Podcasts for the Coronavirus Quarantine.

Posted on March 17, 2020 by Jason Peters

The economy may be halted, people may be quarantined, but the podcast world is booming. As millions of people are trapped at home, they are turning to their “friendship simulators” in a time of need. It’s likely that podcast listener-ship will spike in these trying times, let’s look at some of the podcasts that are making the most of the Coronavirus Quarantine.

Coronavirus Daily

NPR has launched a podcast to keep people informed on the expansion of the Coronavirus. Hosted by Kelly McEvers, from Embedded, the show looks to talk about the impact of Coronavirus on society & culture, as well as general health. Coronavirus Daily is expected to have ten minute episodes, and will feature various NPR hosts and contributors.

This show is a perfect way for the NPR-crowd to stay in the loop.

CNN: Coronavirus – Fact or Fiction

Dr. Sanjay Gupta hosts a podcast titled “Coronavirus – Fact or Fiction” in which he breaks down vital information about the spread of COVID-19 into digestible bits. This series is factual and informative, providing a steady and familiar voice in a time of mostly panic.

This podcast would be great for concerned citizens looking for quick facts about COVID-19.

TrueAnon

Liz Franczak and Brace Belden typically host a show in which they wish for the death of various pedophiles and rail against those they perceive to be bad actors in the general discourse. The brand themselves as “the only anti-pedophile podcast” as they conspire about the life of Jeff Epstein. However, this pandemic has pushed them into uncharted waters.

The otherwise irreverent duo plunged into sincerity, warning their listeners (who are normally not inclined to trust the media or politicians), to take this issue seriously. TrueAnon has done multiple Coronavirus episodes, but the most engaging encounter with the topic came in the episode titled “Love in the Time of Corona.”

This podcast would be great for anyone who is considering going to a party or bar, it also could provide some much needed clarity and warmth.

Coronavirus 411

If you’re looking for straight facts, the Coronavirus 411 podcast gives you just that. These episodes are simple little 4-minute chunks made entirely of statistics and tightly packed information. This show is perfect for efficiency freaks looking to get the information as quickly as possible. Coronavirus 411 sources information from the CDC & WHO, making palatable content from a reliable source.

Comedy Bang Bang

This podcast is nothing like the aforementioned shows. Comedy Bang Bang will likely not acknowledge the existence of Coronavirus & that’s something people might need right now. It’s extremely overwhelming to have the entire world focusing on one subject, CBB will provide an escape.

Scott Aukerman has been hosting this Improv podcast for more than a decade, highlighting some of the best improvisers in America being as outrageous as humanly possible. If you’re looking for an escape, Comedy Bang Bang is a safe space.

Stay safe and stay clean.

@Jpeters2100

How to Record, Edit, and Publish a Podcast for $0.00

Posted on February 29, 2020 by Jason Peters

It often surprises me when people are under the impression that podcasts are difficult or expensive to make. The following article will explain how any person with access to a phone and a laptop can produce a podcast for the low low price of $0.

Recording

The “Voice Memos” app on every iPhone is, for some reason, un-deletable – meaning that it is on your phone. It is one of Apple’s best kept secrets. On current iPhone models, the sound quality of the iPhone Voice Memos app is impressive. In a pinch, I’ve recorded segments of my podcast using an iPhone and the difference is almost unrecognizable. To effectively record two people on an iPhone, place it on a table between two people and simply press record with the charger port facing up.

Once you’ve recorded yourself or yourself and a guest, the file will be saved in the Voice Memos app. Simply email that file to yourself and then you’ll be able to edit it on any laptop.

Converting

Download the audio file from your email. The iPhone Voice Memos app saves all audio files in M4A format. For the free audio software that we are going to use, you’ll need to convert that M4A file into an MP3 or WAV file. It’s best that you convert it to an MP3 file, because it will take up less file space on your computer.

You can convert the file by using any number conversion websites, simply google “convert M4A to Mp3” and then follow standard internet protocol.

Editing

The industry standard free editing software is Audacity. I have personally been using Audacity as my primary editing software for 8 years and see no need for a more expensive program at this time. My podcast has charted on the iTunes podcast charts in 5 countries. If Audacity is good enough for me, it’s good enough for you.

You can use Audacity to add music that you have stored on your laptop. If you’re looking for copyright free music that you can use and edit into your podcast, there are tons of free resources like freesound.org or Zapsplat.org. Use audacity to edit your audio, add effects, and throw in music.

