Podcasting 101: How Podcast Awesome Came to Life

In this episode of Podcast Awesome, host Matt Johnson takes listeners behind the scenes of starting and producing Podcast Awesome. Despite being a newbie to podcasting, Matt shares his journey, from finding the initial idea buried in a Basecamp thread to releasing 20 episodes. He discusses capturing the podcast's vibe, and choosing the right software and equipment. Matt also shares insights from podcasting veteran Matt Carter and highlights the challenges and triumphs of what it takes to capture an authentic feel. And if gear and software is your thing, there's some conversation about that, too.

Feeling intimidated by starting your own podcast? Don't know what you're doing? You're in good company, we're figuring it out, too, as we "build the plane in the air." !


Timestamp Summary

 | 0:00:08  | Introduction to the podcast and its purpose
 | 0:01:04  | The decision to start recording episodes without much feedback
 | 0:02:04  | Importance of capturing the podcast's vibe and subject matter
 | 0:03:33  | Emphasis on Font Awesome's nerdery and company culture
 | 0:05:14  | Determining the purpose and voice of the podcast
 | 0:05:47  | Meeting with creative team and understanding brand guidelines
 | 0:06:25  | Advice from podcasting buddy Matt Carter
 | 0:08:06  | Choosing the right software for recording and editing
 | 0:09:58  | Workflow for editing using GarageBand, Audio Hijack, and Descript
 | 0:11:50  | Importance of quality gear for audio capture
 | 0:12:50  | Tips for getting good audio and avoiding common mistakes
 | 0:13:24  | Creating a checklist for podcasting setup
 | 0:13:49  | Importance of capturing good audio at the beginning
 | 0:14:19  | Editing tips: finding the right balance, getting feedback
 | 0:15:37  | Choosing theme music: options and licensing agreements
 | 0:16:42  | Using interstitials to create a relaxed atmosphere
 | 0:18:37  | Nerd show and tell: short episodes featuring team members
 | 0:19:08  | Constantly improving editing, hosting, and content marketing
 | 0:19:32  | Getting over the discomfort of hearing one's own voice
 | 0:19:57  | Rolling the credits: acknowledgments and production details

Quotes

Matt-(0:02:49)

"If you've spent any time with developers and designers, then you know they're really into the stuff that they're into, and it tends to be pretty dorky."

Matt-(0:04:43)"What's the purpose of your podcast? Maybe it's to share company news, to educate your customers, or to entertain."

Matt-(0:06:25)"The whole idea of making sure your conversation partner feels relaxed, and so the conversation feels natural."

Matt-(0:08:06)"The good news is that there's a ton of tools out there, and some of them are even free."

Matt-(0:09:11)"I started with GarageBand because I had a basic understanding of it from years past recording music demos with friends."

Matt-(0:11:50)"I don't know a single soul who likes to hear the sound of their own voice, and I'm definitely no different, but it's just something you have to get over."

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