8402-Create-a-Podcast.pdf

CREATE A PODCAST

LEVEL 4 PROJECT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2

Introduction

2

Your Assignment

3

Assess Your Skills

4

Competencies

4

How to Develop Your Podcast

5

Types of Podcasts

5

Create Compelling Content

8

Conduct Your Podcast

8

Tools

9

Technical Information

9

Review and Apply

10

Complete Your Assignment

11

Resources

TOASTMASTERS INTERNATIONAL

www.toastmasters.org

Toastmasters International, the Toastmasters International logo, and all other

Toastmasters International trademarks and copyrights are the sole property

of Toastmasters International and may be used only with permission.

Rev. 11/2016 Item 8402

For decades, radio broadcasts have provided information and entertainment

to listeners. Since the beginning of the twenty-ﬁrst century, a new medium has

gained prominence—the podcast. It’s similar in some ways to a radio broadcast

but can be created and published on the Internet by anyone with a personal

computer and a microphone. Like speeches, podcasts can be created for many

diﬀerent purposes—to educate, entertain, or inform listeners.

In technical terms, a podcast is an audio or video ﬁle containing content that can

be downloaded from the Internet. It is a relatively low-cost method of producing

and publishing your message.

In this project, you will choose one or more of your personal interests as the

subject(s) for a podcast, create interesting content and organize it into a cohesive

program, record the program, and upload it to the Internet. You will use your

public speaking skills to enhance the message of your podcast.

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to introduce you to the skills needed to

organize and present a podcast.

Overview: Use this project and your own research to create a podcast. Record

a minimum of 60 minutes of content. You are free to divide the episodes as you

choose. Each separate episode must be at least 10 minutes, but may be longer

if it ﬁts your topic and style. After you record all content, play a 5- to 10-minute

segment in your club. Introduce the segment in a 2- to 3-minute speech.

INTRODUCTION

YOUR ASSIGNMENT

Throughout this project you will see icons in the margins next to the text.

These icons indicate additional resources available online.

Interactive Activity: Sign in to Base Camp to complete an

interactive activity.

Resource: Sign in to Base Camp to view this resource

online.

Video: Sign in to Base Camp to watch a video that supports

this project.

For all

assignment

details and

requirements,

review the

Project Checklist

on page 11.

Page 2 CREATE A PODCAST

ASSESS YOUR SKILLS

Pre-Project Statement Post-Project

5 4 3 2 1

I understand what a podcast is and diﬀerent podcast

formats.

5 4 3 2 1

I know how to assemble interesting content into a

cohesive program.

5 4 3 2 1

I am comfortable acting as the host for a recording.

5 4 3 2 1

I can speak to listeners in an interesting and engaging

way.

5 4 3 2 1

I am conﬁdent showcasing my interests in a podcast

format.

5 4 3 2 1

I recognize how this project applies to my life outside of

Toastmasters.

5 4 3 2 1

Evaluate your current skill level by rating each statement.

Select the appropriate number based on your skills today:

5

EXEMPLARY

3

ACCOMPLISHED

4

EXCEL

2

EMERGING

1

DEVELOPING

CREATE A PODCAST Page 3

The following is a list of competencies that

you will learn and practice in this project.

■ Identify personal interests and use them as subject matter for a podcast.

■ Assemble interesting content into a cohesive program.

■ Apply public speaking skills to present a clear, engaging program for listeners.

■ Upload podcasts to the Internet for distribution to listeners.

COMPETENCIES

First, choose a topic in which you’re interested and have expertise. If you have not

listened to a podcast, take the time to ﬁnd a few to review. You can ﬁnd podcasts

by searching for them on the Internet by topic. There is a series of podcasts about

Toastmasters that can be found on the website at www.toastmasterspodcast.com.

Some popular categories include news, comedy, music, stories, sports,

technology, art, and culture.

