Mastering Your Podcast Intro and Outro

In this episode of Show Makers, Ed Barker from Studio 1878 discusses the crucial elements of creating effective podcast intros and outros. Ed emphasizes the importance of making a strong first impression within the first 30 seconds and outlines the key components of a compelling intro: stating the show's name, clarifying the target audience, and maintaining a consistent yet engaging structure. He also delves into the significance of music selection for branding purposes. The outro is highlighted as a valuable opportunity to reinforce the episode's content and encourage audience action, such as subscribing or sharing. Throughout, Ed advises on simplicity, consistency, and staying on brand. The episode concludes with a teaser for an upcoming series on storytelling in podcasting and an invitation for listeners to reach out for personalized podcast development assistance.

00:00 Introduction

00:37 Let's Start With The Intro

01:13 So What Makes a Good Intro?

02:14 Let's Talk About Music for a Second

03:04 Now Let's Talk About Outros

03:51 Keep it Tight, Keep it Repeatable

04:19 In The Spirit of Eating My Own Dogfood

Ed Barker has been producing and recording podcasts since 2009. After a long career as a corporate marketing and strategy executive (and then a VC), Ed launched Studio 1878 in early 2025 with the goal of making brand and business podcasting much better. Ed is a Brit, working out of Seattle, and podcasting worldwide. 🌎

A podcast development studio for the modern brand. We believe everyone has a story worth telling. Specializing in business and brand podcasts, we’ll help build your story from ideation to distribution, transforming concepts to real connection with your audiences. We produce our own shows but our core proposition is in helping businesses and creators produce something truly compelling and authentic. We’d love to help you tell your story. 😈

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Showmakers, host Ed Barker, founder of Studio 1878, talks about the intricacies of conducting stellar podcast interviews. Touching on everything from preparation to execution, Ed offers valuable advice on making guests sound confident and engaging. Key points include the importance of thorough research, the utility of pre-calls, technical preparations, and the art of active listening. Listeners will learn the nuances of asking open-ended questions, managing the flow of conversation, and maintaining an engaging dialogue

00:00 Introduction

00:40 Interviewing is a Skill

01:31 Great interviews Start with good prep

02:37 Do The Tech Check

03:32 In the Interview, Start Warm

04:15 Remember to Make Space for Your Guest

05:06 And if They Go Off Track ...

06:02 Remember Your're Goal is to Make Them Sound Great

06:31 Get It Right, Your Audience Will Talk Away With Something

Ed Barker has been producing and recording podcasts since 2009. After a long career as a corporate marketing and strategy executive (and then a VC), Ed launched Studio 1878 in early 2025 with the goal of making brand and business podcasting much better. Ed is a Brit, working out of Seattle, and podcasting worldwide. 🌎

A podcast development studio for the modern brand. We believe everyone has a story worth telling. Specializing in business and brand podcasts, we’ll help build your story from ideation to distribution, transforming concepts to real connection with your audiences. We produce our own shows but our core proposition is in helping businesses and creators produce something truly compelling and authentic. We’d love to help you tell your story. 😈

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Showmakers, Ed Barker from Studio 1878 dives into the benefits and drawbacks of scripting your podcast. Learn about the three levels of podcast scripting - fully scripted, bullet points, and off the cuff - and discover when each approach might be best for your show. Ed also discusses how scripting can aid in focus, brand voice consistency, and accessibility, as well as the potential downsides like sounding flat and lacking spontaneity in interviews. Get tips on finding the right balance between structured content and natural conversation, and hear why practice makes perfect. Tune in to determine the best scripting strategy for your podcast!

00:00 Introduction

00:29 What is podcast scripting?

01:16 Benefits of scripting

02:24 Disadvantages of scripting

03:30 Finding the right balance

04:11 Final recommendations

04:33 Next episode preview and outro

Ed Barker has been producing and recording podcasts since 2009. After a long career as a corporate marketing and strategy executive (and then a VC), Ed launched Studio 1878 in early 2025 with the goal of making brand and business podcasting much better. Ed is a Brit, working out of Seattle, and podcasting worldwide. 🌎

A podcast development studio for the modern brand. We believe everyone has a story worth telling. Specializing in business and brand podcasts, we’ll help build your story from ideation to distribution, transforming concepts to real connection with your audiences. We produce our own shows but our core proposition is in helping businesses and creators produce something truly compelling and authentic. We’d love to help you tell your story. 😈

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Showmakers, Ed Barker, the founder of Studio 1878, discusses the vital aspects of podcast editing. Learn the purposes of editing and the key elements you should cut, including technical issues, verbal clutter, and structural fatigue. Ed also explains the importance of maintaining authenticity by keeping natural pauses, genuine reactions, and the host's personality. Discover how consistent editing shapes your brand voice and ensures a seamless experience for your listeners. Stay tuned for the next episode on sound design, and connect directly with Ed for personalized podcast advice.

