Month: July 2023

So - this time around we want to talk about something which can be a little divisive, a little problematic: audio quality.

The thing with podcasts is that it's all about the ears. 

The connection with your audience is all linked to emotion. How do they feel when they take on your content? When they hear your voice? When the latest episode drops onto their device?

How do they feel when they play your episode, and it doesn't sound great? 

How do you feel when you listen to your favourite podcast, and it doesn't sound great?

The analogy that we normally give is the one about listening to the radio, and your favourite song in the world comes on (for us, it's Prince and Sexy MF. So - unlikely to be played on the radio. You get our meaning, though...). 

However, wherever you are is just on the edge of the radio station's transmission area and, if you're listening on FM, the signal gets very fuzzy and hissy or, if you're listening on DAB, it just keeps disappearing and reappearing.

Either way - very irritating.

How long would you keep listening to it? Not very long, we would guess.

And this is your favourite song in the whole wide world! Imagine if it was a song that you didn't like anywhere near as much?

Imagine if it was a podcast that you're interested in, but haven't yet made a firm connection with? How long would you listen for then?

Not very long at all. That could be your podcast.

Now, there are times when circumstance and technology fails us and the quality of the audio is a little bit lower than you would, or should, expect.

As and when that is the case - explain to the listener. Tell them what has happened.

Here's an example from our boss' former podcast, The Puppy Podcast...

The situation was less than ideal - but Pete explained it, and gave that choice to the listener. They would know that what they're hearing - or about to hear - isn't the norm, so they won't make a judgement about the podcast as a whole.

So - audio quality matters a great deal. If you're having to record your podcast on the phone - and wondering why your download numbers aren't going up - this could be why.

We get it, though. You don't have the time / resources / budget to buy a Shure sm7b microphone and install soundproofing in your spare bedroom, or book out a podcast studio - so what should you do?

At the very least, make sure that you're using an external microphone. Make sure that you're recording in a small space, preferably one with clothes or coats hanging up, or lots of fabric on the walls. Make sure that you're not sat too close to the microphone - or too far away. Do a test recording and listen back.

If you're doing a solo podcast, make sure that you have the commitment and willingness to re-record the episode if you feel that it doesn't sound as good as it could.

Your audience - the one you've got now, and the one that will find your podcast in the future - deserves it.