You’ve taken the first step and booked your first podcast recording session. Now what? There’s a lot you can do between now and recording day. For most people new to podcasting, a little preparation can help calm their nerves, make them feel more comfortable, and help them get the most out of their recording time.
Plan Your Episode Topic and Goal
Instead of trying to tackle a broad subject, start with a specific question or idea. For example, “Insurance for small businesses” is a broad subject area. “What most small business owners get wrong about their liability coverage” gives you a narrower topic to build an episode around.
It also helps to know what you want the episode to accomplish. Some episodes are meant to educate, while others are designed to generate new business. Know what you want your episode to accomplish before you record.
Choose a Script or an Outline
Some people feel more comfortable with a script. They write down exactly what they want to say and then read cue cards, a rolling script behind the camera, or from memory. It can feel less intimidating when you know what you want to say.
The downside is that even a well-written script tends to make you sound less natural. Even if viewers can’t pinpoint what’s wrong, they might notice your delivery feels stiff or rehearsed. Spend some time practicing your script so you can smooth out awkward spots, get comfortable with the wording, and sound more like yourself.
For other people, an outline may work better. Instead of writing everything out, make a short list of the main points you want to cover, along with any specific phrases or details you want to remember. An outline can give you enough structure to stay on track while still leaving room for you to speak naturally. Most business owners already know their material, so an outline can be enough to jog their memory while letting them explain things in their own words.
Follow a Simple Structure
Whichever approach you choose, most podcast episodes follow a similar structure: an opening that describes what the episode is about, a middle where you cover the main points, and a closing that brings everything together.
In the opening, tell the viewers and listeners what they can expect to learn. Try to avoid a long warm-up, since people often decide quickly whether they want to keep watching or listening.
The middle is where you get into the content. Keep the conversation focused on the main idea or questions, even if you take slight detours along the way.
The ending doesn’t need to be complicated. You can quickly remind your audience of the main takeaway and then give them a next step. Maybe they should book a call, check out a link, or reevaluate a decision. Don’t let the conversation simply fade out. Give the episode a clear ending.
Decide What to Wear
There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing what to wear. Some clothes can look different on video than they do in person. Small, tight patterns like thin stripes or tiny checks can create an unnatural shimmer effect on camera.
Solid colors are typically a safer choice, although very bright white or dark black can be harder to capture, depending on the lighting. You’ll also want to skip anything that makes noise when you move, such as dangling jewelry or noisy fabric, since microphones can pick up on more than you might expect.
A good rule of thumb is to dress the way you would for an in-person meeting with the type of client you’re trying to reach. That can help keep things simple and let you stay focused on the content.
If you’re unsure about an outfit, take a quick photo or video of yourself in natural light before recording day. You may be surprised by how certain colors or patterns look on camera. A quick test can help you decide what works and give you one less thing to worry about when it’s time to record.
Avoid Rookie Mistakes
Many people get nervous before recording. It can feel very different to have a conversation that’s recorded rather than face-to-face, and it may take a session or two to get used to it. A few things can help you feel more comfortable on recording day.
- Arrive a few minutes early: Give yourself time to get settled rather than rushing in and jumping straight to recording. You can use those extra few minutes to review your outline or run through your opening.
- Be prepared, but don’t overrehearse: It’s a good idea to practice your script or review your outline, but you don’t want to memorize everything so thoroughly that you sound like you’re reciting it. At the same time, showing up with no plan and hoping the conversation comes together on its own can lead to rambling. Find a middle ground that gives you enough preparation to stay focused while still allowing you to speak naturally.
- Make sure your clothes are ready to go: Check your outfit for stains, wrinkles, or anything else that could distract you once the cameras are rolling. You don’t want to spend the episode wondering if everyone can see the mustard stain on your collar from lunch. If you have room, bring a backup outfit, especially if you have to travel to the studio.
Be Ready for Recording Day
Once you have your topic, a simple structure, and an outfit you’re comfortable in, you’re most of the way there. If you’re recording in a professional podcast studio, you usually don’t have to figure out lighting, camera angles, microphones, or audio quality yourself. That’s one of the biggest advantages of having a team handle the production for you.
Your job is to come prepared, know what you want to talk about, and have a conversation that gives your audience something useful. You don’t need to memorize every word or become perfectly comfortable on camera before your first recording. Most people don’t feel comfortable on camera before their first recording. Like anything new, it gets easier once you’ve done it a few times.
The most important thing is to show up prepared and remember the recording doesn’t have to be perfect. Once you’ve recorded, you’ll have a better idea what works for you and what you want to change the next time you sit down behind the microphone.
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