Business Podcasting: Podcasting Gear, Software, and Audio

Podcasts seem to be taking over the world today. They cover a wide array of topics, giving audience niches everywhere fresh new content to enjoy. If you’re one of the millions of people who regularly listen to podcasts, you understand why they have become so popular. And perhaps you yourself have thought about giving the podcasting game a go. Maybe you are extremely passionate about a specific niche topic. Or perhaps you have insight and expertise you want to share with others. But what do you really need to do to start your own business podcast? What gear and software do you need? Where are you going to record? What kind of format do you want to utilize?

Over the next four blogs, we’re going through the ins and outs of podcasting ranging from your podcast topic to the gear you need to get your podcast into iTunes. Catch up on Part One here!

Business Podcasting Part Two: Gear, Software, and Audio

There are a number of things you’re going to need to consider, learn, and experiment with if you are going to start your own business podcast. Over the next few blogs, we will cover a number of these topics giving you all the information you need to begin. In today’s blog, we will review:

• Podcasting Gear
• Podcasting Software
• Recording Audio

Step 4: Podcasting Gear

First and most importantly, you’ll want to get a microphone. While you could technically use your phone or laptop microphone, we advise you get a microphone dedicated for your podcast. You want one that will perform better in the podcasting space you chose via the steps in the previous blog.

Since you are just starting your business podcast, we suggest a USB mic that will work great right now and also allow you to grow into something more advanced in the future. The average cost for a USB mic is around $60. They are worth the investment as you are going to be putting in a considerable amount of work into making your podcast the best you can. We don’t want all those hours of hard work to not have the same level of quality from your audio.

The truth is, people have the choice to listen to a lot of podcasts and certainly they will hear some of the best. These will all come with high-quality audio. If listeners find your audio is not clean or easy to understand, they most likely won’t stick around to hear what else you have to say. Don’t let tech get in the way of the stories and advice you are trying to tell.

Step 5: Podcasting Software

Now that you have some gear to start recording, you’ll now need software to edit the audio and piece your podcast together. Consider elements such as intro music, outro music, sound effects, and other transition sounds as part of this process. Whether you use those additional items or not, you’ll want to make sure there isn’t ample dead space, “ums”, or distracting outside noises.

When it comes to the actually editing software, there are both free and paid options. Paid vs unpaid options are about equal in quality; however, app operation is where the price differentiation comes in. Tools like Audacity are free and can produce great results but is much harder to work in, not as user-friendly, nor allows you to work with effects effectively. Tools like Adobe Audition, on the other hand, allows the user to do all the things they want to efficiently. FX is built- in and robust and additional third-party effects are easy to add. These powerful features are ease of use and have a great user interface that allows for optimal editing. Most audio edition software options are available for both Apple and Windows users. Our best advice is to try the free versions and see which one you like working in best. You can then decide if you want to use a paid option from there.

Skype Recording for Skype Interviews/Remote Co-Hosting

The last piece of the audio editing software puzzle is an app to record Skype. Whether you are doing a show with a remote co-host or interviewees, Skype recording software is an easy way to capture those conversations with some added advantages. The biggest benefit is that apps such as Call Recorder (Mac) and Pamela (Windows) allow you to record and capture separated audio tracks. This gives you more flexibility in the post-production process to review each file individually and remove things such as coughs and sneezes from that specific audio file.

Step 6: Recording Audio

In the last blog, we discussed where you will be recording your business podcast. Now that those details are ironed out, you’re ready to begin recording. Remember that finding a relatively quiet space with as little reverberation as possible is the best option for getting the best sounding audio. You’ll want to keep the mic as close to your mouth as possible – but not too close that it catches noises like lip-smacking!

When you’re setting up your mic, make sure you are in a comfortable position within a few inches of the microphone. Turn the mic on a 45-degree angle so you aren’t talking directly to the front of it, but rather to the side. You may also want to consider using a foam windscreen and/or pop filter to help protect your audio recording from air pops and other noises. Test out your set up and see where your audio sounds the clearest. Mark where your tools are (your chair, the mic, filters, etc.) so that you get the clearest sound quickly each time you record.

From there, you’ll want to set your audio levels for your recording device and software so that it is set properly. You’ll want to look for a consistent level based on the audio meters of your recording. No matter the software or recorder you are using, speak into the mic as loudly as you would during a podcast recording. We suggest recording a test episode. Watch the audiometer and be aware of the peak the meter hits on the db scale. A rule of thumb is to keep your audio bouncing between -18db and -12db for the best audio to work with during post-production.

Business Podcasting Bonuses

Podcasting has a number of benefits for businesses. However, we want to make sure we disclaim that it will take some time and effort. Podcasting requires you to carve out time and invest hours into building your platform and audience. And just like your business, you may find it’s often on your mind.

The good news is that podcasting also comes with its plethora of benefits. They include:

1. It’s an Alternative to Video
2. Helps in Building Better Relationships with an Audience
3. Easy to Create and Start
4. Highly Engaging
5. Great Method for Teaching
6. Creates Brand Awareness
7. Increase Traffic Generating
8. Builds Authority
9. Additional Revenue Stream
10. Vocal and Communication Skills

Strategy Before Tactics with onCOREventures

Strategy is Doing the Right Things. Tactics are Doing Things Right

At onCOREventures, we believe in the method of strategy before tactics. The first step in realigning any marketing approach and establishing a plan is by taking the time to understand your audience. Once a target audience is identified, you can begin uncovering the key issues those audience members face. If you can understand their pains, you can begin connecting with them on new levels. These levels are based on the trust that you understand their specific challenges and headaches.

Strategy is about picking the right goals and objectives, while tactics are how you go about achieving those goals and objectives. Tactics are much easier to implement if you have a strategy – and that’s because an objective and direction are already defined. While tactics are wonderful and are required for your business’ growth and success, it’s the strategy that focuses on the bigger picture aimed towards results.

It can be extremely difficult to pull back and look at your marketing strategy without any bias. If you feel your marketing strategy could use some tweaking or know you can help more people but don’t know how to reach them, the team at onCOREventures is ready to brainstorm and strategize the best marketing solution for your business. For a FREE Marketing Check-Up report and consultation, click here!