A lot of how we produce and create new podcasts is by making mistakes and learning from them.

Podcasting Has Evolved

Podcasts or Hollywood?

Story pitches, scripts, screenings, serial series, storylines, blockbusters, terms normally used for films, but we’re talking about……podcasts.

Once used as a platform for basic chit-chats about news, gossip or technology, podcasting has now been elevated to superstar status. Narrative driven or scripted podcasts have become the hottest formats in the industry drawing millions of listeners each episode.

Podcast story scripts are written, stories are pitched, series are being produced and blockbusters being made, things that normally associated with Hollywood. Hollywood itself is now regularly proposing adaptive stories to podcast studios, taking existing stories meant for films and transforming them into podcasts. Some podcast serials are even being transformed into feature films, HBO and Netflix shows. It’s truly an amazing time for the podcast medium, for both audiences and podcast producers.

So, if you are planning to produce your own podcast, remember, there is much more than chit chat formats. Let your mind run wild and let your creative side shine as podcasting has no boundaries!

Reading Out Loud

In the podcasting world, words are to be heard. So, when writing an audio-script, try to read out your writing out loud before proceeding to the recording stage.

Coming from a newspaper background, this particular tip helps me to improve my writing because I get to train my ears to read the stories, not my eyes. In the writing process, sometimes I make grammatical errors, spelling mistakes or even mess things up as I copy and paste. By reading out loud, I usually catch errors and unnecessary words. Or, even when sentences are not grammatically incorrect, they can be too long or too repetitive.

Again, by reading out loud, it helps me to find phrases that don’t work or might sound awkward in an audio setting. In short, reading out loud is the best proofreading technique. Try it and you’ll be impressed by how great this tip actually is!

Recording Literally EVERYTHING!

Sometimes when you really want to commit to your podcast, you life becomes the stage. Recording everything from your conversations with your friends to thoughts you are currently having on your own, makes for an amazing scene in a podcast, especially when you are creating non-fiction stories.

Sharing your thought process and your journey as the storyteller gives good insight to how that story came to be, or makes your story more relatable. It is comparable to having to "vlog" your life but this is taking a journey through your mind and how things are the way they are. We are making it a habit to record our meetings and it is tough!

But with a little practice, I'm sure you will know when to bust out that phone and start recording when the time is right

Have a Drink and Take a Breather

Recording vocals requires your voice to be on its best shape. Most of the time, it can get very exhausting, and it's gonna affect your voice. That's why having a drink next to you and taking a breather when you're recording really helps to bring back your voice.

Now people would think, recording a podcast needs you to be active so coffee is a good choice, right? While it is true that it can make you more active, it turns out I learned that coffee, tea, or milk can generate phlegms in your throat that can cause inconsistency in your voice. I found out that good ol' plain water is actually the best choice to have. Room temperature is what is recommended, but I usually have mine slightly warm.

And always remember to breathe! That's also what I always tell my VOs."

Getting Your Creative Juices Flowing After a Long Timeout

A long weekend of consecutive holidays has blessed me with a (much needed) break, but it could be challenging to return to one’s usual productivity rhythm. I believe that maintaining a creative discipline is pertinent to getting your creative juices flowing.

Don’t wait for the right mood or inspiration, just act on any fleeting ideas and work them out. Structure your workflow, set a timetable, map out your tools and assets. It's execution time now: you can’t be creative without creating something first!

The Blur Between Fact and Fiction in Podcasts

The format of podcasts are ever growing and evolving! But there's one other format that seems to be popping up and I think they're super interesting.

It's a format where fact and fiction are blurred. Shows like Business Wars from Wondery presents factual history and inside-peek on some of the bottest business wars, but a lot of the insider information are estimated and reenacted. Another funky experimental show is Appearances. It's an independent podcast by Sharon Mashihi that presents tons of difficult topis (such as about abortion, family issues, etc) of the creator, through a fictional character called Melanie. I really want to tap into this format as it allows past events to happen right before you!

What do you think, is it a good trend or not really your cup of tea?