This April, I finally launched the Learn to Love Podcast.
I’m super proud of it and to be honest, a little afraid. It has been an incredible learning curve in putting this out into the world. While a radio show might have a producer, editor, sound engineer, and other supportive staff, with podcasts the person doing the podcast is often running the entire show.
I’ve learned a lot, not just during the interviews with my guests and all the amazing things they have to share, but also when I’ve had a chance to listen to the interview again have to actually make it sound good.
So I’d like to share with you what I call the 10 Tips to Sound Good on a Podcast, to make my job a bit easier and to help all podcasts, everywhere.
1. Use an external microphone and headphones
You would be surprised how many people don’t realize that their microphone will pick up the sound from their speakers, or that their tiny laptop microphone does not record the best sound.
You don’t have to go to the store, however, as most people can use whatever they have, whether its wired in headphones with a microphone along the cord, earpods or a Bluetooth headset. As we will learn in the next 9 steps, it’s not what you’re using, but how you’re using it. I’ve had guests on $10 headphones sound better than those on $300 “Podcast” microphones.
If you do want to look at what specific microphones I recommend, check out, What gear to get for your specific online offerings.
2. Find a quiet, small room.
Obviously, you want a quiet place that doesn’t also record cars driving by and your cat meowing for more food. But if you look at most recording studios, they are also small space so there isn’t too much echo.
3. Try not to fidget.
Try your best not to fidget to much. Microphones will pick up your voice, but they also will pick up when you tap on the desk, shuffle papers around, take a drink of water, slide your phone across the table, or rub your leg.
4. Try to keep the same distance between your mouth and the microphone.
We all do it: lean in when we’re talking about something that interests us, and lean out when we are finishing a thought. But this can greatly affect the volume of the final recording. It’s best to pick one position and stick with it.
5. Drink Water.
Drink water, not pop or juice or milk. No one wants to speak with a dry, scratchy throat, but we also don’t want to speak with a phlegmy mouth either. Stick with water, and take small sips with your microphone muted.
6. Breathe. Preferably, with your nose.
Full deep breaths provide the foundation for a solid, clear voice. Breathing through your nose will also be a lot quieter, while large sighs or breathing in through your teeth will be picked up by the microphone.
7. Watch out for plosives.
Plosives, the burst of air that exits the mouth when we make “P” and “B” sounds, are like giant gusts of wind to a microphone. In this case you might not want the microphone right in front of your lips, but a little lower or to the side.
8. Also watch out for lip-smacking.
Many of us will begin a sentence or thought with a huge smack of the lips. Try to avoid this if you can.
9. Try not to ramble.
If you listen to guests on CNN or practically any talk show, they know how to answer their questions quickly and concisely. With podcasts you have a bit more freedom to tell stories, humorous anecdotes, and whatever calls to you, but try not to ramble for longer than 10, unless you’re on a longer form podcast like Joe Rogan or Tim Ferris.
10. Have Fun!
If you’re smiling and having fun this will really show up in your intonation. If it’s for a pre-recorded podcast like Learn to Love, there’s nothing to worry about! Any mistakes and flubbs will be edited out later.
Lastly, for those wondering what recording software I use, I use Cast, for a lot of reasons. First, it does a good job at getting rid of background noise. Secondly, they do hosting too. Last and most importantly, it records both sides of the conversation in separate Mp3s, which makes editing WAY easier. If you’re thinking of trying it, follow this link.
