Podcast Producer – MaxPodcasting https://maxpodcasting.com Save time with your high-quality podcast Thu, 21 Aug 2025 21:14:23 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.5.18 https://maxpodcasting.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/cropped-MaxPodcasting_favicon_gold-32x32.png Podcast Producer – MaxPodcasting https://maxpodcasting.com 32 32 Harry Morton – Wild Business Growth Podcast #338: Podcast Production Visionary, Lower Street https://maxpodcasting.com/harry-morton/ Wed, 06 Aug 2025 02:00:00 +0000 https://maxpodcasting.com/?p=10793 Take the risk. That’s the story of this week’s Wild Business Growth podcast guest, Harry Morton. Harry is the Founder & CEO of Lower Street. Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and your other favorite podcast platforms, and watch on YouTube.

Episode 338: Harry Morton – Podcast Production Visionary, Lower Street

Harry Morton, the Founder & CEO of Lower Street, joins the show to share his journey from getting fired for losing audio files to building the podcast production agency for top brands with a team of over 30 people. Hear how to start a podcast production agency, how to win big brands as clients, how to grow your podcast, how to start a successful video podcast, and what podcasts will look like in 100 years. This episode covers everything from podcasting tips to underpants. Here’s a small sample of what you will hear in this episode:

  • What do you learn in an Audio Engineering course
  • How did Harry decide to start a podcast production agency
  • What are the most important roles in podcast production
  • Is podcast discoverability easier on YouTube than the traditional podcast platforms
  • What are the names of Harry’s cows

Connect with Harry at LowerStreet.co, on LinkedIn, and on X @PodcastHarry

Enjoy the shoooooow! Check out the show notes below for much more detail. You can also find the full transcript here.

Show Notes

SquadShot Harry Morton
Podcast Harry
Lower Street
  • Podcasting Tips & Podcasting Trends
    • [30:40] How do you start a successful podcast
    • [34:10] How do you grow your podcast
    • [38:15] How do you start a video podcast
    • [41:30] How Rich Is ‘Rich Enough’ to Fly Private? on Moneywise
    • [43:00] Is podcast discoverability easier on YouTube than the traditional podcast platforms
  • Rapid-Fire Q&A
    • [47:20] What are Harry’s Final Thoughts
    • [48:14] Follow the Wild Business Growth podcast and tell a friend about the podcast. And show love (or roast me) by leaving 5 stars on Apple Podcasts and/or Spotify
    • [48:24] The Wild Business Growth podcast is on YouTube! Subscribe @MaxBranstetter to watch full video interviews with Wild entrepreneurs like Harry
    • [48:29] Check out the Wild Business Growth podcast on Goodpods, where you can see what your favorite people are listening to
    • [48:32] Connect with me on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter (aka X), and Threads @MaxBranstetter and TikTok @WildBusinessGrowth
    • [48:34] Save time with your high-quality podcast. Email me at max@maxpodcasting.com to bring your podcast to life and use it as a business-building tool
    • [48:40] Sign up for the Podcasting to the Max newsletter at MaxPodcasting.com/Newsletter and receive How to Edit Your Podcast in Audacity. It’s where podcasting meets entrepreneurship – and terrible puns
    • Theme music: Freestyle Percussion Magik – “Jungle Tribe” – provided by Jamendo
Harry Morton - Wild Business Growth Podcast #338: Podcast Production Visionary, Lower Street

What is the Wild Business Growth podcast?

Wild ideas. Wild growth. Every Wednesday morning a new entrepreneur joins the Wild Business Growth podcast to share the wildly creative and unusual ways they grew their business – and teaches you how to do it, too. Hear the minds behind WordPress, Stacy’s Pita Chips, Drybar, NFL RedZone, Big Mouth Billy Bass, the voice of Bart Simpson, and more Wild stories. Hosted by Max Branstetter (that’s me), Founder and Podcast Producer at MaxPodcasting.

How do you start a podcast?

Interested in starting a professional-sounding and professional-looking podcast for your brand, but don’t want to deal with the time commitment of all those behind-the-scenes details? I’ve got you covered. Email me at max@maxpodcasting.com to save time with your high-quality podcast and use it as a business-building tool.

Thanks for listening to Harry Morton on the Wild Business Growth podcast. To hear more Wild stories like this one every Wednesday morning, follow the Wild Business Growth podcast and tell a friend about it. And listen to a podcast with them. Until next time, Let your business Run Wild…and Bring on the Bongos!!

]]> Jason DeFillippo – Wild Business Growth Podcast #139: Award-Winning Podcast Producer, Tim Ferriss and Jordan Harbinger https://maxpodcasting.com/jason-defillippo/ Wed, 07 Apr 2021 07:30:33 +0000 https://maxpodcasting.com/?p=4114 What do the top podcasters do differently that sets them apart? And what drives someone to release over 500 podcast episodes? This week’s Wild Business Growth Podcast guest, Jason DeFillippo, knows both of these areas extremely well. He’s the Award-Winning Podcast Producer, whose work can be heard on Grumpy Old Geeks, The Tim Ferriss Show, and The Jordan Harbinger Show. Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and your other favorite podcast platforms.

