How I Record Podcast Interviews (and a Special Announcement!)

So I’ve been working on recording podcast interviews for my new Podcast–  titled (announcement!) “Mom on Purpose.”

Here’s the podcast cover you’ll see on iTunes– eeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!

I’ll be launching soon. And I actually need your help. Will you join my Mom on Purpose Promo Team ? Once it’s ready for release, I need readers and listeners who are willing to share with their friends so that more women will find the podcast, listen, and be encouraged by it.

Join the Mom On Purpose Promo Team HERE!

Now, for the practical how-to!

HOW I RECORD PODCAST INTERVIEWS

For those of you who might be considering launching your own podcast, I’ll share what I’ve learned so far.

Here’s the step-by-step process of how I record my podcast interviews:

#1- Choose guests who have something specific and beneficial to offer my listeners, e-mail them and ASK for the interview. In that initial “ask,” I propose the basic topic idea I have for them.
#2- Once they agree to the interview, I sit down and brainstorm a list of questions to keep us on track in the interview. I try to keeping in mind the “story arc” and the challenge/solution being offered in this particular episode. (i.e., We don’t start with the solution. We start with the challenges and work toward the solutions/wisdom that this person has to offer.)
#3- I write them back and offer 3-4 timeslots that work for me for the guest to choose from, asking that if these don’t work, they can e-mail me back with 2-3 times that work for them and we’ll make it work according to their time schedule. I ask them to set aside an hour for the interview. In this e-mail, I also send the proposed list of interview questions I’ve brainstormed (inviting their feedback), ask for the product/website they’ll want to promote in our interview (if any) and also ask for their Skype name.
#4- I put the interview on my calendar and friend them on Skype.
#5- I do these 10 practical things right beforehand:

1. Even if it’s 6am, get dressed in full clothes. (This helps me be on my game and take it seriously.)
2. Go potty.
3. Drink plenty of water.
4. Have a cup of water at my desk in a place that will not bump the mic.
5. Run up and down the stairs or do a series of jumping jacks. Get the blood flowing!
6. Blow my nose. Twice. 🙂
7. Put on chapstick.
8. Do vocal warm-ups (essentially, blowing my lips like a raspberry while singing scales– this is what my vocal lesson instructor taught me to do in college and I’ve found that it’s the quickest way to warm up the vocal cords to my full range). This makes for less squeaks, squawks, and coughs.
9. Close all other programs on my computer, and DO NOT LEAVE UP an internet browser. (Not only do I not want it hogging my connection, but I also don’t want to run the risk of distraction while in the interview.)
10. PRAY! Ask for wisdom & for God’s help to make the interview useful to women.

#6- Use decent equipment. I use this Audio-Technica USB microphone (excellent reviews at a low price compared to most mics of this quality), this NEEWER microphone shield (masks air/smacking sounds and allows the mic to simply pick up your voice), this NEEWER boomstand (I just needed something simple).
#7- I use Skype and eCamm recorder to easily record the interview. These two programs are easy to use and do an EXCELLENT job.
#8- I call and record the interview. We typically have a 1-2 minute “hello” but then jump right into the interview. I don’t want to waste my guest’s time. Interviews typically take anywhere from 45-65 minutes.
#9- I sit up tall and SMILE through the interview (I even have a sign posted in front of my face that reminds me to do this!). Posture and facial expression affects how we sound, and I want to keep my energy up to give listeners the best possible experience.

These things keep me on the ball and sounding clear for each podcast interview. Hope this helps others who are contemplating launching a podcast.

 

IN THE COMMENTS, please share: WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE PODCASTS? And when do you listen to them?

One final plug: if you’d join the Mom On Purpose Promo Team, I’d be thrilled!