process in under an hour and have you actually record a test episode.

Gather your tools before you get started

In this quick and simple guide, we’re focusing on tools that many people already have at their fingertips:

• A smartphone to record your podcast audio
• A smartphone or a computer to edit and mix your audio
• Anchor app to host and manage your podcast

Activity: Gather your Tools‍

Gather all the items you need to record your test episode.

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Choose your podcast topic and format (10 mins)

What’s your podcast about, and how will each episode be structured? Those are the initial questions you need to answer when you’re starting a podcast.

• Choose a podcast topic that you’re passionate about. It’ll be easier for you to stay motivated as you create your show. It’ll also make it easier to find new episode ideas.
• Next, identify the target audience for your show. This will help you choose a format and angle to make your show unique.
• Finally, choose a format that matches your topic and audience. Your show’s format dictates how you’ll engage with your topic.

Activity: Choose Your Topic

Complete these items to help you choose a topic for your test episode:

1. List three topics you’re passionate about.
2. Write down your ideal audience for each topic.
3. Narrow down a topic and audience you’d like to move forward with.
4. Select a format that matches your topic and your audience.

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Outline your pilot episode (10 mins)

Your podcast outline is your roadmap for creating an engaging first episode that sets the tone for what listeners can expect.

Keep the following segments in mind as you outline your pilot episode:

• Intro
• Music Cues
• Scripted Segments
• Interview Segments
• Outros

Activity: Create an Outline

Write a short outline for your test podcast episode.

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Record your test episode (15 mins)

Now that you’ve written an episode outline, it’s time to record.

Start by choosing a recording-friendly environment. Try to minimize any sounds that might interfere with your recording.

When you’re recording your episode, try to hold your smartphone mic as close to your mouth as possible; otherwise, you might sound distant and less engaging to your audience.

Activity: Record Your Episode

Record the audio you need for your test episode. Don’t be afraid to do multiple takes—that’s part of the process.

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Edit your test episode (10 mins)

Editing is the most technical part of making your podcast, but you can create a high-quality edit in five quick steps:‍

• ‍Import your audio files into Anchor on your phone or computer.
• ‍Cut and trim your files down to the segments you want with Anchor’s waveform editor.
• Add background music to your segments with Anchor’s Smart Background Music feature. With Smart Background Music, you can control the volume of your background music in relation to your audio clips. ‍
• Add transitions between your segments with Anchor’s Transitions feature.‍
• Save your edited audio—you’re ready to publish!

Activity: Edit Your Episode

Edit the audio you recorded in the previous step.

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Now the last thing that you would be doing if we were actually going to publish this episode is prepare your podcast for launching and publishing the episode to different directories today.

However we are just doing a practice episode so that is not necessary. However, if you wanted, you could continue to do this process over and over again and publish a low production podcast.

But if you want to create an amazing show and have the most success with podcasting, then I recommend completing the rest of this course!

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Step 2: Reflection

After you've gone through creating a podcast episode today, I want you to reflect on if you really want to create a podcast.

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Activity: Reflect

Consider and answer the following questions for yourself:

• Did I actually enjoy podcasting?
• Do I want to continue through this process?

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If you found this process enjoyable and want to get your message out to the world, great! Then continue you on with the rest of the course.

If you did not like speaking into a mic, talking about a topic, or sharing a story, then podcasting may not be right for you. No harm, no foul. Just try something else out!

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Skill Lesson Mastered

Demonstrate mastery of the knowledge and skills presented in this lesson by applying it to the above activity. If, and only if, you have a full understanding and have mastered the knowledge and skills presented in this lesson, select the next lesson in the navigation.