Episode 139: Jason DeFillippo – Award-Winning Podcast Producer, Tim Ferriss and Jordan Harbinger

Jason DeFillippo, the Award-Winning Podcast Producer, joins the show to share his journey from coder and programmer to producing, editing, and hosting some of the top podcasts of all time. Hear why it’s important to edit your podcast, the crazy story behind the award-winning Jamie Foxx episode on The Tim Ferriss Show, what makes it possible to release over 500 podcast episodes, what sets top podcasters apart, and the most surprising thing Jason learned when he worked in the movie industry. This episode covers everything from podcasting tips to what Jason likes to photograph. Here’s a small sample of what you will hear in this episode:

  • Why did Jason retire from programming
  • How did he edit the award-winning Jamie Foxx episode on The Tim Ferriss Show
  • How can you edit your podcast faster
  • What kind of books does Jason geek out about
  • What can you do about 1-star reviews on your podcast
  • What is Jason’s biggest bet peeve aka favorite mic of all time
  • What guest made his jaw drop
  • What was it like working in the movie industry

Connect with Jason at jpd.me.

Enjoy the shooooow! Check out the show notes below for much more detail.

Show Notes

Jason DeFillippo - Wild Business Growth Podcast #139: Award-Winning Podcast Producer, Tim Ferriss and Jordan Harbinger
When you know you’re about to get edited down to 36 seconds
Jason DeFillippo - Wild Business Growth Podcast #139: Award-Winning Podcast Producer, Tim Ferriss and Jordan Harbinger
Must have been mid-Jamie Foxx edit
Jason DeFillippo - Wild Business Growth Podcast #139: Award-Winning Podcast Producer, Tim Ferriss and Jordan Harbinger

What is the Wild Business Growth Podcast?

Wild ideas. Wild growth. Every Wednesday morning a new entrepreneur or innovator joins the Wild Business Growth Podcast to share the crazy creative and unusual ways they grew their business, and provides tips for you to do it, too. Hear the woman who became the voice of Siri, the man who’s reinventing the sandcastle, how GaryVee’s partners are turning the wine world upside down, and more wild stories. Hosted by Max Branstetter (that’s me), Founder and Podcast Producer at MaxPodcasting.

How do you start a podcast?

Interested in starting a professional-sounding podcast for your brand, but don’t want to deal with the time commitment? I’ve got you covered. Email me at max@maxpodcasting.com to save time with your high-quality podcast and use it as a business-building tool.

Thanks for listening to Jason DeFillippo on the Wild Business Growth Podcast. To hear more Wild stories like this one every Wednesday morning, follow the Wild Business Growth Podcast and tell a friend about it. Until next time, Let your business Run Wild…and Bring on the Bongos!!

]]> How Do You Edit Your Podcast in Audacity? https://maxpodcasting.com/how-do-you-edit-your-podcast-in-audacity/ https://maxpodcasting.com/how-do-you-edit-your-podcast-in-audacity/#comments Wed, 31 Mar 2021 02:13:52 +0000 https://maxpodcasting.com/?p=3994 Audacity is one of the most common programs to edit a podcast with. It’s free, easy to use, and helps you turn your raw podcast recordings into high-quality final podcast episodes. There are plenty of more premium editing programs out there, but for most people Audacity is all you need to produce your podcast to life. In this guide, I’ll take you through how to edit your podcast in Audacity, and some tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way that make the editing process more efficient. After all, it does take juuuuuuuust a bit of time (a.k.a. ~3-4 hours per episode). This post covers:

Settings and Prep in Audacity

First things first, you need to get Audacity on your laptop or computer if you don’t have it already. There are also some key watchouts when preparing to start your edit:

  • Download Audacity – Here‘s where you can download Audacity for Windows, Mac, and beyond. It’s free, and doesn’t take long to install.
  • Download the FFmpeg Plugin – This allows you to import and export a wider range of file types, including M4A – which you’ll need if you record any podcast interviews using Zoom.
  • Create keyboard shortcuts (see picture below) – That is, for the Audacity features you use the most. You can do so by going to Edit -> Preferences. Some of the most helpful shortcuts I use are for Save, Copy, Cut, Paste, Amplify, Silence, and Sync-Lock Tracks. It saves a loooot of time vs. dragging your mouse everywhere and everywhere and everywhere.
  • Wear headphones while editing – It doesn’t matter what type of headphones you wear (I use AirPods and they work great). The point here is 1. So you can clearly hear every detail when editing the tracks, and 2. Many podcast listeners tune in wearing headphones, so you want to edit the podcast with that same final sound in mind (and in your ears).
  • Take notes – There’s a ton to keep track of while you edit (get it). Keep your notepad out at all times and make note of the time stamps whenever you take a break, plus any spots where you’ll need to add something in later.
  • Save frequently – Also, save frequently. And while you’re there, save frequently. There is NOTHING worse than spending houuuuuuurs on hours editing your podcast episode, only for a freak phantom ghost power outage or computer crash to get rid of your progress and force you to start all over. And miss your episode release deadline while you’re at it. Save frequently. There’s no such thing as saving too much. Save-ty first.
  • Take frequent breaks – This is arguably the most important editing advice I can give. Take breaks. Lots of them. I’m talking quick breaks every 5-15 minutes of audio time you go through. Podcast editing is draining, and it plays with your mind because you’re staring at time stamps that say “10:00” – but it might take you 30 minutes or more “real time” to get that far. The best way to avoid burnout from podcast editing is by taking breaks. Once you get to a 5 or 15-minute milestone, hit save, stand up from your desk, walk around your place, go to the bathroom, refill your water, get some fresh air….do whatever helps you recharge, even if it lasts just a few minutes. It’s more necessary than pretty much anything possibly ever.
Audacity Keyboard Shortcuts
Learn the preexisting keyboard shortcuts for the commands you use most, and create your own shortcuts if they don’t exist

