Audio Matters:An Interactive Intro to Podcast
Technology & Creative Storytelling
Agenda
Who We Are
What We Do
The Audio Industry
Storytelling 101
Editing & Polishing Audio Content
Breaking Into the Industry
Q & A, Wrap-up
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Carlisle SargentUser Experience Designer, Forum One
@carlislesargent
Ian EnrightChief Executive Officer, Goat Rodeo
@GoatRodeoDC
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Why does audio matter?Seriously, what is so compelling about a podcast?
Podcast listeners, on average,
consume 3-4 hours of podcasting
per week.
1 out of every 5 Americans listen to
at least one podcast per day.
Podcasting listenership has increased 28% from 2015-16.
50% of Americans between 12 and 40 have listened to a podcast within the last month.
Because people are listening to podcasts.
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Because the industry is growing. The recall rate of podcasting is 3x that of online video, 7x that of TV, and 26x that of print media.
There is a 96% resell rate in podcast advertising as of 2015.
More Americans listen to podcasts every month than they do Spotify.
The average podcaster skews to have the highest sharing and social behavior online.
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Because the audience is captive.
Among the 300,000+ workers in DC, 40% take public transportation.
Otherwise, commute time is ~29.5 minutes.
70% of adults own a smartphone.
3 out of 5 drivers use a connected device to play media out of their car.
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“-Everyone, Ever
The best time to start a podcast was four years ago. The second best time is today.”
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Section 3: How to break into
the audio industry.
Let’s get started.
Section 1: How to tell a
compelling story using audio.
Section 2: How to make that
story sound professional and
polished.
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Audio Storytelling 101"...Have a big story, or have none at all." -Joseph Campbell
The big questions.Is my idea worth
talking about?
The formula: I want to do a story
about X. It is interesting because Y.
Who thinks so?
How do I talk about my idea?
If you are hosting a podcast, you’ll be
speaking a lot.
Creating an enjoyable storytelling method is
key for returning listeners.
How do I get others to talk about my idea?
Be nice. Pry politely. Rely on your body
language. Be a human being.
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What you don’t have in audio:
● Irony ● Built-in context● Physical cues
What you do have in audio:
● A blank slate ● Inherent interaction with your
audience ● A fast lane to your audience’s
emotions
Learning to narrate a podcast. (Get used to hating the sound of your voice.)
● Script and outline your story.
● Get in touch with your emotions.
● Immerse yourself in the dirty details.
● Don’t be ironic. ● Tell your story from
multiple perspectives. ● Just start talking.
Listen: Nate DiMeo - The Memory Palace#F1AudioMatters
Frame your interview chronologically.
“What happened first?”
Ask the right questions. “Can you tell me about a time
when…?”
Mimic a therapist. Poker face without being a robot.
The Art of the Interview.
Create the right physical atmosphere.
Your body language is their body language.
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The Beauty of Editing“Kill your darlings.” -Stephen King
There is no magic.
20% Gear. 80% Time.
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A light introduction to gear. (And a few of our other favorites.)
Field Recorders:Zoom H6Tascam DR-40
Microphones: Shure SM7B Heil PR40 Rode NT1A Blue Yeti
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Our Favorite Field Recorder: The Zoom H6
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● Audacity: Open source● Hindenburg: Licensed, legit● Audition: On the cloud● ProTools: Oh you fancy
Audio Editing Software
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What’s in a workflow?
Annotate the entire thing. The more notes, the better.
Smooth out all transitions. Find narration points.
Listen to all of your recorded audio - just listen.
Wireframe your story.
Add narration, if needed.
Post-processing.
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Get started in audio."I’m an absolute beginner." -David Bowie
What we have learned along the way.
If you’re bored, they’re bored.
Listen carefully to your audio content
and get rid of the moments that you
lose interest.
Where are you comfortable?
Don’t tell stories about something that you don’t personally
find interesting. It won’t translate.
“Surf’s Up” Mic Rule
Kowabunga, dude.
Always keep recording.
You will never regret having your mic on.
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Podcasting as human communication.
Put life into campaigns, goals, and marketing.
Reach your audiences in a
way other organizations
have not started to yet.
Continue to enrich your
brand.
Engage your audiences
more personally.
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Your primary audience will dictate
your story. Listen to them.
High risk storytelling means high reward
content.
Audio is forgiving. It’s okay to be new.
Use the depth that you have already.
Become a good editor.
The rest is cake.
The (audio) world is your oyster.
There is a gaping hole in audio.
Find your niche.
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That’s all folks!Questions, criticisms, AMA.
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