What are some techniques for cutting out unnecessary content in your podcast?

To trim unnecessary content in your podcast, start by planning your episode structure or script. Listen closely to your recording, cutting out parts that don’t add to your main topic or repeat information. Remove long pauses, filler words, or segments that veer off-topic. Focus on the most important points and ensure they stand out. Smoothly transition between segments using fades or brief music breaks. Remember, quality matters more than quantity, so prioritize engaging content over length. After editing, listen again to ensure your podcast maintains its flow. Seeking feedback can also help you understand what resonates with your audience. Practicing these techniques will help keep your podcast engaging and concise!

I would always suggest a 'less is more' approach. Start by defining the core message of each episode. Then, during editing, ask if each segment adds value to this message. If it doesn't, it's probably excess. Also, consider your audience's attention span. Quick, engaging content often trumps longer, drawn-out episodes. Remember, every cut should enhance the listener's experience, keeping them coming back for more. Edit wisely, engage deeply.

Preparation is the key. In addition to the basic dramaturgy of the podcast, which also creates a recognition effect, it is important to think about the dramaturgy of the individual episode. Often, of course, the appeal also lies in the unpredictability of the answers, which can contribute greatly to the authenticity of the episode. It then helps to develop a working hypothesis and use this as the basis for the conversation. In the course of the conversation, the working hypothesis can serve as a guideline, be checked or completely thrown overboard. Let the listeners participate in this process and you will have their full attention.

After the first editing phase, a complete run-through as a "listener" is recommended. Listen to your own podcast and observe your behavior: When are you attentive, interested, moved? When do your thoughts wander? A little distance is necessary, but even if you already know the content yourself, a good dramaturgy and narrative can captivate you. And that should be the goal. If you lose interest while listening, you should listen to this part more closely. Is it a comprehension problem or is the content redundant? Do I need more information or less to stay with the story?

Its highly likely you will overplan your content, but that's a good problem to have! You always want to have an overflow of topics. Keep only the relevant bits to the main subject or storyline. And find that balance between keeping your listeners engaged while not rushing through the episode. Some topics and guest interviews can be split into multiple episodes, and you can also consider creating bonus episode at the end of the season for the bits that didn't make it into the episodes due to time constraints. Use a tool such as Descript to help with audio editing and team collaboration, this is going to save you time.

I would always recommend taking the shortest route. Sensitive editing can turn a tough conversation into a fluid and highly informative one. Help the podcasters get to the point quickly with your editing so that they come across as clear and knowledgeable. It helps to remove all the tiny holes, stoppers, uhhs, and even short pauses within a sentence. The listener should be able to follow the flow of the thoughts expressed in the best possible way.

Try listening to the episode with your eyes closed, when you feel your mind wandering, take a look at where the content is diverging. That's a good signal you may have room to cut. I also link to think about the trigger events in a story, what is critical to understanding the climax of the event versus what is an unnecessary detail for moving the plot along. And when in doubt, cut.

Jot down notes during the interview to help note sections that you think may be good to cut out - this will make it WAY easier on your production team