Editing for Volume in Audacity

Now that you’re prepped and ready to go, it’s time to edit your podcast! I like to approach podcast editing in 2 major phases: editing for volume, and editing for content. Both of these phases involve going through the episode from beginning to end, but there are some key differences in how closely you need to zoom in and listen for details. Here’s the first part: how to edit for volume in Audacity. Which is super important. Wait…you don’t love listening to podcasts that make your ears hurt or make you constantly adjust the volume?!

  • Open the MP3, M4A, or WAV file in Audacity – Make sure your headphones are connected to your laptop and open Audacity. Again, select the speaker option towards the top to select your headphones. Then, click File -> Open, and open your recorded tracks. If you have an interview podcast, I always prefer recording with separate tracks (you’ll see why in a bit). Once your tracks are lined up in Audacity, hit Save. Like clockwork, you should hit Save after every one of these steps, and more.
  • Change the Project Rate to 44100 Hz – Do this (in the lower left of Audacity) and save. It’s the most common sample rate for audio content.
  • Noise Reduction – What I like to do next is clean up any extra background noise throughout, using Noise Reduction. This is a 2-parter: 1. Select a few seconds of “silence” from the noisier of the 2 tracks. Then click Effect -> Noise Reduction -> Get Noise Profile 2. Then, select all of the content and hit Effect -> Noise Reduction -> Ok. If you’re looking closely, you’ll see the “silent” part of the tracks smooth out a little bit. Be careful to only use Noise Reduction once or twice, as too much Noise Reduction causes too much distortion (and maybe too much tuna).
  • Normalize – Next is Normalize. This is a good way to change the volume of the tracks one at a time. Select all the audio in one track, hit Effect -> Normalize, and try out a few different values of peak amplitude until the track is looking good to start. Typically this will be between 0 and -5.0 dB. You’ll want the average waveform/audio of the track to ultimately be as loud as (and line up with) the 0.5 to -0.5 marks on the left hand side. Do the same for your 2nd track.
  • Adjust volume – Now for your first pass going through the entire episode. Fear not, this one is quicker, and you can do it all visually after getting a feel for the first few seconds of sound. In fact, listen to a few seconds of each track to get a sense of the sound levels and what they look like, and then take out your headphones and put them away. You can do this part by eye. You can even listen to music or another podcast while you do it (it’s the most fun when it’s something completely different than what you’re working on). Zoom out a couple clicks, then go through both tracks at the same time from left to right, highlighting and making the audio content smaller when it’s clearly too big, and making it bigger when it’s clearly too small. The best way to do this is by selecting the portion of the track, hitting Effect -> Amplify, and putting in a positive/negative number to make the portion louder or quieter. You’ll typically only need to move things up or down by 3, since you already addressed the overall track volume with Normalize.
  • Silence (see picture below) – Finally, one of my favorite parts of editing: silencing out any extra background noise. Remember how I mentioned recording on separate tracks? This is huge here. Zoom out a couple more clicks, and go through the tracks, highlighting long moments of “silence” while the person on the other track is speaking. Do this by hitting Silence Audio Selection in the toolbar. You can essentially silence out all these moments, since there’s already sound coming from the other track. It’s even better when a loud truck, a crying child, a plane, lawnmower, or some other loud thing is going on in the background while the person on the other track is speaking.
Audacity Silence Audio Selection
“Silence Audio Selection” is all the way to the right

Editing for Content in Audacity

Now that you’ve fixed the volume of your tracks, it’s time to go back to the beginning of the recording and start editing for content. If you have 2 tracks, make sure to keep your tracks lined up. Here’s what to grim reaper-ize:

  • Take out filler words – Ummmmmmm, So, Well, Hmm, Basically…you know words like this, and hear them all the time in everyday conversation. It’s totally ok to keep some of them in, just don’t keep in too many to the point you start calling your guest “Um” out of habit.
  • Take out extra long pauses (see picture below) – Pauses are great, especially…………………the pregnant pause. They keep your listener interested and can cause a bit of drama and tension, which is often good. But not long pauses. Those are no fun. Take out pauses that are noticeably more than a few seconds and don’t add any value.
  • Take out anything repetitive or factually incorrect – Mistakes and repeats happen A LOT while recording. That’s totally cool. Sometimes there are little goofs that are funny to keep in. But if there’s something that gets repetitive, or will make you sound like a total Idiot of the Month unless you clean it up, go for it.
  • Take out anything that puts you to sleep while editing – This ones a bit harder to decipher, but try to remind yourself to notice when a particular section or couple-minute stretch feels particularly, extra, extra boring. The audio will always seem a bit more boring while editing since there’s so much start-and-stop, but if something reeeeeeeally has no energy and doesn’t add anything, take it out. You’re saving your listeners time, which they appreciate even if they never knew that bit existed in the first place.
Audacity Pauses
A little pause is always ok. A looooong pause has to add value, or it’s ok to remove it

