I reject the long-time undermining of standards in our nation. From the way people dress without care regarding how they look (well, it was his good T-shirt for the funeral home visitation), or the often-boorish language that is usually shouted loudly for added impact inside a mall. Everywhere one looks there are fewer guardrails being employed for how people act in society.
I read today on a Facebook page for podcasters the following about a Joe Rogan episode. A listener took the time to hear the long episode, and upon finishing offered the following comment.
I heard countless plosives, breaths, and bangs on the table… even a glass being knocked over at one point. Long pauses between thoughts… so much so that I checked my phone to see if something went wrong. Studders, stammers, and even talking over each other at points. So many things that we often view as faux pas and no-no’s,….
That is how Rogan, a ‘successful podcaster’ presented himself to his audience. Now, I could challenge the conversation Rogan recorded or the ‘facts’ he tossed to his listeners. But my post here is about something larger than all that.
I have a far different perspective on what an audience should expect from podcasters. Perhaps old school, even. And as such, I offered the following as a reply on the page this evening.
First and foremost, always respect your audience. We are basically asking folks to allow us into their homes, cars, or ear pods via a podcast. Our behavior and demeanor ‘on air’ should echo how we would act if in person, or how we would want others to be acting if knocking on our door to have entrance. Being abrasive for impact—not that most podcasters desire that—should not be the goal.
We would wish for our best delivery if face-to-face, so when recording a podcast aim for breath control, do not play with water glasses, and stem cursing, if that is an issue. I would suggest that while ‘anything goes’ seems to be a way to podcast, is that really how you want others to hear you? Perceive you?
For instance, it can be very effective in conversation to have a pause but to have a span where a listener checks the connection is not what most would wish their podcast to sound like. Again, our podcasts reflect on the person behind the microphone.
Next, the pacing of delivery is something that does not get mentioned much, but it matters. Most people in our nation speak at about 160 words per minute. Just as an aside, and a weird trivia point here, but Walter Cronkite trained himself to speak only 124 words per minute as he felt that pace allowed for understanding whatever was being imparted to the listener.
Finally, try placing a photo of your parents or some person you really respect in your podcasting area and talk to that person as you work behind the microphone. How would you make your episode sound if that person pictured was the one to hear the final product?
Having higher standards does not mean perfection will result, but it will ensure quality control for what we love to do.
For my blog readers, I should state I do not take time out for each instance where ‘anything goes’ raises its head. But broadcasting, and its cousin podcasting, do merit some response when the lessening of respect to listeners and just sloppy production values are deemed to be acceptable.
No.
No.
And so it goes.
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