7 Steps for Submitting a Great PODTalk
STEP# 1: Pick your topic.
While picking your topic/talk, answer the following 4 questions:
- “Is my idea new?” (What new twist or relevant information can you add to this that no one else is?)
- “Is my idea interesting?” (Will it resonate either with the podcasters themselves or the guests? It has to be for ONE of these two options, and no one else.)
- “Is my idea factual and realistic?” (Base your talk on facts and data also, make sure it’s realistic for a new or experienced podcaster or podcast guest to implement/do something with what you share.)
- “Do I care about my idea?” (Be passionate about the idea you’re speaking on!)
STEP# 2: Craft your message around that topic and keep it clear and concise.
Remember, your PODTalk needs to be within 12 – 16 minutes long, and it’s all about ONE idea. Do this:
- Create bullet points of what you’ll cover.
- Outline the entire talk.
STEP# 3: Define a key takeaway for the audience.
In short, it needs to answer the question, “What sentence or phrase should the audience remember when they leave?”
- TIP: Write your entire PODTalk, then sum it up in a single sentence. (This ultimately forces you to narrow your message as much as possible. This makes it easier for the audience to remember your talk and gives you a reference point as you draft it.)
STEP# 4: Draft your PODTalk as a story.
Be yourself and share your story with others. Here are some pointers:
- Think about how you can keep the talk engaging (stories are essential!)
- Bring your personality into the talk.
- Get people to laugh (if you’re funny)
- Think, “What can I remove from this talk that won’t take away from the value for those who watch/hear it?” (Powerful question!)
- KISS (Keep it simple stupid!)
STEP# 5: Practice, practice, practice.
Some friends and I joke whenever we do anything on a first attempt; we say, “One take, baby!” while pointing to the sky. Please don’t do that with your PODTalk!
- Practice recording yourself.
- Show a few people in your circle.
- Improve your talk before the final recording that you’ll be submitting.
STEP# 6: Don’t try to be perfect.
- We aren’t aiming for perfection. It’s okay to show your flaws. (It’s encouraged)
- Laugh at yourself if you mess up, have fun!
- The idea is to help someone get one step further than they are today in their podcasting journey.
STEP# 7: Format for the actual recording.
Remember, your PODTalk will be seen as a video and listened to as a podcast episode later – So; please make sure to keep both audiences in mind.
Beyond the 7 steps…
AT THE START/FINISH OF YOUR RECORDED VIDEO:
At the beginning AND end of your video recording, leave a couple seconds of silence while looking at the camera. (Feels weird, but it leaves room for our editors to do fancy transitions)
WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOU START:
OPTION #1: Begin with a variation of “hi,” “hello,” “hey,” followed by your name. (I.E. “Hello, my name is Alex Sanfilippo…”) THEN immediately following your name, get into the talk; please do not share your bio or credentials unless it’s relevant to the talk, and if so, keep it SUPER short, none is best, but short is acceptable)
OPTION #2: Get straight into your talk, start with an engaging question, or right into a story then bring your name in after the initial hook. (The idea here is instant engagement)
WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOU END:
End the talk with a “…Thank you” (Similar to a TEDTalk) or something comparable that fits your personality. (Don’t overthink it – Just what’s natural for you.)
REMEMBER: **PodPros Quarterly is an event like the TEDTalks of the podcasting industry. (**Think PODTalks!)
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR VIDEO:
- Your talk should be between 12-16 minutes.
- NO SLIDES WILL BE ACCEPTED. (Think of how a TED Talk is just someone on stage – It’s you in front of a camera)
- THIS IS NOT A PRESENTATION; IT’S A KEYNOTE (Again, like a TED Talk is more of a keynote, standalone talk) Every talk must contain practical, actionable takeaways for the listeners on one big idea!
- No visuals of any kind will be accepted (NO SLIDES OR VISUALS) – We have many blind members of our community that we want to include; additionally, this is turned into a podcast episode.
- No self-promotion or talking about yourself or what you do. Again, like a TEDTalk, you’re going to get straight into the action. (We’ll promote you a lot, don’t worry.)
- Make sure you keep the content as evergreen as possible. (Do not mention when you’re recording this or current events unless the story is needed)
- Your video will be repurposed into a YouTube video, a blog post, and a podcast episode. (Make sure what you share will make sense for someone consuming all 3 of those formats at a later date)