Adding Finishing Touches in Audacity

Ok! The end is in sight. You’ve been through your podcast tracks multiple times from start to finish: for volume, and for content. Done editing, right?! Not quite, but almost there. Now’s the perfect time to add in the finishing touches. This is where the podcast production magic really happens:

  • Add in your intro teaser (see picture below) – Find a ~5-second snippet that makes for a great quote or a super intriguing teaser? Make a note of it, and once you get through the content, copy and paste that snippet at the absolute beginning of the episode. Remember to hit Tracks -> Sync-Lock Tracks before you paste, so the added seconds before the interview start are reflected on both tracks.
  • Add in your transition beats – Once you have your licensed music (I love finding tracks to license on Jamendo), play around and create a couple-second snippet that would make for a good transition beat. These work great as bookends to the interview, as well as between segments or main topics. This is also referred to as looping music.
  • Add in your licensed music – In addition to creating transition beats, you’ll also want to have a ~15-second intro and outro theme you create from that same licensed track. Insert the intro theme right after your teaser, and drop in the outro theme at the tail end of the tracks.
  • Add in your customized intro, outro, and ad – Here’s where a little extra recording on your end goes a looooong way. Record a spoken intro and outro that are <1 minute each. The intro should include a welcome (back), the name of your podcast, who you are, who the guest is, and the main 3 topics you discuss in the episode. The outro should include a thank you to the guest, thank you to your listeners, and your top call-to-actions: Follow on your favorite podcast platform, tell a friend about the podcast, and visit my website at blank-blank-blankety blank. And for extra credit, add in a short and shweet midroll ad if there’s a product or service you offer you’re looking to drive with the podcast. For all of these, the more personalized and genuine, the better.
Audacity Intro Teaser
I spy with my little eye an intro teaser

Wrapping Up in Audacity

Now for the best part…wrapping up your edit! Here’s how to finalize your podcast episode in MP3 format so it’s ready to be published and shared with the world:

  • Prep your ID3 tags (see picture below) – This is metadata that is often automatically displayed on your favorite podcast platforms. It’s key to insert this info now, when you save as an MP3. The key info you’ll want to have prepped is the Artist Name (Podcast Name), Track Title, Album Title (Podcast Name), Track Number, Year, Genre (Other), and Comments (Episode Description).
  • Export your episode as an MP3 – Finally, export that MP3! Once you have everything ready and your edit complete, hit File -> Export -> Export as MP3. You’ll get chills every time.
Audacity ID3 Metadata
The ID3 tags for Episode #130 of the Wild Business Growth Podcast with MLB Umpire Tim Timmons

Recap – How to Edit Your Podcast in Audacity

That’s it, you’re done! Follow these steps and your podcast-editing bases will be covered. Turn your raw episode recording into a beautiful, polished podcast episode by prepping Audacity, editing for volume, editing for content, adding the finishing touches, and wrapping up. It’s a lot to take in and can be overwhelming at first, but trust me – it gets easier and quicker the more you do it. Just remember to save very, very, very frequently. And please, please, please take frequent breaks. Your brain will thank you.

If you have any questions on podcast editing in Audacity, podcast production, or podcasting in general, you can always reach me at max@maxpodcasting.com. If you found this post helpful, you’ll also enjoy “How Do You Record a Podcast Interview Using Zoom?” and any of the 135+ episodes of the Wild Business Growth Podcast. Thank you for your time. Pod on!

]]> https://maxpodcasting.com/how-do-you-edit-your-podcast-in-audacity/feed/ 1 Should You Interview Guests or Host a Solo Podcast? https://maxpodcasting.com/should-you-interview-guests-or-host-a-solo-podcast/ https://maxpodcasting.com/should-you-interview-guests-or-host-a-solo-podcast/#comments Mon, 21 Dec 2020 09:59:17 +0000 https://maxpodcasting.com/?p=3199 One of the biggest decisions you’ll make when starting your podcast is whether to interview guests for your show or run a solo podcast, where you’re the only one talking. Interviewing guests is often what comes to mind first for new podcasters, but there are benefits of each option. The route you choose depends on your goals and what’s best for you and your audience.

Why should you interview guests for your podcast?

Going with an interview format for your podcast can benefit you in a number of ways:

It’s incredible from a networking standpoint.

Podcasting is easily the best networking tool I’ve ever experienced. Let’s say your podcast features you interviewing a new guest every week. That’s a new, relevant contact every week that’s now in your network – and you got off on a strong foot with them. Or, it’s someone already in your network who you just had a fantastic time with and took your business relationship to the next level. Interview podcasting gives you the means to reach out to experts in your industry you otherwise couldn’t imagine reaching out to, and makes it possible to grow your network every single week.

It’s easier to record each episode.

This comes down to personal preference, but for me, it is wayyyyyyyy easier to record an hour-long podcast with a guest than it is to even record a 1-minute intro and outro by myself. There’s something about having a guest be the star of your show that allows you to focus on active listening and guide the conversation, rather than being forced to come up with all the content yourself. You can treat each episode like a conversation.

It’s more fun.

