Quick Daily Podcasting Tips by Alitu

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about the minimum effective podcast editing approach. Remember we talked about making mistakes during recording? Our tip was to pause, click your fingers three times into the mic, then start again. Well, now you have a quick and easy way to spot anything that needs chopping out. Aside from that, you’ll want to “top and tail” your recording, cutting any preamble at the start and drawn-out goodbyes at the end. Then it’s the cleanup and volume levelling stuff which you can either learn to do in a DAW. Or, have Alitu take care of that for you, automatically. Piece together any segments, music, or other clips in your editing software or Alitu’s episode builder, and you’ll be ready to export and publish. Podcast editing doesn’t need to be a slog, especially with the right planning, processes, and tools at your disposal. For a deeper dive on our minimum effective editing approach, head on over to http://thepodcasthost.com/mee

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re asking the question “how much editing should I do?”. As is often the case in podcasting, the answer is “it depends”. As we’ve covered before, there are loads of different types of podcast. So a one-minute scripted solo show is going to need a lot less editing than a two-hour documentary-style epic. Unless you enjoy editing - and most podcasters don’t - then you just need to do enough to make your show sound good. And then, leave it at that. Two big keys to podcasting success are consistency and sustainability. So if you find yourself spending a tonne of time bogged down in your editing software, chances are, you’re not going to enjoy it. It won’t be long before you convince yourself there are better things to be doing. So, how do you strike that balance between “enough” and “not too much”? On the next episode of Pocket-Sized Podcasting we’re going to show you our Minimum Effective Editing approach, so make sure you’re subscribed or following us on your listening app of choice.

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about editing and producing your podcast. This is the phase of podcasting where you chop out all your mistakes and cut the fat from your conversations. You can also clean up your audio to remove any background hiss and level it to make everything consistently loud enough. Then, you can mix in things like music, transitions, and pre-recorded segments. Naturally, this is the part of podcasting that puts tonnes of people off. Very few folks have ever used audio editing software, which is often complex and designed predominantly for musicians. But remember, this is exactly why we built Alitu. Its episode builder and editing tools are simpler than your average social media app. And as for all that cleanup and loudness stuff? That all happens automatically, so you don’t even need to know a thing about it. Why not see for yourself, and grab a 7-day free trial? You can do just that at alitu.com

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about where to buy podcast music. You *can* buy song licenses outright. But the most common route is to pay a monthly subscription for a service where you can use anything on there for the duration of that subscription. These libraries usually include sound effects, too. Many services grant you a lifetime license here, so you don’t need to go back and remove music from previous episodes after you’ve cancelled your subscription, and there are rarely download limits, either. Obviously, you should always check the Ts and Cs of any platform you decide to use, though. Two of our favourite places to buy podcast music are Epidemic and Shutterstock. If you head on over to http://ThePodcastHost.com/music we regularly have coupon code deals for them, too. Music Radio Creative are another great service that can produce voice-branded intros and outros for your show. And you’ll also find a link to them over at http://ThePodcastHost.com/music

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about finding free podcast music. There’s no shortage of tracks out there that you can use 100% free of charge, so long as you credit and link back to the creator in your show notes. We run a free podcast music library ourselves, and you’re totally welcome to pick something from there. Head on over to http://ThePodcastHost.com/freemusic for a look. http://Incompetech.com is probably the most famous creative commons music resource on the web, too. There’s tonnes of top-quality stuff over there. The big downside of free music is that a lot of other podcasters are using it. And it can be hard to build a memorable brand if your theme tune pops up again and again on countless other shows. If that’s is a concern for you, then we’ll cover paid options in our next episode. For our free music library though, that link once again is http://ThePodcastHost.com/freemusic

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re asking the question “so, what music CAN I use in my podcast?”. Whilst Harry Styles’ latest track is strictly off-limits there are plenty of music options that are safe, legal, and - in some cases - free to use on your podcast. Two terms you’ll often come across are “Creative Commons” and “Royalty-Free”. Creative Commons usually means you can use music for free, so long as you credit and link back to the creator. Royalty-Free, on the other hand, usually means that you’ve paid up-front for a license to use a piece of music, going forward. There are variations on Creative Commons and Royalty-Free licenses - for example, commercial and non-commercial - so our definitions shouldn’t be taken as blanket terms. On the next couple of episodes we’ll point you towards some resources for actually finding music for your show. In the meantime, though, be sure to check out our full guide at http://ThePodcastHost.com/music

