Understanding the timing and structure of podcasts are important elements for any audio publisher. This article looks at how you can create well-paced, well-structured audio content that delivers your core messages and creates material which makes for a pleasant listening experience.
Controlling the pace and running time creates content that is relevant and easy to listen to. If they enjoy the experience, your audience will return for further installments. With the right composition, length, and layout, your podcasts will also be appropriate for syndication by commercial stations.
Knowing what you want to achieve through your podcasts helps you to decide format and length. Will your audience be listening at home, at work, or on the move? Do you want to offer instruction or entertainment? Are you planning to create content with an eye to syndication or do you want to create content for your immediate community?
If you think about the times you have stood for a minute's silence, you'll be aware how long a period it seems. Remind yourself of what a whole minute feels like by using a timer and really take in the experience. In the context of your podcasts, this covers a lot of content to fill with focused, relevant, and entertaining content. Depending on your podcast length, you'll have to structure your content to fill two, eight, ten, twelve, fifteen, twenty minutes, half an hour or longer...
Length will depend on factors including: your audience expectations and behaviour, the purpose and intentions of your podcast, their frequency, and your ability to create entertaining content on a consistent basis. For example, you're planning a series of weekly broadcasts focusing on quick tips and strategies, a shorter length will be more appealing and more practical. If you're planning to offer a more reflective, in-depth perspective, then a longer length would be fitting.
Whatever the length, it's important that you spread the content out in a sensible and intelligible way. Prior planning prevents you from getting side-tracked and run out of time. You avoid running out of things to say within minutes of starting. Spreading your narration over the length of the broadcast is called pacing and it means that you've allowed sufficient time to deliver your material without awkward gaps or frantic rushing.
Trying to pack in all your material in a few minutes does your audience a disservice, so see how much time it actually takes to deliver your material and make adjustments as a result. You want to be sure that your listeners are able to understand what you want to say in a relaxed and clear manner.
As you consider the layout and structure of your podcast, practice your introductions and closing sentences. Time them so that you can be realistic about length and how long you'll have left for your body content. If your introductions and endings take five minutes out of an allocated 8 minutes then you've left yourself very little time for the actual topic...
Use your script or programme outline to monitor your delivery of the body content. A script keeps you on track and focused on your key messages so you make the most of the period you've allowed yourself. If the theme merits it, you can create further episodes, so don't think that you need to mention everything within one broadcast.
Most listeners retain three core messages so don't waste time overloading your podcast and overwhelming your audience. People tend to remember items towards the beginning and the end of a long passage of information so keep your points short and clear.
If you consistently run over the allotted time, then either to cut back your text to fit or increase the length of your overall broadcast. Be aware that the length may not be appropriate for your audience, or the format, or the sort of content that you want to publish. It makes more sense to learn to edit back from the first and avoid the temptation of extending your podcast if you don't have to.
Practise and listen to your recordings and ask others for constructive feedback. You can make adjustments now before uploading your material. Do you make your points succinctly and accessibly? Does the material tie together? Do your verbal tics and mannerisms take up precious time? Are you speaking in a monotone, or too quickly and unevenly?
How you articulate your content will make an impact on your timings - speaking clearly and slowly may take up more time but means that your audience will be able to understand and enjoy what you have to say. If you're covering complex ideas or new concepts, then your listeners will prefer a steady and evenly paced delivery. Your decision on length needs to take into account your tempo and natural pacing as much as the complexity and purpose of the content.
If you're creating podcasts with an eye to syndication then you want to emulate a format that's considerate to the needs of commercial radio broadcasting. Listen for an hour or two to a couple of commercial radio stations which are good examples of the kind who would take your content, or who broadcast to your niche audience.
Make a note of breaks in content for advertising and the length of time that is given over to adverts in each break. Observe when the presenters make identity breaks and whether it's in the form of a jingle or a spoken reminder. Log the length of story segments so you can see the how much time is devoted to a single topic or theme before the listener has to listen to an advert break or ident reminder.
Once you've finished, you'll be able to see how your target station manages the balance between content and advertising. If you want your content to be used by such stations, you'll need to make sure that your broadcasts reflect the same pattern and flow. So you'll position your content segments to start and end along similar time-frames.
As the article shows, the length of your podcasts will be decided a combination of factors including the needs and listening habits of your target audience, your purpose and intentions, and your natural pace and delivery. Listening to other audio publishers will help you see what appeals to your niche and will also influence your ultimate format. A key consideration will always be the relevancy of your content - if you make it accessible and enjoyable to listen to without exceeding their patience, your audience will support you.
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