Publishing

Once you have recorded, converted, and edited your audio file – it’s time to publish! There are a few free places to publish podcasts like Soundcloud and Audiomack! Other publishers like Spotify and iTunes require you to have an RSS feed which typically costs a few dollars to acquire and maintain.

There you have it, the tools needed to create a podcast for $0.00 have been laid out in front of you.

2020 Presidential Candidates as Podcasts

Posted on February 20, 2020 by Jason Peters

The 2020 election is finally thinning out! We originally had 26 candidates, but now we only have ten. Below I’ve listed each candidate from most liberal to most conservative and the podcasts that embody their campaign!

Bernie Sanders – Chapo Trap House

Chapo Trap House’s origin stems from their support of Bernie Sanders in 2016. Often painted to be “ the scumbag left” or “Bernie Bros” by people who do not understand them, this podcast provides interesting insight to a large percentage of the country’s ideology. Each host provides a different skill set, whether it’s as a reputable journalist or as a ranting lunatic. They are sick of “business as usual.” The Chapo folks believe in socialism, and they do not care what you think. Bernie Sanders and Chapo Trap House embody the frustration that a portion of America has towards large banks, big pharma, and a stagnant political left.

Elizabeth Warren – Worst Year Ever

Cody Johnston, Katy Stoll, and Robert Evans all are members of the progressive left. Evans is a journalist, Stoll is an actress & producer, and Cody Johnston is a comedian – they are diverse in their views. This show provides a rare insight into the differences between members of the progressive left. There are often disagreements on gun rights, Bernie vs. Warren, and whether or not “Bernie Bros” exist. This show focuses on the 2020 election, while also shining light on under-reported stories like the chemical attack at a Furry Convention.

Tom Steyer – Deconstructed with Mehdi Hasan

Tom Steyer is the poorest billionaire running for the Democratic nomination. His original strategy was to spend millions of dollars on ads in hopes that he could win people over and get onto major media outlets at his will. Unfortunately for Tom, Mike Bloomberg came along who has 50 billion more dollars than him. For Tom Steyer it was hard to find a podcast that completely embodies him, because he’s an ideological blank canvas, aside from hating climate change & wanting to defeat Trump. This episode of Deconstructed with Mehdi Hasan in which Tom Steyer talks about what he believes and why he’s running for president would be great for anyone subtly interested in Thomas Steyer.

Tulsi Gabbard – The Joe Rogan Experience

Many people were introduced to Tulsi Gabbard and Andrew Yang through the Joe Rogan Experience, & that says a lot about their candidacy. The average JRE listener is young, likely pro-marijuana and anti-establishment, odds are they don’t like Trump and they like Hillary Clinton even less, but no one likes Hillary Clinton less than Tulsi Gabbard. For people looking for an interesting outsider in the Oval Office, Tulsi certainly fits the bill. The Joe Rogan Experience has guests who are ignored by the mainstream media, making Tulsi a perfect guest. Gabbard has been on JRE three times.

Amy Klobuchar – NYT’s The Choice

The New York Times hedged it’s bet and endorsed both Elizabeth Warren & Amy Klobuchar for President. You can listen to this entire process in a podcast produced by the New York Times. Klobuchar is a center-left politician, who gained enough momentum from the New York Times endorsement to win some delegates in New Hampshire. She’s someone whom the establishment is very comfortable with, and there is almost nothing more “establishment” than an endorsement from the New York Times.

Pete Buttigieg – Pod Save America

The Pod Save America guys are some “hip dudes” that really feel like a fresh face in the political sphere. Hosted by the former Director of Speech-writing for President Barack Obama, a former Senior Adviser to Barack Obama, and a former Obama staffer. They are proving that what happens in Washington stays in Washington. Pete Buttigieg is modelling his campaign after the “Obama Playbook.” Both the guys from Pod Save & Pete Buttigieg are valedictorian types that firmly believe they have the best vision for America. If you loved 2013 & love neo-liberalism, Pod Save America and Pete Buttigieg are the right people for you.

Joe Biden – FiveThirtyEight Political Podcast

After doing terribly in both the Iowa Caucus and the New Hampshire primary, a host of the FiveThirtyEight Podcast said “I don’t know why but I feel like Joe Biden is in second place.” FiveThirtyEight is centered around data-tracking and analytics, their hosts breakdown the data and then give their opinions on it. Despite the former Vice President being 5th in the delegate count through 2 States, the folks over at FiveThirtyEight still have him positioned in second place.

