This article has been written by Dr Rakesh Kumar Arya pursuing an Executive Certificate Course in Corporate Governance for Directors and CXOs from Skill Arbitrage.
This article has been edited and published by Shashwat Kaushik.
Table of Contents
Podcast : the new way of expression
The scenario of communication over the past decade has changed drastically due to the existence of new platforms, including social media like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc. These platforms have limitations of time for sharing content. As we know, the fourth requirement of human beings in the modern era after air, food, and water is the Internet facility, which further provides various other platforms to share/discuss various topics in online media with unlimited time like YouTube, TEDx talks, online meeting platforms, and others.
Podcast is one of the platforms that is popular among youth, which gives freedom to organise the programme with minimum resources in digital domain to discuss any topic, which will be further downloadable anywhere across the globe at any time with the facility to comment, share the audience thoughts, etc.
Reasons for getting popular
As per the survey reported by India Today, Gen-Z (the generation born between 1997-2012) is mostly addicted to the smartphone. They can’t live without looking at their smartphones for an average of 15 minutes (survey conducted by Big FM). This has both advantages and disadvantages. People are facing various health issues due to the continuous use of screens. On the other hand, youngsters are earning millions of rupees only using their smartphones to make various types of digital content. Podcasting is one of the methods used among youngsters to share their ideas and give them freedom of movement for their careers. Hence, the popularity of podcasts is increasing day by day.
Popular podcasts
Nowadays, almost all music channels are associated with podcasts, whether it is Amazon Music, Spotify, etc. Some private FM channels, like Kuku FM, are fully dedicated to podcasts. Now famous best-sellers like “Rich Dad and Poor Dad,” “Panchtantra ki Kahaniya,” etc. are also available in the form of a podcast. The important messages given by Satguru are also available in the form of podcasts. A few FM channels, like Big FM, also started programmes like “ek minute ka podcast,” where they give messages on important topics within one minute. There are hundreds of popular podcasts available on the Internet based on the area of interest of a particular person they can select. For example, I am a scientist; hence, I may like science; others may belong to the corporate sector and choose their own topic.
Strategies for guest appearance on podcast
While planning to make a guest appearance on any upcoming podcast, one has to follow the following strategies before appearing to avoid any inconvenience or legal issues, and also make the podcast effective for listeners of all age groups. The planning to appear will start two or three weeks before joining. The steps given below will be helpful for beginners, while those who are more habitual may share some other effective ways to make it more attractive.
The first step in planning to be a guest on any podcast is to find the people or media who are organising the podcast regularly nearby and approachable to you so that you may approach them physically as well. Follow the timing, channel, social media handles, and various topics covered by them over the past few weeks, the type of audience connected with them, whether they are giving opportunities to beginners or only inviting experienced people, and the language they are following English, Hindi, Hinglish or the local regional language.
Connection between the organiser and guest to ask about schedules of podcasts of our area of interest
Now, once you know the people who are organising the podcast near you regularly, start connecting with them through social media handles by sharing your thoughts on various podcasts telecast recently and how those podcasts affected you and other youth to whom you have connected. While posting on social media, be gentle and follow the rules. Don’t try to be more personal; rather, be professional. Ask for any suggestions on emerging topics, and once he/she agrees to provide the topic, be smart and provide the various topics in your own area of interest so that you may participate more in those topics.
Enlist the topic of interest of our mastery
Once you have connected with the organisers through correspondence over the past few weeks, now it’s time to plan for your guest appearance on an upcoming podcast. For that, you have to self-evaluate yourself to see what the areas are where you can confidently answer the listener with proven data and international research. Do our SWOT analysis and prepare a list of 5-6 topics on which you are confident. Filter out some topics based on topics that may be controversial/debatable for some age groups. After more analysis, finalise one topic.
The topic should be attractive to all age groups and it should always be related to societal issues. You have to explain the technical things in layman’s language; hence, be ready for that. For example, being a scientist, I was invited to FM while the Chandrayan-3 was landing. Now it was my duty to get knowledge all about the ISRO mission of not only chandrayaan-3, rather the reason for the failure of chandrayaan-2 and what advancements were made on chandrayan-3. I have answered all the questions of the listener in simple layman’s language instead of technical terms.
Do the Literature/market and other IT material Survey up to the current date of the topic selected for the Podcast
The literature survey for any program/event/TV-debate/journal/article publication is the most important part of the event. Even the so-called less literate politicians, when seated on debate or any programme, can argue based on facts, reports, data, and another literature survey. The press reporters, when writing an article about the non-belonging area, have to do a literature survey in detail. Hence, before appearing on any podcast, do the necessary literature survey based on some reports/ market surveys/facts from different authentic sources and other data to be confident and commanding. If you do not know anything, then instead of giving a wrong and absurd answer, try not to answer or simply say that after proper study you will answer later.
Prepare the list of do’s and don’ts while participating in the podcast
There is one phrase in hindi “Batan Hathi Payiye, Battan Hathi Paanv”, It means that the tone of your voice will decide whether you are a humble or aggressive person. Whether you are ready to listen to somebody or simply follow your own words only. There are many do’s and don’ts when talking in the public domain. Try to give examples without giving anybody a name until you are not sure; do not argue with the organiser on any topic. Be humble and polite. Even the biggest celebrity like Amitabh Bachchan is always humble while talking to the public. Follow the etiquette of public speaking.
Cover the topic for all ages of listeners
The topic you have selected for the podcast might belong to some specific audience, like youngsters/feminism / elder people/technocrat / IT professionals, / Musicians etc., but you cannot control the audience; hence, it is better to speak keeping in mind that the audience is a layman and cannot understand the technical terms of all fields so the discussion should be made in simple, layman language that is understandable for all ages and fields of people.
Practice for voice modulation, avoiding repetitive words, phobia coughing
This is the most common issue for beginners as well as experienced people. The organisers filter out these repetitive words as well as other voices like phobia, coughing and others using a mixer. However, these can be easily removed while practicing. Voice modulation is also an important factor for live programmes; hence, one has to try fixed voice modulation. Even cricketers use another type of microphone that touches the face to maintain a fixed distance between the microphone and mouth for better voice modulation.
Learn the rules for patents, trademark, and copyright to avoid any loose talk while speaking
When dealing in the public domain, IPR, copyright, and trademark issues are the most important to learn and follow. Even filmmakers nowadays hide the logo/trademark of important things like the symbols of Mercedes, etc. while making films. Do acknowledge all credits to various IPR issues while ending films that fail, and the guest will be in deep trouble. Do not mention any brand name during the podcast to compare with anybody. If it is required to use some trademark, copyright or patented material, we have to read the mandatory disclosure agreement before using it. Some people have the right to reuse this material with acknowledgement.
Conclusion
Based on the above-listed points while appearing for a guest appearance on any podcast, if one follows all the tips given and practices with dummy karaoke and video recording if repetitive practice with a good collection of data and market, facts survey with avoiding the IPR, copyrights issue will be able to participate in any podcast or public speaking events confidently.
References
- https://www.descript.com/blog/article/7-strategies-for-getting-your-podcast-guests-to-share-the-episode-and-does-it-matter.
- https://evergreenpodcasts.com/voices-of-india-podcasts
- https://www.linkedin.com/advice/0/how-do-you-follow-public-speaking-etiquette-rules
