Bringing a guest onto your podcast is a great way to offer value to your audience and you’re probably wondering how to actually do that. It’s actually a lot simpler than you may realize! There are a number of tools that will help you conduct a remote podcast interview, allowing you to focus on creating great content.
Zencastr
Zencastr was the first remote podcast recording solution I learned about that really solved the ease-of-use issues. Before, the main solution was using different software to record Skype calls. Zencastr made it possible to record remotely without a lot of hassle. The free service is limited to two guests, 8 hours of recording a month, and only an mp3 download option. The professional plan removes those limitations and offers a WAV download for $20/month.
Pros of Zencastr
No downloads. Unlike Zoom, Zencastr doesn’t require you or your guest to download any software. Everything happens in the browser and you just download the recorded audio after the interview. Just make sure all parties leave the browser tab open until the upload finishes.
Less likely to suffer from bandwidth dropouts. Zencastr records your audio through your Chrome browser and uploads it to their servers so it’s not as affected by the internet speed of you and your guest.
High-quality recording. Unlike Zoom, Zencastr is designed for broadcast-quality and doesn’t degrade the sound for performance. It’s recorded at a high-sample rate so it sounds as good as if you recorded it yourself. Easy to use. You get a link to send to your guest that takes them right into the recording studio. That’s it.
Cons of Zencastr
Audio drift. This is a common occurrence with Zencastr. After the interview, you may find that one person’s audio is quite a bit shorter than the other. Luckily, it’s a pretty simple fix for your or your editor, but annoying, nonetheless.
No video. Zencastr is audio-only so you can’t see the person you’re talking to.
Update: Zencastr currently has a beta for video recording. It’s not perfect but will likely be a great solution if you need a video version of the interview.
Do you want to make sure your guest is ready for the interview? Sign up for my newsletter and you will get my 6 Tips to Better Guest Podcasting that you can send to your guest before the interview to help them prepare.
Additional Reading
Using Zoom to Record a Remote Podcast Interview
Zoom is probably the most common tool to conduct a remote podcast interview. It’s a solid teleconference solution that can also be used in podcasting.
Double-Ender: The Best Solution to Record a Remote Podcast Interview
This is the best way to record a remote podcast interview. You’ll get the best possible audio quality and have complete control over everything. However, this method requires some technical ability from your guest. In this post I explain how to do it.
Record a Remote Podcast Interview with Squadcast
Squadcast is the best option for an online service if you’re looking to conduct a remote podcast interview.
