Recording your show – hardware
Before you start planning a show, you’ll need to have a way to record it. The options are dizzying, and vary in both quality and cost. While we couldn’t possibly come up with a “definitive list” of...
View ArticleOutlining content
When you voice content, make every effort to not sound like you’re reading. That holds true whether you’re voicing news, conducting an interview or hosting a talk show. Broadcasting can be a very...
View ArticleBreaking down hard concepts and explaining them
Tough concepts are all part of being a reporter. Sometimes a subject is going to come your way that you don’t understand completely, but you’re going to need to know how to explain it your listeners....
View ArticlePut your most interesting words first
Put the most interesting words at the top of your story. It’s the best way to grab your listeners’ attention, and it will help to keep them from drifting away. So many times I’ll write copy and my...
View ArticlePhone interviews and Skype
Depending on the content you’re producing, you may want to include phone guests. The easiest way to call phone guests over a computer is Skype. Skype allows you to make person-to-person video calls, as...
View ArticleAudio Production – Matching Levels (VIDEO)
Maintaining consistent levels is critical when you’re using multiple sound sources in a recording. In this video, Rivet production wiz George Drake, Jr. walks you through how to match levels:
View ArticleWhere should you record?
Unless you’re specifically trying to include ambient noise in a story or piece of content, we recommend recording somewhere quiet. Most non-industry audio creators don’t have a tricked-out,...
View ArticleSocial media sharing
Sharing content on social media is a must for audience-building. As the saying goes, “everyone in the audience has an audience.” The Rivet newsroom started an internal social media contest last year,...
View ArticleConsistency
You will lose audience if you can’t commit to delivering content on a dependable schedule. Even the best show concepts can get torpedoed by erratic publishing schedules. Think of subscribing to a...
View ArticleMake the most out of sports press conference audio
Ah, the post-game press conference. For athletes and coaches, a burden. For reporters, it can be a gold mine. Maximizing these availabilities is especially important if you’re not covering a team every...
View ArticleAudio Production – Editing within words (VIDEO)
Editing words in a clean, impossible-to-detect, way is easier than you’d expect. In this video, Rivet production wiz George Drake, Jr. walks you through how to edit within (rather than between) words.
View ArticleTop 5 talk show don’ts
There are as many ways to make a great talk show as there are people to host them. Your point-of-view, background, and voice combine to create something unique in the audience’s ears. But there are...
View ArticleVoiceover resources
Professionally-voiced intros can make a show “pop,” and help enhance a show’s brand. Here are some ways to find voiceovers on the cheap. It’s important to point out we haven’t used all of these...
View ArticleFair use of audio
Just because you can find something on the on the web doesn’t mean you have the right to use it; crediting a source isn’t always enough. If you want to use third party audio, you’ll want to seek...
View ArticleThe social media ‘traveling trophy’ winner for June, 2015
Which Rivet newsroom story got shared the most in June, and what was the secret to its success? Rivet’s most-visited story (as determined by Google Analytics’ unique pageviews) for June was written...
View ArticleWhat’s the ideal length?
What’s the optimal length for your content? This Adweek piece says 22 minutes is the sweet spot for podcasters. Then again, this site says to keep it under 15. The advice we give our team is to produce...
View ArticleSelf-critiquing
Critiquing yourself is one of the best things you can do to improve your show. Forcing yourself to listen–really listen–to your work allows you to learn from your successes and mistakes. When I hosted...
View ArticleUsing music as an intro (VIDEO)
Want to use music to kick off your story or show? Rivet audio production ace George Drake, Jr. shows you how.
View ArticleCovering politics in your show? Here are some tweeps to follow
If the past few months have been any indication, we’re in for a long, fluffy, gaffe- and poll-filled ramp-up to the 2016 presidential elections. As the former producer and social media manager for Ken...
View ArticleFinding your point of view
Want to host a show but don’t know where to start? The most effective web content, from blogs to podcasts, serves a niche audience. What’s your niche? What are you truly passionate about? Zero in on...
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