Creating a first-class podcast doesn\u2019t take all the skills you think it might. You don\u2019t need a studio, high-priced microphones, musicians, professional editing, or graphic design skills. The only things you really need are a voice, a message, and a good idea.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There are tools to handle the rest.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The real difference between professional-quality podcasts and amateur-sounding podcasts is knowledge of the tools available.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The tools make the difference.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rich Quality Sound<\/b><\/p>\n

Perhaps the most difficult part of podcasting to learn and master is the editing process. Knowing how to cut out an \u201cum\u201d or a mistake sentence doesn\u2019t typically take too much learning. But understanding how to balance the levels, remove background hiss, and equalize and compress can feel like a college education is required.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Fortunately, there are two great tools to make anyone an expert. <\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>The first is a free tool called <\/span>Audacity<\/b>. While Audacity is a complete podcast-editing suite, there is one feature you may want to take advantage of no matter what you are using: their fantastic noise-reduction tool.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you put headphones on to listen to your own podcast, you may hear your computer\u2019s fan in the background of the recording, or your studio\u2019s air conditioning, or the kids quietly playing in the other room. If you know that could be an issue, try this: <\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>During the recording of the podcast, when this noise is taking place, press \u201crecord\u201d for 10 seconds before you start speaking. When you are done with the episode, load the file up to Audacity. You can use its noise-reduction tool to highlight the 10 seconds of background you recorded. Audacity will then go through the entire recording removing the sounds it heard in those 10 seconds.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And voila\u2019, the unwanted noise is gone.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The second tool, <\/span>Auphonic,<\/b> is also free to a specific level. After you finish in Audacity, if you import your episode into Auphonic, Auphonic will deliver back to you an episode that sounds like it was professionally edited. The sound is balanced, levels are fixed, and a richness is added to the overall quality.<\/span><\/p>\n

Music<\/b><\/p>\n

Now that your episode sounds professionally recorded, you need background music, fillers, and sound effects. The problem is, it is very hard to find music that isn\u2019t copyrighted, blocked by social media sites, or creates a copyright claim. The last thing you need is to have your podcast sent to YouTube only to have the audio track silenced while it investigates copyrights.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Fortunately, there are several sources to help. <\/span>Infinitunes<\/b> is a membership site that will create music for you based on the tone you\u2019re trying to convey and the length of your needs. Since each track has a 100% unique meaning, you\u2019ll never have to worry about the copyright police. You still may need to pay to add some war sound effects for your Vietnam War episode, but the feeling you want the audience to have will be there.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Video Snippet<\/b><\/p>\n

Ever see someone post a snippet of their podcast on Facebook? They\u2019re typically still images with a \u201cplay\u201d button in the middle. When pressed, you\u2019ll hear 20 seconds of the podcast and see the wave form as you listen.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As a beginner, making these can be difficult. But <\/span>Headliner<\/b> specializes in this exact service.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Without Headliner, you\u2019d need something like iMovie or Sony Vegas to cut an audio snippet out of your track and add a background image (that may or may not be video) and a wave form that matches your audio track.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But why learn all that when Headliner can crank out many in no time?<\/span><\/p>\n

Intros and Outros\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Another hallmark of a professionally produced podcast is the intro and outro for each episode. Sometimes, you\u2019ll come across great video intros on YouTube channels that take themselves seriously. And you\u2019ll hear some great ones on podcasts, too. Instead of learning the tools to make this on your own, though, once again, you can use a tool.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

ProVoiceGuy<\/b> is not a tool per se, but he will make a custom audio podcast intro for you for around $50. He\u2019ll include audio, music, and custom voice over that match the tone you\u2019re hoping to achieve.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Another option is <\/span>IntroChamp<\/b>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

IntroChamp has pre-produced intros that you can customize with your words, logo, music, and images. It is largely video-based, so Vodcasters and YouTube Podcasters will really love it. But the music and sound effects are cool and can easily be stripped for an audio-only podcast. Since they\u2019re only $7 each, you could actually change intros pretty regularly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Everything Else<\/b><\/p>\n

Finally, <\/span>Fiverr<\/b> is a super-convenient freelance network where you can find someone to do just about anything. Want an intro created? Want someone to write your podcast name in the sand at the beach and snap a picture? Want someone to wear your podcast shirt in Times Square? Need someone to edit your episodes every week?<\/span><\/p>\n

Fiverr is your friend. <\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>If you can\u2019t do anything but hit \u201crecord\u201d and talk for an hour, you need to know the myriad tools at your disposal. Don\u2019t let the tech get in the way.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Let the tech <\/span>be <\/span><\/i>the way.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

August 2021 Issue<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Creating a first-class podcast doesn\u2019t take all the skills you think it might. You don\u2019t need a studio, high-priced microphones, musicians, professional editing, or graphic design skills. The only things you really need are a voice, a message, and a good idea.\u00a0 There are tools to handle the rest.\u00a0 The real difference between professional-quality podcasts and amateur-sounding podcasts is knowledge of the tools available.\u00a0 The tools make the difference. Rich Quality Sound Perhaps the most difficult part of podcasting to learn and master is the editing process. Knowing how to cut out an \u201cum\u201d or a mistake sentence doesn\u2019t typically<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":13214,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[3736,3735,3729,3332,3726,3725,3731,3732,3734,3728,3730,3733,3727],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n