Podcasts are a great tool for learning content marketers. They build credibility. They build targeted traffic. They build a relationship with the audience. They are easy. They are quick to create. They make a great Google-friendly source for repurposing content. In short, they are a tool that you should definitely consider if you are in the business of creating and marketing learning content.
But there seems to be an issue with podcasts!
How do you create them?
There's a lot of information on how to record a podcast. I've even written a word or two about the subject. But one piece of the pie that seems to get overlooked is writing the podcast.
So in this article I'm going to give you six hints for writing your podcasts.
1. Use the same process as article writing. Both articles and podcasts are about the same length. Let's face facts, they're both short pieces. In fact, they almost qualify as tiny. However, that size imposes a number of problems. The system you would use for writing a fifty-thousand word eBook will probably be major overkill for a four-hundred word article. The same thing applies to writing a podcast. However, it still needs to follow the same basic structure. You still need to prepare an outline, edit it and then write the podcast or article. If you are intending to write articles as well as podcasts then use the same process to the same extent for both.
2. Cheat. Sorry, I couldn't help that. And it could be misinterpreted so I'll have to explain what I mean. Both articles and podcasts are approximately the same size. And they are both intended to perform the same set of tasks. And they are in different media so Google won't object if you transcribe them. Whenever you write a podcast, you should repurpose it into an article. And vice versa. You'll get two marketing opportunities from one bit of work. Always a good thing.
3. But don't overdo it. There's always a problem when you try to cheat. You might be tempted to overdo it. Just as you shouldn't use PLR articles or spun articles, you shouldn't use them as a base for your podcasts. It really isn't that much work. And your quality will be much better. And trust me; the audience will know when you overstep the bounds of ethics.
4. Pick what you are recording from and stick to it. Traditionally writers wrote their articles long hand. Then they learned to type. Then they learned to speak and transcribe. Along the way, we each develop our own preferences. The trick is to pick a method that works best for you. Do you prefer outlining your podcast, recording it and then transcribing the result? Or do you prefer outlining it, writing it out and then recording it? It's a personal choice. There's good and bad to each choice. Try them out and see what feels best to you. But once you've made your choice stick with it. Don't jump around. You'll improve in time, but not if you're constantly changing gears.
5. Use Your Computer As A Tele-prompter. I'm not sure if this is a writing or recording suggestion. It's actually a little of both. No matter what you are recording from... script or outline... put it on a PowerPoint or equivalent. Why? Because when you record the podcast, you will need to read from your "script". By using a computer screen as a tele-prompter, you will avoid dropping your chin onto your chest. Most people find the quality of their voice improves if they keep their head up when they speak.
6. Writing is not speaking and neither is reading. It's common to teach people to write like they speak. But it doesn't actually happen. There are things you will say when you speak that you wouldn't write. Similarly when you write you'll phrase things in ways that you never would if you were speaking. That's why reading in public is a different skill from public speaking. However you decide to write your podcast you need to recognize the difference between the two and practice converting between the two. The key to doing a good job is practice.