What’s more fun than having fascinating conversations with some of the coolest people you’ve ever heard of, all around the world? Interview podcasting opens more doors than you could imagine and opens the door to a whole world of awesome people telling awesome stories. It’s a blast. There’s a one-of-a-kind glow that comes after wrapping up an exhilarating interview with someone you’ve always dreamed of talking to – and knowing your listeners will love it.

Should You Interview Guests or Host a Solo Podcast?
An interview format allows you to connect with some of the most fascinating people in the world

Why should you host a solo podcast?

If you don’t want to go the interview route for your podcast, you can certainly have a successful podcast in the solo format. Here are the benefits of a solo podcast:

You can establish yourself as an expert in your field.

Imagine your listeners are listening to you – just you – for a bit of time every week, or even multiple times a week. Whatever you’re podcasting about, you establish yourself as more and more of an expert in your industry with each episode. Having a solo podcast keeps the spotlight on you and your message all the time, as opposed to a guest being the main attraction of your episode.

You can record whenever you want, for as long as you want.

Ahhhh, what a relaxing thought. Being able to record on your own time, not having to worry about anyone else. It’s just you, your notes, and your mic. Plus, you don’t have to worry about a guest having to jump off for their next meeting. Record as long as you want, and mess up as much as you want, because hey – why not?!

You can have a different theme for each episode.

If you have an interview podcast, you can certainly tweak your segments and overall style over time. But a solo podcast gives you complete freedom to change things up whenever you’d like. You could do an episode that’s a deep dive on a topic close to your heart, followed by an episode that shares lessons from a personal story you have, followed by an episode where you celebrate a client milestone. Solo podcasts give you the opportunity to switch it up and keep it interesting for yourself and your listeners.

Is interviewing guests or hosting a solo podcast right for me?

A good argument could be made for interviewing guests or running a solo podcast. What’s right for you? It depends on your goals and what you and your listeners would enjoy most. Think through why you’re starting the podcast in the first place. Now, which of these formats best lends itself to achieving those goals? And would you enjoy running your podcast that way, or is it something you’ll dread over time? If you see serious value in both formats, you could even do a combination: alternate solo episodes and interview episodes. This give you the perks of each option, and may just be the variety that’s perfect for you and your podcast listeners.

If you have any questions on podcasting or podcast production, you can always reach me at max@maxpodcasting.com. If you enjoyed this post, you’ll also appreciate my blog post on “Why Do You Need to Edit Your Podcast?” and any of the 100+ episodes of the Wild Business Growth Podcast. Thank you for your time. Pod on.

]]> https://maxpodcasting.com/should-you-interview-guests-or-host-a-solo-podcast/feed/ 1 Why Do You Need to Edit Your Podcast? https://maxpodcasting.com/why-do-you-need-to-edit-your-podcast/ Mon, 14 Dec 2020 18:27:06 +0000 https://maxpodcasting.com/?p=3133 Podcast editing is all about creating the most enjoyable experience for your podcast listeners. It makes the difference between a knockout podcast and one that leaves your listeners underwhelmed. Whether you’re editing your podcast yourself or hiring a podcast editor, here’s why it’s important to edit your podcast.

Why should you edit your podcast?

You need to edit your podcast for these reasons:

  • So you can even out the sound levels
    • Have you ever listened to a podcast where you constantly need to lower and raise the volume on your phone or in your car because it’s so inconsistent? Maybe the intro is SUPER LOUD but the main interview is so quiet it fades into irrelevancy….It’s annoying and can even be painful to listen to. Edit your podcast so you can keep each part of the episode at an appropriate sound level.
  • So you can eliminate background noise
    • Let’s say a loud truck drives by your home while you’re recording an episode. If you publish the interview without editing, your listeners might be tempted to look left and right for the loud truck passing them. Edit your podcast so you can silence out background noise and make it “invisible” to your listeners.
  • So you can remove major mistakes
    • Okay, you don’t need to take out every mistake. In fact, a lot of slip-ups can be pretty funny and help keep that natural feel. But taking out some obvious “umms,” mispronunciations, filler words, and stutters can go a long way to polishing your final episode. Edit your podcast so you can clean up mistakes.
  • So you can eliminate long pauses
    • Ah………………………………………………………………………………pauses. Did that make you uncomfortable? It’s good to keep pauses in your podcast every now and then, as they can cause a bit of discomfort and add drama – which can be great. But sometimes there are long pauses that just aren’t necessary. As you listen back to the recording, think about whether each pause makes the episode better or worse. Edit your podcast so you can shorten loooooooooooooong pauses.
  • So you can smoothly add in your licensed music, intro, outro, and ads
    • Editing in your music, intro, outro, and ads makes your podcast complete. It’s amazing how adding these elements transforms your podcast episode from a basic recording to an engaging episode. Edit your podcast so you can bring it to life with music and extras.
Don’t let your playback level get into the red

Edit your podcast

Editing your podcast gives it the finishing polish it 100% deserves. It makes the difference between solid and outstanding podcasts, and keeps your listeners satisfied – not pissed off. Whether you’re editing your podcast yourself or hiring a podcast editor, remember to normalize sound levels, eliminate background noise, remove mistakes, eliminate long pauses, and add in your music and extras.

