How to Podcast During a Pandemic
For evidence of a podcast series that is thriving and working during a pandemic, check out this podcast series made by me and my four friends: The Professionals in Health Podcasting Series.
Picture this: your baby, your podcast series, is up and running in a matter of a few months — you are gaining followers! Growing your content library! Discovering more people to welcome to your show!
And then suddenly you are hit by the COVID19 pandemic.
Travel is not advisable and doing remote interviews does not have the same effect.
But have no fear, it is still very possible to run a podcast series during a pandemic.
1. Establish a clear timeline with your team and keep communication robust.
During a pandemic, a lot of things are going on — priorities are switched; availabilities are changed; and focus is all over the place. But keeping a shared calendar that highlights the dates of remote interviews; deadlines for grants and budget reports; and special weeks of promoting podcast episodes can keep your team focused on the short and long term goals. I personally suggest Google Calendar, which enables you to share a calendar with your team and add notes for dates and deadlines.
2. Stick to a consistent set of equipment and programs to record and edit your podcast
During a pandemic, the intimacy of meeting in-person to record is lost — the humane, sincere aspect of conversation might be more difficult to achieve. However, sticking a consistent platform of recording and editing podcasts can not only maintain connection and communication but can also maintain a consistent sound quality in your interviews. Personally, I have found ZOOM calls to have a high sound quality and does a great job reducing background noise or hiccups. And if you are balling on a budget, I would also recommend Garageband to edit your recordings for free.
3. Always listen back to previous episodes and gain feedback from your listeners.
Regardless if you are in a pandemic or not, it is essential to listen back to previous episodes and take note of sound quality; engagement of questions asked; and feedback from listeners of the episode. This feedback would enable you to readjust the technique and methodology of recording and editing your podcast episodes during a pandemic.