In this video I show how to use Audacity to mix several different tracks together. In this case it is the podcast intro and outro with the main body of the podcast but it could also be used to mix together different elements of your podcast or to create other audio productions:

I then sent Allison away to do some homework and this is the mix she created (little did I know when she asked me to test her dedicated Skype answering machine that she would use the audio as a test):

[note to self: never leave silly recorded messages on anything]

Download audio file (donkey.mp3)

Creating this video then made me think about something else you need to know about producing your audio (actually 2 things) that will improve the audio quality. So there’ll be another video tomorrow before we move onto your podcast hosting options.

The initial step in creating a podcast is coming up with a concept. What is your podcast going to be about and how will it “sound” i.e. what will the format be, will it be interviews or single voice commentary, chat or news, 5 mins or 30 mins?

For some the concept will grow out of the desire to have a podcast to accompany your current business or hobby. Maybe you have a Real Estate business and you want to reach new and different people by creating a podcast. Much of your concept will be determined by the business you are in. Similarly, back in 2006 my first podcast was based on a hobby niche I was in. The opportunity to attend a big event and do some interviews arose and podcasting was the perfect vehicle for broadcasting them.

Allison, on the other hand, has approached it in a different way. She had an epiphany in the shower (maybe I’ll leave her to explain that one) and came up with a great concept for a podcast that she thinks she can make work. It isn’t geared towards promoting a particular business, website, product or hobby and the idea already determines length and, to some extent, style.

What About Research?

The first method for coming up with a concept for your podcast should mean you have already done your market research for your overall business or niche. Does that automatically mean you will find an audience for your podcast? Not necessarrily; but if you are making money in a market it indicates there are folks interested enough to want more information.

The second method is a little more difficult to research. For example, how do you determine whether people will want to listen to a lighthearted comedy podcast? Just because you think you’re funny doesn’t mean others will (a problem I battle with daily ). One way to research is to look at the popular podcasts that already exist and determine whether yours will fit in (without being a carbon copy of someone else’s). If your concept is truly an original (very few are) then this will be difficult to determine.

Of course, in both cases you won’t know for sure without launching your podcast, and thankfully this is going to cost you very little to do financially.

The main consideration is TIME. Podcasting takes time, especially in the early stages. If you have time and a concept, then you’re ready to get started!

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I always urge them to think creatively. Maybe their manufactured widget wouldn’t make a fascinating topic for a regular podcast but they should think about who their customers are and what they would be interested in hearing on a regular basis.

Podcasts don’t have to be in a monologue or interview format. They can be almost anything you can conceive and will depend on your market.

You could create:

• A round table discussion with experts within your field

• An audio tour (city, ghost, walking, museum)

• Story telling

• Music band clips, interviews and soundbites

• A tip or thought for the day

• Audio articles from your blog

• A News and information show from your industry

• Training modules

• Audio seminars and conferences

• A comedy show

Audio is “Theatre of the Mind” and podcasting is the perfect place to let your creativity run wild! The more creative you are the more memorable your podcast and business will be. Of course, make sure you strike a balance – there’s no point being creative if at the end of the podcast nobody really knows what you do.

In my next post, I’ll share some of the podcasts I enjoy listening to and/or think are particularly creative and effective.

Naturally, I have my theories (the same reasons I have for not doing many of the things I know will help my business):

• unfamiliarity with the technology
• fear of the technology
• fear of embarrassing yourself/failure/speaking publically
• time
• know-how

But I’d really like to hear your reasons for not creating a podcast. I know you have the talent, because I hear new podcasts all the time from newbie podcasters that sound great.

Please share you own reasons in the comments below.

Thanks