How Not To Make A Podcast

PodcastI’ve been getting into podcasts recently, I find it’s a great way to learn more about a topic without committing a great deal of time to it.

Podcasts are great because you can listen to up-to-date information on niche topics, and you can do it while driving, when you’re in the gym, or doing housework… (OK so the middle example is somewhat hypothetical).

There are some excellent resources available, and publishers range from large organisations such as the BBC and The Times, to small companies and individuals who create podcasts as a hobby or to generate interest in their services.

Generally podcasts have been free – but premium content podcasts, and subscription models are becoming more popular.

The quality I’ve seen has varied widely, excellent examples of podcasts I’ve been listening to include content from the BBC, and Educational institutions, however I’ve encountered some shocking content from some of the more niche interest groups…

Here are some examples of the bad behaviour I’ve experienced in pod format:

  • Clearly no script
  • Waffle, and excessive ‘off topic’ conversation
  • Poorly edited, or obviously not edited
  • Produced in one take, and published with no attention to detail
  • Long repetitive intro music… or just really bad music
  • Background noise
  • Phones ringing

When publishing via Podcast, you can pick it up and listen whenever you’re free – often subscribing to multiple podcasts. So when a 10 minute podcast is diluted with 2 minutes of apologies and excuses for why it’s not been as regular as they would like… not good.

Russell Brand PodcastI’ve made a brief post on the PushONline Marketing blog with some examples of great Web Design/Online Marketing Podcasts…

But one non work related podcast that I rate highly is the Russell Brand Podcast; it’s pure random genius, and a typical example of the high standards of digital media that the BBC are producing.

Posted: August 24th, 2007 under Podcast.

Comments

Comment from Eleena @ Voices
September 19, 2008 at 12:11 pm

Katrina,
Yes, quality of podcasts does vary, but as you know, it is very time consuming to produce a quality program. Entities like the BBC have a built-in advantage over the little guy who would like to put out a good program but he/she doesn’t have the time or sufficient editing skill to do one that is polished. I’ve seen a few podcast producers-for-hire advertising themselves on podcasting forums and the like but many of them are quite expensive. Oh well. But I agree with your broader point that podcasters should take more care in producing better programs.

By the way, I like the look of your blog. :) It’s a clean and snazzy design.

Comment from Katrina Gallagher
September 19, 2008 at 2:36 pm

Oh, I agree that it’s hard to produce something as polished as the BBC, but I’ve listened to podcasts that have been excellent in content and production that have still been created on a budget.

Most of the bad ones don’t last, or clean up their act, so I’ve not listened to anything terrible in a while.

I think it’s the care and attention to detail (or lack of) that makes a good podcast good.

And editing can be done using tools like Audacity, so you don’t need a BBC studio…

Comment from Katrina Gallagher
September 19, 2008 at 2:36 pm

Thanks for the comment about the blog btw :-)

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