Content on this page redirects to UTSC Library's Guide "Introduction to Podcasting"

Steps for Creating a Podcast

1. Review your assignment / your own goals and Brainstorm:

• How long is your podcast supposed to be? 
• What is the premise?
• Who is the audience?
• What is the theme of your podcast episode?
• What will the sub topics of the episode theme be?
• How will you keep your audience engaged?
• Where will you get your content?

2. Format 

        Decide on the format for your show:

• Solo: This is a monologue approach, where one person is discussing a topic. This has the benefit of being easy to schedule as you are relying on yourself only, however, it can be intimidating because you will need to formulate all content. 
• Co-host: This involves presenting alongside a colleague or friend. 
• Roundtable: This usually consists of a host and two or more guests in other to discuss or debate a subject, or just to have a conversation. 
• Interview: Consists of interviewing a guest or several guests. The interviewee usually has expertise in the general subject area. 

3. Create your script 

• UTSC Library Guide: Writing
• How will you open?
• What will be the flow of your script?
  • If you are conducting an interview, what questions will you ask your subject?
• How will you close?
• See "Podcast Script Template" below for a template that you can download and edit.

4. Get your equipment

• UTSC Library Guide: Equipment
• How will you record audio?
  • Various UofT Libraries have technology collections that can be borrowed.
  • Good: Mobile phone or tablet
  • Better: Portable digital recorder (Robarts - Tech Loans)
  • Best: USB microphone (New College Library - Tech Loans)

5. Record

• UTSC Library Guide: Recording
• Practice your script out loud before you record.
• Record a 10 second silence buffer at the beginning of your recording to allow you to collect the noise profile and edit out background noise in the editing phase.
• Try to stay on topic.
• If you make a mistake, pause, and say the sentence or phrase again.  These mistakes can be fixed in the editing phase.
• Don't be afraid to ask clarifying questions if you are interviewing someone for your podcast.

6. Choose additional audio clips

• UTSC Library Guide: Podcasting Legal Guide
  • Finding Audio for Podcasts
  • Finding Video clips for podcasts
  • Creative Commons and the Public Domain
• Only use music legally as permitted by copyright and copyright exceptions i.e. Creative Commons, Public Domain or Royalty-Free.
• Properly give credit to the creators in your podcast or podcast description.

7. Post-Production

• UTSC Library: Post-Production
• We recommend using Audacity to edit your podcast, which is a free, open source downloadable software for Macs and PCs.
• Remove background noise
• Ensure vocal volumes are even
• Trim unwanted parts from segments
• Collage together segments, music and sound effects

8. Export and publish

• Export as an .mp3 file
• Instructor will provide you with instructions on how to submit your media file.