Prologue
If you want to be a better podcaster...
Every day, I do what I call the Sausage Factory Formula. It takes just a few minutes and it makes me both a better podcast host and guest.
Want more details? Read this article.
Do it for 30 days and I guarantee you will be a better podcast host. You can do it secretly without telling anybody. Nobody has to know.
But they'll notice the good results you get – you won't be able to hide how much better you are as a podcast host.
WANT TO BE IN MY UPCOMING BOOK ON PODCASTING? Try it for 30 days and let me know your story. I'm looking for people to feature.
I hope you're staying healthy and finishing out a great week!
Podcast Hosting Skills
5 Ways to Improve Reading Aloud
As a podcaster, one of the most valuable skills you can have is the ability to read aloud and make it sound good. Unfortunately, way too many of us have flashbacks of doing this in middle school without any choice in the matter.
This is something that's easy to work on and nobody has to hear you practice. And just a few minutes of practice per day will really help you when it comes to introducing guests, reading episode notes, and the other work you do on your podcast.
This article has some good advice. And it's from the very last place you'd expect me to send you for podcasting advice, but good advice is everywhere when you're looking for ways to improve yourself. :)
Need something to practice reading? See the "Podcasting Tools" section for free sample scripts. I use these all the time and they're great.
Tina Fey Has 4 Rules for You (and Your Podcast)
When you see Tiny Fey on television interview, she's following these four rules. Most comics do.
These rules are simple and will make you a better podcast host. They'll help you to be more relatable to people listening as well as guests on your podcast and those who interview you.
It's worth your time to follow this very simple advice.
How To Be A Better Podcast Improviser
We've all been there – you get in a weird situation with a guest or as a guest. Then what?
This guy has some great advice on faking it improvisation. And it will definitely come in handy for you when you get stuck on answering a question or where to go next in an interview.
Something I'm thinking about for my upcoming interviews is this part: ASK YOURSELF “IF THIS IS TRUE, THEN WHAT ELSE IS TRUE?”
This alone could give you a line of questioning to make a boring interview great!
Podcasting Tools
Voice Over Sample Scripts - Free Demo & Practice Scripts | Voices
I love these free practice scripts from Voices.com because they let me practice things I normally wouldn't do on my podcast, such as:
- car commercials
- product demos
- retail ads
- talking toy and animation scripts
- movie trailers
It's a fun way to practice reading while also working on voiceover skills that will help you become a more well-rounded podcast host. Seriously, if you're feeling weird about working on your reading or doing this work, just pull up a movie trailer and do it in a ridiculous way – even this will help you. Plus, you'll end up with something funny to send your friends or a good podcast outtake.
Podcasting Deals
Uppbeat - Premium Royalty-Free Music for Your Podcast
If you really want to take your voiceover/hosting practice (or even your podcast itself) to the next level, putting music behind you will do that.
I do a lot of production work, so I have access to companies like Audiio and several others made just for broadcast radio. Uppbeat is solid and can't be beat for the price – just $49 for life.
Only "Insiders" Will Know This T-Shirt
Seriously, this t-shirt is like a magnet for other podcasters. It has nothing but the Audacity logo and only "insiders" know what it is.
The Wrap Up
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My goal is to better empower podcasters to be more successful spreading their messages and make more money with their podcasts.
I'd love it if you'll help me spread the word about this newsletter by sending your podcasting friends to bigpodcast.com/newsletter.