I listen to podcasts constantly. While 90 percent of them are film-related, I also listen to some news, television and science podcasts. I have some I listen to religiously, looking forward to each new episode like others may anticipate an episode of The Walking Dead or Grey's Anatomy. Some sit on my iPod and are heard when I get a chance. And some others get sampled and discarded after a couple of episodes.
That's a long-winded way of saying I have some thoughts on what separates the good from the bad in the world of podcasting. I will say right up front that I am not a podcaster myself and cannot offer any opinions on equipment or software (though there is plenty of information about that on the web).
Without further ado, my top ten tips for great podcasting:
1. Go into it with a mission.
I have abandoned a number of podcasts that were frankly aimless. If you just want to talk about the latest release with your friends and beam it out, that's fine. But unless your name is Roger Ebert or A.O. Scott, most people aren't going to care. Try to come with some hook. Maybe you focus on a particular obscure genre of film. Maybe you do a more detailed scene by scene analysis of movies than anyone else. Maybe you challenge your cohost to watch a particular film and review that. Give yourself something to stand out from the crowd.
2. Have a format.
This should be a nobrainer but it's often not. Are there segments to your show? Is someone the host? Are you going to give spoilers (definitely announce that in advance)? Be sure to set an agenda.
3. Treat every podcast like its the first (because for someone it will be).
This is a big pet peeve of mine. Look at that mission and your format. Now come up with a short, punchy explanation of what your podcast is. There are bonus points if you can make it entertaining. Repeat that introduction to your podcast before every episode. EVERY. EPISODE.
There is nothing more frustrating as a listener than to hit play on their first episode of a podcast (which may actually be the 12th or the 112th released ep) and hear three people just start talking. Sure, I can stick around and figure out your format and mission over the next three episodes. But unless you're immediately entertaining, you're going to lose me to someone else's podcast.
4. Limit the number of participants.
Another pet peeve and potentially controversial for some. My ideal is two or three speakers. You can get away with four, but that's pretty much the upper bound for not creating confusion for the listener. I'm listening while I run or drive my car. I do not want to be worrying about whether it's Tom or Joe speaking right now.
If you have more than four people who want to be involved, there are practical ways around that. The AV Club's Reasonable Discussions podcast will include different people in different segments to keep the numbers down. The LambCast rotates amongst a dozen or more members, only retaining its host from episode to episode.
5. One at a time and include any guests.
Again, a common sense one but do not talk over each other. It's frustrating and annoying for listeners. It's okay for one of the participants to interrupt the speaker, but don't make your point until you have the floor. I have dropped podcasts out of frustration with this issue.
On the opposite side, if it's you and your best friend hosting with an occasional guest, realize your natural chemistry may lead you to exclude that guest. Make efforts to include everyone. It should not be a two person conversation where you ask someone else's opinion at the end.
6. Expletives? Just shut the $&@? up.
Another potentially controversial stand, but expletives in podcasts should be used sparingly. It's okay to use it to underline a point (as in "I $&@!?@$ hated this movie!"). But if every other word out of your mouth is on George Carlin's list? I stop listening.
Now, I am no prude, but I have two reasons for feeling this way. First, it frankly sounds immature. I want to get the opinions of people I take seriously as a reviewer. And if you have to rely on expletives to get your point across, you sound less professional. Second, and more practically, I am a parent. I do most of my listening in the car. I do not want to worry about what will come out of the speakers when I press play. If you revel in your explicit tag on iTunes, realize you are immediately limiting your potential audience.
7. Prepare.
This is one that never fails to shock me. If you are going to talk about say Prometheus, have a plot description ready to at least refer to if not read. If you are going to read listener emails, don't openly comment that you can't find them on your computer. Listeners do not want to hear you stumble through items that should be readily at hand. Mistakes are fine, but when it becomes a trend...
8. Audio quality and presentation matters.
Another pet peeve. If you listen to your podcast and it sounds like one of the participants is in another room, that's a problem. One that needs to be fixed.
In the same vein, the way you sound makes a difference. You need to articulate words, speak clearly and not pepper your discussion with "like" an "um."
9. Focus on the task at hand.
Look, you and your podcast partner may have been best friends since kindergarten. He may have introduced you to your wife. For the time you are recording, focus on the purpose of the podcast. I'm not saying don't have a personality and don't have a brief conversation about what's going on in your lives. But if you are eight minutes into recording and still haven't gotten into the point of the podcast? Your listeners are frustrated.
10. Content.
It's last because it's a forgone conclusion, but your podcast needs to inform or entertain or preferably both. I have laughed out loud listening to a podcast and I have also seen a movie in a new light. Make sure you have something to say.
Feel free to add your thoughts or additional tips in the contents below.
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