Honorable mention – this episode of the E1 podcast features three people impersonating Joe Biden for one whole hour.

Bill Weld – The Bulwark Podcast

If you’ve never heard of Bill Weld, I completely understand, however he does have more delegates through 2 states than Tom Steyer or Tulsi Gabbard. Weld is a Republican candidate for President who proudly has 1 delegate. Weld has appeared on the Bulwark Podcast three times. The show describes itself as “No shouting, grandstanding, or sloganeering.” The Bulwark is a Conservative-Opinion website operated by Bill Kristol.

Mike Bloomberg – The Ben Shapiro Show

Ben Shapiro is a popular right-wing commentator known for his fast-paced speech and “epic take-downs of the libs.” Odds are, if you agree with Mike Bloomberg’s policies, you’d also like the things that Ben Shapiro has to say. Much of Shapiro’s show focuses on the ills of progressive dogma and the disastrous deterioration of social norms, he appeals to people’s fear of change and offers something familiar – much like Mike Bloomberg.

Donald Trump – Louder with Crowder

With titles like “BUTTIGIEG IS A RADICAL LIBERAL!” and “WARREN’S STUDENT DEBT SCAM! | Ben Shapiro Guests” this is the perfect podcast for a Trump supporter. Host Stephen Crowder is what would happen if a Trump tweet came to life. Crowder’s sense of humor very much aligns with the average MAGA fan who hates political correctness. This podcast is not for people who are sensitive to race, gender, and religion, or believes in cancel culture.

The beauty of the internet is that we get to pick the media that makes us feel the best about our world-view. If you already listen to one of these podcasts and support a candidate, maybe listen to another candidate’s podcast to test your convictions. It’s important to avoid echo-chambers and to understand what other people are believe in.

Live Podcast 101 – From Recording to Performing

Posted on November 17, 2019 by Jason Peters

In 2015 I went to my first live podcast. It was unlike anything I had experienced before, because the words “live podcast” could mean anything. Podcasts are a relatively individualized medium, people listen in their cars, through headphones, or at work. Listeners very rarely think about other listeners, because the podcast format has an incredibly personal feel. When I went to The Fighter & The Kid Live Podcast, it was my first time seeing hundreds of people who were fans of the same thing as me. It turned what was otherwise an individual experience into a communal experience.

The show I saw featured stand-up spots from both hosts, audience participation, and the premiere of some video sketches hosts Brendan Schaub and Bryan Callen made. Aside from all of that, they conversed for 45 minutes in the same tone their podcast typically takes on. It was a great show and from then on, I was sold on the “live podcast” idea.

What is a live podcast

As is expected in the podcast world, there is no concrete definition of a live podcast. The podcast medium is so fluid, that a live show completely depends on the structure of your show and the personality of the host. A live podcast experience could feature stand-up, video packages, musical performances, skits, live reads and much more!

The biggest difficulty that podcasters face in this arena is conceptualizing their live show. If your podcast format is formatted like a radio show, you could perform your radio show live on stage, simple as that. However, if you have a more complex theme or format it’s going to be a much taller order. It’s also important to remember that you have to deliver a fun night out, your podcast should bring your podcast to life.

The Radiolab podcast has a unique live experience. The hosts of the show take the stage, get familiar with the crowd then launch into a script that is accompanied my visuals and sounds orchestrated on a soundboard, by the host. These shows involve audience participation, multiple guests, and ultimately tell a story. This show can be repeated throughout several cities to several audiences.

Why do a live podcast?

Far too often in 2019 we forget about the value of face to face interaction. It’s easy to believe the digital world is the real world, especially when your entire production lives online and is managed online. Live shows are a marketing opportunity, a chance to make money and sell merch, it’s a great way to expand your skill set as a performer, and it builds fandom.

Podcast hosts feel subtly more distant than other performers. If a host is not a household name, their listeners likely have never seen them before. Introduce yourself to your fans by any means necessary. If you don’t have the draw or ability to put on a live show, join local events and meet people that way. After all, a podcast is a brand, your brand is in competition with every other brand. Bringing your brand to life can change how people see you.

Will Ferrell’s Podcast Company & iHeartMedia Sign an Extensive Deal

Posted on October 16, 2019 by Jason Peters

Day by day, the podcast industry grows more and more fascinating. In a previous article we discussed the fact that Podcasts are becoming more mainstream. Visibility and understanding of the podcast medium are on the rise, so media companies are throwing serious money at major talent. It was announced that Will Ferrell has begun his own podcast company titled the “Big Money Players Network” which will partner with iHeartMedia.

