Readings and Writings

Here’s what I learned after reading the following chapters and articles:

Chapter 8: Sound

Sound is created an object’s vibration, producing waves that travel outward in all directions. Through the eardrum we detect these waves. Microphones copy this process by using a diaphragm to convert sound vibrations into electrical signals, and speakers reverse this process to produce sound. Sound is characterized by frequency and amplitude, where frequency determines pitch (measured in Hertz) and amplitude determines loudness (measured in decibels).

Productions use dynamic, and electret condenser microphones, which have two basic types of pickup patterns: omnidirectional and directional.

• Omnidirectional: picks up sound equally from all directions.
• Directional: picks up sound very well from one direction, best for eliminating background or unnecessary noise.

Depending on the production, different microphones are used:

• Lavalier: a small mic with an omnidirectional pickup pattern, that is pinned up to the chest of the talent and typically hidden in their clothing.
• Hand mic: typically held by the talent or visible on a desk, this mic can be either dynamic or condenser, and have either an omnidirectional or a cardioid pickup pattern.
• Shotgun mic: used for distant sounds and held up on a boom or fishpole. Its weakness and strength is how specific its range of pickup is.
• Smart Phone mics: small electret microphones with omnidirectional pickup patterns, made to pick up human voices at a short distance.

For high-quality sound, use a separate recorder, a consistent microphone, sound-isolating headphones, and avoid unnecessary filtering during recording. Record extra sound effects (wild) as opposed to adding sound live to the session (sync).

Know what kind of audio you want to record. Recording live in front of a camera is considered syncsound, while recording just your voice to put over footage or be kept separate is voice-over. Keep in mind the background atmosphere as well (presence) and have it consistent during editing. Voice recordings sound also stay consistent by using the same microphone and location whenever possible, and recording at the same time of day if possible.

Reduce unwanted noise by adjusting the filming environment, using sound barriers, positioning microphones and cables carefully.

Finally, remember your audience! Mix sounds to influence the audience’s emotions and support the overall message of the production.

The Art of Creating an Invisible Podcast Episode Script

You should write a script for every podcast you create, as most times they will be necessary as bullet points. These bullet points should act as the outline of your show, being more specifically written for important segments like the intro or a sponsorship. That being said, a strict script can make the host sound too robotic, so it the script should be “invisible.”

For that to work, the points in the outline should flow naturally together to keep the podcast episode linear. Sell your episode to the viewers by starting with the subject matter head on, then keep a conversational tone throughout the podcast by using short sentences and informal language.

Creating a Great Podcast Script: 3 Methods Top Podcasters Use

Method one is scripting a podcast word-for-word which ensures that every topic is covered. The downside is that for less confident speakers it leads to a monotone delivery from the host.

Method two is to write a detailed episode outline, allowing for flexibility in how topics are discussed while still keeping them in order and ensuring everything is covered. The top bullets of what you want to cover in an episode should not go over ten! Then each bullet gets four to seven of its own.

Method three is to give yourself a lot of freedom by having a rough bullet point podcast plan. This will keep the podcast more conversational as topics come up only through a loosely structured order.

Podcast Taglines, Hooks, & the Power of Words

Taglines and hooks connect the audience immediately to your podcast and add a personal flare.

A tagline could come in two parts: one to introduce the name and host, and the other to say what the audience will get out of listening. Or a tagline could come in one large part to introduce the host and their credentials for the topic. Hooks are helpful ways to grab the listeners’ attention.

Another helpful way to construct a tagline is by sharing the problem you are experiencing, the solution you’re offering, and who it is that you serve. That will draw the listeners in.

Best Podcast Tools of 2026: Make, Market, & Monetise Your Show

A lot of people who get into podcasting now don’t have tons of tech experience, so the author put together a list of tools to help:

The Alitu Showplanner: An AI program that will generate episode ideas and scripts for you.

Samson Q2U: a beginner friendly high-quality microphone that only costs $70.

Zoom PodTrak P4: A multipurpose device that lets you plug in four microphones at once, all on different tracks. Music and sound effects can also be played on it during sessions.

Alitu: A podcast editing software that lets you record sessions directly through it and will automatically clean up the audio quality.

Podpage: A website that helps you make a website for your podcast.

EditPoint: An iOS app that you pop your podcast recording into, and use it to mark for problem areas in your recording. Good to keep track for later editing.

Beehiiv: An email marketing platform that offers more features and flexible at a lower price than their competitors.

The Podcast Host Planner: Good for people who like to journal. Offers a “how to start” guide and templates.

Podcast Presentation Skills | Honing Your Speechcraft

The author provides seven tips and tricks to bettering your podcast presentation skills:

#1: Be familiar with your notes and be confident in what you are presenting; no need to be overly humble. Remember to breathe and use simple phrases.

#2: If you have anxiety when public speaking, then go to the root of that issue and figure out how to address it. Remember that a podcast is a recording that you can redo or pause for practice. Take your time and push through.

#3: Prep your voice! Do vocal exercises, relax your jaw, and fix your posture. Drink warm liquids to help with your throat.

#4: Get the most from your interviews by doing the proper research and preparing backup topics. Inform the interviewee what their time frame for answering is. Control the flow of the conversation.

#5: Understand what your audience wants through research. Cater to the audience you want. Review your audience demographic.

#6: Tell a good story. Use the Hero’s Journey technique to explain how you came across the topic, or explain what challenges your faced because of it and maybe start the story in the middle of the action to grab the audience’s attention.

#7: Talk to your audience by promoting future episodes online. Send links of new releases out to the interviewees so they can spread the word and have people from across fandoms come together to listen. Place a call to action in your show to give the audience something to respond to.

Research to Inform

Here are three audio projects that use music and sound effects to engage the audience:

In the Real Men of Genius advertisement, the script is poking fun of figure skaters while also celebrating their accomplishments. The music in this ad is uplifting and celebratory, fitting the vibe.

The next advertisement I found successful was the first audio on this page for the Cadillac Shield. It uses sound effects to help the audience understand what they’re taking about, like a car revving, oil dripping, or a tire spinning.

In an advertisement for Majestic Plumbing, they talk about running a business and the music distorts to emphasize the struggle, and then pauses after they say “unwanted interruptions” followed by crickets and an owl to make it sound like the advertisement is over (or interrupted). When they talk about having your business run well, the music becomes upbeat.

Create

Holding a passion for reality TV, I decided to create my own podcast! Here is a link to my pre-production planning document if you’re interested, and a mind map of the podcast below.