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From scratch: How to start your podcast with small team & zero funding in 6 steps

Taja Topolovec, Pod črto - Non-profit media for investigative journalism

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Where we started in 2017 ...

What we knew, when we started:

  • that we want to create very good listening experience (*so we started to work with audio engineer & designer right away),
  • that we want factual, indepth, non-chaty podcast,
  • that we have 2 team members (out of 5 members of our small organisation) on board,
  • that we can borrow equipment,
  • that we want to produce one podcast season.

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What were our limitations:

  • no equipment,
  • basic experience with audio production,
  • no funding for podcast production,
  • small podcasting market (just around 2.000.000 people speak Slovenian language),
  • extremely small media organisation.

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https://podcrto.si/prvi-pod-crto-podcast/

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Step 1: Know WHY you want to produce podcasts & WHERE you are as an individual / organisation / team and WHAT is your idea.

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Step 2: Pick what you will focus on. Do not overthink. Prototype. (*(Un)fortunately, this is the only way to learn and get better.)

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Step 3: You just started doing something new. Be ready to make mistakes. And learn. (*Feedback from your community in invaluable. But you do not have to listen to each and every advice & opinion.)

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Step 4: Now you know podcast production takes a lot of time & effort. Put some structure in place. (*No need for perfection, it will just have to work for now.)

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Step 5: Now you know what you need. Start developing your team. (*Podcasts are teamwork. Focus on your super powers. And see where you are still lacking after that.)

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Executive producer:: Taja Topolovec

Hosts: Taja Topolovec, Lenart J. Kučić

Podcast recording: Metod Blejec, Lenart J. Kučić, Taja Topolovec

Script writing: Taja Topolovec, Lenart J. Kučić

Post-production: Lenart J. Kučić

Sound design & engineering: Milan Fras

Investigation lead: Anže Voh Boštic

Editing of database: Metod Blejec

Journalists: Anže Voh Boštic, Metod Blejec, Luna J. Šribar

Fact-checking: Anže Voh Boštic, Lenart J. Kučić

Photography: Metod Blejec

Video and animation: Una Rebić in Metod Blejec

Design: Metod Blejec

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Step 6: Get back to you initial idea. Review. Add another element / challenge. And repeat the cycle. (*And, yes, go get that funding! :) )

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IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: Our starting points, ideas, circumstances and cultural environments are different. Take only what works for you, your situation your team.

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Where are we in 2021 ...

  • We went fully digital (we’ve been working remotely for 1,5 years, we record on Zencastr: https://zencastr.com/),
  • We invested in our own equipment (still, very basic: podcasting microphones, pop-up filters, Zoom recorders),
  • We are launching our first investigative series this fall,
  • And starting production in English in 2022,
  • We are able to get funding for podcast production,
  • … and we are here, talking to you and very excited about that :)

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Coming soon: OUR NEW PODCAST SERIES WILL BE LAUNCHED IN NOVEMBER.

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Thank you!

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WANNA CHAT & EXCHANGE IDEAS?

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Get in touch at: taja@podcrto.si

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