5 Ways to Craft the Perfect Podcast
In May 2024, I attended ‘Storytelling through Socials and Sound’. A three-day residential based at United Christian Broadcasters’ (UCB) Stoke-on-Trent Broadcast Centre.
The event was a collaboration between Christians in Media Mentoring Programme and UCB’s Kingdom Academy. In this blog, I will explain what I learnt about making the perfect podcast. But first, a quick overview of the weekend.
“Valuable perfect podcast tips from expert storytellers”
Day 1 began with networking over lunch with the UCB team before a tour of the building. We briefly sat in on Becs Millington hosting her afternoon show, a great example of a personable broadcasting link – sounded just like she was talking to a friend. Top tip: try sticking up a picture of your best friend behind your microphone.
On day 2, Paula Cummings, Head of PR and Marketing at UCB, shared her approach to crisis management and its impact on brand. Next Will Jenkyns Global Voiceover Artist, Voice Coach and Lecturer taught us how to use our voice to reach its full potential - just like any muscle, it can be trained and strengthened. Top tip: you can hear a smile!
After lunch, Rev Dr. Chris Goswami, Founder, AI Christian Partnership, Tech Consultant, Christian Minister & Writer, got us thinking about AI's implications for the media. How can we use AI while still retaining integrity and authenticity? Top tip: learn to sense-check and critically verify AI’s outputs, even if we’re not subject matter experts.
Emma Sijuwade, Founder & CEO of Socibelle & Vibes of a Black Girl, shared her insights on Social Media strategy, content creation, market platforms, monetisation and increasing reach. Top tip: find out what questions the public ask on your subject choice on answerthepublic.com.
On Saturday night, we were joined by Josie Gamble, Founder & Director of Christian Creative Directory, Christian Creative Network and Tim Levell, Programme Director, Times Radio and Annie Chisambo Production Manager, Presenter, sharing their experience of being a Christian in the media industry. Top tip: Even if you do something for free, put a value on your time and service. Issue an invoice valued at £0.
“The perfect podcast challenge”
Paul Hammond, Head of UCB 1, and Ed Jervis, Content Co-ordinator at UCB, challenged us to create a new podcast concept for UCB, aiming to diversify their audience. Throughout the weekend, we produced a detailed pitch covering the podcast’s concept, target audience, format, production plan, marketing strategy, and revenue streams. We then recorded a ten-minute sample episode. Sunday was pitch day to the panel of professionals including Rebecca Chapman, Journalist, Communication Consultant & Faith in Media Executive Producer.
Here’s what I learned that will help us produce perfect podcasts:
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Know your guests in advance. Look at them on social media and read a few of their publications.
Determine what needs they have to meet your audience; this should be teased out in your intro so your audience know why they should keep listening.
Write the guest bio and be confident in how you are going to introduce them. And prepare your interview questions in advance (but be flexible, see the next point).
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The best question to ask is prompted by the interviewee’s previous response.
As tempting as it may be to divert to the next question on your pre-prepped list. If the interviewee says something that warrants a follow-up, dig into their answer. You can return to your pre-prepared list afterwards if it’s natural to do so
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Banter is great, but don’t let it get in the way of communicating what the audience wants to hear.
There is a fine line between the odd, funny comment between podcasters and endless, irrelevant ramblings.
A danger to watch out for, particularly between good friends, cut the inside jokes and think – what does the listener actually want to hear?
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Vulnerability connects guests and listeners. Real authenticity and transparency, you can’t beat it.
Listeners relate and can even find healing through vulnerability.
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You are the listener. An interviewer sits in the most privileged position; they are the listener's surrogate.
The interviewer has the opportunity to ask the questions the listener can’t.
Ultimately, if the guest speaker is not good for the listener, the interviewer must be prepared to cut the interview short or risk losing the audience.
Thank you, Jocelyn Anne Harvey, Head of Operations, Rachel Blue, Head of Kingdom Academy Training & Development and Sheron Ferguson, Director, Kingdom Academy, for all your work to prepare this weekend.
‘Storytelling through Socials and Sound’ was truly invaluable, and I now have my perfect podcast pitch!
p.s. Want to avoid sounding too salivary when talking on the radio? Munch on a green apple, salted nuts or ready salted crisps.
Blog Author
Abby Tutt-Leppard
Abby is a marketer, performer and creative. She’s a Marketing Specialist for Compassion UK, working in campaign management and is currently studying a Level 6 Diploma in Professional Marketing with the Charted Institute of Marketing. She performs with her local village theatrical group. Abby’s previously represented Open Doors as a UK based activist and preaches in churches. She wrote and presented a 5-part series for Premier Praise released throughout Holy Week in 2024 and featured on Konnect Radio’s Big Fat Quiz of the Week for a year. She’s also dyslexic.
Abby’s a Mentoring Programme mentee & currently interested in broadcasting and presenting opportunities.
