Just Because You Can Doesn't Mean You Should!
Dave Farough
Content Strategy | Talent Development - Vista Radio and Acadia Broadcasting | Past President- Canadian Club of London
I've been listening to a lot of Podcasts lately. Some are amazing - like The Garner Andrews Podcast; a radio guy that really seems to understand how take his daily show and adapt it to podcasting. And, Nice Guys on Business- great chemistry between the hosts.
But, too many Podcasts are almost unlistenable. No emotion, no structure, boring interviews and a whole lotta "blah blah blah". Just because I have a car does not make me a good driver. Just because you have a mic and some software does not make you a podcaster.
Like a good radio show, a Podcast takes "prep". You need to know what you're talking about and how you're going to get from A to B in a way that's easy to follow. Good content pushes my emotional "Hot-Buttons"- it makes me laugh or cry or react in some way other than just wanting to turn it off. A good podcast has a strong beginning and a powerful "out". And, most importantly, a good podcast doesn't ramble on for hours repeating the same point over and over just because it can.
A big question in the Podcast world is "How long should my Podcast be?" Some say "short and shareable" is best...others say Free Willy! 2 or 3 or 5 hours is perfectly OK!! Like radio, if the content is GREAT and delivered in a very compelling way by an excellent storyteller, then 5 hours is fine. But, there are currently VERY FEW in the Podcast world with this kind of talent.
Among the many things Podcasters need to learn BEFORE they "crack the mic", these are the Big 3;
- Learn how to use your voice effectively (range, tempo and pausing so you don't sound "monotone" and boring)
- Learn how to structure a good story and get to the point (so you don't ramble forever)
- Learn how to conduct a compelling interview (listen more than you talk).
Just because you can doesn't mean you should!
Happy Podcasting!
Sales Associate at Green Magic Homes
7yYES to all of this - I don't listen to many podcasts, for the very reasons above and I clearly don't have the same kind of patience you do to hunt down the good ones. Two examples - I was a late comer to Aisha Tylers" Girl on Guy" podcasts and I adore her but I found she assumed we all know as much about her guests as she does, and they often reminisced about things they had worked on together or been at together, leaving the listener feeling like a 3rd wheel on a date.. and my husband listens to a Tech podcast that is way over my head technically, but I don't even try because it has 3 hosts who talk over each other all the time and I am left trying to figure out who is talking, never mind what they are actually saying!
Producer, Director, and Owner @ Billet Media Inc | I create engaging video content for organizations to educate, inspire, and sell.
7yRight on the money David. I listened to (some of) a photography podcast last week and it was terrible. I hear bits and pieces of various podcasts and it throws the value of a PD into sharp relief. A good PD understands what people want to hear. I think most podcasters do product validation via mom or wife.