Football Podcasts 101
In recent years a proliferation of football podcasts has emerged. Many are associated with media outlets: The Times, The BBC, The Guardian, etc. Some are podcasts produced and distributed by football clubs or leagues. Examples of this include the weekly Chelsea podcast or the Bundesliga report. Others are homespun efforts produced by fans for fans.
If you are a fan who wants to develop and record a podcast, it can be a time consuming and expensive proposition. But it can also be an extremely rewarding experience. Fan produced podcasts tend to have more of a hard core following among football fans. While download and listenership numbers lag behind the media and club produced shows, the actual following for homespun efforts tends to be more intense and more loyal.
No one size fits all formula for podcasts exists. However, there are certain parameters and limits that should be suggested to make a new show successful.
To begin produce a new podcast first pick a specific area or topic to focus on. For example if you would like the show to be an English language review of Serie A stick to that area. Also it is beneficial if topics are clearly articulated and expanded upon during individual shows. One of the reasons homespun podcasts have had a more intense following than media produced shows is because of their clear focus on as few topics as possible and their objectivity. Media podcasts tend to jump around and club or league produced shows often times simply amount to match summaries and propaganda.
The second step would be choosing a knowledgeable co-host. Very few shows that feature long monologues are popular. The co-host should be someone who has an expertise on the chosen topic and can compliment the host. At this point you need to settle on a name for the show and stick with it. Witty content is always a plus although most listeners are simply looking for quality analysis of football which is not available from the media or clubs produced shows.
Next a determination needs to be made how much time, effort and capitol you want to invest in producing the show. Here we will layout two options for the potential podcaster. An inexpensive budget option for someone who simply wants to have fun recording a show, as well as a budget for someone more serious about some degree of professionalism associated with the show.
The next step is acquiring server space to store your podcast. The two most inexpensive and accessible options are Podbean or Libysn. Both options are acceptable and easily linked to your blogsite or home page. Once you select a name and Libsyn or Podbean lists it on ITunes, changing the name or the focus of the show is not a good idea. Podean and Libsyn automatically set up an RSS feed for your new show as well. After some time it may be a sound investment to buy your own FTP server space. But for today, let’s assume you want to rent space monthly from Podbean or Libsyn.
Below are two options are offered depending on your budget and how serious you are about making the podcast sound professional.
INEXPENSIVE Option (Option A)
Once you’ve reserved the server space acquiring the proper equipment is critical. Skype is easy to use software that can be acquired for free to make phone calls. This is used both to link with your co-host and to conduct interviews. Skype has inexpensive plans for international calls should they been needed for your show. With Skype you need to download Pamela Systems recording software. At the same time you need to purchase a microphone to use on Skype. I would suggest pricing multiple options on ebay or Amazon.com before making a decision.
You will be able to record your show without edits in Pamela. Doing this restricts your ability to overlay music or edit shows once recorded as Pamela is basic recording software not an editing program. However the sound quality of Pamela recordings are excellent and the product produced is very presentable.
PROFESSIONAL Option (Option B)
Skype is easy to use software that be downloaded for free to make domestic and international phone calls. Once skype is downloaded it is good idea to purchase an incoming phone number for your skype phone as well as a plan for calls. This can be done via skype’s website.
Following purchase of Skype minutes it is critical to get a good piece of equipment. The sound quality of the show will depend on the quality of headset/microphone purchased. Shure microphones are among the options for use with the USB of your desktop or laptop computer. The sound quality from an actual professional microphone is far superior to the inexpensive headset for Skype recommended in option A.
Following this it is important to purchase editing software such as Goldwave or Wave Pad to run while you produce your record your show. These programs cost in the neighborhood of $50 USD for a annual license. Once the license is purchased online and the software downloaded and installed you are ready to record your show. Before using either piece of software it is strongly recommended you practice individually recording a sample show and then editing and manipulating the show to understand all of the controls in the program.
To use the programs to record a podcast this open skype, place your call and have either Wave Pad or Goldwave recording the conversation at the same time. Once the conversation is recorded you can edit down the show as well as overlay music and other sounds in the editing software. You can also re-record your own voice for outtakes or further manipulate the recording in the editing software by increasing the pitch or the frequency.
BOTH Options
Podcasts do not have a defined length although most run between 30 minutes and 50 minutes. I’ve found the attention span of the listener tends to drop off after about an hour so it is probably wise to keep your show under this length.
Once you’ve edited or recorded the show to your satisfaction enter Libsyn or Podbean and upload the show to their FTP server.
Following these suggestions will help make any new football podcast conform to the current standards online and should develop a strong listenership. Football more than other international sports has become internet, blogsite and podcast driven. Joining the ranks of football podcasters can also give you some cache within the soccer media and blog community.
Football Podcast Sample
Written by Kartik Krishnaiyer, a Soccerlens columnist and interviewer.
Kartik:
Thank you for this excellent resource.