Choose a title for your podcast that’s unique, gives listeners an idea of the content

you’ll be providing, and ﬁts the style of the show (e.g., humorous or informative).

Ideally, your title will be short and memorable.

HOW TO DEVELOP YOUR PODCAST

Page 4 CREATE A PODCAST

TYPES OF PODCASTS

CREATE COMPELLING CONTENT

The podcasts discussed in this project are talk show, informational, and

entertainment. These types may be used in combination. Choose the one that

best ﬁts your interests and content.

Talk Show Podcast

A talk show is conversational or question-and-answer-based. It may involve

multiple co-hosts and guest speakers discussing topics related to the show’s

theme. This format is used to interview experts or to hold a conversation between

two or more parties.

Informational Podcast

An informational show is a format to share your expertise with your audience. It

can have a single or multiple hosts.

Entertainment Podcast

A podcast created for entertainment may be informal or even ﬁctional. Be creative

in thinking of ideas for presenting your chosen subject matter.

Audience

Your expertise and interests, as well as the interests of an audience, drive the

content of your podcast.

Consistency

Post new episodes consistently. Posting every day can be diﬃcult for you and

too much for listeners. Stick to a regular weekly schedule to engage listeners

without overwhelming them.

Planning

Whether you have experience with podcasting or you’re new to this medium,

planning is important. It ensures that you’re not rushing to ﬁnd guests or

think of new topics to discuss at the last minute.

CREATE A PODCAST Page 5

CHOOSE A THEME

You have decided on your topic, the format of your podcast, and a memorable

title. For each episode, stick to one main theme. This helps keep the show focused

and maintains the audience’s attention. Segments of the show can concentrate

on diﬀerent topics under the unifying theme.

For example, in the ﬁrst episode you could discuss leadership skills learned in

Toastmasters and feature interviews with club oﬃcers. Another episode could

feature speech contest winners who would be interviewed about how they

developed their public speaking skills.

Plan which topics and guests will be scheduled in each episode. Invite guests

well in advance so that they are available when you would like to interview them.

Provide them with background information about the purpose of your podcast

and how long you expect the interview to last.

If you would like, you can provide them with the open-ended interview questions

before the actual interviews so that they can think about their responses. This can

result in a more polished and professional-sounding podcast.

Some tips to remember when conducting interviews include:

■ Always treat your guests professionally and respectfully.

■ Listen to the guest’s response to questions without interrupting.

■ If the guest goes oﬀ topic or doesn’t answer the question, politely remind him

of the question.

■ If the guest continues talking and time is running short, politely thank him.

Either move on to the next question or conclude the interview as appropriate.

■ Remain calm and in control of the interview.

Page 6 CREATE A PODCAST

Segment Description Timing

Opening Introduce your podcast 1 minute or less

Topic 1 Introduce your ﬁrst topic for the day Approximately 3 minutes

Interview 1 Interview your ﬁrst guest Approximately 3 minutes

Optional

Include a short break here, if necessary

15-30 seconds

Topic 2 Introduce your second topic for the day Approximately 3 minutes

Interview 2 Interview your second guest Approximately 3 minutes

Optional

Include time to respond to questions or listen to input from listeners

1-2 minutes

Closing Remarks

Thank your guests and listeners, and include information about

the next show to pique the audience’s interest

Approximately 1 minute

Scripting Your Podcast

Create a brief introduction that you will use at the beginning of each podcast.

Introduce yourself and the overall topic of your podcast. If you want your podcast

to be informal and conversational, there is no need to script everything you say.

Instead, draft an outline with key points about the topics that you will be discussing.

As with any speech, make sure each segment has an opening, body, and

conclusion, with smooth transitions between each. For example, introduce each

guest before you ask some open-ended questions. When the allotted time for

the interview is over, conclude by brieﬂy summarizing what was discussed and

thanking the guest by name.

Below is a sample podcast schedule you can modify to ﬁt your needs.

