(Click Here) for the podcast version of this article
Okay, we’ve spent some time discussing several sites that are good places to go for information and input, but have you really gone and checked any of them out? If you have, you have already taken a big step towards ‘getting started right’. If you haven’t, you really should because there is some really good information out there and you might as well take advantage of someone else’s investment of time and effort. You will simply just be that much further ahead of the game.
Look at it this way, if you check out someone else’s podcast and get a good or maybe even a great idea or tip for your own podcast, what have you lost? Maybe a little bit of time had to be invested, but, you have an opportunity to gain input from some of the best in the business and you can quite often gain that input for little, or no, financial investment. What could be better?
What I’m trying to say is, if you want to turn out a good product but you don’t quite have it all together as far as technique and ability yet, you absolutely need to get the input of others even if it is to become absolutely certain of what you DON’T want to do.
Not everyone of you wants to follow in the footsteps of the status quo. Some of you may have great ideas for really dynamic podcasts that totally depart from the norm and that is wonderful, BUT, you might want to consider listening in on some others to be sure it is what you want to do and how you want to do it.
One thing I have learned is that a podcast doesn’t have to contain flawless diction or be technically perfect, but it does have to have reasonable flo and worthwhile content. (I can say that even though I may not like your podcast and you may not like mine.) Some things are just ‘givens’. People want to be motivated, educated and entertained. Some even like to be shocked on a regular basis, but they still expect you to present it to them in a reasonable and understandable manner.
There comes a time when we all have to make the decision to get down to business and start doin’ that thing that is burning within us. We need to make the decision to get the right equipment, choose the proper format for our presentation, pay attention to what we are doing and get started. There is no other way to see if your idea is going to fly until you actually start producing it.
If you want to ‘get started right’, know this. You will not be wasting your time by spending some of it listening to others that are more experienced. You could very possibly pick up on some little tidbit of information or technique that could make your podcast better and easier to produce.
In all honesty, it has never been easier to produce and distribute an audio or video podcast. The people that have gone before us have done a lot of the hard work. You can easily find the type of equipment that is perfect for your need. The same holds true for software. Some of it is free, some of it will cost you a little and some of it can cost a lot. The best way to decide which one is best for you is to see them in action. Quite often, trial versions (or lesser versions) are available to try before you have to make a major investment. Listening to what others produce with different equipment and software can demonstrate the quality of product that can be accomplished with each.
Many podcasters are more than willing to share what they use to make their podcasts. They either talk about it in their blogs or they love to answer your inquiries via comments or emails. As I have said before, “The only deep, dark secrets in podcasting is that there are no deep, dark secrets in podcasting.”
When it comes right down to it, to “get started right”, there is no substitute for gettin’ down and doin’ your podcast. You want to try your ideas out, so, get out there and do it!
See ya next time . . .
