How to make a live podcast: Fully decoded
If you’ve ever listened to a live podcast, you’ll notice the listener (you) becomes more engaged. There’s something about being spoken to at the moment that draws us in. It also builds trust between you and your listener because they can see that you don’t have any time delays during your podcast. In this article, we will show you how to create a live podcast so listeners are taken on an even more immersive journey with your content.
What Exactly Is Live Podcasting?
It is a new way to connect with your audience, but it can be an intimidating proposition for some podcasters. It’s different from the traditional approach of recording and editing a podcast in advance, and then releasing it at a specific time on a specific day. With live podcasts, you record as you go, in real-time — and release it as soon as possible after you finish.
This isn’t just for newbies: Live podcasts are also a great way to engage your existing listeners and build your audience. They give you the chance to interact with people in real-time, answer questions from listeners on the fly, and connect with your community in an authentic way that can only be achieved on a live broadcast.
Why bother with a live podcast?
Live podcasting is a great way to reach your audience in real-time, and it’s more accessible than ever before. But why bother with a live podcast?
Here are four reasons:
- These help in building trust with your audience.
- You can make the most of your time, and get through more content than you could in an edited podcast.
- Live podcasts are fun! They’re like parties with all of your favorite people—except they happen online.
- These will help you make more money by offering special rewards or giveaways during the show.
Types Of Live Podcasting
There are three main types:
- Live streaming podcasts – This is when you just stream the show through a website or app, and anyone who visits can listen in. You’ll need to have a computer with decent internet speed and enough storage space for your audience to download the episodes.
- Live broadcasting podcasts – A live broadcasting podcast uses a radio station’s equipment and has a dedicated host and guest(s). It’s basically like being on the radio—except that you can stream it online as well, so anyone can listen in at any time.
- Hybrid podcasts – A hybrid podcast is basically a combination of live streaming and live broadcasting; it’s done over the radio but also streamed online so everyone can watch it later.
Decide what you’ll talk about
When you’re hosting a live podcast, consider what kind of experience you want to create for your audience.
- Do you want them to feel like they’re at an event?
- Do you want them to feel like they’re having coffee with friends?
- Do you want them to feel like they’re participating in something that’s more like theater than it is like listening to someone talk into a microphone?
Whatever it is that makes sense for your audience, that’s how you should approach the planning process. And make sure there’s plenty of time built into the planning process; this isn’t something that can be done overnight or with last-minute preparation!
You’ll also want to consider some of the other aspects of hosting a live podcast:
- What equipment do I need?
- What software do I need?
- How much time do I need before my show starts?
- How much time do I need after my show ends?
- Who will help me run things backstage (if any)?
- How do I make sure guests are comfortable during their appearance?
Pick the right location
One of the first steps to producing a live podcast is to pick the right location.
There are three main things to consider when choosing a location:
- How big is the room?
- How much noise can you expect?
- Is there anything, in particular, that might make your podcast more interesting?
How to create an outline of your live podcast
An outline for a live podcast should include:
-The name of the podcast and who you are
-Why you are doing this podcast
-What topics will be discussed and how long each one will be (note: ideally, this would be longer than the length of a typical episode)
-A list of questions that can be used to guide the discussion
How to schedule and promote
If you’re hosting a live podcast, you’ll want to make sure your listeners know about it. Here’s how to promote your show:
- Schedule the date and time on your website.
- Promote the event on social media.
- Email your list about the upcoming live event.
- Create a dedicated landing page for people who want to sign up for notifications about future episodes of your podcast so that they won’t miss out on any shows in the future.
Live podcasting platforms
The platforms for live podcast hosting have come a long way. There are tons of options out there, but here are some of the most popular ones:
Live Podcast vs Recorded
The first and most obvious difference between a live podcast and a recorded one is that the former is, well, live. You can’t go back and edit it, so you have to be prepared. This means thinking through everything beforehand — your opening and closing statements, questions for callers and guests, and anything else that might come up during the interview — so nothing falls through the cracks. (If you do find yourself in trouble, try asking your guest for help.)
A second difference is that because a live podcast is happening in real-time, you’ll want to stick to a schedule as much as possible — unless you’re intentionally going off-schedule or breaking format altogether.
Finally, there’s the audience itself. While recorded podcasts offer an opportunity for listeners to catch up at their own pace — or skip around as they wish — live podcasts don’t allow any such luxuries. You’ll need to keep them engaged throughout the episode with stories that are compelling enough not just to keep them listening but also interested enough that they’ll want to share them with others afterward.
Recommended Gears
A live podcast is a bit of a beast. You need to be on top of your game and have the best live broadcasting gear. If you want to start podcasting, but don’t know where to start, read this guide!
The beauty of live broadcasting is that you can set yourself up in any studio room or office and go live. However, there are some things you should consider before investing in equipment.
- Microphones
- Mixer
- Headphones
- Lighting
In general, though, this is how live podcasts happen. Whether you’re just setting up your first two-camera studio or you’re a seasoned podcaster with a soundproof booth and expensive equipment, this basic process can make your life easier the next time you need to record a podcast.