CREATE A PODCAST Page 7

SPEAKING TO ENGAGE LISTENERS

When you and your audience cannot see each other, your voice must bridge the

gap between you. Use all of your public speaking skills to engage your listeners.

Speak with conﬁdence and enthusiasm. Tell your audience why you are passionate

about your topic, how it relates to them, and what they will gain by listening.

Keep to the approximate times that you have allocated to cover topics, but do not

rush through what you have to say. Vary the volume, pitch, and tone of your voice

to ﬁt the content. Record yourself and listen to the quality of your voice to make

sure that it is expressive and can be easily understood. Listen to other podcasters or

experienced radio hosts to hear how they engage with and build their audiences.

To further engage your audience, consider taking questions from listeners via

email and answering them in your podcast. This can keep listeners interested by

involving them in the creation of your show. You can also request that listeners

leave feedback in the comments section of the website where your podcast is

posted. Thank your listeners for their comments and respond to positive and

constructive feedback.

Share your podcast on social media to reach a larger audience. Post your episodes

with a short synopsis of the content to generate interest.

As you begin preparing your podcast, use the Podcast Organizer Worksheet on

page 16 to plan your episodes.

This worksheet will help you outline how you would like the recording session to

proceed and make sure that you keep the episode on track.

TOOLS

Because you will need a set of tools and equipment to produce a podcast, there

may be some cost associated with getting started. Most of the basic tools are part

of the available hard or software included with a computer, but you may want to

add enhancements or extras.

The basic tools include:

■ A microphone

■ A recording device (most likely a computer)

■ Recording and editing software

■ Headphones (optional)

■ Camera (for video podcast)

CONDUCT YOUR PODCAST

Page 8 CREATE A PODCAST

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Follow these steps when you are ready to publish your podcast to the Internet:

■ Upload your ﬁnished podcast ﬁles to a hosting service. These are available

through various providers on the Internet. Podcasts can be accessed via web-

sites, media libraries, media players, and aggregators, which are software pro-

grams used to collect, organize, and download podcasts.

■ Listeners can search online to ﬁnd podcasts about numerous topics and listen

to current and archived episodes.

■ Follow all regional laws regarding the use of copyrighted content. This informa-

tion can be found online. For example, you may like a song, but you cannot use

a copyrighted song in your podcast without permission. Instead, look for open

source music online.

Technology advances quickly. Review the Podcasting Basics resource on page 18

for suggestions to help you locate the information you need to create a podcast.

For more comprehensive information, conduct your own research on podcasts

and podcasting speciﬁc to your region and technology options.

REVIEW AND APPLY

Before you complete the assignment, take a moment to read through the

questions you see here. If you are not able to answer them comfortably, review

the project.

■ What personal interests can you use as subject matter for a podcast?

■ How will you assemble interesting content into a cohesive program?

■ What public speaking skills will you apply to present a clear, engaging program

for listeners?

■ What tools do you need to upload podcasts to the Internet for distribution

to listeners?

CREATE A PODCAST Page 9

COMPLETE YOUR ASSIGNMENT

Now that you have read through the project, plan and prepare your speech or report.

Review: Return to page 2 to review your assignment.

Organize: Use the Project Checklist on page 11 to review the steps and add your

own. This will help you organize and prepare your assignment.

Schedule: Work with the vice president education to schedule your speech.

Prepare: Prepare for your evaluation. Review the evaluation resources on pages

13-15 and share all resources with your evaluator before your speech. You may

choose to share your evaluation resources online.

Page 10 CREATE A PODCAST

CREATE A PODCAST Page 11

PROJECT CHECKLIST

Create a Podcast

Page 1 of 2

Create a podcast. (Review the materials in the project for steps.)

______________________________________________________________________

Write and record a minimum of 60 minutes of content. (Note: You are not required to post your

podcast episodes on the Internet if you choose not to.)

______________________________________________________________________

Schedule your speech with the vice president education.