00:00 Introduction - Making the Best Possible Podcast

01:23 What to Cut - Technical Issues, Verbal Clutter, and Structural Problems

02:20 What to Keep - Natural Elements and Personality

03:09 Editing Style - Developing Your Brand Voice

04:48 Conclusion - Next Steps

Ed Barker has been producing and recording podcasts since 2009. After a long career as a corporate marketing and strategy executive (and then a VC), Ed launched Studio 1878 in early 2025 with the goal of making brand and business podcasting much better. Ed is a Brit, working out of Seattle, and podcasting worldwide. 🌎

A podcast development studio for the modern brand. We believe everyone has a story worth telling. Specializing in business and brand podcasts, we’ll help build your story from ideation to distribution, transforming concepts to real connection with your audiences. We produce our own shows but our core proposition is in helping businesses and creators produce something truly compelling and authentic. We’d love to help you tell your story. 😈

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Showmakers, we explore the intricacies of sound design for podcasts. Learn how to use music and sound effects to enhance your storytelling, create a consistent audio identity, and avoid common pitfalls. Ed Barker, founder of Studio 1878, shares professional tips on selecting and balancing audio elements to keep your audience engaged. Don't miss essential advice on creating a polished and impactful podcast.

00:00 Introduction

00:43 What is Sound Design?

01:38 Music in Podcasts

03:28 Sound Effects

04:35 Balancing Sound Design

05:30 Takeaways and Outro

Ed Barker has been producing and recording podcasts since 2009. After a long career as a corporate marketing and strategy executive (and then a VC), Ed launched Studio 1878 in early 2025 with the goal of making brand and business podcasting much better. Ed is a Brit, working out of Seattle, and podcasting worldwide. 🌎

A podcast development studio for the modern brand. We believe everyone has a story worth telling. Specializing in business and brand podcasts, we’ll help build your story from ideation to distribution, transforming concepts to real connection with your audiences. We produce our own shows but our core proposition is in helping businesses and creators produce something truly compelling and authentic. We’d love to help you tell your story. 😈

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Showmakers, Ed Barker from Studio 1878 shares expert advice on identifying and fixing common audio mistakes in podcasting. Learn how to avoid issues like hisses, hums, and echoes, proper mic techniques, room noise control, and essential recording settings. Ed also covers post-production pitfalls such as over-editing and inconsistent volume. Tune in to enhance your podcast sound from episode one!

00:00 Introduction

00:44 Common Mic Mistakes

01:55 Room Noise & Echo

02:32 Background Noise & Equipment Hums

03:09 Recording Settings & Software Setup

04:07 Post-Production Pitfalls

05:42 Conclusion & Next Episode Preview

Ed Barker has been producing and recording podcasts since 2009. After a long career as a corporate marketing and strategy executive (and then a VC), Ed launched Studio 1878 in early 2025 with the goal of making brand and business podcasting much better. Ed is a Brit, working out of Seattle, and podcasting worldwide. 🌎

A podcast development studio for the modern brand. We believe everyone has a story worth telling. Specializing in business and brand podcasts, we’ll help build your story from ideation to distribution, transforming concepts to real connection with your audiences. We produce our own shows but our core proposition is in helping businesses and creators produce something truly compelling and authentic. We’d love to help you tell your story. 😈

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Achieving Studio-Quality Audio in Non-Studio Environments

In this episode of Showmakers, host Ed Barker, founder of Studio 1878, dives deep into achieving great audio quality outside of professional studios. Barker shares his expertise on selecting the right microphones, optimizing recording spaces, and applying proper mic techniques to ensure clear and professional sound. He also discusses practical tips for remote recordings and the importance of gain staging. Whether recording in office spaces, at home, or on the go, Barker provides invaluable advice to elevate the quality of brand podcasts. The episode concludes with insights on when it is ideal to use a professional studio.

00:00 Introduction

01:06 What Does Studio Quality Mean?