The relationship between iHeart and Ferrell grew out of his first podcast series hosted by his famous Anchorman character “Ron Burgundy.” The deal promises 10 podcast series produced in 24 months, beginning to release in 2020.

Ferrell has followed the podcast trend. Original programming is key for media companies, look out for other A-list celebrities to cash in on media companies desperate for content. Will Ferrell is the perfect partner for iHeart, as they attempt to break further into the comedy podcast space.

This trend is going nowhere, everyday new podcast companies form and media executives discuss just how to profit off the podcast business which is still seen as the wild west. Companies with the stability and capital of iHeart have the best chances at landing Will Ferrell size whales for their network.

Tips for Marketing Your Podcast.

Posted on October 11, 2019 by Jason Peters

There is no simple template labelled “How to Podcast.” Some people podcast as a hobby, others as a career, most people are somewhere in between. There are thousands of aspiring podcasters trying to break through to the public. Here are some tips on how to market your podcast series.

Think Entrepreneurially

Whether you run a small independent podcast as a hobby or host a nationally known series, operate like a business. Understand your limitations as an operation. What sets your podcast apart from others? If the point of your podcast is not to earn capital, then what is it? Some creators are just looking to expand their audience, a podcast can work as a functional marketing tool for your brand.

Much like an entrepreneur, a podcaster has to manage their product, release dates, assign value, and market their product. Websites, design, booking guests, hosting platforms, and schedule are all a part of the process. The podcast landscape requires much more than talking into a microphone.

Be Visible

There are limitations for an audio medium. If you don’t have an immediately recognizable brand or personality, there is leg work to be done introducing yourself to the public. Aside from creating content that resonates with people, there needs to be a way to connect with your listenership. The logo for your podcast is the face of your podcast, make it interesting.

Joe Rogan’s hit podcast the Joe Rogan Experience does a great job utilizing Joe Rogan’s face and brand into one logo. The imagery resembles the tone of the show and attaches Joe to his show. In the event that you are not a nationally known celebrity, scroll through the iTunes Top 100 and see what sticks out! Use colors that stand out and make sure you are getting your point across!

In the same vain, literally be visible within your community. Sign up to be in festivals, fairs, and summits. Interact with potential listeners. There is merit to the brick and mortar approach to marketing. Although your product is completely virtual, real life connections will benefit any production.

Diversify Content

There are limitations within the audio medium. A podcast can only be found in a handful of places, whereas video content can spread through the most popular arteries of the internet. Developing video content, or creating a video podcast can help listeners and viewers get to know the production in a different light.

In this video, I’m speaking about the value that video content brought when marketing my own podcast series 2100.

Videos, pictures, and graphics can help to build out what your audio product looks like. Diversifying content can help bring your podcast to life.

Book Interesting Guests

Guests are a major ticket to notoriety. Booking notable guests with large followings can launch your podcast series to new heights. There is no faster way to access thousands of people than having a celebrity with thousands of followers post about your show. A single retweet can take your podcast to new heights.

Podcasts are Going Mainstream.

Posted on September 30, 2019 by Jason Peters

In September of 2006, the third season of The Office premiered on NBC, that season went on to win an Emmy and a Peabody Award. September 2019, Pam Fischer and Angela Kinsey of The Office unveiled just the trailer for their new podcast titled “Office Ladies.” With just the four minute trailer uploaded, the show sits at #1 on the iTunes Podcast charts. Office Ladies has amassed more than 3,000 5-star reviews without releasing a single full episode.

Likewise, Ron Burgundy has found a second life in the podcast world 15 years after Anchorman was first released. A-List actor Will Ferrell is now a podcaster. Chart-topping rapper T.I. began releasing episodes of his new podcast series “Expeditiously” with PodcastOne. Major media companies and podcast players are throwing bags of money at celebrities and putting even more money behind marketing their shiny new content.

The popularity of podcasts has continued to boom for several years. It was only a matter of time for sponsors and media companies to meet listeners demands.

Match.com is currently running an ad campaign that features Pitch Perfect’s Rebel Wilson posing as a podcast host. This type of mainstream exposure is great for the podcast industry. It will be interesting to see if Match takes the ad-campaign further and actually produces episodes. That would be a great example of content marketing.