______________________________________________________________________

Select a 5- to 10-minute segment from one of your episodes to share with your club.

______________________________________________________________________

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to introduce you to the skills needed to organize and present a podcast.

Overview: Use this project and your own research to create a podcast. Record a minimum of 60 minutes of

content. You are free to divide the episodes as you choose. Each separate episode must be at least 10 minutes, but

may be longer if it fits your topic and style. After you record all content, play a 5- to 10-minute segment in your

club. Introduce the segment in a 2- to 3-minute speech.

This project includes:

■ Recording 60 minutes of podcast content

■ A 2- to 3-minute introduction speech

Below are tasks you will need to complete for this project. Please remember, your project is unique to you. You may

alter the following list to incorporate any other tasks necessary for your project.

Page 12 CREATE A PODCAST

PROJECT CHECKLIST –

Create a Podcast

Page 2 of 2

PROJECT CHECKLIST –

Create a Podcast

other Toastmasters International trademarks and copyrights are the sole property of Toastmasters International and may be

used only with permission. Rev. 4/2016 Item 8402C

Prepare a verbal introduction to the segment you intend to share.

______________________________________________________________________

Rehearse your introduction.

______________________________________________________________________

After you have completed all components of the assignment, including your speech, return to

page 3 to rate your skills in the post-project section.

______________________________________________________________________

Additional Notes

______________________________________________________________________

CREATE A PODCAST Page 13

Page 1 of 3

EVALUATION FORM

Create a Podcast

Speech Title

Evaluator

Member Name Date

Speech Length:

2- to 3-minute intro

5- to 10-minute podcast segment

Purpose Statements

■

The purpose of this project is for the member to be introduced to the skills needed to organize and present a

podcast.

■ The purpose of this speech is for the member to introduce his or her podcast and to present a segment of the

podcast.

Notes for the Evaluator

During the completion of this project, the member learned about and created a podcast.

About this speech:

■ You will evaluate the member as a presenter on the podcast.

■ The member will present well-organized podcast content. The podcast may be an interview, a group

discussion, or the member speaking about a topic.

■ The member should demonstrate excellent speaking skills.

■ Regardless of the topic or style, the podcast should be engaging to the audience.

■ This speech should not be a report on the content of the “Create a Podcast” project.

General Comments

You excelled at:

You may want to work on:

To challenge yourself:

Page 14 CREATE A PODCAST

EVALUATION FORM –

Create a Podcast

Page 2 of 3

EVALUATION FORM –

Create a Podcast

For the evaluator: In addition to your verbal evaluation, please complete this form.

5

EXEMPLARY

4

EXCELS

3

ACCOMPLISHED

2

EMERGING

1

DEVELOPING

Clarity: Spoken language is clear and is easily understood

Comment:

5 4 3 2 1

Vocal Variety: Uses tone, speed, and volume as tools

Comment:

5 4 3 2 1

Eye Contact: Effectively uses eye contact to engage audience*

Comment:

5 4 3 2 1

Gestures: Uses physical gestures effectively*

Comment:

5 4 3 2 1

Audience Awareness: Demonstrates awareness of audience engagement

and needs*

Comment:

5 4 3 2 1

Comfort Level: Appears comfortable with the live audience

Comment:

5 4 3 2 1

Interest: Engages audience with interesting, well-constructed content

Comment:

5 4 3 2 1

Podcast: Content and delivery of podcast are engaging

Comment:

5 4 3 2 1

*Use these criteria to evaluate the 2- to 3-minute podcast introduction speech presented in

person to the club.

CREATE A PODCAST Page 15

Page 3 of 3

EVALUATION CRITERIA

Create a Podcast

other Toastmasters International trademarks and copyrights are the sole property of Toastmasters International and may be

used only with permission. Rev. 4/2016 Item 8402E

This criteria lists the specific goals and expectations for the speech. Please review each level to help you complete

the evaluation.

