NORTH BATTLEFORD — I just spent the last eight months writing, producing and hosting 10 episodes of my podcast “Standing At an Angle to the Universe” and, truthfully, am still recovering from the experience.
To those of you thinking about doing your own podcast, let this cagy, old veteran offer a few sage words of advice:
First of all, good luck. I did a lot of pre-planning and preparation, used the most basic, easy-to-learn software available, stuck to my DIY (do-it-yourself) philosophy, kept things as simple and straightforward as possible and the process still nearly drove me bonkers.
My computer is a Mac, so I used GarageBand to record and mix “Standing At an Angle to the Universe.” GarageBand is pretty basic, nowhere near as complex and confounding a program as, say, Logic Pro, but it still requires a learning curve, and unless you’re patient and stubbornly stick with it, you’re going to get very, very frustrated and disheartened.
One smart thing I did was shell out for a high-quality microphone, a slightly used AKG number I bought online. This particular mic can be used by a single podcaster and there’s also an omnidirectional setting to accommodate a co-host or guests.
I made every effort to ensure my podcast was as easy on the ears as possible, with musical interludes serving as segues between the various segments. I was fortunate because I’ve been tinkering with a MIDI keyboard for a number of years and was able to come up with some spacey, instrumental bits to bridge the gaps. If you don’t have similar capabilities, there are undoubtedly young, aspiring musicians out there who might allow you to use excerpts from their compositions on your show (with proper attribution) and, also, venues where you can buy “stock” music that serves similar purposes.
I recorded “Standing At an Angle…” in my home office and found the setting conducive to my requirements — no need for a special studio, soundproofing or what have you, though I have to confess a number of takes had to be redone because of noise from circling airplanes, barking dogs and the not infrequent crowing of the neighbourhood rooster (no, I’m not making that last part up).
I’m something of a perfectionist, so I worked hard at making my podcast sound as professional and tight as possible. Each episode was carefully researched and scripted and I think all that effort shows in the final product.
But it was a tough, daunting eight months of continuous work. The rest of my writing projects were pushed to the side or postponed as I devoted every ounce of my creative energy to “Standing At an Angle to the Universe.”
It has now been posted on a number of platforms, including Podbean, Spotify and Amazon, and the overall response to those 10 episodes has been encouraging and positive.
Would I do it again? That’s a tough one, and I think I need some time to decompress and reflect before I give you a firm answer.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad I did it, I learned a lot, but there was an incredible amount of sweat and brain power involved, many hours expended on getting it exactly right. And then I discover there are something like two million podcasts currently in circulation and realize just how difficult it is for anyone to break through, attract listeners and secure an audience that makes all that effort worthwhile.
Well, as with all serious endeavours, it’s wise to look before you leap and that means doing your homework and learning the ropes long before you hit that “Record” button.
Believe me when I say I'm pulling for you. If my experiences taught me anything, it’s that perseverance and hard work win the day. Eventually.
So, take that to heart and remember to speak clearly, enunciate, watch those recording levels, stay hydrated and do your utmost not to bore the socks off folks who have taken time out of their busy lives to find out what you have to say.
Now, go get ’em, podcaster!
— Cliff Burns has been a professional author for over 35 years, with 16 books and scores of published short stories and poems to his credit. His writing has been featured in anthologies and publications around the world and his plays and radio dramas performed in a variety of venues. To learn more about him, go to cliffburns.com.
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