University of California San Francisco
UCSF School of Medicine UCSF Medical Center

Podcasting

Use this guide to get started with podcasting, which is a popular way to share educational audio content, especially with learners on-the-go. Keep in mind that it takes financial resources, technical know-how, and a significant amount of time to create podcast episodes. For example, it might take a few hours to plan and script an episode, several hours to set up interviews and record audio, and many hours to edit an episode. The hours add up, but you’ll find that podcasting can be a worthy investment.

Step 1: Explore Podcasting

  1. Learn about the process of creating podcasts: Here is a great NPR guide to get you started
  2. Listen to some UCSF podcasts for ideas
  3. Decide if you have the financial resources, skills, and time to start and sustain a podcast
     

Step 2: Start a Podcast

  1. Select the target audience for your podcast
  2. Choose an overall topic for your podcast and pick a title
  3. Gather recording equipment and audio editing apps, and decide how you will share your podcast episodes (see Step 4 of this guide for options)
    Note: For higher quality audio recordings, consider investing in external headsets or mics like the Blue Yeti USB or the Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB, and look into mic accessories like pop filters, windscreens, shock mounts, adjustable desk stands, swiveling boom arms, and studio headphones for monitoring your recording.
     

Step 3: Prepare Each Episode

  1. Research potential episode topics
  2. Decide on an episode topic
  3. Outline what you will cover in the episode, when, how, and why
  4. Think about the audio you will need to record, and how to record it
  5. Select interviewees and make appointments in advance
  6. Prepare your interview questions
  7. Write a script for the episode, especially for the narration
     

Step 4 Option 1: Record, Edit, and Share Episodes

Record and Edit

  1. Use Anchor to record audio
    Note: To record interviews, use the Record with friends feature included only in the Anchor mobile app
  2. Use Anchor to edit audio
    Note: After completing an episode, you can download the MP3 file

Share

  1. Choose one of these three options to share your MP3 file:
    1. Download episodes from Anchor and upload them to a UCSF Kaltura playlist so anyone with the link can stream your MP3 file
    2. OR download episodes from Anchor and upload them to a shared UCSF Box folder so anyone with the link can stream or download your MP3 file
    3. OR If you are willing to share your episodes publicly, use Anchor’s RSS feed
      Caution: Carefully read Anchor’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy before you decide to share your episodes using Anchor


Step 4 Option 2: Record, Edit, and Share Episodes

Record

  1. Use UCSF Zoom to record audio
    Note: Find the M4A audio file in your Zoom recording folder

Edit

  1. If you are a Mac user, use GarageBand to edit your M4A audio files
    Note: You can’t import or open M4A audio files using GarageBand, but you can drag them into an empty track area. After you edit the files, export the completed episode as an MP3 audio file.
  2. If you are a PC user, use Audacity to edit your M4A audio files, and export the completed episode as an MP3 audio file
    Note: To edit M4A audio files, first install Audacity’s FFmpeg Import/Export Library

Share

  1. Choose one of these two options to share your MP3 file:
    1. Upload your episodes to a shared UCSF Box folder so anyone with the link can stream or download your MP3 audio file
    2. OR upload your episodes to a UCSF Kaltura playlist so anyone with the link can stream your MP3 audio file


Step 5: Promote Your Podcast

  1. Consider ways to tell your target audience about your podcast, including:
    1. Campus newsletters, email distribution lists, and Web sites
    2. Professional networks, conferences, and Web sites
    3. Cross-promote with other podcasters
    4. Social media platforms

 

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