The Student Workflow Introduction
The Student Workflow Introduction
Step 1. Brainstorm the Concept for your Show (Concept Document)
Podcasts are convenient to listen to. People listen to them while driving, walking, and while doing chores around the house. They are easy to access, portable, and engaging. You will want to produce podcasts that will engage your audience and cause them to want to follow you.
You will also want your student podcast show to be unique. To achieve this you will want to develop the concept of your podcast or have your students brainstorm for concept ideas. The following are a series of questions that will help you brainstorm what the concept of your student podcast will be.
- Why am I podcasting?
- What format will I use?
- What will my podcast be about?
- How will I engage my audience?
- How will my podcast be different than others?
- How long will each episode be?
- What will be the title of my podcast show?
- Will I have guests on my podcast?
- What will be the content of my podcast?
Step 2. Choose a Format for your Show ( Format Document)
Podcast formats are necessary because they are what organizes your show’s content. The format of your student podcast show becomes the delivery vehicle and provides your show with much needed structure. We will discuss nine different formats. Selecting the format that is right for your students and your audience is a crucial step in the podcast process. Without a structured format, your show may be disorganized and hard for your audience to follow.
1. The Interview
2. Solo/ Monologue
3. Conversation/ Co-Host
4. The Panel
5. Non-Fiction Storytelling/ Documentary Style
6. Podcast Theater
7. Re-purpose/ Recap
8. Educational
9. Hybrid
Step 3. Brainstorm the Anatomy of the Podcast Show ( Podcast Anatomy Document)
The anatomy of a podcast includes several essential elements. You will eventually formally write each aspect of the anatomy of a podcast, but it is productive to brainstorm each element first.
Podcast Show Title- You will want to create a name for your podcast show that catches your audience's attention and hints at what your podcast is about or gives a clue about your theme. You will want to check to see if this title already exists. You want people to search for a podcast and find yours. Keep the title of your show short.
Tagline/Description - A tagline is a brief statement that describes your podcast. This will appear on the platforms that you distribute to. For example, Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcast will display your podcast show title, artwork, and tagline/description. These elements can influence your audience to listen to your podcast episodes.
Artwork - Your artwork will visually represent your podcast. This is part of your branding. You can create your artwork with Google Drawing or resources like Canva or Adobe Spark. Brainstorm ideas for what your artwork will look like.
Podcast Season - (Podcast Season Document) A podcast season consists of a series of episodes. You will want to brainstorm your first entire season. Maybe you will have one season for each quarter and 8-9 episodes per season. Create a spreadsheet or use a table in a document or slide show. Decide how many episodes will be in your season. If you are producing non-traditional podcasts you will not need to plan out your season.
Episodes - Each season is composed of a series of episodes. The episodes may or may not be directly related to one another. You will want to brainstorm what each episode in your season will generally be about.
Bumpers - Intro and outro bumpers can accomplish several things. They can introduce your hosts, briefly describe your podcast, inform your audience of the topic of the specific episode, and encourage your audience to follow you on social media and podcasting platforms. Your outro may remind your audience of your schedule and how to access your show notes.
Show Notes - show notes can include resources you would like to share with your audience. You can also include hyperlinks to various content, resources, and materials. Brainstorm what type of information or content you would like to share with your audience.
Step 4. Brainstorm the Content ( Content Document)
What will the content of your episodes be? This is something you will want to brainstorm in order to determine what direction you will head in. For example, if your episodes are connected or related you will need to see the big picture of what your entire season will look like. Think of a book that has chapters. Your individual podcast episodes are like chapters in a book. They all are related to one another and build on each other.
Your episodes many not be related or connected to one another. In this case you will have a little more flexibility in planning ahead. You will still want to have a general idea of what the content of your episodes will be because it can take time to prepare for a podcast.
For example, if you will have guests, you need to schedule a time to record your guests weeks in advance. If you need to research a topic in order to know it well enough to discuss it, you will need to conduct your research prior to recording the episode.
Step 5. Draft Your Questions & Talking Points ( Questions & Talking Points Document)
The questions and talking points documents will help guide the podcast during the recording of the episode.
Step 6. Create the Bumpers
A podcast bumper is an audio segment that wraps around your podcast like bumpers wrap around the front and back of a car. Bumpers can be used as introductions, conclusions, and as transition between segments of your podcast.
A podcast intro bumper is an introduction to your show. Introductions are usually 15 - 30 seconds in length. They tell your listeners the name of your show, what it's about, the name of the host(s), and sets the tone for your podcast.
A podcast outro bumper is your last chance at the end of your show to tell listeners where they can learn more about you and your podcast show. It tells them where they can download or listen to previous shows, and outro bumpers invite them back for your next show.
Bumpers are usually accompanied by music. You can acquire free and paid music to use for your bumpers. YouTube has a free library of music and sound effects you can use for your bumpers.
Rehearse your bumpers by practicing your script. You will also want to practice using software to create your bumpers. You can use Audacity, Anchor, Garage Band, and other software applications.
Step 7. Rehearse Your Script and/or Talking Points
Voice - when I record a podcast I tend to change my voice just a little bit. I speak a little more clearly, I deepen my voice a notch, I enunciate clearly, and I slow down my speaking enough for me to process what I am going to say before I say it.
You will want to rehearse your speaking portions so that you sound natural. You do not want to sound as though you are reading from your script, talking points, or interview questions. You do not necessarily need to memorize your speaking segments, but you do want to read them several times so you will be able to focus on the volume, tone, cadence, speed, and fluency of what your saying during the podcast.
Flow - You will want to practice your speaking parts and then rehearse the podcast as a group. You will want your conversation to have a natural flow and rhythm between the hosts and guests. You can edit your podcast after you record it, but the more your rehearse, the less editing you may end up having to do.
You will also want to rehearse the recording of the podcast. Practice using the software, editing, and know the process for publishing. Practice by recording and editing your rehearsal sessions. You will want to make sure your podcast episode has a level of quality and this will be achieved with dress rehearsal practice.