Podcast Production Explained: Essential Glossary of Terms
Podcasting is a proven tool for UK brands to boost content marketing, build loyalty and drive growth.
At Creative Kin we have years of experience launching and growing shows for businesses, arts organisations and entreprenuers.
And we know that for newcomers to podcasting, there can be a lot to think through.
That's why we've created this glossary to demystify the jargon and equip you with the knowledge you need to navigate the process of getting your podcast from first idea to first listener.
The Fundamentals
Podcast: A digital audio series, like a radio show you can listen to on demand, delivered over the internet. Podcasts cover a huge range of topics, from business and comedy to true crime and everything in between.
Episode: Each individual recording within a podcast series, like a chapter in a book or an episode of your favorite TV show.
Podcast Host: A platform that stores your audio files and generates an RSS feed, making it easy to distribute your podcast to directories like Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Think of it like YouTube, but specifically for podcasts. Popular UK podcast hosts include Red Circle, Acast, and Captivate.
RSS Feed: A special link that tells podcast directories and apps where to find your podcast episodes and automatically update with new releases.
Recording Essentials
Microphone: The device you speak into to capture your voice. There are various types, including USB microphones (easy to use for beginners) and XLR microphones (professional-grade with superior sound quality).
Headphones: Essential for monitoring your audio while recording to prevent echoes and feedback. Closed-back headphones are ideal for minimizing sound leakage.
Audio Interface (Optional): A device that connects your XLR microphone to your computer, often providing improved sound quality and more control over recording levels.
DAW (Digital Audio Workstation): Software used for recording, editing, and mixing your podcast. Popular options include Audacity (free), GarageBand (free for Mac users), and Adobe Audition (subscription-based).
Podcast Production Magic
Editing: The process of refining your raw audio recordings. This includes removing mistakes, trimming silences, adding music and sound effects, and ensuring a smooth flow.
Mixing: Balancing the volume levels of different audio tracks (voices, music, sound effects) to create a cohesive and polished sound.
Mastering: The final stage of audio production, where the overall sound is optimized for different listening platforms and devices. This ensures your podcast sounds its best everywhere.
ID3 Tags: Metadata embedded in your audio files, containing important information like the podcast title, episode number, artwork, and descriptions. These tags help podcast directories and players display your podcast correctly.
Post-Production: This encompasses all the activities that happen after the initial recording, including editing, mixing, mastering, and adding music/sound effects. It's the process of transforming raw audio into a polished, finished product.
Dynamic Inserts: Technology that allows you to add content to your podcast episodes after they've been published. This is often used for inserting ads or promotional messages, ensuring your content stays relevant and up-to-date.
Producer: The person who oversees the entire podcast production process, from planning and recording to editing, publishing, and marketing. They ensure the podcast stays on schedule, meets quality standards, and achieves its goals.
Studio Engineer: A technical expert who manages the recording equipment, ensures optimal sound quality during recording sessions, and may also assist with mixing and mastering.
Publishing & Distribution
Podcast Directories: Platforms where listeners discover and subscribe to podcasts. The most popular directories in the UK include Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Amazon Music.
Show Notes: Written descriptions that accompany each episode, providing listeners with additional information, links to resources mentioned, and calls to action. They're like a companion guide to your episode, enhancing the listener experience, and an important part of podcast SEO.
Podcast Trailer: A short audio clip that introduces your podcast and entices new listeners to subscribe.
Embedding: Adding a podcast player to your website or blog, allowing visitors to listen to your episodes directly on your site.
Show Formats & Styles
Interview: A popular format where the host has a conversation with a guest or a panel of guests.
Solo: A format where a single host presents the content, often sharing their expertise, thoughts, or experiences.
Discussion: A format featuring a conversation between two or more hosts, often exploring different perspectives on a topic.
Co-host: A podcast format where two or more people regularly host the show together. This can add variety, different perspectives, and a dynamic energy to your podcast.
Marketing & Growth Strategies
Podcast SEO: Optimizing your podcast title, description, and show notes with relevant keywords to improve its visibility in search results.
Social Media Marketing: Promoting your podcast on social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to reach a wider audience and engage with listeners.
Social: Short for "social media," these are platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram where you can connect with your audience, share updates, and promote your podcast.
Cross-promotion: Collaborating with other podcasters or businesses to promote your podcast to their audiences.
Podcast Analytics: Tracking listener data, such as downloads, listens, and demographics, to understand your audience and measure the success of your podcast.
Repurposing: Adapting your podcast content into different formats, such as blog posts, social media updates, or video clips, to reach a wider audience and maximize the value of your content.
Audiogram: A short, shareable video that combines audio from your podcast with a waveform, captions, and sometimes visuals. Audiograms are ideal for promoting your podcast on social media platforms.
Expanding Your Reach
Video: Recording your podcast in a video format, allowing you to share it on platforms like YouTube and attract a visual audience. This can also be a great way to engage your listeners and add another dimension to your content.
Videographer: A professional who specializes in capturing video footage. If you're recording a video podcast, a videographer can ensure high-quality visuals, proper lighting, and professional camera work.
Audio Slideshow: A simple video format that combines still images with audio from your podcast. This can be a cost-effective way to create visual content for your podcast.
Advanced Techniques
EQ (Equalization): Adjusting the frequencies of audio to improve clarity and balance. For example, reducing low frequencies can eliminate rumble, while boosting high frequencies can add brightness.
Compression: Reducing the dynamic range of audio, making loud sounds quieter and quiet sounds louder. This creates a more consistent listening experience.
Noise Reduction: Removing unwanted background noise from your recordings, such as hums, hisses, or traffic sounds.
Bit Rate: The amount of data used to represent audio, measured in kilobits per second (kbps). Higher bit rates generally result in better sound quality.
Podcast Listeners
Subscribe: When you subscribe to a podcast, new episodes are automatically downloaded or delivered to your podcast app, so you never miss an update.
Download: Saving a podcast episode to your device so you can listen to it offline, without an internet connection.
Podcast App: An app on your phone or computer where you can listen to podcasts, subscribe to your favorites, and discover new shows. Popular options include Apple Podcasts, Spotify, BBC Sounds, and Pocket Casts.
Remote Recording: When podcast hosts and guests record in different locations, using online tools to capture high-quality audio.
Sound Effects: Sounds added to a podcast to create atmosphere, emphasize points, or add humor (e.g., a door creaking, applause, a whoosh).
Voiceover: Narration or spoken commentary added to a podcast, often used for introductions, transitions, or storytelling.
Why Choose Creative Kin?
At Creative Kin, we drive growth for bold brands through powerful podcasts.
We offer UK brands seamless production support to create high-quality podcasts that command loyal listeners.
We handle everything from concept development and recording to editing, production, and marketing.
Ready to Launch Your Podcast?
We hope this glossary has been helpful.
If you want to know more about how Creative Kin can help launch or grow your podcast, get in touch today.
We're here to help you every step of the way.
