Don't forget your podcast in planning your new year's resolutions! I share five suggested goals to improve your podcasting in 2011.
1. Be consistent
I often refer to my early days of podcasting the Ramen Noodle™, my flagship clean-comedy podcast. I tried to release episodes, but I couldn't be consistent because my production took too much time, and I rarely set aside time to focus on producing my podcast. When I committed to record live every week starting in November, 2009, my consistency finally found root in accountability.
You don't have to record your podcasts in front of a live audience all the time, but unless you schedule a specific, regular time, how easy will it be to be consistent? Look at other areas of your life that require consistency: exercise, religious devotions, working, even eating. Most of them are accomplished only when they become regular parts of our schedule, or our stomach feels empty (I'll let you figure out which one fits with that).
2. Improve your production
Even the best podcasters can improve their production in some way. Don't think of this as just audio quality, but look at every aspect of your podcast: audio, flow, voice, shownotes, website, and more. There are always ways we can improve.
3. Improve your content
“Content is king,” we always hear—it's true! If your production is of the highest quality but your content stinks, then you're focusing on the wrong area.
Look for ways to write better outlines (or write them in the first place!), find new topics to cover, or increase your knowledge of the topics you already cover.
If you struggle to fill a one-hour podcast with quality content, then consider cutting your time back. I would personally rather listen to a half-hour podcast with better quality content than the same content drawn across sixty minutes (or two hours, like TWiT often has).
4. Network with other bloggers and podcasters
The worldwide web is a big place, so you're probably not the only one covering your topics. Read other blogs, listen to other podcasts and try to network with other content-producers in your field. Don't see them as competition (because none of them can be a better you than you can be), but see them as allies for improving knowledge in the field of your passion. Consider inviting them as guests or link to their content. Build mutually beneficial relationships.
(Podcasts about podcasting that I listen to)
- Explore Podcasting (possibly podfaded)
- Podcast Answer Man
- Podcast Quick Tips
- Podcasters’ Emporium
- Podcasting Advisor
- Podcasting from Scratch
- School of Podcasting
- The Podcasters Studio
5. Create or update a promo and about page
Podcasts change over time (hopefully for the better) as you accumulate new information and improve your knowledge from the intelligence out there. Re-examine your promo(s) and about page and see if they still accurately describe your content. If you don't have either a promo or an about page, make them! Start with your about page, which is the most-click page of most blogs and podcast websites.
This is high on my list of goals for 2011. My promo for the Ramen Noodle™ is so old I'm embarrassed to use it, and I have some excellent recordings for a new promo, but haven't made the time to produce them. Are You Just Watching?™ has a two-year-old promo, and The Audacity to Podcast™ has no promo at all!
What are your goals/resolutions for 2011?
Please share your thoughts on this list and what goals you have for your own podcast. Comment on the shownotes, email feedback@TheAudacitytoPodcast.com (audio files welcome), or call (903) 231-2221.
Audacity Tip: Append Record
Most people who use Audacity know of an apparent shortcoming: every time you click record, it creates a new track. If you regularly stop your recording to save, edit, insert something, or any other reason, then you'll end up with audio across several tracks and have to move all of the audio to the right place.
Additionally, if you have overdubbing enabled (default), you'll hear yourself as you're trying to record yourself, which can result in many pulled hairs.
If you stop your recording and want to resume, hold down Shift as you click record, or press Shift-R. This is Append Record, which adds your new recording to the end of your currently selected track.
Need personalized podcasting help?
I no longer offer one-on-one consulting outside of Podcasters' Society, but request a consultant here and I'll connect you with someone I trust to help you launch or improve your podcast.
Ask your questions or share your feedback
- Comment on the shownotes
- Leave a voicemail at (903) 231-2221
- Email feedback@TheAudacitytoPodcast.com (audio files welcome)
Connect with me
- Subscribe to The Audacity to Podcast on Apple Podcasts or on Android.
- Join the Facebook Page and watch live podcasting Q&A on Mondays at 2pm (ET)
- Subscribe on YouTube for video reviews, Q&A, and more
- Follow @theDanielJLewis
Disclosure
This post may contain links to products or services with which I have an affiliate relationship and may receive compensation from your actions through such links. However, I don't let that corrupt my perspective and I don't recommend only affiliates.
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