There are many reasons why audio stories end up lacking focus, says Rob Rosenthal of HowSound. “The worst reason is, ‘Well, it’s a podcast. The story can be any length.’ Ummm, wrong.” The Transom Story Workshop founder explains how a single ‘focus’ sentence can sum up a story’s entire essence.
At first, the focus sentence template seems too simple: “Someone does something because, but…” However, character, action, motivation, and conflict are all there. This isn’t just fiction: Rosenthal breaks down examples with audio clips, one he wrote for an economics story for the BBC and Marketplace.
Podcasters in any genre can easily end up with a long recording and “no plan for wrangling it — just find good quotes and see what happens.” Instead, it’s best to craft a flexible focus sentence early in the episode planning process. Rosenthal outlines more story-lassoing techniques here.
Every creator can benefit from continuing education, writes journalist and podcaster Jenna Spinelle. She’s rounded up eight classes and workshops that allow an opportunity to “step back from the daily grind of pitching, producing, and promoting a podcast, and re-focus on the creative process.”
The list includes programs for a variety of budgets, time commitments, and experience levels. Free Podcast Movement University programming makes the list (hi there!) as well as immersive experiences like Pod-Pod, which brings together six podcasters to live, work, and collaborate in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
“There’s nothing like the structure of a course or a weekly event on your calendar to give you the motivation to start something new or refresh an existing project,” Spinelle says. Programs need refreshing, too. She reminds readers to check websites for the latest details on timing and cost.
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Business podcasters are growth-oriented, and so are their audiences. HubSpot Podcast Network’s primary objective is to grow each show so that more people can benefit from its content. It’s time to harness your ambitions and help listeners do the same. Ready to explore?
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