How to add some bells and whistles to your show
Audio production is just a fancy way of saying the bits of audio in your podcast that aren’t you speaking.
So what are the different types of audio production you can have in your podcast and what does it add to your show?
Intro and outro music
Adding music to the beginning and end of your podcast episodes is the simplest way to make them sound more professional.
Your intro music is the first thing people hear and it sets the tone for your show so it’s important to choose a track that fits well with your content.
You can keep these intros and outros simple using just music and your voice to introduce the show.
Or you can step it up a notch by adding a voice-over and sound effects so another voice introduces you before you welcome listeners to the show.
Stings
This is a radio word for a short audio divider that’s used to separate different sections of your show.
A sting can be as simple as a voicemail from a listener, a grab from a movie that has relevance to the episode, or it could be a mix of music and voice-over where you include information about your show.
Adding stings throughout your content can be a great way to break things up, keep your show moving and take care of admin you don’t want to cover in the content like details of your website, email or social media handles.
Segment intros
These are similar to stings in that they’re placed in between sections of your podcast but they’re designed to introduce content that’s coming up.
If you’re doing regular segments it’s nice to have a produced intro for these so they sound professional and so you can get your audience used to them being a regular part of your show.
Sound effects and other audio
Production can be as simple as inserting sound effects or grabs of online videos into your show.
If you’re using sound effects don’t overdo it or drop them in for no reason because they can be irritating if they sound gratuitous.
And, if you’re using audio from television, film or online videos you need to be careful.
‘Fair use’ is a defense for using content that isn’t yours but what constitutes fair use is pretty grey.
If you’re using content that belongs to someone else it’s always best to err on the side of caution and only use music, sound effects and audio elements you’ve downloaded or purchased from production websites so you know you’ve got the correct rights.
Got a burning question you’d like answered on the podcast? Send me an email.
Want to start your own podcast but need a little help? Download my “How To Start A Podcast” guide or sign up for my online podcasting course, PodSchool.
