Box Seat Insider with Kyle Johnson

Your spot for podcasting about sports

The Final Buzzer: What It All Comes Down To

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On May 9, 2021

In Podcast creation, Sports Podcast

Welcome Back!

It’s hard to believe it’s been a month since I started this blog.  I have learned a lot about podcasting the last few weeks and I hope you have too.  This week I will discuss the progress I’ve made to meet my goals as well as some key lessons I have learned along this journey. Finally, I will debut a podcast episode I created to display what I have learned about the process

My main goals were to make myself a prolific podcast creator and also provide useful advice to others looking to start their own. I am happy to say, I think I’ve achieved both of these goals. I’ve learned a lot about the process of creating a podcast but also believe I have imparted some useful tips and tricks to other potential podcast creators.

Another goal I had was to explain what I’ve learned in an easy-to-follow way. I feel like my posts are well segmented and easy to read and understand. I’ve enjoyed using casual rhetoric in my posts since typically I am accustomed to writing more formally in other projects.

In one post, I learned how to discuss a favorite podcast topic so it stands out. I knew I wanted to do a sports podcast with a spotlight on high profile news stories so the blogs and videos I used helped me narrow it to be more specific. In the third post, I learned about the essential equipment necessary for a podcast creation. Many of these items I had never heard of but have realized how important they are.

Last week I talked about recording and editing which are considered two very important elements to creating a podcast. I found it interesting that is important to make your space recording-friendly and that editing is not difficult, it just requires some patience and perseverance.

The next step in this journey is to apply what I learned. I feel a lot more confident and hope it shows in my work.  So please check out a podcast episode I created below which discusses the recent retirement of long time University of North Carolina (UNC) Men’s Basketball Coach Roy Williams below.

A Legacy Ends for UNC Men’s Basketball

I hope you have enjoyed following along this journey and have learned a thing or two about podcasting. I think there’s a bright future ahead for podcasters and look forward to joining the wave as well as seeing what people come up with.

Thanks for checking out Box Seat Insider. It’s been a great few weeks and I hope you’ve enjoyed it as much as I have.

Helpful Tips of the Trade for Choosing a Topic and Recording/Editing Your Podcast

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On May 2, 2021

In Podcast creation, Recording Software, Topic Ideas

Last week we explored the essential equipment needed to start a podcast. This week I want to talk about two important elements to creating a podcast, the topic and recording/editing. I have watched countless videos on YouTube and read a couple articles on each subject and I want to share what I learned with you.

Let’s begin with the topic of the podcast. The importance lies in how you choose the topic of the podcast. In order to have the best chance of gaining and retaining an audience, it needs to tell a story, be specific and unique. For example, I plan on hosting a sports podcast. As you know, there are numerous sports related podcasts available so if my topic is mundane about everyday things occurring in college sports, the NFL, MLB or NBA, it will be a challenge for me to gain an audience.

One of the best takeaways from the videos and articles I reviewed was to talk about a topic you are genuinely interested in. No matter which idea you choose, it’s the passion and enthusiasm radiating from the host that makes for a great podcast. One common theme I recognized when scanning multiple articles was the importance of discussing a favorite topic.

It’s best to choose a subject and talk about it in-depth without infusing your own opinion or analysis. Presenting the information in an unbiased way is paramount. Utilizing this tip, I was able to come up with an idea for my own podcast.  I follow many sports influencers on Twitter. Their discussions are typically opinionated since they are talking about trending athlete and coaching actions and responses. A lot of the content is controversial but that is one of the things that keeps me coming back for more. My idea is to supplement the Twitter feeds with a podcast that spotlights high profile news stories.  I haven’t seen anything specifically like this so I think it is appealing and will turn out to be an interesting podcast.

Depending on whether the podcast is presented in audio or video format, you need to use different software to record and edit. There are several products to choose from but the top three are Audacity, QuickTime, and Adobe Audition. Audacity and QuickTime are free to users. Adobe Audition is available for less than $20 per month. All of these are great choices for first-time and even experienced podcasters. Auphonic and Squadcast are some of the best software available for recording and editing video podcasts.

