How audience insights can guide your podcast planning

The backstage technical wizardry that brings your podcast to your ear

How to talk about politics – and entertain as well

Eli Sessions talks to Louise Kattenhorn, commissioning executive for the BBC pop hub network, Lloyd Shepherd, Head of Product at BBC Sounds, and Emmanuella Kwenorty, who develops podcasts for BBC Sounds. Where do they think the world of podcasts is heading, and how is technology changing the way we listen?

In this episode Eli Sessions finds out how to keep conversations natural, with Hannah Hufford, producer of No Country for Young Women, and Sally Heaven, who produces Evil Genius.

In this episode Eli Sessions looks at those beautifully crafted podcasts that tell dramatic stories in depth. He speaks to Rami Tzaber, the editor behind 13 Minutes to the Moon – which told the story of the moon landing in intimate detail – and the commissioner who made it happen, Jon Manel, the BBC World Service’s commissioning editor for podcasts.

In the first of a five-part series on podcasting, Miranda explains: - what makes podcasts distinct from radio programmes - how the role of the presenter is different from that on radio - the typical situation of the listener – on a commute, listening through headphones - how to create a different relationship between listener and programme-maker

In part two of our podcasting series, hear from Jason Phipps, commissioning editor for podcasts at the BBC, and Louise Kattenhorn, commissioning editor for BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra.

Georgia Catt is a producer in BBC radio documentaries, who has made an award-winning podcast, Missing, for the Untold series. She also produced Fortunately with Fi Glover and Jane Garvey. Emma Conneely is a producer in the BBC’s podcast team, responsible for getting podcasts published and promoted. Georgia says that although she hates poor sound quality on a podcast, you can still get a good recording using a smartphone – but be aware of the kinds of background sounds you could pick up that can be annoying for the listener.

Promoting a podcast can mean anything from creating an audiogram – a clip from the podcast to promote on social media - to making other digital assets such as quizzes or articles to place online and draw attention to the podcast. According to Rhian, promotion at the start of other podcasts “really delivers figures”. But it depends on “generosity” between podcast producers who are willing to help each other with cross-promotions. There’s also the possibility of a podcast takeover – which is when a podcast feed directs listeners to a different podcast for a short time. The presenters of a podcast are also an asset when it comes to promotion. Their social media presence and appearance on other media can raise awareness and drive audiences.