What is Narrative Podcast?
A narrative podcast is a highly produced, storytelling-style show (like 'Serial' or 'This American Life') that uses scriptwriting, sound design, and editing to tell a story.
Why Narrative Podcast Matters for Podcasters
Narrative podcasts differ significantly from the standard 'two people talking' format. They are documentaries for the ear. They require a script, voiceover narration, field recordings, interviews, and intricate sound design. Because of the high production value and time investment (often taking weeks to produce a single episode), they are harder to sustain but often attract larger, more dedicated audiences and prestige. They rely heavily on 'theatre of the mind,' using sound effects and music to transport the listener to a specific time and place.
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Audiogram
An audiogram is a short video clip that combines audio from your podcast with a visual waveform and your cover art, creating shareable social media content that promotes your show.
Waveform
A waveform is a visual representation of audio that shows the amplitude (loudness) of sound over time. In podcasting, waveforms are used in audiograms and editing software to visualize audio.
Show Notes
Show notes are written summaries or bullet points that accompany each podcast episode, typically including key topics, guest information, timestamps, and links to resources mentioned in the episode.
RSS Feed
An RSS feed is a standardized XML file that contains information about your podcast episodes, including titles, descriptions, audio file URLs, and publication dates. It's how podcast directories and apps discover and update your show.