Science Journal’s Guide to Pre-Producing a Podcast

Our episodes are on average 25 to 30 minutes long, representing a mere fraction of the amount of time it takes to produce them. These episodes are the fruit of three equally significant stages: pre-production, production, and post-production. In this article, we will be guiding you through what takes place behind the scenes of Science Journal, starting with the pre-production stage of our episodes. Pre-production encompasses several steps: the first one being pitching, and then creating an outline, followed by contacting the guest speakers, drafting a script, and finally, planning the recording.  

Pitching 

If a team member gets an idea for a new episode, they are tasked with conducting research pertaining to the topic they want to discuss. Once they have compiled all the relevant information, they present it to the project manager and the rest of the team. Then, the team discusses the way the episode will be structured. Each member gives their opinion and suggestions, and then the Science Journal team as a whole debriefs and decides whether the idea is worth pursuing. If the episode idea is approved, the team member who pitched the idea is designated as the main host and moves on to creating an outline for the episode.

Outline 

Once the idea is approved, the host has to create a brief outline for the episode. This typically includes an introduction to the topic, and brief descriptions of the focus of each part of the episode. It is imperative to plan ahead what aspects of the topic are most pertinent and therefore should be prioritized throughout the conversation. To ensure that the conversation flows seamlessly, we create a road map, usually starting with general and most important information about the topic, and then addressing more specific details. In addition, one of the main purposes of creating an outline is deciding whether the host will be inviting guest speakers or having a conversation with other members of the Science Journal team. In order to initiate the conversation in our episodes, we typically pose a series of questions to each guest or team member relating to their expertise or experience. Thus, during this stage, the host usually comes up with a few questions that they intend to ask either the other co-host(s) or the guest speaker(s).  

Contacting Guests 

If the host decides to invite guest speakers, they are responsible for contacting them. Usually, this is done via email, but if that is not possible, we resort to contacting them on social media, or via telephone. Using multiple platforms to reach out to guests maximizes the chances of them seeing the message. By sending only an email to a potential guest, it might get lost in their spam box or blend in with other emails. 

Scripting 

Once the guest speakers confirm their participation in the episode, the host moves on to drafting a script for the episode. We use the aforementioned outline as a base for the script, then add information, questions, and other relevant content. We find that it is essential to introduce the podcast, the host, the topic of the conversation, and the guest speakers at the beginning of the episode. In order to achieve a smooth, quick and professional recording, the science journal team places a big emphasis on researching and writing these introductions in advance. In addition to guiding the host and ensuring they do not forget the topics of conversation they planned to raise, the script ensures that the conversation does not veer off course.

Planning the recording 

When the script is ready, we contact our guest(s) to schedule a meeting in accordance with their availability. Finally, the host sends out a calendar invitation via email, including the zoom link in case the recording is to be conducted online. It is also crucial for the host to remind all the individuals involved in this episode a few hours before the recording. People forget things sometimes, and that’s just human nature. This marks the end of the pre-production stage, stay tuned to learn about the rest of our production process!