{"id":2012,"date":"2021-07-26T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-07-25T23:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thepodcasthost.com\/uncategorised\/scripting-presenting-content-prolific-repurposing\/"},"modified":"2021-08-18T08:00:59","modified_gmt":"2021-08-18T07:00:59","slug":"scripting-presenting-content-prolific-repurposing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thepodcasthost.com\/planning\/scripting-presenting-content-prolific-repurposing\/","title":{"rendered":"Scripting & Presenting for Prolific Re-Purposing: Content Planning Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

So it’s time to think about content planning! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I started this series<\/a> with the promise of prolific content. I know that\u2019s a big promise, but I also know I can get you there. Or, at least, I can show you a way to make it possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/path><\/svg>\"authors<\/div>

Content Stacking<\/p><\/div>

This is Chapter 4 of our Content Stacking<\/strong>\u00a0series. Find the introduction here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Then it\u2019s your job to deliver. That\u2019s what the next 2 chapters are all about – Design. Delivery. Creation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this first part, I’m going to show you how to present your one piece of content in a way that sets it up for spectacular, smart, re-purposing. That leads, then, to being able to publish it in varied and prolific ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember, this isn\u2019t about spamming that one thing all around the internet. We\u2019re talking SMART re-purposing, rather than the dumb kind you see elsewhere. It involves a combination of structure and medium to create media blocks that build your stack of content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, we\u2019ll do scripting, then we\u2019ll do delivery. Once we\u2019re done, you\u2019ll know the principles and be able to adapt it to your own style. Part two will then show you how to record the spectacular results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s where the prolific content really starts. Let\u2019s have a look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Content Planning: Recapping The Structure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the last chapter, we dug right into structure<\/a>, and all of the benefits that come with it. Remember, a bit of structure makes content more easy and productive for you, and more useful and interesting for your listeners. But, there\u2019s one other thing is does too – it enables fantastic levels of re-purposing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The structure was like so:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Topic Overview > 2. Theory > 3. Context > 4. Action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our aim in this chapter is figuring out how to create our content in a way that makes it as re-usable as possible. The structure is the heart and soul of that, whether you stick with this exact one, or create your own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Script Your Recording<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since we\u2019re talking about delivery, we can\u2019t miss out scripting. This won’t take long, but it\u2019s worth covering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s worth it because, when you\u2019re aiming for maximum re-use, the highest level of utility you can get from any one bit of content, you need to be tighter with your recording.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You might be used to doing things on-the-fly, in the past. “Winging it\u201d is a legit (and common!) approach to podcasting, in particular. The results can be great – natural, ad-libbed conversations are often the most engaging things you can find.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But\u2026 they can also be horrendous. The lack of plan is a risk. Risk of boredom, risk of irrelevance, risk of annoyance. Content stacking is all about creating fanatical fans, and to do that, we can\u2019t afford that possibility, even once in a while.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t worry, though. Even a few minutes spent on a plan reduces your chances of pissing off your listeners by a factor of 10.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On top of which, that plan is what leads to re-purposing nirvana. By sticking to a plan, and doing it every time, you can start to extract a tonne – a TONNE – of value, from every recording, and every bit of writing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, script it. Script the episode.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I don’t\u00a0mean word for word. There are a range of ways to script<\/a> and to be prolific, you need to keep it simple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"building<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What Does a Script Look Like?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For me, a script is a reasonably detailed bullet-point plan. Funnily enough, we\u2019ve already done that! Remember in the content planning stages, we fleshed our idea out into a series plan? Once I created the episode titles, I put a bit of meat on the bones of each episode itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ll tend to have anything from 3 to 10 mains points to cover in an episode – so that\u2019s 3 to 10 bullet points. Then, each point will have – sometimes, not always – a few bits of detail underneath. In the end, I have a bullet-point list with, say, 6 top-level bullets, each with a few bits of detail underneath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Importantly, those 6 points will be split into the 4 segments of my structure. The first bullet will always be my overview, with a few detailed bullets underneath to cover the summary points. Then, the theory might cover a few top-level bullets, and detail underneath. Next, we have the context, perhaps only 1, or perhaps a few bullets, outlining stories and examples I want to introduce. Then, finally, the actions> This will comprise just 1 or 2 bullets, with a little detail about what I want people to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s a plan – it takes 5 minutes to create, and it keeps us right on track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At this point, I always get the shout, \u201cWhat?! That\u2019s working for the man, robotic, totally ruining my personality, stunting my creativity!”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, grow up and get over it – this is how you get results. Without it, you\u2019re 10 times as likely to suck. But with it, you\u2019re 10 times MORE likely to give your audience exactly what they want, making them as happy as a pig in\u2026 well, his sty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think Like a Radio Presenter: Content Planning<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now that we have our content plan, the next part of the formula is in how you present it. Specifically, it\u2019s about how you transition between the sections, the segments, of your show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taking that structure we recapped above, we\u2019re looking to think like a radio presenter in how we transition between each one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Radio presenters have to assume that people are dropping in and out every minute of their show. A listener may have just tuned in halfway through a segment, or they may have been tuned in physically, but tuned out mentally. Radio is background, after all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To get around that, they cut things up into smaller segments, and they keep people well informed about what\u2019s just happened and what\u2019s coming next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We can use this \u2019transition mentality’ in our structure to help with smart re-purposing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The idea is this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Every time you transition from one segment to the next: summarise it, close it out, then introduce the next as if it\u2019s a brand new show.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

