If you ever wanted to hop on the podcasting train, you’re in luck! BCIT offers great opportunities for students wanting to launch the podcast of their dreams. With top-notch equipment, spaces, and classes, you can experience the process from beginning to end, all on campus.
I know you’re excited to hop on the mic and rant about subpar sports plays, share wellness tips, or discuss a murder from the ‘80s, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Here are a few things to think about as you start your podcast journey.
Equipment isn’t everything, but it helps.
I wish I could be the one to say, “Equipment doesn’t matter! With passion and talent, you can do anything!”
Personally, a taste of some awesome tools is enough to get me motivated to create something beautiful. Of course, relying on expensive microphones and headsets is not feasible, especially for beginners. You might become overdependent on advanced features, or you might end up wasting money.
Just want to try it out? A phone microphone could do the trick. Start small.
What is your niche?
As you decide on your podcast topic (which can be whatever you want), why not spice it up? Add something to make it personal; maybe a unique format or a blend of topics. This will give your podcast another layer of individuality. For example, do some street interviews or combine your unique passions for crocheting and surfing.
Find a niche that feels natural. Blend your biggest passions or bring personal skills you’ve honed over time to the table. You will end up with something entirely unique, but also representative of you.
Show us YOUR voice.
Just talk! Don’t be afraid to play it up a bit. Unleash your inner entertainer or give us your best soothing voice if that’s more up your alley. Make this conversation interesting to listen to.
Who’s your audience?
Every good conversation has not only a speaker, but also a listener. Imagine a specific person who will be listening to your podcast with great interest. How old are they? What lifestyle do they follow? Envision who this audience is as you speak, and you will hopefully reach those same people with your finished product.
Put it all together.
Now, you have your equipment, voice, and ideas. You’ve found a quiet place to record. You’re ready to speak your mind and share the world. Here’s what you need to do, step-by-step:
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- Record it: press record and start talking. Give an endearing intro, introduce a weekly guest, or do whatever you want. This is your moment.
Mediaworks is the perfect makerspace on campus where you can exercise your creativity. Their Casting Studio, located in the library building at the Burnaby Campus, offers microphones and other tools to start recording, making it the perfect place to familiarize yourself with recording equipment.
- Record it: press record and start talking. Give an endearing intro, introduce a weekly guest, or do whatever you want. This is your moment.
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- Edit it: adjust the volume, cut out loud noises or long periods of silence, add your favourite royalty-free tunes. For anyone with an ounce of computer literacy, this is a walk in the park.
I recommend using Audacity, a free and simple audio editing program, to make your final touches on your podcast. Other software like Reaper, Zoom, and podcast-specific software are worth looking into depending on your needs. If you need a computer, BCIT has many around campus that are open for students to use.
- Edit it: adjust the volume, cut out loud noises or long periods of silence, add your favourite royalty-free tunes. For anyone with an ounce of computer literacy, this is a walk in the park.
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- Share it: there are many ways to put your podcast online. Plenty of podcaster platforms exist to do the work for you. Free/cheap podcaster platforms include Spotify for Creators, RedCircle, Buzzsprout, and PodBean. Do your research and pick your favourite.
If you’re just sharing your podcast among friends and family, passing an MP3 file around should suffice. A simple YouTube video upload could work, too.
- Share it: there are many ways to put your podcast online. Plenty of podcaster platforms exist to do the work for you. Free/cheap podcaster platforms include Spotify for Creators, RedCircle, Buzzsprout, and PodBean. Do your research and pick your favourite.
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- Done! Obviously, there is so much more you can do to fine tune your podcasting experience and product, such as adjusting mic settings and employing scriptwriting strategies. I recommend the following BCIT courses:
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- Podcasting (BCST 3259): An all-around great course to delve into the world of podcasting, including the opportunity to create your first podcast.
- Performance Development: Presenting Your Best Self (BCST 3251): The perfect opportunity to bring out your inner podcaster voice among other presenting skills.
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- Done! Obviously, there is so much more you can do to fine tune your podcasting experience and product, such as adjusting mic settings and employing scriptwriting strategies. I recommend the following BCIT courses:
Quick tips:
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- Start with a friend! Some prefer to dive into podcasting alone (which is perfectly fine), but others may find it easier to start off with a co-host.
- Give everyone their own mic. You will be able to edit everyone’s voices more efficiently.
- Check your equipment before you start. There’s no worse feeling than realizing your 20-minute epiphanies are forever lost to a faulty microphone cable.
And now you’re ready to start your own podcast! Grab a microphone, take a seat, and show the world what you’ve been dying to tell us!
