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Podcast Production for Beginners

  • Level(s) of Study: Professional / Short course
  • Course Fee:

    £550

  • Start Date(s): 19 June 2024, 12 October 2024, 25 January 2025 and 3 May 2025
  • Duration: Wednesday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm, three days or Saturdays 10 am - 4 pm, three weeks
  • Study Mode(s): Short course
  • Campus: City Campus
  • Entry Requirements:
    More information

Introduction:

This course introduces you to the best practices of developing and producing an original podcast series.

It’s for businesses, individuals, community groups and organisations of all shapes and sizes who have a great story to tell and want to engage their audiences with news, views or entertainment.

  • You’ll be part of a lively broadcasting community in our technical studio environment.
  • With a limited class size of twelve there’ll be time for one-to-one attention to ensure you leave with the relevant knowledge and technical skills.
  • You’ll benefit from learning with an experienced journalism tutor who has established links to the profession and significant experience working across various media.
  • On successful completion of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance.

What you’ll study

Right now, there’s no more exciting (and certainly no faster-growing) media than podcasting.

Over the last twenty years it’s grown from a niche interest on the fringes of internet blogging to a multi-billion-pound industry.

It’s developed into a mainstream media option providing hours of content for listeners yet remains a space where new voices are given opportunities and where experimental approaches to storytelling can exist.

Everyone, from traditional broadcasters to political activists to big businesses are using and experimenting with podcasts to take their messages to a wider audience.

On this course you’ll become part of the podcast revolution and will:

  • create a plan to produce your first podcast - from the initial idea, to pitching, to launch
  • learn how to upload your content to the main podcasting platforms
  • master the fundamentals of audio storytelling including scripting, recording and editing.

For day one, please do some research about a podcast that inspires you to share with the other delegates. Also, start thinking about your own podcast, who your audience is and what you hope your podcast will achieve.

Please bring with you:

  • Pen and paper or laptop if you prefer.

Please note that refreshments and lunch are not provided. However, there are plenty of places to buy lunch on campus.

Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll be studying during the course:

  • Why podcasts? The impact of podcasts today and thinking about the future
  • Creating content that matters – your unique voice, your unique product
  • Legal and ethics – essential knowledge before launching episode one
  • Understanding your audience – who are you talking to and what motivates them
  • Planning your podcast – what’s coming up in the next episode and how to keep your audience hooked
  • The best ways to interview your guests – developing media skills and your personal journalistic style. What works and what to avoid.
  • A guest talk from a professional who has grown their business and brand through podcasting.
  • Technical skills – familiarity with the kit and studio set up. Recording and editing
  • The practicalities of what kit to buy – and who are the reliable suppliers
  • How to create a podcast studio at home or work
  • A guest talk from a professional who has grown their business and brand through podcasting.
  • Further technical skills in the studio
  • How to market your podcast
  • How to monetise your podcast
  • A guest talk from a professional who has grown their business and brand through podcasting
  • What next? Being part of a network of new podcasters.

Further information on what you'll study

You will leave the course with a well-formed plan to create a pilot of your own podcast, whether that is to showcase an area of professional expertise or to support personal interests. You will:

  • know all you need to produce an original podcast
  • have the knowledge and skills to create a podcast strategy
  • be ready to use podcasts to reach new audiences.

How you’re taught

This course will be delivered in person on the Nottingham Trent University city campus, in the classrooms and technical studios of the Centre for Broadcast Journalism.

The sessions will include lectures, discussions, talks from guest speakers and practical assignments in the studio where you will record and edit short podcast pieces.

Tutor profile:

There will be a range of experienced tutors and podcasters who will deliver this course. All come with teaching experience, technical knowledge and an understanding of the podcast industry today.

John Collins has spent the majority of his career as a radio journalist, working on local, regional and national stations as a reporter, news reader and sports commentator.

He has also worked as the news editor for some of the UK’s biggest commercial radio stations.

He has read the news, scheduled the music, devised the competitions and managed the newsrooms of stations as varied as Heart, LBC, Capital and Free Radio.

John is the Module Leader for the Broadcast Journalism undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes and has responsibility for all undergraduate students' industry placements.

Watch John's profile video where he talks about his career and interests.

Careers and employability

The course is designed to prepare you to take your marketing and ideas to the next level through podcasting. It could be a useful addition to a CV if you are entering a marketing or communications role.

Campus and facilities

You will be based at our City Campus.

You’ll work in our spacious studios equipped with industry-standard software.

You will receive an email one week before the course starts with joining instructions on where to go for the first day.

You’ll also have access to our library to use outside of your short course; whilst you can’t reserve or take away books, you are welcome to use them as a resource for research and referencing.

Entry requirements

Level: Beginner / Professional

Entry requirement: No podcasting or journalism experience is required, although you must have basic computer skills. You should have a product or service you wish to promote, so you might be from a marketing background or responsible for managing communications to the outside world.

You must be over the age of 18 in order to attend this course.

Getting in touch

If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form

Level: Beginner / Professional

Entry requirement: No podcasting or journalism experience is required, although you must have basic computer skills. You should have a product or service you wish to promote, so you might be from a marketing background or responsible for managing communications to the outside world.

You must be over the age of 18 in order to attend this course.

Fees and funding

The fee for this course is £550 (458.33 + VAT).

Payment is due at the time of booking - ask us if you'd prefer an invoice sent to your company.

Your course fees cover the cost of studies and include great benefits such as the use of our modern library and the equipment and software on the campus during your course.

You can read the terms and conditions of booking here.

The fee for this course is £550 (458.33 + VAT).

Payment is due at the time of booking - ask us if you'd prefer an invoice sent to your company.

Your course fees cover the cost of studies and include great benefits such as the use of our modern library and the equipment and software on the campus during your course.

You can read the terms and conditions of booking here.

How to apply