An Example of a Radio Transition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s how it might work as I come to the end of a Theory section in Podcraft<\/a>, and move into the case study:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“\u2026. and so dynamic mics show a little less range than condenser microphones for that reason. So, that ties up my coverage of the difference between dynamic and condenser microphones. I hope that\u2019s made you more confident in choosing between the two varieties. Remember, my rule of thumb is – if you\u2019re recording in an untreated or noisy environment, OR you\u2019re recording on the move a lot, then get a dynamic mic. If you\u2019re in a nice, quiet studio and can benefit from the more rich sound they offer, then get a condenser. Now, in the next section we\u2019re going to cover my own case study which will show you the mics I\u2019ve gone through over the years, and when and why I chose them.<\/p>

I always think it\u2019s useful to see how people are putting this stuff into action, so I want to show you my own path through the world of dynamic and condenser mics. We covered the theory in the last section, so you know the details, but now I\u2019ll take you through my decisions, maybe put it in a bit of context for you. I hope that\u2019ll help you figure out when to go for a condenser and when to go for a dynamic. So, it started, really, when I was working at a university and I was asked to record a podcast for the department\u2026.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

You can see what I\u2019ve done here. I\u2019ve come to the end of a section and I\u2019ve tied it up. That means doing a little summary, a conclusion, and a \u201cwhat\u2019s next.\u201d Then, when starting the next section, I make a point of introducing it, telling the listener what\u2019s coming, and then reiterating what\u2019s come before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Guidance, Confidence & Repurpose<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is good for a few reasons. First, when a fan is listening right through, it helps with their learning. They\u2019re getting regular recaps and guidance, both of which increase confidence and comprehension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next, it helps reduce confusion. Let\u2019s face it, people are listening in the background sometimes. They\u2019re driving, have to make a turn, and so, your signposting & your guidance, helps them stay on track when they\u2019ve had to tune out for a minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most importantly, though, this turns your podcast into a series of self-contained episodes. By giving each section its own intro and conclusion, you can start to chop them up, and release them individually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is what allows us to smartly re-purpose a podcast into a series of videos, and to really benefit from the strengths of each medium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"building<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Playing to the Strengths of Audio & Video<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Remember what we talked about in the first chapter<\/a> – the attention difference between audio and video?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, if we\u2019re going to reuse our one recording on both mediums we need to make sure it suits both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s why this method works. By making each section of your recording self-contained, you can release:<\/p>\n\n\n\n