Influential Voices of Authority How To Organize Your Podcast Content – Episode 135
When you organize your content, you allow yourself to be more creative during recording. You actually allow for more spontaneity and creativity.
Many podcasters believe that planning all of their content removes the opportunity for things to happen. Does planning remove the fun from your show?
Not at all.
When you spend less time trying to think of the next piece of content, you can spend more time thinking about how to make the next piece of content amazing.
Organizing your content is the key to allowing your content to become entertainment.
THE CLOCK
The one tool most radio hosts use to organize their show is a show clock. This is basically a schedule of what is to happen on the show and when those pieces of content occur.
The show clock becomes even more important when you have a co-host. The clock puts all members of the show on the same page. Each host knows exactly what is coming up and when it is supposed to happen.
You can download the PTC Show Clock template in the worksheet section online at PodcastTalentCoach.com.
There are two versions of a clock. One is a circular clock face. The other is a list.
Both versions list the title of the segment, a description of the content, when that content is due to happen on the show and how long is it supposed to last.
For example, the show open will be first. It might be the 60-second recorded theme. That would be followed by a 4-minute introduction. This would include the tease of the content coming up in the show along with guest information.
As you complete the clock, you continue to fill it out in this manner.
Now that you have the schedule for the show, you can use your brain power to make each piece of content amazing. Be creative. Add details and stories to the notes. Know exactly how you will make it engaging. Get that call-to-action in there.
Your clock will be similar in every episode. Most start with the show theme and intro. Most end with the closing. The meat in between might change. The clock allows you to be creative.
SPONTANEITY
Many people refuse to rehearse any part of their podcast, because they feel it will remove all spontaneity from the show.
Think about a speech you have given. When you have only rehearsed the speech a couple times, anxiety sets in right before you go onstage.
On the other hand, when you have rehearsed the speech many, many times, you eventually know it by heart. The anxiety level of presenting the material isn't as high. When you begin, you feel much more confident. The worry about making mistakes or forgetting parts isn't present. You relax. This is when the spontaneity kicks in.
Spontaneity in your speech happens most when you aren't worried about the mechanics of the presentation. Your mind is allowed to move naturally through the material. This helps you become truly engaged with the audience and material. Wonderful, creative, spontaneous things happen when you reach this point.
The same can be said for your podcast. When you know the material, have defined a specific goal for the show, and have mapped out a plan to achieve that goal, your podcast will be filled with many “oh wow” moments.
The show clock allows you to rehearse and organize the content before you hit record. It will put you at ease and allow you to be creative.
Try it this week. Download the show clock and organize your content for your next episode.
You can download the PTC Show Clock template in the worksheet section online at PodcastTalentCoach.com.
Next week, you'll learn how to make the best use of your co-host to create compelling content and engage your listeners.
You can find my podcast and other tools to help you create great content at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com.
Let's turn your information into engaging entertainment.