In the final episode of the series on show design, Ed Barker, founder of Studio 1878, delves into the intricacies of designing content for both audio and video simultaneously. He challenges the common practice of simply filming a podcast, highlighting the need for intentional trade-offs when catering to these different formats. Ed explains the unique experiences and expectations of audio and video audiences, offers three approaches to integrating video into an audio-first show, and discusses the production complexities and additional costs involved. He emphasizes the importance of a coherent show design that prioritizes either audio or video, supported by thoughtful supplementary materials. Ed concludes by stressing the significance of designing a well-structured and sustainable show to ensure long-term success and audience retention.

00:00 Introduction: Should We Do Video?

01:16 Why Audio and Video Are Different

03:00 Three Approaches to Audio and Video

05:36 Why 'We'll Just Clip It' Usually Fails

07:08 How Cameras Change Behavior

09:27 Production Reality: Time and Budget

10:40 Framework for Making Decisions

11:57 Coherence Matters More Than Reach

12:54 Closing: Good Podcasts Are Designed

About Your Host

Ed Barker has been producing and recording podcasts since 2009. After a long career as a corporate marketing and strategy executive - and then a VC - Ed launched Studio 1878 in early 2025 with the goal of making brand and business podcasting much better. Ed is a Brit, working out of Seattle, and podcasting worldwide. 🌎

Studio 1878

A podcast development studio for the modern brand. We believe everyone has a story worth telling. Specializing in business and brand podcasts, we’ll help build your story from ideation to distribution, transforming concepts to real connection with your audiences. We produce our own shows but our core proposition is in helping businesses and creators produce something truly compelling and authentic. We’d love to help you tell your story.

Contact

Web: www.1878.studio

Email: hello@1878.studio

Mobile: 425-520-3483

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Ed Barker, founder of Studio 1878, emphasizes the importance of aligning production budgets with the strategic goals of a podcast to ensure its sustainability. He provides a detailed breakdown of the various components involved in podcast production, such as research, recording, editing, quality control, and asset creation. Ed discusses different budget tiers, their trade-offs, and how production choices impact the overall quality and longevity of a podcast. He stresses the significance of carefully planning production to avoid burnout and ensure long-term success, and concludes by highlighting the importance of maintaining clarity and realistic schedules.

00:00 Introduction: Production as Strategy

01:21 What Production Actually Includes

02:48 Production Time Breakdown

04:25 High Production vs High Quality

05:53 Budget Tiers and Trade-offs

08:42 Time as the Real Constraint

09:53 In-House vs External Production

11:13 Episode Frequency and Sustainability

12:15 Designing for Longevity

13:12 Key Takeaways

13:59 Next Episode Preview

About Your Host

Ed Barker has been producing and recording podcasts since 2009. After a long career as a corporate marketing and strategy executive - and then a VC - Ed launched Studio 1878 in early 2025 with the goal of making brand and business podcasting much better. Ed is a Brit, working out of Seattle, and podcasting worldwide. 🌎

Studio 1878

A podcast development studio for the modern brand. We believe everyone has a story worth telling. Specializing in business and brand podcasts, we’ll help build your story from ideation to distribution, transforming concepts to real connection with your audiences. We produce our own shows but our core proposition is in helping businesses and creators produce something truly compelling and authentic. We’d love to help you tell your story.

Contact

Web: www.1878.studio

Email: hello@1878.studio

Mobile: 425-520-3483

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to Keep Listeners Engaged

In this episode, Ed Barker, founder of Studio 1878, delves into the importance of episode structure for podcasts. He explains that while topics and guests are often the focus, listeners mainly care about whether an episode feels worth their time. Good structure helps guide listeners effortlessly through an episode, leading to higher completion rates and stronger audience relationships. Barker highlights common pitfalls such as meandering conversations and outlines strategies for maintaining listener engagement through clear narrative arcs and recurring segments. He also discusses the significance of pacing and impactful openings and endings. Ultimately, well-structured episodes not only benefit the audience but also make the host's job easier and improve the overall success of the podcast.

00:00 Introduction: Why Structure Matters

01:00 The Data on Drop-Off Rates

01:23 Why Conversation Alone Isn't Enough

03:09 What Listeners Actually Want

03:48 The Shape of a Good Episode

05:41 Openings: The First Minute

07:09 Pacing Over Length

08:47 Using Segments to Create Rhythm

11:31 How Structure Helps the Host

12:29 Why Endings Matter

13:44 Structure Respects the Listener

14:47 Next Episode Preview

About Your Host

Ed Barker has been producing and recording podcasts since 2009. After a long career as a corporate marketing and strategy executive - and then a VC - Ed launched Studio 1878 in early 2025 with the goal of making brand and business podcasting much better. Ed is a Brit, working out of Seattle, and podcasting worldwide. 🌎

Studio 1878

A podcast development studio for the modern brand. We believe everyone has a story worth telling. Specializing in business and brand podcasts, we’ll help build your story from ideation to distribution, transforming concepts to real connection with your audiences. We produce our own shows but our core proposition is in helping businesses and creators produce something truly compelling and authentic. We’d love to help you tell your story.

Contact

Web: www.1878.studio

Email: hello@1878.studio

Mobile: 425-520-3483

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.