Mobile podcasting is here! What if you could successfully podcast about your business from anywhere on the planet?
Most podcasters think the only way to create good content is at their home, office, or recording studio. But limiting yourself to these kinds of locations effectively limits the kinds of content you can create.
The solution is simple: you should have the ability to take your podcast on the road. And if you’re interested, here are our top tips for going mobile with your business podcast!
“Why Should I Consider Mobile Podcasting?”
Our guide is going to walk you through everything you need if you will be going mobile with your business podcast. But first, we need to answer the big question: why would you want to podcast in different locations, to begin with?
- Special Events
- Attract More Guests
- Create Unique Content
One obvious reason is that you may want to attend a special event. For example, those who create car-centric podcasts might want to record from an automobile show. Such events are a great way to build your brand and spread the word about your podcast.
A second reason is that going mobile helps you bring more guests to your podcasts. It’s not always easy (especially in the time of COVID-19) to get guests into your home recording studio. But many potential guests will be much more comfortable recording outside or even inside their own house.
Finally, a mobile podcast gives you an opportunity to create entirely different kinds of content and even develop new podcast ideas. We’ll take a closer look at these benefits later. Right now, we’re going to review some of the equipment and location considerations all mobile podcasters should know about.
Getting the Right Microphone
Taking your business podcast on the road means getting the right mobile podcast equipment. And at the top of the equipment list is a good microphone!
Which microphone should you get for recording outdoors and in other locations? Honestly, it all depends on how simple you want to keep things and how much of a budget you have.
For example, the simplest option (in terms of both setup and budget) would be to grab a good lavalier mic that connects to your smartphone. You can simply pin the mic itself onto your shirt and start recording wherever you are.
Some podcasters prefer digital recorders instead. You can combine a lav mic with such a recorder, which gives you a few more recording and editing options. This option is a bit more expensive than just using your phone, but it also gives you the option to record video as well (great for podcasts who also put content out on YouTube).
Finally, if you’re ready to invest some money in this mobile podcasting, you can grab an H5 or H6 recorder and combine it with a good shotgun capsule mic. While this is the most expensive way of going about it, shotgun mics are the best way to record audio from someone else because they focus in one direction (in comparison to the omnidirectional mics built directly into your smartphone).
A good mic means that fans won’t have to read the transcript just to hear what you’re saying.
Now you know a bit more about the microphones you should consider. Next, let’s look at another major consideration: location, location, location!
Picking the Right Locations
In theory, one of the major benefits of mobile podcasting is that you can record from just about anywhere. But once you get started, you’ll quickly learn this simple fact: some locations are better than others.
For example, recording in a park sounds like a great idea, especially if you want to conduct some “man on the street” interviews. But you should find a location in the park where trees or other structures help to block the wind.
Generally speaking, remote locations work better if you’re worried about noise. While you can always try to edit things like ambient car noise out of the recording, it’s better to avoid such noise in the first place and save you the hassle.
Speaking of ambiance, you should consider the vibe that your location puts out. For example, recording in your car is a great way to block out the wind and other sources of noise, but guests (especially random guests) may be very hesitant to get in a car with a relative stranger. And if they are comfortable recording in an enclosed space with you, then it would be far easier to go record in your home or a professional studio.
How to Block the Noise
By now, you’ve probably realized that the biggest obstacle to recording outside and in other locations is the unwanted noise. You can partially control the noise level by carefully selecting a location. Beyond that, though, here are some helpful techniques for blocking out the noise.
First, depending on the mic that you choose, you should consider covering it up with a fluffy screen. It may look a little weird at first, but this simple step can go a long way towards blocking out the wind and other unwanted noise.
Second, depending on how you plan to record, you can bring additional screens and other wind-blocking equipment. This works best if you are temporarily setting up somewhere (like setting up your equipment around a table at a college campus).
Third, you may need to experiment with microphone position when you go mobile. In some cases, lining up your mic with the wind can help you block unwanted wind noise. And simple techniques such as holding the microphone up (as opposed to pointing directly at you in a studio) can help to block out chatter and other background noise.
Are you starting to understand the benefits of mobile podcasting? Keep reading! We’ve got more tips!
Will You Need a Laptop?
When podcasters consider going mobile, one of their biggest questions is always “do I need a laptop?” And the honest answer to this question is “that depends on your preferences.”
The reason for that is simple: at the end of the day, nothing is going to beat your laptop when it comes to editing options. So if you have the time and the space, bringing your laptop on the road can help you create a perfectly edited podcast.
However, many podcasters don’t want to lug a bunch of extra equipment when they go mobile. In that case, you can get a good recorder (such as a Zoom H6) that has plenty of editing options built into it. Alternatively, you can experiment with different editing apps on your smartphone that will let you edit on the fly.
