These days, podcasts are in high demand as a form of media consumption. Approximately 80 million American adults aged 12 and older listened to podcasts weekly in 2021, a 17% increase over 2020.
A study by Discover Pods found that 82.4% of podcast listeners devote more than seven hours each week to their preferred podcast.
Podcasts are a great way to get your message out there, whether you’re trying to promote your business or just want to share your passion with the world.
However, if you want listeners to subscribe to your podcast, you need to give it your full attention and make sure it sounds great.
Here are 15 tips on recording engaging and entertaining podcast episodes that will keep your listeners coming back for more.
1. Invest in the Right Equipment
If you’re serious about podcasting, you need to invest in the right podcast equipment. This means buying a quality podcast microphone, a pair of headphones, a pop filter, and a digital recorder to capture high-quality sound.
Investing in a pair of podcast headphones will help you hear your voice more clearly, and will also reduce echoes and other unwanted sound effects.
The right equipment will make a big difference in the quality of your audio production, so it’s worth taking the time to find the right gear for your needs. With the right tools, you’ll be able to make audio recordings that sound like they came from a professional studio. This will keep your audience interested and help you grow your show.
***Read more about the equipment you need to start a podcast solevant: What Equipment is Needed for Podcast
2. Find a Quiet Place to Record
A recording studio is not always necessary to get a high-quality podcast recording. If you cannot access a studio or are just starting, there are still ways to get a great recording. Recording in a closet or small room can help minimize background noise and improve your podcast audio quality.
Finding a quiet space to record can be tricky, but finding a space where you will not be interrupted is worth it. Once you have found a location, make sure to test the sound quality before you begin recording.
3. Use a Script
You can make sure that your recordings are clear, not overly wordy, and right to the point if you have a precise and well-written podcast script. With a detailed script, your thoughts are organized in advance, making sure your recordings transition seamlessly from one subject to another.
It is important to note that you are not supposed to sound like you’re reading from a script. So when you’re recording, ensure you sound confident and natural. However, having a script to use as a guide will help you stay on track and avoid any awkward pauses or tangents.
4. Use Proper Microphone Techniques
Microphone techniques are critical for getting high-quality audio production for your podcast. There are a few key things to keep in mind when using a microphone:
Always use a microphone designed specifically for podcasting. These microphones are usually more sensitive and have better directionality than other types of microphones, so they can pick up your voice more clearly while filtering out background noise.
You should also position the microphone correctly. Ideally, the microphone should be about six inches away from your mouth and slightly off to the side, so it doesn’t pick up too much of your breath.
Finally, avoid moving around too much while speaking; small movements can cause the microphone to pick up unwanted sounds.
5. Turn off Distractions
Make sure there are no interruptions when recording your podcast if you want professional results. You can concentrate better and make fewer mistakes if you turn off your mobile devices, email notifications, and other potential distractions.
By eliminating distractions, you can focus on delivering an outstanding performance and creating a polished final recording.
6. Speak Clearly and Slowly
This may seem counterintuitive, but speaking more slowly than usual will help your listeners to understand you better. When people are anxious, they often speak too quickly or mumble when they talk, which may sound like a no-brainer, but you’d be shocked at how often it happens.
Take your time, articulate each word carefully, and try not to rush through your words. Make sure your microphone is close enough to pick up your voice without picking up too much background noise.
Also, avoid using fillers such as “um” or “like.” Although they may seem harmless, fillers can quickly break the flow of your conversation and damage the quality of your recording. Instead, take a deep breath and pause for a moment before speaking again.
7. Maintain Silence While Your Guests Speak
In order to get the perfect recording for your podcast, it is essential to ensure minimal background noise while your podcast guests are speaking. This means no coughing, shuffling papers, or other background noise during the recording process.
Doing so will help to ensure that their voices are the only ones captured on the recording and that the quality of the recording is as high as possible. Additionally, avoid sudden movements that could knock the microphone or disrupt the recording. If you need to adjust your position, do so slowly and carefully.
8. Practice Before You Record
If you’re starting out with podcasting, you might be tempted to just hit the record button and see what happens. However, investing time in pre-production is crucial if you want to end up with a professional-sounding podcast.
Practicing your episode in advance is a great strategy to ensure success. This will help you get used to the material and make sure you cover everything you want to talk about.
Practicing beforehand also helps you smooth out any imperfections in your delivery, allowing you to deliver a natural, compelling performance throughout the recording. So, if you really want to make a good podcast, make sure you practice before you start recording.
9. Record in Mono
Recording in mono means that all the audio information is combined into a single track. This has several benefits for podcast recordings such as:
- It ensures that all of the audio is perfectly synchronized. This is important because it prevents echoes and other artifacts from occurring when audio is played back on multiple channels.
- Mono recordings are much easier to edit than stereo recordings. This is because you won’t have to worry about balancing the levels of each channel independently.
- Mono recordings sound better when played back on lower-quality speakers, such as those found in many laptops and smartphones.
10. Keep Yourself Hydrated
Staying hydrated is essential for many reasons, but did you know that it can also help you to record the perfect podcast?
When you’re well-hydrated, your vocal cords are lubricated and ready to produce clear, concise speech. On the other hand, if you’re dehydrated, your vocal cords will be dry and more likely to produce a raspy or muffled sound.
