Podcast Guest – Recording Information

Podcast Recording Tips

You may have already been a guest on a podcast, but in case you haven’t – or just want a refresher – below I provide a few best practices that I’ve learned over the years (from having a talk show on cable television, hosting podcasts and creating and editing videos for YEARS. )

Free mini training right here 😉

Equipment

• First, it is VERY important that if you plan to be on your phone, that you turn your phone horizontal before you click on our appointment link.  Your desktop or laptop will provide a better experience, but we realize not everyone has this option.

• Have good lighting in front of your face – on the other side of your video device – about 3′ in front of you.  A selfie light can also do wonders for your videos.  Or bring in a couple extra lamps if needed.  Or face a window – but do not have the main source of lighting behind you.

• Have a good microphone (we like Blue Snowball or Blue Yeti – while these aren’t required, you still have time to get something shipped to you via Amazon 😉 and headphones or earbuds are necessary to reduce feedback that can be caused if my voice is being recorded through your speakers. Place your microphone a short distance away from your mouth to help prevent popping noises. 

Environment

• You will look best if your camera is slightly above your eye level by a couple inches – definitely not below (which also tends to cause a double chin!). You can set your computer on a solid box or a few books – just make sure whatever you choose is sturdy and will not move during recording. This also helps keep your posture nice and upright, and our head up higher which provides better lighting.

• Be in an area that has no distractions – barking dogs, crying kids, very busy prints or a mirror on the wall behind you, flashing lights – all of these have a place and time, but will be distracting in a video.  Large or blingy jewelry that is noisy or too shiny, and busy prints on clothing can also cause distractions. You want viewers focused on your message, not these other things. 

• I recommend a cool temperature in the room (if you have extra lights, your room will get hotter than normal), and a glass of cool water so that you can keep your throat hydrated.  If you need to cool the room, the noise of a fan during recording will usually be a distraction, so get it cooler than you need before we begin.

About Recording

• We will be recording “live to tape” … meaning we will chat and record live, yet I will make some edits to remove extraneous chitchat as we greet each other, if someone accidentally drops an F-bomb (lol), or to content as needed – although the goal is always to do as few edits as possible.

• Keep in mind that we will be recording for both video AND audio.  So you want to make sure that everything you are saying does not rely solely upon facial expressions, gestures, or other things that listeners will not be able to understand.

• Also keep in mind, when we are both on video together, we all tend to look at the other person’s image on our computer screen, but you need to ALWAYS address the camera lens instead of looking at your screen.  That’s where the audience will be.  And we all forget this now and then, but try to keep your eyes focused on the camera lens as much as possible. 

• Always assume that you’re on camera.  Don’t do something odd, like stick your finger up your nose lol… sometimes we can make those edits, but other times I may not be able to edit it out! Worst case, I may have you repeat something you just said so that we can make a good edit where required.

Please let me know if you have any other questions that I can answer before our recording appointment. Shoot me an email, or use the chat bubble icon on the bottom right of our website.