How to add 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?
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Intro and outro music
Putting music at the beginning and end of your podcast is the simplest way to make it sound professional.
Your intro music is the first thing people hear and it sets the mood for your show so it’s important to choose a track that fits with the vibe of your content.
You can keep these intros and outros really simple using music alone or you can step it up a notch by adding a voice-over and sound effects.
Stings
This is a radio word for a short audio divider 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, or it could be a mix of music and voice-over where you include a bit of information about your show.
This can be a great way to break things up, keep things interesting and take care of adminy bits you don’t want to cover in your show like the details of your website or social media handles.
Segment intros
These are similar to stings in that they’re placed in between sections of your podcast but they specifically reference what’s coming next.
If you’re doing things regularly on your podcast it’s a nice idea to have a produced segment intro so you can get your audience used to this 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.
If you’re using audio from TV, film or online videos you also need to be careful.
‘Fair use’ is a defence 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.
While podcasting is huge, rules and regulations are still in their infancy and they’re changing every day.
It’s best to use music, sound effects and production elements you’ve downloaded or purchased from websites specifically designed to be used on podcasts.
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.