With the overall segmentation of media in the midst of the streaming wars, media companies are in an arms race for content. The podcast world is following this trend. The environment is ripe for new original content hosted by familiar faces, just make sure not to jump the shark!

What is a True Crime Podcast?

Posted on September 19, 2019 by Jason Peters

Resembling television studios scrambling to produce sitcoms in the 1990’s, the podcast industry is scrambling to find the newest True Crime Podcast. The True Crime Genre has grown into a powerhouse following the successes of shows like Serial. The podcast series “Serial” is synonymous with the podcast genre, it was so popular that HBO is making a documentary series on the exact case covered in Season One. Serial opened the door for shows like My Favorite Murder, S-Town, and the Crime Junkie podcast.

What exactly is a “true crime podcast?”

True Crime Podcasts can follow a few different formats, but have a few key elements in common. The true crime genre revolves around discussing the details of crimes that occur in real life in great detail. These podcasts may be hosted by investigative journalists with full access to the court system or it can be done in the form of storytelling by Average Joe’s. Over the course of one episode you may cover one minor aspect of a crime or you could cover the entire case! There is a ton of flexibility within the podcast medium. You can listen to three different productions about the same case that all sound different from one another.

Why are they so popular?

It’s not much of a surprise that the same people who kept Law & Order SVU on for 21 Seasons had interest in furthering their infatuation with crime. America has been hyper injecting crime-based content since before I was born, NBC’s Wednesday night lineup is literally Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, and Chicago Med. All it took was an extremely well-done podcast like Serial to show how captivating true crime podcasts can be.

What True Crime Podcasts should I listen too?

Serial is everyone’s gateway to the True Crime genre. It’s the first, it’s the best, and it may never be done again. In Serial the hosts are granted an unprecedented amount of access to the judge, lawyers, and the accused. Real phone calls to prisons, deceit, and various different lenses to see the crime through. Then if you’re looking for something lighter try out the True Crime Comedy Podcast My Favorite Murder, but if you’re looking for something a little more serious try out Crimetown. In Crimetown, the hosts analyze the crime problems of Providence, Rhode Island.

Final Thoughts

True Crime Podcasts are not for the faint of heart, hearing hosts describe gruesome crimes is about as palatable as the dialogue of any standard Law & Order SVU episode. I’d always say to take the content of the True Crime genre with a grain of salt. The genre has been subjected to lawsuits and claims of plagiarism, like any emerging medium the rules are not yet defined. The subjects and participants of these series are often still alive, having their lives shaped by the very entertainment we enjoy. When well done, true crime content is riveting and groundbreaking. However, as the genre grows more and more content is going to come out of various levels of quality, so be careful.

The Advantages of the Audio Medium

Posted on September 9, 2019 by Jason Peters

Podcasts are often considered a newer medium. However, I’m a firm believer that podcasts were the obvious next step for audio as a medium. In adolescence, it was not uncommon for my mom to listen to her soap operas over the radio, nor was it uncommon for my dad to listen to a weak signalled AM frequency for New York sports. Growing up, there was always a clear distinction and conversation, “Do we want to listen to music or not?” Talk radio, sports radio, stories, and the news were all completely viable options. Podcasts are the internet adaptation of those forms of audio, an alternative to music.

Intimate

Audio is incredibly intimate. The listener or consumer has an abundance of options, choosing what podcast or what song to listen to is an intimate and personal experience. There is a decision-making process that often happens alone, because audio is typically enjoyed alone. Terrestrial radio, satellite radio, podcasts, Spotify, Apple, Tidal, Soundcloud, and Pandora all thrive in cars and on mobile devices.

Your favorite podcast starts to function as a “friendship simulator” and songs begin to develop meaning depending on specific times in your life. People develop relationships with audio content, because people are more vulnerable and available when they are alone. In 2019, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, your headphones and your car are an escape. When you’re on the go, the only options are your music, radio, or podcasts.

Imagination

Piggy-backing off the idea of intimacy, the audio medium brings the imagination to life. Headphones turn a long walk into a music video. True Crime podcasts turn a long drive into a tense mystery. The ability of producers to draw listeners into a story dates back into the early days of radio. In 1938, Orson Welles famously went onto the radio reading “War of the Worlds” throwing pockets of the public into a frenzy.

Today, podcasts like the memory palace and Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History feel like they transfer you to different time periods through expert storytelling. Other podcasts rely on vibrant soundscapes and sound effects to create a new reality. There is no limit to the tricks of audio.

