Recording a podcast can feel exciting and daunting at the same time. Don’t think that you’re alone: even broadcast professionals admit that they get butterflies in their stomach every time they go live! Feeling anxious is normal, and in this article I’m going to share the tips and tricks that I’ve used over the years to get my nervousness under control.

1. Move your body before a recording (do a happy dance!)

   Stress builds up in our body - and moving it really helps flush it out of your system! Whenever I’m about to record or go live on social media, I pick my favorite song and have a 3-ish minute dance off with myself around the house (sorry husband who has to keep a straight face while he’s holding team calls at that time). If doing jumping jacks or going for a walk around your neighborhood for 15 mins works better for you, go ahead!

   Moving your body is great at reducing fatigue, improving alertness and concentration, which means you’ll feel more focused before you start your show!

2. Try recording in a different position

   A lot of Podcasters suffer from anxiety when they’re recording, because they feel that something’s not right. And most times, it all comes down to how you’re positioned. The biggest mistake I see Podcasters do is to not pay attention to their body: they may position their microphone way too low or way too high, or too far from their computer. If you don’t feel comfortable, how can you SOUND comfortable and confident?

   The first question to ask yourself is ‘Do I like movement or stillness?’ If the answer to the previous question is movement, then it’s probably a good idea to record standing up, so that your hands and body can be free of constraints. Adjust your computer and microphone to your recording needs, and not the other way around: buy a mic arm, stack books, use a shelf or use an elevated surface to position your microphone and computer and you’ll be surprised with the difference! On the other hand, if you tried standing, but your body started to ache after a while, that will probably take away some concentration and you won’t be performing your best. Pick a chair with comfortable padding and don’t slouch - your voice will be impacted if you do!
   

3. Keep affirmations and positive feedback nearby

   Impostor syndrome can really affect our performance, and make us doubt our skills. By keeping positive quotes by previous guests or listeners, and affirmations nearby, you’ll be able to stay in a positive mindset and remember the value that you’re providing to your listeners! Having a visual reminder of why you’re recording a podcast will slash insecurities and anxiety! Therapist Monica Denais and I spoke all about impostor syndrome here.

4. Avoid caffeinated drinks

   I say this for two main reasons: caffeine contributes to dehydration, and if consumed in excess, it can increase your stress levels. The combination of high levels of caffeine with lots of talking will reduce your saliva-mucus-balance, which will make you sound more clicky as you speak, and make you self-aware. So replace those coffee mugs with plenty of water and other hydrating fluids and you’ll be able to talk comfortably (and confidently) for long periods of time.
   

5. Do it often

   Practice makes perfect, right? So the more you practice, the more episodes you record, the more comfortable you’ll be. Be gentle with yourself and take note of what you’d like to improve. Listening to past episodes will provide perspective on how far you’ve come. But for that you must keep it consistent!

   If you’re recording one episode a month, a great way to practice talking to your audience is to use Instagram Stories or LinkedIn stories. These platforms really help with building your confidence in between episodes in short bites, and your listeners will appreciate seeing an exclusive behind the scenes of your show!

6. Create processes that work for you- and stick to them!

   Feeding from the tip above is my following recommendation: a lot of anxiety comes from recording a couple of episodes and feeling overwhelmed by all the new processes and steps to make it happen. Take the time to identify what the focus of the anxiety is, and create an action plan. If you’re feeling anxious about making a technical mistake, you can download our free checklist for a carefree and successful podcast recording. If your concern is to provide all the information, as accurately as possible, watch our video about the best way to script a podcast.

   Remember that you don’t have to constantly reinvent the wheel - just create a process that works for your needs and don’t overcomplicate it - make one change at a time, and see how it works for you.

If you’re looking to take your Podcast skills to the next level, book a coaching session with our team. We’ve helped over 30 podcasters grow their Podcasting skills: