Podcasting. Is it ok to read?
November 23, 2008
Close on the heels of recording my first podcast with Mhairi Petrovic of Out-Smarts Marketing, I was on the Facebook page of long-time friend and podcasting consultant, Donna Papacosta of Trafalgar Communications.
Donna’s post on How to read a podcast script and not sound like you’re reading caught my eye.
For anyone who is considering doing a podcast, my best advice is to be prepared. It’s number one on Donna’s list too. Often being prepared means determining what you’re going to say ahead of time, which then leads to writing out your script (or answers if it’s an interview,) which then means you might be inclined to read it. Making it sound natural can be a real challenge. Take heart. Read Donna’s helpful post and you’ll soon be sounding like a podcasting pro!
How true this is. In recording my first Out-Smarts podcast without an outline, I ended up with 3 hours of great material that took me many more hours to edit down to a manageable size. Since then I always prepare 10 or so questions in advance and share them with the interviewee so that they can think about what to say in advance. Sometimes the interview grows legs and goes off at a tangent but thats okay. Preparing an outline in advance really helps to streamline the podcast process and to keep the discussion on topic.
Yes! being prepared is key…even if you truly have the gift of gab “like me”. Actually, let me re-phase this: especially if you have the gift of gab…I agree with Mhairi about getting a few questions ready a head of time. I find myself preparing even more when I am recording my “one woman podcast” series “RiSE” as I love to provide huge value in a very short amount of time…and that takes talent and prep. Louise, you have listened to one of LeapZone’s podcast…does it sound like I am reading?