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You’ve got podcasting questions, and Traci Long DeForge is back to answer them. Traci is the founder of Produce Your Podcast and a member of the PBJ Editorial Board. Today Traci answers your questions about guests, recording audio and re-releasing shows.
Q: What is the best way to re-release an episode if I want to put it out with updated comments on the topic? Traci: Repurposing an episode is a great choice if you learned something new on the subject matter or if the topic has resurfaced based on a film, TV show or Press around the content. You’ll want to include a new introduction to the episode where you record yourself speaking to why you are excited to re-release this episode and spotlight any new information not contained in the original episode.
If you choose to release an episode again, be sure to promote it the same way you would promote any newly released episode. This way you can capture new listeners and reintroduce the content to those who may not have downloaded all your previous shows. You can use language like Encore or Updated in the title so your subscribers and followers will know that it’s an updated version of an earlier episode that has new information.
Q: How do I record audio and integrate it into my podcast so it sounds like a call-in style show? Traci: A popular way to capture this data is to embed an audio recorder like SpeakPipe into your website. It puts a small microphone on your site where people can click on to leave comments, feedback and questions. Think of it as an old-school answering machine. SpeakPipe also offers the feature of creating a personal page without having to install anything. You can drive listeners to either place for them to record a question or comment directly. You can ask a question on your podcast or ask for feedback on what your audience thinks about a topic and request leaving a response as a call to action. Social media is a good place to ask your audience questions and prompt them to record their answers. If you share the link to the page with your guests and customers, they can use it to send you voice messages and testimonials. Once you capture the audio, export it as a mp3, edit it into the podcast audio and voila…you have a call in style sounding podcast!
Q: Should I interview a guest if they aren’t exactly aligned with my show format, but they have a big social media following? Traci: We all want to grow our audience and having a high profile guest who’s willing to share our interview to a large following is always enticing. The one and only thing you need to ask yourself before making the decision on inviting any guest appearance is…Does this guest bring value to my audience in a way that would benefit them? If the answer is yes but the subject matter may be slightly off brand then you have options. For example, if you host a podcast whose conversation centers around a specific TV show or film and you are approached by an expert in costume design than you can release it as a “bonus” episode to acknowledge this episode is out of the norm of the show, but you’re releasing it because we think the content would still be interesting. You could include that exact verbiage in your intro as well. I would frame it as, “I had an opportunity to interview our guest today and although this is not our typical show theme, I wanted you to be able to gain these valuable insights from them today.”
Pay attention to your gut as you think through these options. If you have any hesitation or reservations then you may be trying to put a square peg in a round hole and rest assured your audience will figure it out.