When you record a podcast, one of the most important rules is to make your space recording-friendly. This includes recording in the smallest and quietest room possible to reduce outside noise and echoes. You should also shut your windows and doors, turn off any machines or devices that make a constant noise, and put your pets somewhere they won’t disturb you for a couple hours. If you are unable to find a recording-friendly spot in your house, I have compiled a list of ten locations in and around my hometown in Maryland. I encourage you to check these places out if you have to record using an alternate site.

Up next, editing made easy. Editing in general is typically not that difficult, but it does require patience and precision to do it correctly. As a listener, you can quickly tell when a podcast is edited poorly because it includes breaks or silence in segments and doesn’t flow smoothly. The first tip I found is that effective editing begins with good recording. It is important to record with a device you’re familiar with. Another helpful tidbit is to include a second of silence before and after recording a sound to help with mixing. I found this to be particularly interesting and will try to incorporate it into my work.

For my podcast, I will be using Audacity to record and edit my podcast.  I have some experience using it in the past for other media projects so it is comfortable solution. One thing I really like about Audacity is you have a choice of how you want to import audio. You can either import a file from your computer or record it directly into the software. My preference is recording on my phone and importing directly but recording directly also works well. Anyone can use it. Here’s a link to download Audacity if you are interested.

Thanks for checking out this week’s post. Hopefully, I provided you with some useful tips for getting started with your podcast. Next week I will premiere my podcast and walk you through the steps of how it was created. I’m excited to show you what I’ve learned so make sure to check back in.

See you next week!

Starting a Podcast: No Fluff (Just the Essentials)

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On April 26, 2021

In Equipment, Podcast creation

In last week’s post, I described the basics of podcasting since understanding the fundamentals of the process is key to a successful launch. This week, we’re going to dive a little deeper into some essential equipment needs for podcast creation.

The time has come. I’ve had an idea for a podcast a bouncing around in the back of my head for a while now. I am obsessed with sports at all levels and am always looking to connect with people who share similar points of view.  The end goal is to create a podcast that will keep audiences engaged by conveying excitement, enthusiasm and passion in the content.

I have found that learning how to create a podcast is a bit daunting. The thought of wading through a dozen “how to” websites and videos as well as reviewing a 20,000-word “Podcast Ultimate Guide” is challenging. No more excuses.  Let the games begin.

Through my research, one resounding theme I have observed is that anyone can start a podcast. You don’t need a special degree or a whole room full of equipment to get your voice heard. While many people think that podcasting is an expensive and complicated venture, the truth is that it doesn’t have to be. You can easily start a podcast with your phone or PC and the microphone built into a pair of headphones. Of course, you can get a bit fancier and chances are that splurging on a few bigger ticket items later on will help make the program sound less amateur but that’s really all you need to get your show on the road.

Below is a list of essential podcast equipment.

  1. Microphone

Audio is one area that is worth the investment.  The audience will be able to overlook a number of glitches with podcast production but poor audio quality is not one of them. As such, it is important to avoid using the microphone that comes built into the computer or the microphone included in ear based headphones since optimal audio quality will be limited. For optimal audio quality, I opted to purchase Audio Technica ATR-2100-USB microphone.

  1. Headphones

Headphones don’t have to be professional grade but you’ll need to easily hear what you’re saying and what guests are saying if conducting an interview. With that being said, it is best to steer clear of headphone and mic combos so I chose a pair of reasonably priced on-ear headphones made by Audio Technica.

  1. Pop filter

When talking directly into the microphone, the letters “b” and “p” may sound amplified. To avoid this, I chose to use a pop filter. They are fairly cheap and will help eliminate the popping sounds caused by the mechanical impact of fast-moving air on the microphone.  The pop filter also improves the overall listening experience.  If you don’t want to buy one, you can make it from a coat hanger. Instructions to do it yourself can be found below.

More detailed information about microphones and headphones can be found in this article.

These are just a couple of the essentials needed to start a podcast. Check back next week where we will continue our exploration of technology requirements like recording software and podcast hosting platforms.

What is Podcasting?

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On April 18, 2021

In Uncategorized

Welcome Back!