Storytelling

There is no less expensive way to tell a fantasy story than through audio. To visually portray fantasy worlds requires a green screen, artists, engineers, and highly sophisticated technology. With just a sound board and some music you can transform reality through audio.

Audio is an extremely direct medium, making storytelling much less difficult. Take all the nuances of directing a film, then strip away the visuals. The unique captive audience audio provides leaves you to lead the listener wherever you want to take them. Less context, more direct communication.

Versatility

The podcast and audio space is malleable in many respects. From a marketing perspective, you have the chance to hyper target specific demographics. From a creative standpoint, you have the versatility to create new worlds inexpensively. Take the tricks that music has honed and apply it to producing everyday audio content. A personal favorite of mine is to move the audio around, from left to right and front to back – creating a more “full” sound. As a fan of the Beatles, I always loved how music moved from ear to ear.

Audio has distinct advantages that can be used to better sell products, to approach old stories in a new way, or to tell stories that would have never been heard. In the audio space there is a chance for direct engagement that is simply un-achievable through other mediums. Audio is constantly adapting and we are just moving into the renaissance of the medium.

How to Make your Podcast Stand Out

Posted on August 30, 2019 by Jason Peters

With the wealth of content being produced each and everyday, podcasters and producers nationwide are looking for ways to stand out. Everyone wants to create the next big thing. Companies want to have the next big “True Crime” Podcast, but also want to be ahead of the curve. How can you make your podcast stand out?

Premise

If you are not a major celebrity, you need to make sure that your podcast has a focused premise. It’s simply not enough to “talk about movies” or “talk about sports” if you are attempting to break into the industry.

The comedy podcast “How Did This Get Made?” at its core is simply a movie podcast, however the premise is that they dissect terrible movies. They ensure that it is an interactive experience, telling you to watch the movie before the episode comes out creating inside jokes with the audience. How Did This Get Made, even set up a phone line for fans to call in about certain movies. Think outside of the box, come up with a great name, a unique idea, and capture people’s attention.

Branding

Now you’ve come up with your amazing premise, how do you convey this message to the public? Designing your logo is the first step in branding your podcast. I follow the law of KISS: “Keep It Simple Stupid!” Podcasters first instinct is to plaster their face onto the logo, recognition is important, but not too important for a start-up podcast (it’s an audio medium).

Design something attention grabbing and simple, look for a play on words, get cute with it. I have the tendency to prefer vibrant colors, bright orange, neon green, fluorescent pink, but that’s my brand. If you’re more of a black and white type of podcaster, make sure your logo reflects that.

Along with branding and logos comes social media presence, keep everything in the same lane. There is no reason to tweet about the NFL if you are a music podcast, there is no reason to shoehorn your podcast into spaces it does not belong. Be advantageous and speak with intent.

Sound

Once again, this is an audio medium. What does your podcast sound like? Highly produced shows utilize room noise, sound bytes, and ambiance to rope people in. Every podcast has an intro and familiar noises associated with the show.

Political podcast “Chapo Trap House” utilizes sound effects from Nintendo’s Yoshi, along with beautiful wind chimes, and a wild bass drop into a Gucci Mane trap beat. Their intro is phenomenal. The Bodega Boys podcast often starts out with a brief bit of topical improv, followed by the hosts screaming “Do the drop” to a producer who blasts their music.

Sound goes far beyond the intro music, what types of noises do you want your audience to hear? A podcast is meant to be more than “people talking” consider that you are producing a work of art. Think about what you sound like, consider your delivery, and how a new listener will imagine you.

Tone

Tone ties into both branding and sound. In my productions I tend to have a harsher tone than most. My voice is harsh, I’m from Philadelphia, my cadence is a tad more aggressive than a podcaster from Portland or Idaho. When I say tone, I’m also talking about the actual tone of your voice. NPR has done an amazing job at establishing their tone as soft, intelligent, and snarky. There is never any yelling on an NPR podcast. The tone is measured and intentional.

If you’re making a joke, ensure that a stranger can tell that you’re kidding. Set a tone that works for you. Stand-up comedians, who dominate the podcast space, do an impeccable job of using tone to tell a story – learn from them.

Conclusion

These pieces should all be self serving, if you have a harsh tone, use your branding to take the edge off. If your sound is complex, maybe balance it out with a simple premise. There are a million different options to make sure your podcast stands out from the rest, be measured and speak with intent.