Podcasting for Dummies®, 2nd Edition

Chapter 4. Before You Hit the Record Button . . .

In This Chapter

• Finding a voice for your podcast

• Using an outline or script

• Deciding how long your podcast should be

• Understanding legal issues

Tune to a classical radio station (and when we refer to "classics" here, we mean Beethoven and Haydn, not the Beatles and Hendrix) and listen to the DJs — oh, sorry, the on-air personalities — featured there. You'll notice that they're all speaking slowly and articulately, mellowed and obviously relaxed by the melodic creations of greats such as Mozart, Wagner, and Joel. (Yes, Billy Joel has a classical album — a pretty good one, too!) Although the on-air personalities of your local classical music station all sound alike, they sound dramatically different from the wacky Morning Zoo guys on your contemporary hits radio station who sound as if they're on their eighth cup of espresso.

When you hear people talk about finding your voice in broadcasting, that's what they mean. You come to an understanding of what your average audience wants (and to some degree, expects), and then you meet that need. This chapter helps you develop the voice and personality you want to convey when podcasting.

After you discover your voice, you will want to get ready for the show. This chapter shows you what to do to prepare for smooth and easy podcasts that (one can hope) will be glitch-free during the recording process. Preshow prep is not only important, but also essential in making a feed worth catching. Even the most ...