Audio Matters:An Interactive Intro to Podcast

Technology & Creative Storytelling

Agenda

Who We Are

What We Do

The Audio Industry

Storytelling 101

Editing & Polishing Audio Content

Breaking Into the Industry

Q & A, Wrap-up

#F1AudioMatters

Carlisle SargentUser Experience Designer, Forum One

@carlislesargent

Ian EnrightChief Executive Officer, Goat Rodeo

@GoatRodeoDC

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Why does audio matter?Seriously, what is so compelling about a podcast?

Podcast listeners, on average,

consume 3-4 hours of podcasting

per week.

1 out of every 5 Americans listen to

at least one podcast per day.

Podcasting listenership has increased 28% from 2015-16.

50% of Americans between 12 and 40 have listened to a podcast within the last month.

Because people are listening to podcasts.

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Because the industry is growing. The recall rate of podcasting is 3x that of online video, 7x that of TV, and 26x that of print media.

There is a 96% resell rate in podcast advertising as of 2015.

More Americans listen to podcasts every month than they do Spotify.

The average podcaster skews to have the highest sharing and social behavior online.

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Because the audience is captive.

Among the 300,000+ workers in DC, 40% take public transportation.

Otherwise, commute time is ~29.5 minutes.

70% of adults own a smartphone.

3 out of 5 drivers use a connected device to play media out of their car.

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“-Everyone, Ever

The best time to start a podcast was four years ago. The second best time is today.”

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Section 3: How to break into

the audio industry.

Let’s get started.

Section 1: How to tell a

compelling story using audio.

Section 2: How to make that

story sound professional and

polished.

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Audio Storytelling 101"...Have a big story, or have none at all." -Joseph Campbell

The big questions.Is my idea worth

talking about?

The formula: I want to do a story

about X. It is interesting because Y.

Who thinks so?

How do I talk about my idea?

If you are hosting a podcast, you’ll be

speaking a lot.

Creating an enjoyable storytelling method is

key for returning listeners.

How do I get others to talk about my idea?

Be nice. Pry politely. Rely on your body

language. Be a human being.

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What you don’t have in audio:

● Irony ● Built-in context● Physical cues

What you do have in audio:

● A blank slate ● Inherent interaction with your

audience ● A fast lane to your audience’s

emotions

Learning to narrate a podcast. (Get used to hating the sound of your voice.)

● Script and outline your story.

● Get in touch with your emotions.

● Immerse yourself in the dirty details.

● Don’t be ironic. ● Tell your story from

multiple perspectives. ● Just start talking.

Listen: Nate DiMeo - The Memory Palace#F1AudioMatters

Frame your interview chronologically.

“What happened first?”

Ask the right questions. “Can you tell me about a time

when…?”

Mimic a therapist. Poker face without being a robot.

The Art of the Interview.

Create the right physical atmosphere.

Your body language is their body language.

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The Beauty of Editing“Kill your darlings.” -Stephen King

There is no magic.

20% Gear. 80% Time.

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A light introduction to gear. (And a few of our other favorites.)

Field Recorders:Zoom H6Tascam DR-40

Microphones: Shure SM7B Heil PR40 Rode NT1A Blue Yeti

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Our Favorite Field Recorder: The Zoom H6

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● Audacity: Open source● Hindenburg: Licensed, legit● Audition: On the cloud● ProTools: Oh you fancy

Audio Editing Software

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What’s in a workflow?

Annotate the entire thing. The more notes, the better.

Smooth out all transitions. Find narration points.

Listen to all of your recorded audio - just listen.

Wireframe your story.

Add narration, if needed.

Post-processing.

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Get started in audio."I’m an absolute beginner." -David Bowie

What we have learned along the way.

If you’re bored, they’re bored.

Listen carefully to your audio content

and get rid of the moments that you

lose interest.

Where are you comfortable?

Don’t tell stories about something that you don’t personally

find interesting. It won’t translate.

“Surf’s Up” Mic Rule

Kowabunga, dude.

Always keep recording.

You will never regret having your mic on.

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Podcasting as human communication.

Put life into campaigns, goals, and marketing.

Reach your audiences in a

way other organizations

have not started to yet.

Continue to enrich your

brand.

Engage your audiences

more personally.

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Your primary audience will dictate

your story. Listen to them.

High risk storytelling means high reward

content.

Audio is forgiving. It’s okay to be new.

Use the depth that you have already.

Become a good editor.

The rest is cake.

The (audio) world is your oyster.

There is a gaping hole in audio.

Find your niche.

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That’s all folks!Questions, criticisms, AMA.

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