So, before you sit down to record your next podcast episode, make sure to drink plenty of water.
11. Take Breaks as Needed
To produce a great podcast, it is essential to take breaks during recording. This will help to ensure that your recording is of the highest quality. Taking a break gives you a chance to catch your breath and relax your vocal cords. It also allows you to take a sip of water or grab a snack.
Taking a break will help clear your head and refocus your thoughts if you have been talking for a while.
In addition, if you are feeling tired or run down, taking a break will give you the opportunity to gather your energy and come back refreshed.
12. Pay Attention to Volume Levels
Podcasting requires careful volume control. If any part of the recording is too loud or soft in relation to the rest, it will be difficult to understand. Thus, during recording, levels must be monitored and adjusted.
The audio recording software will have the tools you need to accomplish this. Most programs have a meter that will show you the current level. For best results, aim for the needle to be in the green or yellow range. If it starts to get into the red, the level is too high, and you should back off a bit.
Conversely, if the needle is at the bottom of the meter, it’s too low and needs to be raised. With some practice, you’ll be able to determine what volume levels are optimum for your podcast recordings.
Find out more about the top software for recording and editing podcasts.
13. Edit Your Recording as Needed
As anyone who has ever recorded a podcast knows, getting the perfect take can be challenging. Even with the best planning, there are bound to be some hiccups along the way. However, these mistakes can be easily edited in post – production with audio editing software, so don’t worry too much while recording.
To edit effectively, listen to the entire recording to get a sense of the overall flow and identify any significant issues. Then, go through and make any necessary adjustments to the audio track levels or remove any unwanted background noise.
Finally, if there are any sections that you’re not happy with, don’t hesitate to re-record them.
14. Record Your Podcasts in Batches
One way to ensure that your recordings are of the highest possible quality is to record in batches. Batching means recording multiple episodes at once.
This has a few advantages. It allows you to block out a chunk of time specifically for recording, making you less likely to be interrupted or distracted. It also allows you to get into a recording groove, making your delivery more natural and engaging.
In addition, it allows you to take care of all the post-production work (editing, mixing, etc.) in one go, so you don’t have to worry about it each time you release a new episode.
By taking the time to batch your recordings, you can save time and money while ensuring that your podcast sounds its best.
15. Add Music or Other Production Elements as Desired
If you want to add some additional polish to your podcast, consider adding some background music. This is very important as it helps to set the mood and tone of your podcast. It gives your listeners something to focus on while you’re talking. And finally, it can make your podcast more engaging and entertaining.
When choosing music or other production elements, be sure to pick something that fits your show’s overall tone and theme.
For example, if you’re recording a business podcast, you might want to choose upbeat and professional music. On the other hand, if you’re recording a comedy podcast, you might want to select more lighthearted and fun music.
In any case, test out different options before settling on one. And don’t be afraid to experiment – you might be surprised at how well a certain piece of music or sound effect enhances your recording.
Frequently Asked Questions on How to Record a Podcast
Recording your own podcast is easier than you might think. With just a few simple pieces of equipment, you can produce a high-quality show that sounds professional. To get started, you simply need a microphone, a computer/phone, and recording software.
Once you have all of your equipment set up, you’re ready to start recording! Just open your recording software, hit the “record” button, and start talking. When you’re finished, hit “stop” and then “save.”
There are a few things to consider when deciding what to use to record your podcast. First, you’ll need to decide if you want to use a stand-alone recorder or if you want to connect your computer.
If you choose to go the stand-alone route, you can use a handheld digital recorder, but if you choose to connect your computer, you’ll need to decide if you want to use an external microphone or not.
Whichever option you choose, make sure that you test it out before you start recording your podcast. That way, you can be sure that you’re getting the best sound quality possible.
Depending on the type of podcast you’re recording, you may or may not need a microphone. If you’re doing a solo podcast, a microphone isn’t strictly necessary, but it will help you to create a higher-quality recording.
If you’re recording an interview-style podcast, having a microphone is essential in order to capture both your voice and your guest’s voice clearly.
Whether or not to include background music in your podcast can be a difficult decision. On one hand, music can help to set the tone and mood of your show, and it can also be used to transition between segments.
On the other hand, some listeners find music to be distracting, and it can also make it difficult to hear the spoken word. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to include background music in your podcast is up to you. If you do choose to use music, be sure to select tracks that are high quality and that fit well with the overall tone of your show.
Yes. Anyone with a computer, microphone, and some spare time can start a podcast. Although, starting a podcast requires some planning and preparation if you want it to be successful.
Conclusion
There has never been a better time to launch a podcast than today since the podcasting community is seeing explosive growth.
Podcasts are not difficult to put together and can be based on virtually any subject imaginable. Moreso, it is possible to record a professional-sounding podcast on your own; by following the tips above, you can easily produce a high-quality podcast that your listeners will love.
With close to 5 years of experience, Oluwatosin has honed his skills as an SEO content writer, editor, and content marketing manager. He has written articles, conducted extensive research, and managed projects for clients in the Tech, Finance, Web3, Real Estate, E-commerce, Education, and Health industries. His expertise extends to SEO content optimization, content re-purposing, keyword research, competitor analysis and web content management.
