Alternate Title: Wow, I Didn’t Even Plan this to Happen.
This blog post is part 2 of a two part series answering some frequently asked questions about podcasting. You can read part one about listening to podcasts here.
As you may have noticed, the readings for this week revolve around “Personal Broadcasting” AKA Podcasting. I’ll be touching on some of those resources as well as some of my own research and experience, but first, I have chosen a podcast that shows just how easy it can be to make one. This is episode one of Gilmore Guys, where it is apparent that they are not expert podcasters. Kevin, a long-time fan of the TV show Gilmore Girls, and Demi, who is new to Gilmore Girls, talk about each episode one by one. With such a simple idea, it is hard to believe that they are now one of the top-subscribed podcasts. Aside from the fact that I love Gilmore Girls and anything to do with it, I enjoy this show because it challenges the idea of a ‘fandom.’ Traditionally, female fandoms (such as Gilmore Girls, Twilight, boy bands) are treated as a joke, while male-dominated fandoms (super heroes, sports, nerd culture) are more respected. Kevin and Demi flip that notion on its head. They even point out how it was often snubbed by award committees and male audiences in general because it has two female leads. (Warning: explicit language).
So now, that you’re brave enough to start your own podcast, here are some commonly asked questions:
Where exactly do I start?
It might be tempting to jump right into equipment and editing and itunes and phone apps and……….
I once took a class on screenwriting, and on the first day, my professor told us the most important consideration to make when producing anything is your audience. Podcasting is no different. Begin with your audience in mind. Who will listen to this? Who do you want to listen to this? The audience could be as small as your classroom, or as large as women, aged 18-34, who are fans of the TV show Gilmore Girls. Next, decide the tone and topic of your show. The best podcasts bring something new to the table that listeners haven’t heard before. The tone (humorous, thoughtful, informative) will drive many logistical decisions: Will content be scripted or will guests be interviewed? How often will you make and release episodes? How long will the podcasts be? Only when you have a clear idea of your content can you begin recording.
Now that I know what I’m going to do, what is the best equipment to use?
The basic equipment you will need for a podcast is a microphone, recording device, standard editing software, speakers or headphones on which to hear your podcast, and a quiet recording space. Basic podcasting kits can be bought online as well with everything included (except the quiet recording space; it makes shipping difficult). Most hard equipment can be found online or at an electronics store, such as this microphone from Best Buy. As for editing software, almost every blog I read, including these weeks readings, recommended Audacity. Audacity is a multi-media editing and recording tool that, most importantly, is free!
The Podcast Host offers many more recommendations on equipment for all levels of podcasting.
Wow, that seems expensive so far. How much will this cost me or my students?
Part of the appeal of podcasting is that it can all be done with equipment you already own. If you have a modern, functional laptop, you are ready to start podcasting. Most laptops are equipped with an external mic and speakers, with the ability to record audio files which can then be edited in Audacity. Students can easily record a podcast on a computer for free, that if done perfectly, may not even require editing. My personal recommendation would be to invest in a USB microphone, since the microphones on computers are generally low quality (think about how many times you ask, “what did you say?” on Skype).
Now that I’ve recorded it, how can I get it to listeners?
Podcasts are like any other data file, and can be shared through a file sharing system (Dropbox, email), Learning Management System (Blackboard, Moodle), or social media. Ideally, you should be sharing your product in a podcast-specific space, such as SoundCloud or iTunes. If you have already amassed some followers on a blog, you may want to upload it there. WordPress specifically hosts podcasts on their blogs. After reaching out to your blogging circle, you may want to share your podcast on as many platforms as possible, in order to reach as many potential followers as possible.
What if followers aren’t important? How can I use this in my classroom?
The power of podcasts is that they harness storytelling in its purest form, speakers and listeners. Teachers can produce podcasts that utilize the flipped classroom model or provide another medium of instruction to reach different learners. Students can use podcasts to tell their own story: use it as a creative writing exercise in English class, or bring a historical event to life in Social Studies class. The how-to’s of recording a podcast are simply the beginning to the endless creativity they can bring to lesson plans.
When fans ask Helen Zaltzman, of popular podcast Answer Me This!, how she got into podcasting, her answer is always the same “By not not doing it.” Give podcasting a try, record a lesson, interview a friend or finish a chapter of that novel you’ve always wanted to write. You never know: your podcast might be the next Gilmore Guys.
Happy podcasting!
Just a reminder, I STILL have not been paid to endorse any podcasts or equipment mentioned in this blog post. All views are my own.
He then proceeds to inform the country of nation-wide bank closures to stop a surge of mass withdrawals (we’re in the middle of the depression, here). FDR assures everyone they will open a day later and thanks the public for their “fortitude and good temper.” Historians take note that the message was received with empathy and understanding by the American public, no doubt due to the fact that they heard the president come into their home and engage them in discourse. Roosevelt used his fireside chats to rally support for his policies and engage the public in a shared vision; he personally connected more to the American people than any previous president.
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