How to edit podcasts SO good your viewers get addicted

Introduction: Elevate Your Podcast Editing

Imagine your podcast editing is so compelling that your audience can't help but stay tuned until the very end. However, achieving this requires stepping away from the mundane editing techniques that everyone else is using.

In this post, I'm going to share three techniques that have proven successful in boosting my clients' podcasts. Whether you're creating a series on technology, arts, or lifestyle, you can implement these strategies to enhance your content. Plus, I'll reveal a clever tactic used in Hollywood that will make your listeners stick around, eager for more.

Understanding Your Audience

The first step to excellent editing starts even before opening your editing software. Picture attending a retirement party for a colleague. The guests, mostly in their 60s and 70s, grew up listening to classics like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Still, surprisingly, a young DJ is playing his generation's hits, leaving most guests covering their ears from the unfamiliar tunes.

This scenario stresses the importance of knowing your audience. A piece of content that resonates with one group could completely miss the mark with another. So, narrow down who you want your podcast to appeal to. How can you accomplish this?

Creating Swipe Files for Inspiration

Meet the concept of swipe files—a tool wielded by advertisers and marketers alike. Swipe files are collections of ideas and inspirations for future projects. When you come across a podcast that captures your interest—be it the captivating title or engaging thumbnail—take a screenshot and save it to your file. Observe its format and ask yourself if it's heavily edited or more of a candid conversation like Joe Rogan's show.

I encourage you to create your own swipe files. Use a note-taking app on your device, and every time you come across an inspiring podcast, capture the details. Reflect on aspects like its title, format, and how you could implement similar strategies in your own work. Building a repertoire of inspiration is integral to crafting a unique style that resonates with your target audience.

The Trailer Tactic: Hooking Your Audience

Steal a page from Hollywood's playbook with the trailer tactic. Movie trailers never show the mundane; instead, they highlight riveting moments filled with action or drama. Translating this technique to your podcast, identify the most intriguing 10 to 30 seconds of your episode and place it at the very beginning. By doing so, you immediately seize your audience's interest.

Keeping Your Audience Engaged

Once you've hooked your audience, maintaining their engagement is crucial. Picture watching the nightly news, where the anchor covers major events by showcasing on-site footage or corresponding experts. Similarly, keep your podcast dynamic and visually engaging. How can you achieve this?

Explore Descript's Multicam feature. In a Descript project, recorded in Descript Rooms, you can utilize Multicam to switch perspectives automatically. This means you can alternate between speakers, include cutaways where speakers are side-by-side, or focus solely on the active speaker. By varying perspectives, you keep viewers visually stimulated, much like the multifaceted presentation of a news report.

Conclusion: Efficient Podcast Editing

Congratulations, your podcast is now not only visually appealing but also engaging enough to keep your audience invested until the end. However, to sustain this level of quality, efficiency is key. Avoid frustration by mastering your edits swiftly.

Check out our next video to discover how you can produce high-quality podcast content in minutes rather than hours, allowing you to remain productive and satisfied with your creation process.