Several months back, I dove into the world of podcasting and launched my show, Up and To The Right. It was one of the best business decisions I ever made, so much so that I plan on launching a “niche” podcast for a particular audience later this year.

One of the most common inquiries I get is on how I create my podcast. Well, here’s the answer.

• Mackie 1402 VLZ4 mixer (14 channels)
• Heil PR40 microphone
• Heil PR40 boom stand
• Sony MDR 7506 headphones
• Roland R-05 recorder
• Griffen iMic adapter (allows me to do interviews)
• associated cables

Note: I bought all this in one shot (with the exception of the Griffen iMic adapter) from Cliff Ravencraft’s Podcast Equipment Package. It retails for $1599.00.

My podcast workflow:

1. Decide topic
2. Create an Evernote file to use as my notes (you can just use a Word document)
3. Record the episode (from the mixer into the Roland R-05)
4. Import the audio into my MacBook
5. Edit audio in post-production in Adobe Audition
6. Tag the episode with ID3 Editor
7. Upload audio to Libsyn (hosting)
8. Create a blog post in WordPress for the episode
9. Write the show notes
10. Publish the episode

Show Prep:

I usually decide the topic of an episode a week or two prior to recording, then type the title into a Google Calendar. This serves as my editorial calendar, a master document which helps me “see” what overall direction my content is going.

The Evernote file for each podcast episode has my introduction and closing copied and pasted into it, with minor adjustments for the episode number and title. I don’t follow the script word-for-word anymore, but I still like to have it there as a security blanket. I’ve tweaked my opening a bit. Nowadays I say:

Up and To The Right episode #:  “episode title.” [theme music plays] Hey, welcome back to another episode of Up and To The Right. My name is Mike Kim and this is the podcast where leadership and marketing principles collide with actionable steps that move you and your business up and to the right.

Throughout the course of the week, I enter examples, quotes, and illustrations I might want to use. Pretty standard modus operandi when it comes to content creation.

Recording Day:

Prior to recording, I comb through the Evernote file two or three times to straighten out the content … then I just record. My goal is to do everything in one shot; I try not to overthink it. I fade my theme music in and out while recording, like a live DJ. The music plays from my MacBook, and the overall audio goes from the mixer into the Roland R-05.

During the first few months, my recording day was Tuesday morning before heading to work. In the summer, my schedule flips so I record Sunday night. Either way, it’s important to have a scheduled recording day to keep me on track.

Interviews:

I do interviews via Skype (no video to save bandwidth). I’ve done three so far:  podcast guru Cliff Ravenscraft, consultants John Kramp & David Atchison of the Riverstone Group, and author / coach Kary Oberbrunner. I love doing interviews and plan on doing more.

I jot down about 6 to 8 questions to ask the guest, then wing it. I try to ask questions I think the audience would want to ask … or that I’m personally curious about! It makes for a more natural approach.

Crazy things I’ll never do again:

1. Record a podcast episode at 4:00 am. I did this because I just HAD to release the episode on the scheduled date. No one even listened to it that day.
2. Move all my gear to the living room, clip the mic onto our TV stand, and setup on a small table on the floor. I did this because my wife was using our office and again, I just HAD to record an episode for that day. Sitting cross-legged on the floor to record a podcast is pretty weird.
3. Spend hours editing out every “umm” or “uhh” … insanity!

That’s pretty much it. I took Cliff Ravenscraft’s Podcasting A to Z course. Read my review of the course, and if you sign up use the code “MikeKim” for a $500 discount.

Podcasting has changed my life. I’ve befriended people I never would have met. I’ve become a much better communicator and speaker. New business opportunities have opened up, including running a panel at the first Podcast Movement conference in Dallas, TX. All this has happened after just 5 months of podcasting, and I can’t wait to see where it will lead.

Question: Have further questions on how to start a podcast? Leave a comment below.

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Liked this post? Then check out:

• Why I Listen Religiously to Podcasts (And Started My Own)
• In-Depth Review of Cliff Ravenscraft’s Podcasting A to Z Course