So you’ve been reading our articles, are now convinced that podcasting is a powerful marketing tool, and are itching to create a podcast of your own. You’re quite the smart one. But before you jump into these welcoming waters let me first suggest that you avoid some common mistakes budding podcasters often make.

Many podcasters are just out there to have fun. They sit in front of their web camera or cell phone camera and start gabbing away about their passions or the things they did over the weekend. That’s great for them but don’t look upon these as a model for your own podcasts. They don’t intend to monetize their podcasts so quality is of lesser importance. Businesses often think that just having a podcast is enough, as if they’re just checking it off of a to-do list… but just like every other form of marketing, quality does matter. Your audience will judge you based on its quality.

• I suggest you do a little research before you pick that camera up. Learn the basics. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had a good laugh when a person tries to get something vertical in frame by turning the camera on its side. Learn some basics of cinematography as well. It will make a huge difference.
• If you’ve got a host driven podcast put an attractive person with an attractive personality in front of the camera. While you may have someone who is very informed about your product they will more than likely deliver the information in a way that will make your audience run out of the room (corny, monotone, dry, over-the-top, etc). Instead, take that informed person and have he or she guide the host instead.
• Make sure things are properly lit. Obvious, but obviously overlooked.
• Don’t forget to plan each podcast out ahead of time to make sure it’s concise and to the point. No one wants to watch a marketing video that takes forever to get to the point and no one wants to watch a 10 minute long video unless they are frothing with excitement at the subject matter.
• The better the graphics, the more professional you look. And please, even if it’s just for me, go easy on the video transitions (i.e. wipes). They can be distracting, ugly, and are common among amateur podcasters.
• A widescreen podcast makes a difference. Do it. Even if your mother can’t tell 16:9 from 4:3.
• If you are doing an episodic podcast, keep releasing content on a consistent schedule. Don’t break it or risk losing your viewers.

This is some very basic information but it should get you heading down the right path.

Jordan Brauner is an audio and video producer, comic artist, and photographer with a deep passion for finding and telling great stories. Feel free to contact him at: jordan.brauner@folkmedia.org or follow him on twitter. Source image from Cote