Ask HN: Any gotchas you can share when starting a podcast? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: Any gotchas you can share when starting a podcast?

13 pointsambivalents14 comments

I'm starting a podcast on Product Management, and as I dive into this world I find a lot of things I 'didn't know I didn't know' and probably more I won't find. How to properly position a mic, how to make an intro, how to distribute, how to get listeners.

To anyone slightly farther down the podcast path than me, do you have any wisdom to share? Besides possibly 'don't start a podcast like literally everyone else these days :) '

Thanks!

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Here's some tips that have made my life easier when working on my own podcast (https://soundcloud.com/inpatientradio)

1. Don't get a pricey Blue Yeti mic or other USB mic. Phantom powered studio mics are the way to go. I like the MXL V63M. I run that using a MobilePre Interface. Get a pop filter, too.

2. Invest in good recording software. It'll make editing and cleaning up the sound A LOT easier. My earlier episodes are pretty lo-fi because I used a USB mic and Audacity. Currently I like Adobe Audition but there are other tools.

3. Soundcloud is a pretty good platform and I get lots of organic listens from them. I'm sure there are services which you can use to bundle releases to e.g. Apple Music, Spotify, etc.

4. Nail down a note system that works for you. I usually just have a huge google doc open with tons of notes, info, sources, and quotes. The really important stuff I bold and highlight and then I have little references and riffs relating to that bulleted beneath. Once you get into the rhythm of your show and what points you want to hit, you'll find a groove that works for you.

5. Do not take yourself so seriously. You can be authoritative and knowledgeable, but I've found that podcasts really thrive when they have a casual, conversational vibe

Oops... literally using a USB mic + Audacity!

I come out sounding quiet and muted. And the acoustics of the room aren't great so it's echoey.... Can this be solved by better recording software?

I’m not sure how much configuration you have, but if you can, turn down the gain to reduce the echo (You should also keep in mind the shape of your room. Lots of empty space and square walls will reflect sound. It might be worth it to grab dampening foam if you are having a hard time). Reducing the gain will make you sound quieter, but you can now push the audio up a few db without getting as much background noise.

Also, a good EQ can go a long way to improve the vocal quality.

Audacity is perfectly servicable and used by 99% of podcasts, what are.you talking about.

I don't host one, but I listen to a number of podcasts on a regular basis now. I am continually amazed at the commitment of people who put out a new show every week. I know how much work goes into that process - planning, interviewing, editing, posting, and promoting. It's nuts, and I don't understand how people sustain that weekly for years at a time.

I've seen enough hosts burn out now that I hope everyone who starts a podcast goes in with a realistic plan for managing burnout. I would rather listen to a biweekly podcast that I know is more sustainable than a weekly podcast where I'm wondering how much of a toll this is taking on the hosts. If you have the energy and content to do a weekly show, that's great, but I hope you can plan in some longer breaks for when the burnout comes.

Good luck, there are piles of podcasts out there but good new ones are started all the time as well. There's room for many more. :)

Thanks, this is helpful to keep in mind. I somewhat arbitrarily decided I needed to do 2 per week, on Tuesdays and Fridays (why? who knows!).

Perhaps I will dial it back and take the time to just make the best one I can every week or so.

I'm doing attempt 2 on a podcast. First attempt was a one shot to see response.

Lesson, be comfortable around a mic. I got only 2 comments of feedback, both regarding how "boring" I sounded. Took it down immediately from the embarrassment. I had a friend listen to the podcast and he was confused as hell why I sounded so monotone and dead inside. He told me to get 1990s NPR out my ass and act like myself.

I say dont underestimate your change in behavior when you realize you're being recorded. It's such a weird psychological switch for me. In front of a group of people, my personality cranks to 11. The very moment I think I'm being recorded, audio or video, my personality disappears. Not in writing though.

So, to practice I've been recording myself for 10 or so min a day, listen to it constantly, make notes and record again regarding my notes to myself. After about 3 weeks, I'm noticeably better, but still not happy. If I did it more often, I'd probably be a lot better. But I have a hard time finding the time to practice everyday lately. These are like 1-2 hour practice sessions.

Maybe you're more lucky and it doesn't affect you. I always thought being good at public speaking would translate well for me, but nope. It's a whole different mental beast for me to conquer.

My 2 cents. Hope it helps.

I know exactly what you mean about the shift when recording. It sounds like my personality and all the passion and excitement I have about the topic totally disappear once I'm recording. So strange!

Good to know practicing will help.

One thing I noticed is that I got an idea for an episode on a walk and decided to record it on the fly using just an app on my phone. It was filled with all of my excitement and natural tone. When I went to record the real version at home, poof! All gone.

I've never recorded a podcast, but as a podcast listener, I've found that podcasts with two hosts tend to have that psychological switch on by default, whereas podcasts with one host tend to have it off by default.

Conversation > Monologue

My non-comprehensive tips: Start your podcast count at -5. Make five you don’t publish but make the 5. Intro, music, breaks, outro, etc. Make the audio equivalent of a shotlist / outline. Leave time to edit out some umms, but not all of them. A format, or formula, helps you as much as your audience — both parties need a home in the episodes, familiar ground.

Thank you! I am going to do this. I feel this pressure to just put one out there but I can't get the first one exactly right. By doing 5 or so I think my perfectionism will start to wane, and naturally will be getting that practice

Learn from YouTube'ers for how they stage their videos. Given the large competition for views on YouTube they've really taken the time to figure out how to a) make an intro, b) how to distribute, c) how to get listeners, d) how to monetize (if that's an interest to you), e) how to use freelancers to edit/promote/help with the show.

get a good co-host and good interviewing subjects, don't edit out the pauses because tone intonations would be incomprehensible if listeners want to hear the show 1.25 times the regular speed. Small electret mic could be good in an untreated room (watch out for frequency response to your voice though) those are certainly more usable on the go rather than bulky and unusable large diaphragm mics or dull sounding dynamic ones.

No wisdom to share. I’m a PM and would be happy to be a sounding board for any feedback/ideas. Irishplate at protonmail dot com

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