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Improve Your Podcast Through Copywork
There’s an age-old writing exercise called Copywork where a writer will copy, word for word, the work of another writer they admire.
The idea is that by combing through the work with a keen eye and copying it over by hand, you’re able to dissect the structure and composition of the writing to better understand how the author creates their work.
Most podcasters could benefit from a similar practice.
Choose a well-produced show that you love and attempt to re-create it from scratch.
Not only will your editing skills improve, but your understanding of narration and interview structure will as well.
How does the host hold tension and keep the listener engaged throughout the interview?
How does each question lead into the next, creating a through-line that pulls the listener through the episode?
How, where, and why do they use music and/or sound design and what is the effect it achieves?
Musicians start out playing covers.
Filmmakers start out recreating their favourite movie scenes.
It only makes sense that podcasters can improve by emulating the great work that’s come before.
