Topic 4

What Makes a Good Podcast?

Authenticity

Your podcast should NOT be merely an example of performers reading a script. This will sound superficial and will not reflect what you think and feel.  Your listerners need to know that YOU care about the topic and You are expressing YOUR thoughts and ideas ... not someone elses!

Compelling Stories

Just telling a story is not just a nice thing to know so your listerners will be entertained.  Storytelling helps us look at ideas we have gathered and give them context - to reconstruct them in a way that will be easy to grasp and will take your audience where you want to take them.  Your narrative should help clarify issues and inspires your listerners to learn more.

Connecting to Your Audience

Great podcasts are not about you!  They should be about all of us. Even when the topics are localized, effective podcasters make efforts to reach out to the listener and pull them into the conversation.  Too often podcasters produce content which lacks any sense of connection to the listener.  It is as if they are reading to a microphone and nothing more.

Keep your audience needs and interests in mind when you plan your show.  Audiences who can see themselves in the discussion will tune in again.  Ask them questions and pull on their experiences by refering to your own.

Your connection to the audience is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.  You should include statements about the impact you hope to have on them. Is their an action you want your listerners to take after listening to you?

Seeking the Unique

Is your podcast predictable with obvious conclusions? Will your podcast get lost in the shuffle of all the ones your peers produced? Capitalize on your special talents, knowledge of a topic, and perspective.  Do something to make your audience rember your podcast!