Before learning how to create a podcast, it is important to understand the basics. Up first, understanding the term “podcasting”. Podcasting is a much less crowded and competitive space than blogging, which makes now the perfect time to get started.

It is no secret that distributing content as audio or video files over the web has taken hold. It actually has done more than taken hold, it’s dominating the internet.  Podcasting allows for the distribution of information in the form of audio and video to an audience when they want it, where they want it and how they want it.

Podcasting is best described as “push” audio content. The “push” is to a target audience or “on-demand” listeners who want it. Another way to describe podcasting is, it is downloaded audio files intended for listening on the move. Podcasts show up (pushed) when new content is produced. If you’re a subscriber, you get the podcast right then. All you need is an iPod (or MP3 player of any kind) for listening which makes it easily accessible, convenient and fairly cheap.

Back in the day, it was considered revolutionary when listeners were able to take their music to the beach, the park or in their car, but that typically meant listening to whatever the radio stations were playing. Now, with podcasting, listeners can choose the programs they want to download from the web and listen whenever and wherever they want.

Podcasting is also good for businesses.  This medium allows companies to reach a wider audience and get their message out to more people. It’s also a great way to market business in an informative and engaging way. Many people have found great success using their podcasts to bring in new clients which has boosted company revenue like never before!

Just like in written and electronic communications, the content in a podcast is paramount.  Content has to be crafted with the listener in mind. The focus is not only on the listener’s interests but also their listening habits. It’s a known fact that a listener is not as attentive with recorded content than they are with live content.

To create valuable podcast content, you need to think like a radio producer. Radio producers are keenly aware that a listener can switch stations at a moment’s notice for any reason. That’s why it is important to concentrate on the entertainment value of programming, instantly and frequently. Additionally, people tend to be alone when listening and often change stations or turn the program off when not fulfilled, entertained, or informed. The content has to provide value. Engaging content will bring the listeners back for more.

More information about podcast content can be found here

Some Key Things to Remember:

Provide information of value. Value comes in the form of education, information, inspiration, motivation and entertainment.

Conversations work. Interviewing others who are close to the subject matter is important. Typically, one-person podcasts are less dynamic by definition. Dynamics sells content.

The 3 Ps of Podcasting are: promote, promote, promote. Encourage subscribers, sign-ups and raving fans with automatic and periodic updates. Post your podcast availability on your website (with a live link), mention it in your email signature and enlist in podcast directories, including iTunes and podcast.net.

For more information, check out this YouTube list I created

Check in next week for more valuable information. The journey into creating a  podcast is just beginning!

Introduction

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On April 18, 2021

In Uncategorized

Hello and welcome!

This journey will be all about how to create a podcast. As a sports enthusiast, I love to talk about all things sports so what better way to do that then by creating a podcast just for that specific purpose.  Also many sports fans know watching a favorite sport on television sometimes just isn’t enough, especially if you aren’t able to enjoy it whenever or wherever you go. Enter the podcast.  Not only is podcasting a new and exciting medium poised to take off exponentially, but they are an effective, portable, convenient and intimate way to deliver and produce content.

I took an interest in podcasts last year after I became obsessed with following ESPN reporter, Adam Schefter on Twitter only to find out he also hosted his own podcast.  Once I started listening I couldn’t stop. Especially when I found out that Schefter is considered ESPN’s most prolific NFL news-breaker because of his rapid reporting style of staying on top of injuries, suspensions and signings. He essentially is the main news source for America’s most popular sport. How exciting?

In the process of diving into this dynamic medium, I hope to learn the basic skills necessary to create a podcast. The thought of creating and deploying a sports podcast that people find entertaining and want to come back to listen to, can be a bit overwhelming but if the “how to” process is presented in bite sized pieces, the end goal seems to be more realistic.

By the end of my journey, hopefully you can learn what’s needed to create your own podcast. I also hope the way the information will be presented will make the process of creating a podcast easier. By providing the guiding principles and including a breakdown of the steps in the process, you should acquire the skills and background knowledge to start making a podcast of your own. So join me on this journey as we learn to navigate this process together!

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