Of course, a third option exists. By working with an experienced digital media company, you can get the perfect podcasts without having to worry about bringing along a laptop or breaking the bank with an expensive recorder. Our mobile podcasting service might be perfect for your business!
How Many Will Be Recording At Once?
By now, you know that your primary options for doing a mobile podcast are to rely on your smartphone or invest in a good recorder. While many factors may inform this decision, one of the ones you should strongly consider is how many will be recording at once.
When you are recording at home or in a studio, there are countless options to connect with someone else and record a show. But if two or more people will be recording at once on the go, then you likely need a good recorder that supports multiple external mics. This is more of an investment than just recording multiple people with a single phone, but it will dramatically reduce unwanted noise while increasing the audio quality.
Taking Your Show On the Road
Previously, we discussed the fact that going mobile would help you take your podcast “on the road.” But what are some examples of this that could inspire your own podcast? One example is taking a thematic podcast to conventions or other special events.
For example, the hit Star Trek podcast The Greatest Generation makes annual trips to the big Star Trek convention in Las Vegas. This helps them meet fans and, on occasion, get interviews with Star Trek stars that they can use on their podcast. Sometimes, you can fold mobile podcasts with your own special podcast events. For example, the movie review podcast The Flophouse periodically travels to different cities to record live shows. And to make things more efficient, they will usually record a future show or two from their hotel on the night or day before the live event.
Finally, you can go mobile simply to offer more content to your loyal listeners. For example, the podcast Newcomers deals with the hosts watching movies from certain fandoms (like Star Wars and Lord of the Rings) for the first time. In addition to typical content, they sometimes upload live audio recordings of themselves watching these films so that their fans can hear their original reactions.
Your Next Move
Now you know the benefits of going mobile with your podcast and how to get started. But do you know who can take your podcast to the next level? Here at 316, we specialize in all things digital media. To see what we can do to enhance your mobile podcast, come explore what we have to offer.
WE HELP BUSINESSES START PODCASTS
316 Strategy Group is the fastest-growing podcast hosting & production company in Nebraska. Our state of the art & streamlined production process is helping businesses just like yours get their first podcast off the ground. We take the worry out of content creation, filming, producing, editing, and distribution. You focus on your business and we’ll focus on producing the best podcast in Omaha. We recently sat down with Dustin Sparks of NuSpine in Omaha. Dustin used his podcast time to tell our listeners about what’s different about his low-cost, membership-style Chiropractic clinic in Omaha. Podcasting is a great opportunity for small-business owners, just like Dustin, to tell their stories to the world.
Step 1: Content Creation
Not sure what topics to talk about during your podcast? Are you considering repurposing and enhancing your written content? We can help. Our team can help you finetune your ideas to ensure that you feel confident in your presentation. Our goal is to help you identify the content your customers are most interested in so they are eager to tune in.
Step 2: Crystal Clear Recording
Once you know what you want to say, we record it for you in the comfort of your home or office. We use state-of-the-art technology to ensure your podcast comes out clear for an enjoyable listening experience.
Step 3: Professional Production
This is where our expertise shines. We will edit, touch up and refine your podcast until it is perfect. We may add music, cut it into a more easy-to-digest format, and more. We make sure to properly license any music or outside content we use for your peace of mind. Then we send it to you for your approval.
Step 4: Uploading and Sharing
Once you are happy with the finished product, we will upload your business podcast to Spotify, Apple Podcast, and wherever else your customers are consuming content. Once we’ve uploaded your business podcast, we use our marketing expertise to promote it across all channels for instant traffic.
Step 5: Level Up Your Brand
When you have an intelligent business podcast strategy, you make it easy for high-paying customers to engage and learn from you in the comfort of their own home or car. This builds trust in your brand and services, so they feel confident about choosing everything you have to offer. Start connecting with your people today!
Increase Brand Awareness
The familiarity and consistency of regular podcasts help develop your company’s brand to make it a household name! You are able to integrate information about your products and services as they relate to the information in the podcast. For example, if you are a Chiropractor planner producing a podcast about healthy living, work in information about the services you offer in your geographical area. In this way, mobile podcasts serve as a type of advertisement for your business.
Best Podcast Company in Omaha
Are you ready to take your business to the next level? Are you ready to make an authoritative presence in your area? We will produce a podcast that helps you share your expertise in your industry. Podcast audio files allow you to inject your personality and enthusiasm to the information that is often lacking in the written word. 316 Strategy Group will help you produce consistent podcasts that will help establish you and your company as an authority in your industry. Podcast listeners are eager to connect with companies just like yours that know the industry and podcasts help build that trust. And mobile podcasting is a unique way to connect with your listeners and guests!
Contact 316 Strategy Group to discuss your next steps on launching your mobile podcast!
