Journal #5- SarahM

Sarah Morgan
Podcasting for Dummies
the Companion Podcast from 6/12/06
T. Morris - One of the authors of the book "Podcasting for Dummies"

I love podcasts! If you haven't listened to one yet - do it now while you're on line.
They remind me of talk radio -something I've gotten away from since motherhood. I listened to several, including French lessons, and even my brother's. They sound like real people, talking about real things.
The episode I'm writing about was all about great interviewing tips for podcasts, which included reading and answering some e-mails from listeners. One e-mail included the following good advice for new people interested in broadcasting: USB microphones and Audacity are just fine to use if you don't have a mixer and production studio. My brother also let me in on a little secret: the left earphone to the ipods are mics too ;-) As long as you're happy with the quality of your podcast that's all that matters. Podcasts aren't meant to be over-produced. A little editing never hurt though.
Here are T's tips for conducting a good podcast interview:

• Find out the correct pronunciation of the interviewee's name.
• avoid long-winded questions ( keep the lead in short)
• Have person expand their very short answers - have a follow up question ready
• Relax and have fun so your interviewee loosens up
• It's ok to ask off-the-cuff questions
• Establish a sense of trust
• Stay within the social rules/norms

Does this give you any ideas for your own podcast? Perhaps with students? Staff?
Who's ever uploaded a podcast and how did you do it?