Ready To Choose Your Podcast Format?
If you’re considering creating a podcast, the first step is to think about the format that will best tell your story. While there are many podcast formats, choosing the right one is crucial for engaging your audience and keeping them coming back for more. In this article, we’ll take a look at four different podcast formats to help you decide which one is right for you.
The Interview Style Podcast
One popular podcast format is the interview-style podcast. In this format, the host interviews one or more key characters and builds the story around these characters. Michael Lewis’ Against The Rules is an example of this type of podcast. In this podcast, Michael Lewis interviews people who have been affected by changes in society, such as referees in the world of sports or judges in the American legal system. By focusing on individual stories, Lewis is able to highlight larger issues and themes.
The Conversation Podcast
Another popular format is the conversation podcast, which features two or more hosts discussing a theme or topic. This format is great for covering current social issues or news stories, as it allows hosts to share information and perspectives in a discussion format. The hosts may also invite guests to participate in the conversation, adding additional perspectives and expertise. The Daily from The New York Times is an example of a conversation podcast, with hosts discussing the day’s top news stories.
The Non-Fiction Narrative Podcast
The non-fiction narrative format takes listeners through a story with a narrator guiding them along the way. Soundscapes are important in this type of podcast, and interviews may be added to enhance the story. This format is great for telling in-depth stories about real people or events. Serial, the popular podcast from This American Life, is a prime example of a non-fiction narrative podcast. In this podcast, the narrator takes listeners through a true crime story over the course of a season.
The Solo Conversation Podcast
Finally, the solo conversation format is an easy-to-produce podcast that lends itself well to one host having a candid and direct conversation with the listener. This format is great for comedy podcasts, as it allows the host to share jokes and stories with their audience. My Favorite Murder, a popular true crime comedy podcast, is an example of this format.
Once you’ve chosen a podcast format, it’s important to think about how you’ll continue with this type of podcast and the process you’ll go through to produce each episode. It’s also important to note that there are many more podcast formats beyond the four discussed in this article. We encourage first-time podcasters to choose a format that’s achievable with the resources they have and the story they want to tell, and then adapt it with their own style and flair.
Podcasting:Telling Stories In Sound Online Course
If you’re interested in learning more about producing a podcast and the art of telling stories through sound, consider taking a podcasting course. The UC Berkeley Advanced Media Institute offers a podcasting course that covers all aspects of creating a podcast, from concept development to editing and final production, Podcasting: Telling Stories In Sound.