If you have any questions on podcasting or podcast production, you can always reach me at max@maxpodcasting.com. If you enjoyed this post, you’ll also appreciate my blog post on “Why Should You Focus on Audio for Your Podcast?” and any of the 100+ episodes of the Wild Business Growth Podcast. Thank you for your time. Pod on.

]]> Why Should You Focus on Audio for Your Podcast? https://maxpodcasting.com/why-should-you-focus-on-audio-for-your-podcast/ https://maxpodcasting.com/why-should-you-focus-on-audio-for-your-podcast/#comments Mon, 07 Dec 2020 11:41:50 +0000 https://maxpodcasting.com/?p=3074 One of the best parts about podcasts is the ability to listen to them while you’re doing something else. Maybe that’s going for a walk or working out. Cooking or cleaning. Commuting or working, if your task allows for it. The fact you can do any of these things while taking in fascinating and inspiring stories through your ear drums is what makes this medium of podcasting so special.

I’m all for video content, and there’s no question it’s the most engaging form of content. And there’s a lot of upside to recording your podcast on video. But when it comes to podcasting, the vast majority of your listeners are likely going to be listening only. Whether your podcast is audio-only or includes video, here’s how to keep your focus on the audio.

How do I optimize my podcast for audio?

Here’s how to keep your podcast audio-first, even if you’re using video:

  • Maintain good mic technique
    • Follow the 4 Finger Rule as much as you can: keep your mouth ~4 fingers length away from your microphone, if you’re holding your hand and fingers up vertically (test this, as it does vary by mic). If you’re recording your podcast on video, this means positioning your mic close enough where you can speak at this distance without jumping off screen.
    • Speak a little to the side of the mic, or “past” the mic, as opposed to right down the center of the mic. This sounds a bit better.
  • Wear headphones
    • Nobody wants to hear echo from their favorite podcast host when their guest is talking. And vice versa. Wearing headphones is your best defense for echo. Just make sure you don’t keep your ears super close to the mic as your guest is talking, as your mic could even pick up some of the sound through your headphones.
    • Most headphones work for podcasting. If you already have AirPods, they’re perfect.
  • Avoid making visual references
    • If you start commenting on your guest’s shirt, or what you’re seeing in the background, or starting to draw something out on a whiteboard you’re referencing, you’ll immediately become irrelevant to those who are listening to your podcast. You might even piss them off. Avoid making references like this as much as you can. They’re not needed in your final podcast episode.
    • If you absolutely need to diagram something out, be over-the-top articulate so your listeners can clearly visualize what you’re doing and immediately understand it. On that note, don’t bother sketching out something complex.
  • If you’re not doing anything with the podcast video, record with audio-only
    • You can record a podcast interview over Zoom with video off. This allows you to:
      • Avoid the distraction of video and eliminate visual references.
      • Likely be much more comfortable, along with your guest.
      • Use muuuuch less bandwidth, which improves the sound quality.
      • Wear whatever you want, look wherever you want, take as many ferocious notes as you’d like, and make goofy faces at your screen if you want.
    • You can still take behind-the-scenes interview pics (see below), or even record a few-minute teaser clip to help promote the episode on social media.
Why Should You Focus on Audio for Your Podcast?
Take a picture before the interview and share the behind-the-scenes on social media

So, how do you keep your podcast focused on audio?

Audio is what makes podcasting unique, and it’s incredibly important to prioritize your podcast audio, even if you’re recording using video. To keep your podcast audio-first, remember to maintain proper mic technique, wear headphones, and avoid making visual references. And if you’re not planning to do anything with your podcast video, record as audio-only for a better experience and final product.

If you have any questions on podcasting or podcast production, you can always reach me at max@maxpodcasting.com. If you enjoyed this post, or it made you say “Hmmmm,” you’ll also appreciate my blog post on “How Do You Record a Podcast Interview Using Zoom?” and any of the 100+ episodes of the Wild Business Growth Podcast. Thank you for your time. Pod on!

]]> https://maxpodcasting.com/why-should-you-focus-on-audio-for-your-podcast/feed/ 2 How Do You Record a Podcast Interview Using Zoom? https://maxpodcasting.com/how-do-you-record-a-podcast-interview-using-zoom/ https://maxpodcasting.com/how-do-you-record-a-podcast-interview-using-zoom/#comments Mon, 30 Nov 2020 09:18:21 +0000 https://maxpodcasting.com/?p=2970 It’s never been easier to interview someone across the world for a podcast, and my favorite free tool to do this is Zoom. You’ve used Zoom before for family happy hours, but did you know it can be an effective podcast interview platform as well? In this post, I’ll take you through how to record a high-quality podcast episode thanks to Zoom, from the setup stage to saving your recorded files:

Account Setup: How do you set up Zoom to record podcast interviews?

The first thing you’ll want to do is sign up here. It’s free, and the free account allows you to interview another person at an unlimited time length (though you’ll probably want to wrap up the interview at some point). In most cases, this is all you’ll need. This free account lets you interview 2 or more other parties at the same time as well, but there’s a 40-minute time limit at which the meeting will end. If you’re often interviewing multiple parties or interviewing someone along with a co-host in a separate location, you may want to upgrade to a Zoom Pro account with unlimited group meetings for $149.90/year.

