Establishing a Good Podcasting Environment
Imagine being at a party and meeting somebody who’s constantly checking his phone (or otherwise distracted).
It would be hard to develop a connection with that person. And you probably wouldn’t even bother to try.
On the other hand, we’ve all met (and remember!) those people who make us feel like we’re the only person in the room, even if the room is crowded.
This is the type of host that gets great interviews.
But we don’t want our guests to be distracted either … To help with this, do what you can do to eliminate potential distractions from your recording environment.
Some good things to start with …
Choose a Quiet Location: Select a space that’s inherently quiet and away from noise sources like traffic, construction, or busy common areas.
Enhance Your Space with Acoustic Treatment: Consider adding acoustic panels, foam, or carpets to dampen noise and minimize reverberation.
Eliminate Electronic Distractions: Turn off or silence unnecessary devices such as mobile phones, tablets, and computers unless they’re needed for recording.
Put Up “Recording in Progress” Signs: Place signs outside your recording area to let others know not to interrupt.
Control the Room Temperature: Ensure your space is comfortable and not too hot or cold, which can cause discomfort and distractions.
Comfortable Seating: Provide comfortable chairs for yourself and guests to avoid fidgeting.
Set the Mood with Lighting: Use soft, non-flickering lights to create a relaxed environment.
Minimize Visual Distractions: Keep your room's decor simple and professional to avoid drawing attention away from the conversation.
Have Water Available: Provide water to prevent dry mouth, which can affect speech quality.
Review the Agenda Beforehand: Go over the interview process with your guest to reduce on-air uncertainty and distractions.
Check Equipment Pre-Recording: Test all equipment beforehand to minimize disruptions during the session.
Make things easy on yourself and your guests with these little tweaks to your space. Creating a distraction-free experience will not only help you record better quality episodes, it will also help to make a memorable impression on your guests.
