There are tips online to make the operation as smooth as possible. McElhearn.com and  LouDickmanWeekly (a podcast example) offer a few very effective ways to start podcasting right away.

Learn the Production Ropes

Setting up a current website for podcasting may take the intervention of designers, otherwise there are several hosting sites on the web that can be linked from the site easily. Find out what your options are and follow through on what works.

Having the right recording devices – microphones, digital recorders, iPhones, etc. – are key, as well as a post production piece of software. Mac users can easily edit and post podcasts using GarageBand, PC users have several options for making sure that the productions sound smooth. Get “sound” advice and set up your tools beforehand and learn to use them.

Be Prepared

Preproduction, just like the movies, are the key to effective podcasting. There doesn’t have to be a staff or director, just a simple outline of topics to go to in case of the dreaded lull (but don’t fear a lull, it can be corrected in editing). Don’t script what you’re going to say, just jot down the elements of your points. That way you sound conversational and not forced.

Brevity is the Soul of Wit

With the cacophony of voices in the atmosphere today, the best way to publish a podcast is to keep it brief. Unless you are doing an interview or have specific programming structure, staying between five and ten minutes should be plenty of time to render an agenda. Need to talk more? Break it into parts. Podcasting, like the old show business rule, relies on “always leave them wanting more.”

Ways and Means

Look to radio to express ways of being effective on air. Do you think you’d be more comfortable having a conversation? Then get a partner. Would music breaks help get the point across? Then create that sonic bridge. Program structure can range from news-type reports to sit down interviews. As long as the brevity rule is followed, then anything goes for creating the podcast.

Also be consistent in your posts. Don’t let a building audience leave you because of a two week gap in posting. That is what portable recording devices, easy-to-use podcast software, built in microphones and laptops were invented for.

Podcast Don’ts

- Fall in love with the sound of your voice or ideas. Judge podcasts for their effectiveness through outside feedback and take the critiques to improve them.

- Ramble on too long. Like being in love with your voice, you’d be the only one who loves this a long podcast.

- Pause, stops, blank out. On radio, it’s all right, because people are assuming to listen for what’s next. On a podcast, there will be an immediately assumption of a broken link. Keep the flow happening.

- Sell too much. If you’re using the podcast for marketing, make it informational and entertaining. Too much selling is an automatic click off.

- Don’t be a copycat. Be yourself, develop your own style and be comfortable with what you are projecting to the world wide web. If you consistently have interest in what you are doing with the podcast, you’ll keep it going.

Your podcast can be “on the air” in 3...2...1...