Once your account is set up, there’s a key setting you’ll want to check right away. Under “Settings,” then “Recording,” make sure you’re set up for Local Recording – not Cloud Recording. Local Recording allows you to record your interviews using separate audio tracks, which helps out when it comes to editing and bodes for a much cleaner final episode. Think about it – if a loud truck drives by your home when your guest is talking, don’t you want to be able to edit out that loud truck for the sake of your listeners?

How do you set up Zoom to record podcast interviews?
Make sure Local recording is turned on to allow for separate audio tracks

Scheduling: How do you schedule podcast interviews in Zoom?

There are a few different ways to schedule meetings aka podcast interviews in Zoom. The most efficient way is to use a scheduling tool, so your guest can pick the best time that works for them. My favorite scheduler is Calendly, which is free for 14 days and then $8/month for a Premium account. Calendly allows you to integrate your Zoom account, making it easy for your guest to schedule a Zoom interview with you directly in the scheduler.

Another way is to schedule a meeting directly on the Zoom website. If you’re signed in, click “Schedule a Meeting” in the upper right to do so. Once the meeting is scheduled, make sure to add it to your preferred calendar and share it with your guest, along with the password.

Finally, if you’re in a pinch, you can start a Zoom meeting whenever you want when logged in to Zoom. Click “Host a Meeting” in the upper right, with Video Off or Video On. Once you’re in and ready, you can share the meeting invite link with your guest over email. This requires your guest being ready to watch out for your email when it’s go time. To do this, hit “Participants” once you’re in your Zoom meeting, then “Invite” in the side panel that opens up.

How do you schedule podcast interviews in Zoom?
You can schedule or start a meeting directly in the upper right of Zoom in your browser

Pre-Interview: What do you do Pre-Interview in Zoom?

Once you join your scheduled meeting, there are a few things you’ll want to knock out before you hit record. First, test your speaker and microphone. Zoom gives you a great reminder to do this before you even officially start your meeting, and you can select the options available to make sure your headphones and microphone are connected the way they should be. It’s best practice to have your desired headphones and microphone plugged in, turned on, and ready to go before you even join your Zoom meeting. If all sounds good, hit “Join with Computer Audio.”

What do you do Pre-Interview in Zoom?
Test Speaker and Microphone before you Join with Computer Audio

Once your guest is on and you can hear each other, there are a few settings you’ll want to check in “Audio Settings” by clicking the little arrow next to the “Mute” mic icon in the lower left, then going to “Audio Settings”:

  1. Under “Microphone,” uncheck the “Automatically adjust volume” box. It sounds funny, but Zoom overcompensates with this feature and if turned on it will literally make you sound funny. Make sure your guest does this, too.
  2. When you’re still in Settings, click “Recording” on the left panel and make sure this box is checked: “Choose a location for recorded files when the meeting ends.”
  3. Right below that, make sure this box is checked as well, as mentioned above: “Record a separate audio file for each participant who speaks.”
Zoom audio settings
Hit the little arrow to get to Audio Settings

Those are the only settings you really need to check in your Zoom meeting before you hit record. You’ll also want to rock your short and sweet pre-interview chat overall. This means a quick icebreaker with your guest (try to make them laugh), making sure your headphones and mics are correct, confirming how much time they have, silencing your phones and closing other windows and email, and bringing up anything specific you need their input on or want to call out about the interview before you get started. This is also a great time to take a quick behind-the-scenes pic if you’d like (you can flip video on and off). Most importantly, ask the guest how to pronounce their full name if you’re not sure.

Behind-the-scenes Zoom podcast interview pic
Behind-the-scenes interview pics are the best pics

Recording: How do you record a podcast interview using Zoom?

Now for the fun part: hit that “Record” button! For the sake of your time and frustration, please make sure you do this. You’d be surprised how many podcasters have horror stories of that unbelievable, life-changing interview-that-never-was thanks to never hitting Record. You and your guest will know you’re recording if you see the blinking red dot that says “Recording…” in the upper left.

How do you record a podcast interview using Zoom?
Is this thing on?! Make sure you see this in the upper left

Then, do your thing! Put on your podcast host hat (figuratively, or maybe not), rock the interview, ask thought-provoking questions, let your guest be the hero, and have fun. And remember, you can always edit out any major slip-ups after you’re done, so keep it casual and fun. Once you’re done with the interview, hit “Stop Recording” in the lower right, which might be under “More” depending on the size of your window.

Saving: How do you save a podcast interview in Zoom?

You’re done with your interview! Phew, what a rush! Now let’s make sure that baby gets saved properly. Extend your thank yous and give your guest a ballpark idea of when the final podcast episode will be released. Then, hit “End” in the lower right, “End Meeting for All,” and wait for the meeting to convert. Have found this is also an excellent time to take a minute for that much-needed bathroom stop. Finally, create a folder where you want your interview files to go, and BAM! You just successfully recorded and saved a podcast interview using Zoom. Your separate audio tracks will be in the “Audio Record” subfolder within the folder you just created.

Summary: How do you record a podcast interview using Zoom?

That’s it! I hope you found this guide helpful for recording a podcast interview using Zoom. It’s an awesome tool, and pretty intuitive once you get the hang of it. Remember to set up your account, schedule your interview, rock your pre-interview chat, record the interview, and save it where you want it to go. Keep your files organized, stay efficient where you can, and always have fun.

