Previously I said rule 1 in podcasting is “Your podcast. Your choice.”
If you haven’t read it yet, read it first. It’s a freedom mindset you need to embrace on this podcasting journey.
Seriously, make sure you read Rule 1 first. It’s crucial. It’s critical. It’s fundamental.
Okay, here we go. Since you know that your podcast means your choice, now it’s time for the second rule in podcasting.
Your choice. Your consequences.
Every choice you make in your rule-1-freedom has consequences.
Content
You can say anything you want to say in a podcast. It’s your choice.
But the consequences may mean you get criticized for what you say or how you say it.
If you choose to be profane, potential listeners might not listen.
If you present ideas that are not accepted by someone who stumbles across your podcast, you might find harsh comments on your posts and tweets.
If you just say “subscribe to my podcast,” there will be some people who think “subscribe” means it costs money.
If you only ask people to subscribe to your podcast in Apple Podcasts, you will turn away a lot of potential new listeners who use Android phones.
If you constantly ask people to rate and review your podcast in iTunes because it helps people find your show, those that keep up with podcast news will find it annoying since reviews won’t boost your podcast to the top of “new and noteworthy.” It hasn’t worked like that in several years (if it ever did). Not to mention iTunes was rebranded as Apple Podcasts awhile back, at least for the iPhone app.
Microphone
You can record with any microphone. It’s your choice.
But consequences might be audio quality that makes your podcast hard to listen to.
If you choose to use the built in mic on your laptop, your audio quality might cause potential new listeners to skip your podcast and subscribe to someone else.
If you use only the telephone like you would in an office conference call, audio quality will turn away many listeners.
If you buy a 300 dollar microphone without learning how to use it properly, you’ll have less money for other podcasting gear or training and still turn away listeners who like to listen to podcasts with good sounding audio.
Where you put your episodes
You can store your mp3s in a lot of different places. Your choice.
But consequences might be if you upload all your episodes to your main website, and there are too many downloads, your web host might shut down your entire site—even if your web host claims to offer unlimited bandwidth and storage.
You can choose a free media host for your podcast episodes, but when the company is unable to pay their bills because they didn’t charge you anything, they may shut down, and you could lose your podcast.
Editing
You don’t have to edit your podcast. It’s your choice.
But consequences might be that your overall audio is so low people can’t turn up the volume loud enough to hear you, especially while in a car, bus, or subway.
You might have audio that’s really quiet in some spots and super loud at other times. People might get tired of constantly having to change the volume while listening and eventually decide to stop listening.
If you don’t edit, some potential listeners will get frustrated with the many rabbit trails, inside jokes, and talk about the weather when those things have nothing to do with what you said you’d talk about in your podcast or that particular episode.
If you put your voice completely in the left channel and your guest completely in the right channel, some people might get a headache and others won’t hear the whole conversation since they only listen with one earbud.
If you encode your audio file at too high a bitrate, your audio file will quickly consume all your media storage for the month and take too long for listeners trying to download your show to their phones.
Your choice
Yes, Rule 1 in podcasting is true and encourages you to explore your freedom because your podcast means your choice.
But Rule 2 is true, too. Your choice. Your consequences.
So choose wisely.
Would you like guidance in choosing a good microphone, learning how to use it, deciding on a media host, tips for editing, or even hiring an editor for your podcast, click CONTACT and ask me. I can help.
My Rules for Podcasting
Rule 1: Your podcast. Your choice.
Rule 2: Your choice. Your consequences.
Rule 3: Start with what you know. Learn as you go.
Rule 4: Start with what you have. Upgrade as you go.
Rule 5: Your podcast needs editing.
Rule 6: Technique is more important than technology.
Rule 7: Presentation is just as important as content.
Rule 8: “It depends” is the answer to your question.
Rule 9: Don’t talk about the weather!