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re asking the question “can I use ANY music in my podcast?” The short answer here is “no”. And any music you hear on the radio or on your favourite Spotify playlist is probably off-limits. Be wary of myths like “it’s fine if it’s less than seven seconds” and “it’s okay so long as you’re not making money with your podcast”. “Fair Use” gets quoted a lot, too. Fair use is a defence you can use if you get in trouble. But who wants to get in trouble? In short, avoid this altogether. Your podcast isn’t going to live or die based on whether you have Bohemian Rhapsody as your theme tune. And if it does? Well, then we need to get back to the content planning stages, don’t we? For a deeper dive on this topic, head on over to http://ThePodcastHost.com/Copyright

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re asking the question “do I need podcast music?” There’s no rule to say that your show *must* have music. But many podcasters stick some at the beginning and end of the show to add that extra layer of professionalism and identity. Just be wary of letting music play on its own for any longer than ten seconds on your podcast. Whilst TV and film can get away with this because of their visual elements, it doesn’t work that way in audio. Your listeners are plugging in to hear from you - not an extended version of your theme tune. You can also use music as transitions in-between segments, or as “beds” underneath speech. For most podcasters though, this is overkill, and you run the risk of annoying your listener rather than impressing them. For a deeper dive on this topic, head on over to http://ThePodcastHost.com/music

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about encouraging guests to share your episodes. Whether we like it or not, no guest is obliged to share your content with their audience. But if you follow the advice in the previous episodes, your chat should be memorable enough to make them want to. The key is to ask nicely, and to make it easy for them. Be sure to succinctly remind them why you think the conversation will be interesting and valuable to *their* audience. Some podcasters even pre-write a tweet so all the groundwork is done for them. If you go the extra mile and create some nice blog and social graphics around the interview, that’s going to make it more shareable, too. Oh, and one final tip - why not have some branded podcast swag sent over to them via a service like GuestBoxLove? For a deeper dive on this topic, head on over to http://ThePodcastHost.com/GuestSharing

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about “super” podcast interview questions. When you cover the basics well, you can go the extra mile to help make your guest stand out from everyone else. Here are some fun questions that can entertain your listener whilst still leaving them with a few useful insights, too. - What are you NOT Very Good at? - Tell me something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on. - When did you last change your mind about something? - Room, desk and car – which do you clean first? - What’s the very first thing you think about when you wake up in the morning? These questions allow for that essential human touch. They can throw up humility, authenticity, wisdom, and even, a wee bit of controversy. They’ll leave a lasting impression in the minds of your listeners, and that’s ultimately what gets them sharing your content, and keeps them coming back for more. For a deeper dive on this topic, head on over to http://ThePodcastHost.com/questions

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about core questions around the conversation topic. Here we can dig in and explore by asking your guest some seemingly provocative questions. They’ll usually be glad to answer these as it gives them a chance to counter claims they’ll hear a lot. “So, you’re a Vegan Baking Specialist – isn’t it really hard to bake without eggs?” Or “Doesn’t home schooling just deprive kids of making friends?” Here, you can pick out some common myths or misconceptions to talk through and clarify. You might also want to ask a question like “what’s the most common reason people fail at this?” which sounds negative, but can throw up some really actionable answers. Then there’s the classic “what’s the one thing you wish you knew when you were just getting started?” which puts a much better spin on the old “advice for folks just starting out” question. For a deeper dive on this topic, head on over to http://ThePodcastHost.com/questions

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about core questions to ask your guest. This is another wing to your storytelling angle. It lets the listener focus on the guest themselves. People love to hear things in context, after all. “Believe in yourself and never give up!” is all well and good. But people often can’t see that applying to them… until they hear a story about it happening to someone else. Here are some examples of questions that can lead to engaging and insightful podcast interviews. - Which hurdles did you personally face and how did you overcome them? - Was it obvious or did you stumble upon the answers? - How did you get started? Talk me through it. - What compelled you to become a screenwriter? Again, this gives your listener a peek behind the curtain and shows them that the guest was once in a similar position as they are now. And what could be more encouraging than that? For a deeper dive on this topic, head on over to http://ThePodcastHost.com/questions

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about seeking out stories in podcast interviews. As we’ve mentioned on the show before, stories are the original and best type of shareable content. There’s a subtle but powerful difference between “here’s how to grow a business” and “here’s how *I* grew *my* business”. Stories are never just straightforward routes to success either. They’re littered with setbacks, conflicts, emotions, and even seemingly “all is lost” moments. Your listener wants to live through these with you and learn from the experiences, not just the end product. It’s worth asking your guest if they have any interesting or entertaining stories before you hit the record button, too. Don’t let them actually tell you the story there and then. All you need is a heads up so you can prompt them about it during their interview, then, introduce it naturally. For a deeper dive on this topic, head on over to ThePodcastHost.com/interviewprep