If you have any questions on Zoom podcast interviews, podcasting, or podcast production, you can always reach me at max@maxpodcasting.com. If you found this post helpful, you’ll also enjoy “The Top 10 Things I Learned in My First 100 Podcast Episodes” and any of the 100+ episodes of the Wild Business Growth Podcast. Thank you for your time. Pod on!

]]> https://maxpodcasting.com/how-do-you-record-a-podcast-interview-using-zoom/feed/ 5 Why I Started MaxPodcasting https://maxpodcasting.com/why-i-started-maxpodcasting/ https://maxpodcasting.com/why-i-started-maxpodcasting/#comments Sat, 12 Sep 2020 12:49:32 +0000 https://maxpodcasting.com/?p=2570 The first time I listened to a podcast was in early 2017. It was an episode of Road Trippin’, featuring some of my favorite Cavs players at the time: Richard Jefferson, Channing Frye, Kyrie Irving, and Sideline Reporter Allie Clifton. I didn’t really know what a podcast was at the time, but I had heard the Cavs players had been putting out something really cool.

A few minutes into the episode, I felt like my whole world had changed – Wait, they are just normal guys. I had looked up to these guys as heroes, NBA superstars, people that were so successful you didn’t feel like you were on the same planet as them. But the way you could listen to them on a podcast, it literally felt like you were sitting there in the locker room with them. Or the plane. Or their hotel at the time. I had never experienced anything remotely close to what I was listening to right then.

Over time, I started listening to more and more podcasts. It started in the sports world, becoming a loyal listener to Road Trippin’, then my favorite Browns players Joe Thomas and Andrew Hawkins on The ThomaHawk Show, then the ridiculously entertaining Pardon My Take with Big Cat and PFT Commenter from Barstool. These shows are endlessly fun and remain some of my favorite podcasts today. But at a certain point, it hit me: if you could learn this much listening to sports podcasts, imagine how much you could learn listening to business podcasts.

Starting the Wild Business Growth Podcast

Later that year, I made a massive career change, leaving my corporate brand management job to join my family business, Hippo Direct. I had grown up with the family business – my dad started it the year I was born – and I always thought I may join at some point. At the same time, I was realizing the corporate world wasn’t the right fit for me, and I’d be much happier working in a more entrepreneurial setup, doing things I was more passionate about.

Once I joined, my dad and I had tons of great brainstorming sessions on new ways to market the business. We knew we had to do much more on the digital marketing and social media side. But the tactic we could not get out of our heads was podcasting. We didn’t know what it looked like yet, but we knew we needed to start a podcast.

In looking across our lines of business, including mailing lists and email lists, everything we offered as a company came back to one thing: helping you grow your business. So we thought, What if we put together a podcast where we interview entrepreneurs and marketers about how they grew their business.

The Wild Business Growth Podcast launched on August 3rd, 2018, and has since featured a new entrepreneur or innovator every single Wednesday morning. With over 100 fascinating guests, features in some of my favorite outlets, and listeners around the world, it’s opened more doors than I ever thought possible and truly changed my life.

From Podcast Host to Podcast Producer

In the early days of the Wild Business Growth Podcast, a couple things struck me:

  1. Podcasting is a ton of fun
  2. Podcasting takes a ton of time

I knew from Episode 1 podcasting was the right fit for me. I truly love hosting podcasts, the joy that comes from unlocking gems and insights from amazing guests you otherwise may not even be able to have a conversation with, on any medium. Being a podcast host is something I’ll always love doing.

But the podcast production side – that’s where the magic happens. Somehow, being a podcast producer has become even more rewarding than being a podcast host. There’s true beauty in taking a raw, choppy, first-take interview recording and turning it into a polished, professional-sounding final podcast episode, complete with high-quality licensed music and transitions.

I’ve been the podcast producer since Episode 1 of the Wild Business Growth Podcast. I realized how much time it takes to produce, and how valid a need it is to have your podcast polished and produced. In an industry that’s growing more and more every year, this makes for a huge opportunity to help out other aspiring podcasters by helping them save time while maintaining a high-quality podcast. Especially business owners, entrepreneurs, and storytellers – whose time should be completely focused on building their business.

What is MaxPodcasting?

I’m incredibly excited to launch MaxPodcasting. Producing podcasts is something I’ve already been doing every week for years. It started as a Podcast Service within Hippo Direct, with some amazing clients who still put out top-notch shows to this day. As the number of clients and podcasts kept growing, it became more and more clear this podcast service deserves its own business. It’s a natural transition into entrepreneurship, something I’ve been excited about for as long as I can remember (listen to any episode of the Wild Business Growth Podcast). And it could benefit Hippo Direct as well, giving the family business a chance to focus on the core offering and messaging of mailing lists and email lists (I’ll be helping).

MaxPodcasting is your place to save time with your high-quality podcast. If you’re interested in starting a podcast for your business or brand, and know it’s not in your best interest to spend all the time it takes to run a successful podcast, you’ve come to the right place. Feel free to reach out any time at max@maxpodcasting.com.

Thank you for reading.

-Max

Why I Started MaxPodcasting Max Branstetter Podcast Producer Production

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