Some tips, so that your Podcast doesn't suck.

I just listened to a SXSW podcasting panel. The panelists suggested these tips to improve your podcast.
1. Know your audience...
Comments, wikis, and twitter help you make your show better through feedback.
2. Good equipment is just cool!
Microphones are the single most important thing for the quality of your podcast.
3. You might need a script, or bullet points to stay on task.
4. Ask leading questions, don't waste peoples time.
5. Edit!!
There are free ones, they come with your computers... USE THEM. Your audience will love you and thank you for it.
6. Flow.
There's a beginning, a middle, and an end. Tell a story. Keep it lean, keep it mean.
7. Leave them wanting more.
8. Casting in podcasting... theme songs are cool!
Rockin podcast+theme song= people will love it! Respect copyrights.
9. Use an intro and outro. Who you are, what is the podcast about. Pre-announce. It will keep them listening.
10. Wrap it up! Thank them for coming. Bait the hook for next time.

We have a class assignment that requires us to produce a podcast. I was a little bit nervous about how to do it, and how to keep it interesting, but I think that these tips will really help! I currently don't listen to any podcasts, but I have several friends that are really into them. I guess they are a lot like blogging, and you have to work really hard to increase your audience. So, if you are needing some tips on how to keep your audience interested this SXSW podcast is a great place to start!