Podcasts Aren't Interviews! (Format & Length)

We're discussing the format now, of your planned podcast.

It's really important in the pre-production planning stage, that you get really clear what your podcast format will be? And how often will it publish? 

Is it going to be weekly, two weekly, monthly. How long will it be? Will it be one season? Will there be more than one season? (or series) Will you break between seasons?

Will you have a recorded intro and outro, or will you read it live each episode? There's lots to consider here. And don't forget, nothing stops you changing it later on or mix and matching. 

Let's dive into the format. There are numerous formats and you're more than likely have heard podcasts of all of these types.

There's a solo podcast just like this episode where the podcast host is talking directly to you on their own. You DON"T NEED TO INTERVIEW PEOPLE TO HAVE A PODCAST!

Is it going to be an interview type? You can have a host where they're questioning you as the expert 

There's the co-host. There are two members of your organization going to talk on the podcast. Are you going to invite others in? Will there be a structure or is it ad hoc? You definitely need some key points here as guidance. 

Is the interview relevant? Can the interviewee hold a good conversation? Are they interesting?

Trust me, the most confident chatty person can dry up when a microphone is placed in front of them. Is it a panel interview? Is it hybrid? Is it a bit of both? , you've really, really got to think seriously about the format, and like I said, it doesn't have to be an interview. If you’re getting going and you've got all the knowledge, do what I'm doing now and just talk into a microphone about what you know about and that will give you the confidence and the experience to then go into your next series or season talking to someone else. 

Just because you have a podcast doesn't mean you have to interview someone.

That's not what it's all about. 

It's giving valuable information to people to listen to. That's what the aim of your podcast is, turning them into fans so they then become clients or customers. 

When you're planning and thinking about the format, be realistic about what time you have got to dedicate to your podcast. Again, when you're thinking about having interviewees, you've got to fit with their diary Are they going to turn up?

Are they going to reschedule? Is that going to knock your podcast off? If you're doing a solo podcast, you won't have any of those issues because it's just down to you. 

How long should it be is something everyone asks? Well again, we need to think back to where your target listener may be listening.

Who is it?, and what will they be doing when they're listening? 
There is no definite answer, and it has to be as long as it has to be. 

More and more people are going for the 20 to 30 minute pod, but it's up to you. Some of mine here are only a few minutes long. Some are slightly longer. You could listen to the whole series probably in an hour or so, but that's what I'm looking for. That's what I want my podcast to do. 

So what do you want your podcast to do?

Do you want lots of five-minute episodes? Do you want lots of 20-minute episodes or do you want a big, long, hourly podcast? 

Remember, always have the avatar of your target listener in front of mind when planning: format, length, frequency, any of those things. 

If you want to know more, you can always arrange a chat with me. Please go to my website, www.voiceitpodcastagency.co.uk and get

Transcript

Welcome back to “How to Podcast for Business”

Wow you're doing really great and really getting into this business podcast thing. Your business must be great because I love a forward-thinking business, and you must be, if you're listening to this podcast and thinking about a podcast for your business.

Let's just rethink about your podcast right now. 

In the last episode, I used an example of Outsourcing HR. I'm not in HR, but I'm just using it as an example. Pause again and see if you can think of six. If you can. You are well on your way to your business podcast already. Now, at this stage, my clients usually say “but I don't know who to interview?’ You don't need to interview anyone at all (in your first series or season, whatever you want to call it). You can just talk like I am now about your episodes. 

You are the leader in your field - in what you are talking about. You have the knowledge already! You just need to say it on audio. Honestly. That's all you need to do - so you don't have to interview anyone.

We're discussing the format now, of your planned podcast.

It's really important in the pre-production planning stage, that you get really clear what your podcast format will be? And how often will it publish? 

Is it going to be weekly, two weekly, monthly. How long will it be? Will it be one season? Will there be more than one season? (or series) Will you break between seasons?

Will you have a recorded intro and outro, or will you read it live each episode? There's lots to consider here. And don't forget, nothing stops you changing it later on or mix and matching. 

Let's dive into the format. There are numerous formats and you're more than likely have heard podcasts of all of these types.

There's a solo podcast just like this episode where the podcast host is talking directly to you on their own. 

**Tip here? Until you're super confident with the format and tech I'd keep it to as few people as possible to avoid crossover and mis communication**

Is it going to be an interview type? You can have a host where they're questioning you as the expert 

There's the co-host. There are two members of your organization going to talk on the podcast. Are you going to invite others in? Will there be a structure or is it ad hoc? You definitely need some key points here as guidance. 

Is the interview relevant? Can the interviewee hold a good conversation? Are they interesting?

Trust me, the most confident chatty person can dry up when a microphone is placed in front of them. Is it a panel interview? Is it hybrid? Is it a bit of both? , you've really, really got to think seriously about the format, and like I said, it doesn't have to be an interview. If you’re getting going and you've got all the knowledge, do what I'm doing now and just talk into a microphone about what you know about and that will give you the confidence and the experience to then go into your next series or season talking to someone else. 

Here's an example for someone I was coaching recently. They're a transformational coach and they have a 12 point program. . They were discussing the fact that they didn't know yet who all the interviewees would be, and I said, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

Stop. Why are you talking about interviewees? Do you have the 12 point program, yes or no? Yes. Can you talk around each of the 12 points? Yes. Well there's 12 episodes for your first series straight away. Then, the second series, you can bring in people who have been transformed and interview them. Just because you have a podcast doesn't mean you have to interview someone.

That's not what it's all about. 

It's giving valuable information to people to listen to. That's what the aim of your podcast is, turning them into fans so they then become clients or customers. That's what it's all about, not about who you can interview and why you're interviewing them. Yes, you can down the line, but like I said, please start with the solo podcast if you've got that information in front of you.

When you're planning and thinking about the format, be realistic about what time you have got to dedicate to your podcast. Again, when you're thinking about having interviewees, you've got to fit with their diary Are they going to turn up?

Are they going to reschedule? Is that going to knock your podcast off? If you're doing a solo podcast, you won't have any of those issues because it's just down to you. 

How long should it be is something everyone asks? Well again, we need to think back to where your target listener may be listening.

Who is it?, and what will they be doing when they're listening? Are they running? Are they in the gym? Are they dog walking? Are they in the car? Are they commuting to work? There is no definite answer, and it has to be as long as it has to be. If it's short and snappy people can listen to more in one sitting. If it's an hour long people have to think when they're going to listen to that. 

I listen to the longer podcast if I'm on a long journey. If i'm walking the dog or if i’m in the bath, or if i’m cooking they're around 20 minutes and the most popular are now around 20 minutes long. But that doesn't mean yours has to be, it can be shorter or longer.

Like I said, more and more people are going for the 20 to 30 minute pod, but it's up to you. Some of mine here are only a few minutes long. Some are slightly longer. You could listen to the whole series probably in an hour or so, but that's what I'm looking for. That's what I want my podcast to do. 

So what do you want your podcast to do?

Do you want lots of five-minute episodes? Do you want lots of 20-minute episodes or do you want a big, long, hourly podcast? 

Remember, always have the avatar of your target listener in front of mind when planning: format, length, frequency, any of those things. 

If you want to know more, you can always arrange a chat with me. Please go to my website, www.voiceitpodcastagency.co.uk and get in touch and I'll be happy to chat to you. 

Your Fairy Podmother