01:49 Four Key Factors Affecting Audio Quality

02:48 Creating the Ideal Recording Space

03:27 Microphone Technique Tips

04:07 Understanding Gain and Levels

04:48 Essential Equipment

06:10 Recording in Shared Spaces

07:23 When to Use a Professional Studio

09:10 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview

Ed Barker has been producing and recording podcasts since 2009. After a long career as a corporate marketing and strategy executive (and then a VC), Ed launched Studio 1878 in early 2025 with the goal of making brand and business podcasting much better. Ed is a Brit, working out of Seattle, and podcasting worldwide. 🌎

A podcast development studio for the modern brand. We believe everyone has a story worth telling. Specializing in business and brand podcasts, we’ll help build your story from ideation to distribution, transforming concepts to real connection with your audiences. We produce our own shows but our core proposition is in helping businesses and creators produce something truly compelling and authentic. We’d love to help you tell your story. 😈

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Essential Guidelines for Success

In this episode of Showmakers, Ed Barker, founder of Studio 1878, discusses the importance of having a dedicated website for your podcast. Learn when it's essential, what key features to include, and the different ways to build your site. Discover how a podcast website can enhance search visibility, provide a central hub for listener engagement, and convert traffic into subscribers and customers. Ed also covers scenarios where a website might not be necessary and previews upcoming content on achieving studio-quality sound for your recordings.

00:00 Introduction: Do You Need a Website for Your Podcast?

00:33 Why a Podcast Website Matters

01:17 Essential Features for Your Podcast Website

02:03 Bonus Features for Enhanced Engagement

02:30 Building Your Podcast Website: Options and Tips

03:29 When You Might Not Need a Podcast Website

04:01 Conclusion and Next Steps

Ed Barker has been producing and recording podcasts since 2009. After a long career as a corporate marketing and strategy executive (and then a VC), Ed launched Studio 1878 in early 2025 with the goal of making brand and business podcasting much better. Ed is a Brit, working out of Seattle, and podcasting worldwide. 🌎

A podcast development studio for the modern brand. We believe everyone has a story worth telling. Specializing in business and brand podcasts, we’ll help build your story from ideation to distribution, transforming concepts to real connection with your audiences. We produce our own shows but our core proposition is in helping businesses and creators produce something truly compelling and authentic. We’d love to help you tell your story. 😈

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get Your Show Everywhere

In this episode of Showmakers, Ed Barker, founder of Studio 1878, breaks down the essentials of podcast hosting and distribution. Learn how to choose a podcast host, the process of getting listed on major platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube, and tips for making your content accessible everywhere. Discover hosting options, get insights on uploading audio and video content to YouTube for maximum reach. Tune in next week to explore the importance of having a podcast website.

00:00 Introduction to Podcast Hosting and Distribution

00:34 Understanding Hosting vs. Distribution

01:09 Choosing the Right Podcast Host

02:27 Getting Listed on Major Platforms

03:46 Leveraging YouTube for Podcasts

04:42 Conclusion and Next Steps

Ed Barker has been producing and recording podcasts since 2009. After a long career as a corporate marketing and strategy executive (and then a VC), Ed launched Studio 1878 in early 2025 with the goal of making brand and business podcasting much better. Ed is a Brit, working out of Seattle, and podcasting worldwide. 🌎

A podcast development studio for the modern brand. We believe everyone has a story worth telling. Specializing in business and brand podcasts, we’ll help build your story from ideation to distribution, transforming concepts to real connection with your audiences. We produce our own shows but our core proposition is in helping businesses and creators produce something truly compelling and authentic. We’d love to help you tell your story. 😈

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to Determine the Perfect Length for Your Podcast Episodes

Welcome to Show Makers! In this episode, Ed Barker, founder of Studio 1878, addresses the timeless question: how long should a podcast episode be? Barker dissects various formats to help you determine the ideal length for your episodes, emphasizing the importance of delivering value while respecting your audience's time. He explains the necessity of consistency, the impact of audience behavior, and why understanding your listener's habits is crucial. From solo insights to interviews and round-tables, get expert advice on tailoring your podcast length to your content and audience. Tune in next week as Ed discusses the ins and outs of podcast hosting and distribution.

00:00 Introduction to Podcast Episode Length

00:45 Debunking the Myth of Perfect Length

01:20 Matching Length to Podcast Format

02:30 Understanding Your Audience's Behavior

03:37 Consistency Over Length

04:19 Conclusion and Next Week's Preview

Ed Barker has been producing and recording podcasts since 2009. After a long career as a corporate marketing and strategy executive (and then a VC), Ed launched Studio 1878 in early 2025 with the goal of making brand and business podcasting much better. Ed is a Brit, working out of Seattle, and podcasting worldwide. 🌎

A podcast development studio for the modern brand. We believe everyone has a story worth telling. Specializing in business and brand podcasts, we’ll help build your story from ideation to distribution, transforming concepts to real connection with your audiences. We produce our own shows but our core proposition is in helping businesses and creators produce something truly compelling and authentic. We’d love to help you tell your story. 😈

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.