For the past few years, podcasts have grown increasingly more popular among audiences.
Radio organizations such as NPR have been adapting to the changing industry and adding new shows, while other media organizations such as the New York Times have taken the opportunity to develop new content for this medium.
But the popularity didn’t just reach established organizations, journalists have also launched their own shows on the side.
IJNet compiled a list of resources — Facebook groups and podcasts — where podcasters of all levels of experience can get support, training and advice.
Facebook groups about podcasting
All of these groups are closed, and most of them require you to briefly state why you want to join and agree to respect the rules of the group.
Podcasters’ Support Group is a group created and administered by experienced podcaster Helen Austwick Zaltzman who wrote about her work in a piece for The Guardian.
She describes the group as “a meeting place for podcasters old and new.” Members will find a helpful and lively group where people offer technical advice (about recording or equipment, among other things) and specific advice related to podcasting (when to release a show, how to promote it).
Members, including Helen, share their problems, discuss solutions, joke around and cheer each other up, creating a supportive community.
Podcast Movement Community - For Podcasters describes itself as “a place for people who are podcasters, looking to become a podcaster, or who are members of the podcasting industry.”
The group is a bit of a mixed bag. There are some interesting posts about promoting a podcast or regarding the conference but also some that are spam, or self-promotional . The group is administered by the same people who organize Podcast Movement, one of the largest, annual podcasting conferences that happens in the U.S.
Podcast Editor’s Club is a group that focuses on the editing part of a podcast. The group clearly states that posts are about production and not “content creation.” Its administrator, editor Steve Stewart, also organizes occasional free webinars to show how he edits.
Audio Club is a relatively new group for young radio and podcast producers. The group aims to “support people making their way in the industry.”
A lot of the posts are about real-life meetings and training opportunities, but they are generally limited to the U.K.
Radio Women Rule the World is a “laid-back,” women-only group meant to provide support and connections. Members share a lot of professional and reporting advice, about radio freelancing for instance. People also share training opportunities. Members are helpful, supportive and responsive.
Sound Women Network is a group for women working in audio. The group is lively and supportive, stating that “no question is too daft.”
Members share technical and professional advice and post about job offers and in-person meetings, which are mostly in the U.K.
She Podcasts is another women-only group that specifically supports podcasters — those who already have a show or are preparing one. Members share resources about creating, promoting and growing a podcast, focusing on the business side of it.
There are also occasional posts about meetings and trainings, which are mostly in the U.S. The administrators also have their own podcast where they talk about the podcasting industry.
Podcasts about podcasting and radio reporting
Millenial is a great podcast if you want to get into podcasting and radio but feel a bit lost. Megan Tan, a journalism graduate, documents her journey into radio and podcast production, which is told as a coming-of-age story. The podcast ended in 2017 but Tan’s journey and stories remain very relevant and inspiring.
HowSound is a bi-weekly podcast produced by Rob Rosenthal, an experienced radio producer and teacher, and American public radio organization Transom. The podcast focuses on the best techniques in audio storytelling, including story structure, fieldwork and recording techniques. Each episode is based on the work of experienced audio producers from the American podcasting and radio world.
The BBC Academy Podcast is one of the best podcasts for a wide range of advice on broadcasting (TV, radio and podcast). Each episode offers practical advice on many things, including technical skills like recording sound, writing for radio, getting into radio reporting or how to succeeding a job interview for any journalism position.
Werk It: The Podcast is based on panels from the Werk It festival, a women-only event organized by American radio station WYNC. Episodes include panels with journalists and podcasters who talk about everything from developing one at a media outlet to doing it on your own.
The Podcast Producers is a good resource if you’re thinking about launching a podcast on your own. It includes interviews with other podcasters who have started their own shows and then share their experience.
The Masterclass Podcast is hosted by former BBC and NPR journalist and professor Louisa Lim from the University of Melbourne. In each episode, she interviews a different audio journalist around the world about radio reporting, the art of podcasting and audience engagement.
At the end, journalists share an exercise for budding audio journalists to practice one or more skills that were discussed in the episode.
No matter where you are on your podcasting journey, these resources can provide valuable tips, tools or networking opportunities.
Main image CC-licensed by Unsplash via Joshua Anderson.