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re asking the question “should I send questions over to guests in advance?” You’ll probably have a list of pre-written questions as a framework for your interviews. But as we’ve covered already, you won’t want to ask these in a linear ‘game show host’ style. On top of that, sending a guest a list of questions in advance can cause them to overthink and rehearse answers. This doesn’t make for a very engaging or authentic conversation. Certain questions *are* worth pre-warning about, though. These are what’s known as “thinkers”. An example might be something like “what’s your favourite book?” or “what advice do you have for someone just starting out?”. It’s unlikely anyone can give genuine answers to questions like these on the spot, so they’re definitely worth a heads up in advance. But - these are the exception to the rule. For a deeper dive on this topic, head on over to http://ThePodcastHost.com/interviewprep

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about asking follow-up questions. So your guest just finishes telling you they built a time machine, travelled back 70 million years, and shot a T-Rex. You take a look at your next question and ask “so, what’s your favourite WordPress plugin?”. Interviewers who actually listen to their guests and ask good follow-up questions often find the real gold. Questions like “why do you think that?” “what was that like?” Or, “could you explain what this means?” can lead you to some fantastic content. Sure, have a list of pre-written questions. But use these as a framework or backup if things fall flat. Always pick up on threads that seem interesting or curious. Even if you know the answer, your listener might not. And you’re here to bring value to them, not to make them feel dumb, left out, or wanting more. For a deeper dive on this topic, head on over to http://ThePodcastHost.com/podcastinterviews

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about introducing your podcast guests. It’s those dreaded words “so, tell us a bit about yourself” that can lead to you waking up, six hours later, listening to an interviewee ramble on about his toy car collection. This isn’t the guest's fault. They’ve just been handed the mic and let off the leash with no real direction. They don’t know your audience. But you do. And it’s your job to succinctly introduce your guest to them with a quick rundown of who they are, and *why they’re here.* Remember we talked about the value your guest will bring? Well, let your listener know that as soon as possible. Keep them engaged and tuned in. Sure, there’s room to explore personal and off-topic stuff, but that should be done towards the end - after you’ve given your listener the content they’ve been promised. For a deeper dive on this topic, head on over to http://ThePodcastHost.com/podcastinterviews

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re asking the question “why is this guest on my show?”. Now that might sound a little rude, but don’t worry, this is the question we ask ourselves *before* we even invite someone onto our podcast. In order to answer this question, you need to put yourself in the shoes… or earbuds… of your audience. Ask yourself “what value can this person bring to my listener?”. Will they teach them something? Motivate them? Make them laugh? Your listener’s attention is precious, and you’re one of the few people they trust with it. So once you know *why* you’re bringing a person onto your show, you can prepare properly to make sure they get the maximum value from that time. Everyone wins here - your audience enjoys it, your guest sounds great, and your show has its desired impact which helps it to grow. For a deeper dive on this topic, head on over to http://ThePodcastHost.com/podcastinterviews

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about finding podcast guests. If you run an interview podcast, it can be challenging to get folks to come on your show at first. A great starting point is to approach other podcasters in your niche. They already know how it all works, and you know they’ll sound great, too. On top of that, if they share the episode with their own audience it’s going to send some early traffic your way. Then, there are YouTubers, bloggers, or authors who’re typically always up for a chat, too. There are even dedicated services to help you find interviewees. Or even, to get booked as a guest on other shows, too. Check out Podchaser Connect, PodcastGuests.com, or Matchmaker FM for three of our favourites. Or, get our full guide to this topic including links to the sites mentioned here, head on over to http://ThePodcastHost.com/guests

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about organising guests or co-hosts. If you think tech and equipment can be challenging, then you should try wrangling humans. Your guests or co-hosts could live in any time zones around the globe. They might be super-organised, but they might also be pretty shambolic, easily distracted, and forgetful. Then, there’s the conversations themselves. How do you make people sound their best on your show? Even if they’re giving you little more than one-word answers. OR, aren’t letting you get a word in edgeways? On the next few episodes we’re going to give you some essential tips on organising and talking to your guests and co-hosts, so make sure you’re subscribed to Pocket-Sized Podcasting on your listening app of choice. You won’t want to miss this. Finally, we always love to hear your feedback on the show. What do you like about it? And what might we do to make it even better? Be sure to let us know, quickly and easily, over at http://ThePodcastHost.com/PSP

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about booking tools for organising guests or co-hosts. Different time zones and scheduling conflicts can drop you into an endless cycle of messages where days and times are suggested but never agreed upon. If you’re regularly trying to arrange suitable dates and times with others, it’s well worth using a tool like Calendly or Book Like a Boss. These platforms can show folks all the times you’re available, and they simply need to pick a slot that suits them. Another great tool is Doodle which comes in handy for organising groups of three or more. A Doodle poll lets people pick all their available times, and then you’ll see - at a glance - the ones that everyone can manage. Again, those three tools are Doodle, Calendly, and Book Like a Boss. For a deeper dive on this topic, and for links to the platforms mentioned, head on over to ThePodcastHost.com/booking