440- Podcasting checklists — from Ben K and DJL

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In this episode of The Podcast Reporter, we focus on a recent article from Ben Krueger of cashflowpodcasting.com that delivers a checklist and advice on how to prepare for podcast recording — and this is in addition to the podcast pre-flight checklist as given before from Daniel J Lewis in The Audacity to Podcast show. And you can download the free copy of the pre-flight checklist from the link of episode TAP164 from Daniel’s show.

The original podcasting pre-flight checklist

The original podcast pre-flight checklist (before you start the actual recording) was delivered in a podcast episode in 2014 by Daniel J Lewis in episode # TAP164.

I, myself, have used this checklist and have promoted this as a free aid to other podcasters — especially the newer and aspiring podcasters. And this checklist is to confirm that you have prepared for the audio environment and processes before you hit the RECORD button. It does not focus on the CONTENT of your episode (it assumes that you do know what you want to say and how you want to say it).

The Ben Krueger checklist

Ben Krueger

However, this new article from an email delivered from Ben Krueger’s distribution list promotes a free checklist from cashflowpodcasting.com. The article is called “HOW TO PREPARE FOR A PODCAST EPISODE: WHAT TO DO BEFORE YOU HIT RECORD.” But when I clicked on the link to get access to the free checklist, I received the message that this was not available, even after I entered my name and email address. So, you should be aware of this error from my own attempts. Thus, I could not adequately compare the checklists.

[Editor’s note: after many attempts after I recorded this episode, I finally got the link to the pdf one-pager from Ben Krueger.] And the pdf with the checklist (Copyright (c) 2020, Ben Krueger of cashflowpodcasting.com) is:

So, due to this, I review the posting from the link in an email from Ben Krueger that outlines not only what to do prior to start the recording for the episode, but also what to do in order to prepare for the CONTENT of the episode. He discusses what you should plan for in what you are going to record and how to do it. And these are the key points in the Ben Krueger article are the following (with some discussion for each point):

On preparing content

He discusses scripting and bullet-points in the planning of the content of the episode;
He advises on stories, parables, questions and scenarios for the preparation of content;
He finally advises on asking deeper questions to get better answers on interview episodes;

On preparing HOW to record

1. Is your microphone positioned appropriately?

2. Are your audio levels where they’re supposed to be?

3. Is the room ideal for recording?

4. Are you likely to be interrupted?

5. GET RECORDING and hit the record button.

Other resources that Ben points out and gives the links to are those that suggest how to be a better podcast host, as well as perfect podcast equipment.

Now, for this podcast reporter, the pre-flight checklist from Daniel J Lewis is a free resource that is much more comprehensive for the audio preparation of podcasting before you hit the record button. And other checklists that I have seen, including the suggestions mentioned in Ben’s article pale by far in comparison.

However, in addition to the simple bullet points we mention on Ben’s suggestions for the preparation of content, there are numerous episodes in the back-catalog of The Audacity to Podcast show that give hours of detail in the preparation of good content for the genres of podcasting that will help any podcaster to improve the content of any podcast episode. My recommendations, therefore, go to Daniel J Lewis and his back-catalog for a deep dive into preparation for good content in planning a podcast episode.

We hope that these two podcasters and their resources may give you the help you need in preparing the content and the audio environment for you to record great episodes of your podcast show.

Thank you for your attention.