Hey Podcaster I'm Tim Wohlberg your Podcast Performance
Coach with another actionable tip.
So you can grow your authority and convert with ease.
Today’s tip is…
Keep the bar high when it comes to your audio quality.
Your standards of great audio quality don’t have to drop just because everyone else’s
are.
And I’m going to help you with that today with a few simple steps.
But first, If you’re podcasting for your business you might have one of these goals.
Grow your authority in your niche.
Generate leads.
Build an audience.
You serving your audience with valuable content is going to be the best way to reach your
goals.
But if no one can hear you, or understand you or your guest, or your show is annoying
or painful to listen to because it’s an assault on your ears, you’re not going to
achieve your goals.
Your professional reputation is at stake when your show sounds like garbage.
Here’s the worst part.
The bar seems to be lowering and not just in podcasting.
At the time of this recording, we’re still in the middle of the covid-19 pandemic and
everyone is having to make adjustments.
The biggest winner out of this has to be ZOOM.
It used to just be entrepreneurs and businesses holding zoom meetings.
Now it’s family gatherings, late night tv and daily news that’s on the zoom platform.
I’m hearing about more dropouts and weak connections due to the high volume that no
one saw coming and a lot of people are just putting their hands up in the air and saying
oh well...that’s the way it goes but as a podcaster, it’s hurting your authority.
You don’t have to accept this.
You shouldn’t let your quality slide just because others are.
Take pride in your show.
You and your guests always need to sound great!
It’s more new listeners will give a good sounding show a better chance than a show
that is hard to hear, because it’s fuzzy, hollow or your guest sounds like were recorded
in a tin can underwater.
I recently edited a show that a host recorded in her car because of her current circumstance.
But you know, she used her laptop.
Plugged in her ATR 2100 USB microphone and sounded really good.
Her listener’s couldn’t tell the diff.
She didn’t compromise her show.
A lot of podcasters are having to make adjustments.
Co-hosts are being separated because they can’t be in the same room together.
There’s a big difference going from clean studio quality to streaming audio.
It’s noticeable to your listener.
Don’t fool yourself.
You may have to make some changes in how you do things but find the way back to better
audio.
Don’t consider this the new normal.
Crappy audio is never normal.
So let’s make sure your standards don’t slip.
Here a few tips to keep you sounding better than the rest.
If you’re recording on ZOOM, make sure you are recording on separate tracks.
It’s a checkbox away on Zoom.
Go to your settings and look for the record section.
This is available even on the free version.
At least you can make separate adjustments to each track when editing which will help
clean things up.
If you want to avoid dropouts while on zoom or really any platform.
Remember these 2 words.
SHUT UP.
Don’t talk or make sounds when your guest is talking.
Don’t say yeah, mmm hmmm, gotha, right, oh, nice,... just nod your head quietly okay.
That’s all the affirmation they need if they can see you.
When you both talk at the same time, one of you is going to drop out.
Can you hardwire your internet connection?
Can you connect to your router using an ethernet cable.
Especially if you’re the host of the meeting and you started the meeting, a wired connection
will help solidify your connection.
If you can get your guest to do it.
Even better.
WiFi is weak.
Especially on a crowded network.
Speaking of your guest, if they sound like garbage when you first connect with them.
Take 2 or 3 minutes and help them.
Don't be scared to do this.
They want to sound good for your show.
Maybe they don’t do this all the time.
Help them with the settings.
Is their environment quiet, are they close enough to their mic?
Do they have a mic?
Do a quick test.
One thing I’m hearing more of is guests on earbuds with mics.
You know, the little mic box that hangs half way down the earbud cable around chin level.
These are awful but sometimes your only option.
I get it.
But they rub up against clothing or hair and sound terrible.
Another client of mine got their guest to hold the mic away from his shirt to avoid
that ‘shh’ ‘shh’ sound.
It worked.
But not everyone is going to be okay with that or be able to accommodate you for a 30-minute
conversation.
I really hate them.
You can’t edit that noise out when it’s a part of their voice track.
If you hear it during your conversation, STOP your guest and get them to make an adjustment.
In some cases you’re better off using the onboard laptop mic.
I can’t believe I just said that!!
But at least it’s clean.
Just get your guest to lean in, nice and close.
And when it comes to audio issues, the only way you’re going to hear these annoyances
is if you are wearing headphones.
lug in your headphones and turn them up!
There are a bunch of other reasons why you need to wear headphones while you’re recording
and how it can help you and your guest.
For those reasons, listen to episode 9 of Just the Tip.
It will help.
My last tip is to upgrade your recording platform.
Maybe it’s time.
Skype and zoom have limits to their quality.
If you want studio-like quality that you can hear.
Try a platform like Zencastr or Ringr.
These 2 platforms deliver amazingly clear audio however these platforms don’t offer
a visual of your guest.
No video means more bandwidth dedicated to the audio.
THat’s how they can sound great.
But if you want to see your guest and NOT give up audio quality.
Try my new favourite platform.
Squadcast.
These guys seem to have it going on and a lot of people are jumping on board because
you get amazing quality with video and then just download your crystal clear .mp3 or .wav
audio separately.
They all have different pricing options depending on your needs.
I’m dropping the links in my show for you to check out.
So, just because the bar is lowering, doesn’t mean you have to stay under it.
You may have to change the way you do things but your audience doesn't have to pay the
price when it comes to your audio quality.
Try these tips: Record on separate tracks
Shut the hell up when your guest is talking Hard wire your connection
Throw earbud microphones in the garbage Wear headphones
And if you need to, look at upgrading your platform for better audio
Sounding great every episode is going to maintain your professional reputation, help you rise
above your competition and continue to grow your authority.
I hope thats just the tip you need.
Don’t forget to subscribe to the Just The Tip right now.
You really can get lost in the podcast equipment weeds.
You can spend days and weeks researching the best podcast microphone, the best podcast
recording software, you’ll get a million options.
Don’t waste your time on this stuff.
Make your decisions, get setup and start creating content that will serve your audience.
That’s the connection that really matters.
If you need some help with your tech, you might just need a quick 15-minute session
to make a few tweaks.
Let me help you get over the hump and get back to doing business.
Book your FREE-15minute coaching call right now.
Just go to PodcastPerformanceCoach.com I'm Tim Wohlberg
See Ya!