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Don’t Blow Your First Impression – PTC 283

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You can’t catch up to a slow start. Your listeners need to know this podcast is just what they need. That comes with proper prep. Don’t blow your first impression.

MY HOMEWORK

I have been listening to quite a few new podcasts over the last few weeks. Staying at home has given me more time on my hands.

These podcasts range from solo shows to partners to interviews. Topics are all over the board.

Some of them have been personal prep for shows that will be interviewing me. I want to ensure I know what the show is about before I appear.

Many of these podcasts start cold. They jump right into the content. Then, they end cold. The host thanks the guest and the show ends.

When you boil it down, I learn very little about the host, the show or the business. There is no plan for the show. It is obvious they are missing the prep.

Over my 30 years in radio, one thing I learned is that you always have new listeners joining the show. Even if you have been doing the show for ten years, somebody is discovering it for the first time with this episode. Get them up to speed quickly.

PODCAST INTRO

Your podcast intro needs to do three things to make a solid impression. First, your listeners need to know what content you offer. They need to know how they will benefit by listening to this show. Finally, your intro needs to tell them who are you and why should they listen to you.

Many people forget that last step. The host talks about the content on the show. However, they give the listener no real reason to believe the host is an expert in the field. That could be a research expert or a results expert.

EPISODE INTRO

Once you have your show intro created, create an intro for this particular episode.

If your listener knows the podcast is interesting, tell them why they should listen to this particular episode. Include those same three points. What is the content, how will they benefit and why are you the expert here?

HOW DOES IT END

When you prep, start with the end in mind.

I have a free show prep worksheet that will help you develop the content on your show. You can download it at PodcastTalentCoach.coach.com/prep.

Frame your content with this worksheet before you write your introduction. Prep so you understand what you will deliver before you sum it up in the intro of your episode.

YOUR PREP

Here are the questions you need to answer as you prepare.

What are the interesting topics you hope to address on this particular episode?

What do you hope to accomplish? This includes both the topic and the show overall. What point do you want to make or what do you want your listener to do with the show is over?

How will you treat each specific topic you hope to address? What will you do with the content? (Answer the question, demonstrate the answer, play some audio, show charts to support your answer, etc.)

Create an outline for the flow of the show topics. (This is important for the show introduction.)

What supporting information will you need for the show? (Organize and highlight for easy access during the show.)

Now, write the introduction for the show.

Download your Podcast Talent Coach Show Prep Planning Worksheet here:

PodcastTalentCoach.com/prep

 

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.

Audience Engagement, Blog, Podcast content, Podcast improvement

Is Rehearsal Really The Enemy Of Spontaneity? …

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Is Rehearsal really the enemy of Spontaneity?

(photo by mibseo)

Many people refuse to rehearse any part of their podcast, because they feel it will remove all spontaneity from the show. Is that really the case?

Think about a speech you have given. When you have only rehearsed the speech a couple of times, anxiety sets in right before you go onstage. Thinking about mistakes makes you nervous. You worry you may forget a section. You simply are not prepared.

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.

If you are worried about how you will answer a question, if you haven’t rehearsed the key questions you intend to ask your guest, if you haven’t scripted an introduction and conclusion to the show, spontaneity will not be allowed to flourish. You will be too concerned about thinking of answers, questions and conclusions. There will be no brain power left for spontaneous things to happen.

— I’d love to help you with your podcast. Post any questions or comments you might have, or e-mail me at Erik@PodcastTalentCoach.com. Let’s turn your information into engaging entertainment.

Where are you spending your time? Are you too busy thinking about the next question and blocking out the spontaneity? Is rehearsal really the enemy of spontaneity?