Clarity

5 – Is an exemplary public speaker who is always

understood

4 – Excels at communicating using the spoken word

 – Spoken language is clear and is easily understood

2 – Spoken language is somewhat unclear or

challenging to understand

1 –

Spoken language is unclear or not easily understood

Vocal Variety

5 – Uses the tools of tone, speed, and volume

to perfection

4 – Excels at using tone, speed, and volume as tools

3 – Uses tone, speed, and volume as tools

2 – Use of tone, speed, and volume requires

further practice

1 – Ineffective use of tone, speed, and volume

Eye Contact*

5 – Uses eye contact to convey emotion and

elicit response

4 – Uses eye contact to gauge audience reaction

and response

3 – Effectively uses eye contact to engage audience

2 – Eye contact with audience needs improvement

1 – Makes little or no eye contact with audience

Gestures*

5 – Fully integrates physical gestures with content to

deliver an exemplary speech

4 – Uses physical gestures as a tool to enhance speech

3 – Uses physical gestures effectively

2 – Uses somewhat distracting or limited gestures

1 – Uses very distracting gestures or no gestures

Audience Awareness*

5 – Engages audience completely and anticipates

audience needs

4 – Is fully aware of audience engagement/needs

and responds effectively

3 – Demonstrates awareness of audience

engagement and needs

2 – Audience engagement or awareness of audience

requires further practice

1 – Makes little or no attempt to engage audience or

meet audience needs

Comfort Level

5 –

Appears completely self-assured with the live

audience

4 – Appears fully at ease with the live audience

3 – Appears comfortable with the live audience

2 – Appears uncomfortable with the live audience

1 – Appears highly uncomfortable with the live

audience

Interest

5 – Fully engages audience with exemplary, well-

constructed content

4 – Engages audience with highly compelling, well-

constructed content

3 – Engages audience with interesting, well-

constructed content

2 – Content is interesting but not well-constructed

or is well-constructed but not interesting

1 –

Content is neither interesting nor well-constructed

Podcast

5 – Podcast content and delivery are exemplary

4 – Podcast content and delivery are highly

engaging

3 – Content and delivery of podcast are engaging

2 – Podcast has some moments of quality content

and/or delivery but could be stronger

1 – Podcast is less than engaging and/or delivery

needs improvement

*Use these criteria to evaluate the 2- to 3-minute podcast

introduction speech presented in person to the club.

Page 16 CREATE A PODCAST

PODCAST ORGANIZER WORKSHEET

Page 1 of 2

Software

Date to air Total length

Podcast Title

Host Co-host

Logistics

Guest 1 Guest 2

Guest 3 Other

Introduction

Segment 1

Topic:

Time:

Segment 2

Topic:

Time:

Show Outline

CREATE A PODCAST Page 17

Page 2 of 2

PODCAST ORGANIZER WORKSHEET

other Toastmasters International trademarks and copyrights are the sole property of Toastmasters International and may be

used only with permission. Rev. 4/2016 Item 8027

Segment 3

Topic:

Time:

Closing

Additional content

Show Outline (continued)

Page 18 CREATE A PODCAST

PODCASTING BASICS

Page 1 of 1

If you need further information on the technical options and requirements for creating a podcast in your region,

begin by researching the following keywords on the Internet:

■ Free podcasting tools

■ Free podcasting software

■ Free audio editing software

■ Publishing a podcast (if you plan to make your podcast available online)

■ Free podcast hosting (if you plan to make your podcast available online)

The basic tools needed to create a podcast include:

■ A microphone

■ A recording device (most likely a computer)

■ Recording and editing software

■ Headphones (optional)

■ Camera (for video podcast)

If you don’t have access to one or more of these tools, you may choose to borrow, rent, or purchase them.

Notes

______________________________________________________________________

other Toastmasters International trademarks and copyrights are the sole property of Toastmasters International and may be

used only with permission. Rev. 4/2016 Item 8028

www.toastmasters.org