Recording Your First Podcast Episode

Recording Your First Podcast Episode 001Have you wondered what to do for your very first podcast episode? When recording your first podcast episode it helps to envision your ideal listener, identify how he or she will consume your podcast, and prepare an outline to make the process run smoothly.

Don't you wish there was some kind of an outline to follow? And how do you talk to someone you have never met?

Below are five things to consider, think through, and prep when recording your first podcast episode:

Subject Selection: What are you passionate about?

You likely already know what you want to podcast about. Now is the time to zero-in on that passion. What is your main theme, your specialty, your niche?

Action step: Describe your show in 2-3 sentences. Boil them down to a tagline.

Audience: Who is the listener?

Who are you speaking to?

  • What do they do?
  • Where do they live?
  • What do they eat or buy at the store?
  • Are they single, married, have kids or pets?
  • Where to they vacation?

Action step: Picture your ideal listener. This will make you frame discussions in a way that will be more easily understand.

Consumption: How will they listen?

How will your listener consume your show?

  • At work?
  • While jogging?
  • In the car?
  • Via computer or smartphone?

Action step: Consider all the ways you listen to podcasts. You want the audio to be clear enough to be heard in the car and exciting enough to keep a jogger energized during their run.

Vision: What does your show look like in 2 months?

It is a good idea to have a schedule for your first 7-10 shows:

  • What will each episode be about?
  • Does it flow?
  • Will each topic match the message of your show?

Action step: Jot down a list of three questions you would ask if you were the listener, contact three people for interviews, and create three Top 10 lists. This will get your brain-juices flowing.

Show notes

It is highly recommended that you have a rough outline or complete script prior to hitting the record button. An outline organizes your thoughts before the mic is turned on and gives you something to look back on when you've lost your place.

Action step: Use pencil and paper, a text editing document, or smartphone app like WorkFlowy.

DOWNLOAD A PDF WITH A SUGGESTED OUTLINE FOR RECORDING YOUR FIRST PODCAST EPISODE

Follow these steps and Yes, You Can Podcast Too!