Here's everything you need to know about being a guest on
Digital Health Today
Our mission is to serve our audience with great content and interesting insights, and a key way we do that is by helping leaders and innovators share their stories. We are accountable to both our audience and our guests to maximize their investment of time engaging with our show, and we take that responsibility very seriously.
For your episode on Digital Health Today, we want to make sure you sound great so listeners can focus on your message – which is something you want, too! Don’t worry: recording a podcast can be pretty straightforward – like making a phone call – but like everything that involves technology, there are a few key things to keep in mind to help things go smoothly.
We’ve summarized our tips here. Please take a few minutes to read this page completely, and let us know if you have any questions.
NOTE: We have recommended microphones below. If you don’t already have an audio headset or podcast microphone, be sure to make a small investment in your episode by picking one up. If the audio quality sounds like it is being compromised, we will postpone the call.
If you already have one, or you’d just like to test the audio quality of a new one before the interview, we’re happy to arrange that, too.
Thanks for your interest in being a part of Digital Health Today!
What Equipment Do I Need?
The bare necessities:
Laptop with Internet
A wired internet connection is best, but if you use Wi-Fi, please ensure you’re in a place with good service. We recommend >5mbps upload speed.
Test your speed by searching for ‘run speed test’ or visit speedtest.net
Please be sure to close unused windows, tabs and programs, and mute notifications on your devices.
Call Software
Usually Riverside.fm or Zencastr.com
All you need to do is connect your microphone, and then open the link we provide in Chrome on your laptop.
And, we’ll say it again: Please be sure to close unused windows, tabs and programs, and mute notifications on your devices.
Note: it will not work on a tablet or smartphone.
A Decent-quality Microphone and Headphones
This is r-e-a-l-l-y important! We want you to sound great so people focus on your message. That starts with a good-quality microphone.
Don’t worry – we have some low-cost links and ideas for you below.
(Did we mention closing other programs on your computer?)
Help us, help you:
Invest in a Mic
If you don’t have a mic already, here are some that will help ensure the best sound quality, and they can be used for all your computer-based calls. They are very portable and sound great, and plug into the USB ports on both Mac and PC laptops.
This small investment will pay huge dividends for how you sound.
Plus, with a good piece of equipment that will last years, you’ll certainly find more ways to use it beyond the podcast that we record!
Jabra Evolve 40 Stereo UC Optimized
USB Headset
This headset has proven to be one of the best options available at a reasonable price. It uses the original, flat USB-A connection, so be sure you have a spare port on your laptop. It’s also great for Zoom and Teams calls.
Samson Q2U Mic
(plus Wired Headphones)
About $90, the Samson Q2U comes with a stand and several ways to connect via USB. Be sure to use headphones – any old pair of wired ones will do (not included with mic).
*These links are Amazon affiliate links, so if you use them to purchase, we will receive a small (very small!) commission at no additional charge to you.
"I don't have a mic - can I use my earbuds, or just my laptop mic?"
Well, we used to say yes, but now, it’s a ‘no’.
Look, we care about our listeners, and we want to make sure they hear everything you have to share.
Part of our role is to make sure you sound as great as possible – and the sound starts where your voice hits your microphone.
After all – this isn’t just some radio, drive-time, call-in show. This is really important information about healthcare!
Still not convinced? Ok, we can try to get by with just your earbuds, your laptop mic or another mic you already own – but please know: if the sound quality isn’t good, we won’t record and will postpone the call.
Our advice is to pick up a good microphone/headset for somewhere between $60-$90 – you’ll sound great and will certainly find more uses for it!
Earbuds Pro: Availability
Earbuds are delivered along with nearly every smartphone, so if you have smartphone (er, of course you do), you have something that could work.
But there’s no avoiding it:
They sound terrible on a podcast.
Earbuds Con: Sound quality
Earbuds can capture noise when you move, and the mic can rub against your collar, shirt or chin – even with minimal movement. This creates noise on the recording that can’t be removed. The mics we recommend have fixed microphones that place the mic near your mouth and reduce room noise.
Frequently Asked Questions
We usually use Riverside.fm or Zencastr recording software, which doesn’t require that you download anything. But it does require that you use a laptop with Chrome – not an iPad or Smartphone.
We normally record 3-4 weeks ahead of release, and we are happy to schedule releases to coincide with other activities or announcements you may have.
No, our interviews are pre-recorded and edited before airing.
Nada. Zip. Zilch. We feature leading innovators and don’t charge to be on the Digital Health Today program. We cover our costs through the support of of our sponsors and partners. We welcome new sponsors if you’d like to become one, and introductions if you feel led to make them, but that is not a requirement.
We normally schedule a 40-45 minute block of time to conduct the interview, and edit the overall podcast to about 20-25 minutes.
Ok, feeling good with the information so far? Great! Now, read on for some Pro tips to take it to another level!
Don’t use a swivel chair
It’s best to use a chair with four legs, not a swivel chair. Swivel chairs can make sounds that are impossible to remove in post-production. Use a comfortable chair with four legs instead.
Turn off your cell phone!
Or, at least put it on silent, but put it somewhere where the vibration won’t be picked up on the call (i.e. not on the desk next to the microphone).
Oh, and your watch, iPad – even mute your Alexa so she doesn’t pipe in on the conversation!
Close the windows and doors
Avoid interruptions and ‘BBC moments’ by keeping windows and doors closed –and maybe even locked!
Trim the echo
Rooms with lots of tile and glass can create echoes during the recording, making you sound distant. Choose to record in a room with carpets, curtains, and soft furnishings. Some people choose to record in the comfort of home!
How can I share my episode?
We would love your help in spreading the word about your episode when it goes live. Typically, we send about a dozen tweets over the course of a week or two, complete with some photos and tagging you and your episode in them.
Please share, email, re-Tweet, and post your episode to your colleagues, organizations, and followers. We will tag you in a few tweets, so, for maximum impact, please like, re-Tweet, and post on your channels.
When your episode goes live,
we will send you an email with:
- a short link to your episode (one that is easy to remember)
- some suggested tweets
- an image to share
- and a few Twitter handles to include (@dhealthtoday and @healthtechdan)
Plus, every episode has sharing icons on the show notes pages, so you can share across your networks.
Remember microphones are sensitive!
They pick up more sounds than you may think. Tapping on a keyboard, drumming the desk…even carefully moving papers or clicking pens can (and do!) get picked up on the recording. Even with post-processing, they can’t be removed if they are recorded at the same time as your voice.
Pour yourself a drink
Professional newscasters and radio personalities choose apple juice to keep their mouths hydrated and voices lubricated. Who knew, right? Coffee and water can dry out your mouth and produce more clicks and sounds when you speak, so top up on these after the call.
Smile!
Your smile helps put the energy into your voice that people will hear when they tune into your episode. We know, it sounds silly, but it’s true! Relax, have fun, and enjoy the conversation – the listeners will too!
New to Podcasts? It's easy to get started!
Simply visit our Podcasts page to listen here on the website
