How a Podcast Can Benefit from the Help of an Intern

Podcasts are one of the fastest growing information mediums on the Internet. A relatively new method of communication, the podcast has become a favorite of many an Internet entrepreneur. Some large companies have also seen the benefits of podcasting and started doing it themselves.

Podcasts are easy to distribute, and listeners can access them almost effortlessly. But there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes of podcasts that most people do not realize. It's not unlike a radio or television program, with its scripting, lining up of guests, editing, and technical aspects. Podcasters often need help getting everything done, and they can get that help from an intern.

A podcasting internship is a win-win situation. The intern gets to learn about the various aspects of producing a podcast. The podcaster gets an extra hand, allowing him to get more done in less time. It will take some time to provide the intern's initial training, but after that things should go fairly smoothly.

What Can a Podcasting Intern Do?

Podcasting interns can handle many tasks with little training. Some things you could get your intern to do include:

Research - Any program that provides information will require some research to be done. Your intern can research your topics and get the facts straight for you. He can also work on coming up with potential topics for the podcast.

Lining up Guests - Guests are one of the most exciting parts of a podcast. The most successful podcasts feature guests regularly, but lining them up can be something of a chore. It's not at all uncommon to end up playing phone tag, and that can take up a lot of precious time. Your intern can take care of this for you, freeing up your time so you can do other things.

Script writing - You might be apprehensive about letting an intern write scripts, but it can be good for your podcast. Fresh ideas are a good thing. You don't have to let your intern write the entire script if you don't want to. Simply letting him work on a particular segment can give you a feel for his writing abilities. If it goes well, you can give him more writing work to do.

Technical work - Interns with education or experience in technical pursuits can help with the technical aspects of your podcast. Even those who have not done such things before can do simple things such as making adjustments to the audio. You could also show your intern how to use your editing software and let him try his hand at that.

Interns can do a lot of things to help with your podcast. They are less expensive than hiring an employee or contractor, and they can perform some tasks with very little training. So if you need a hand with your podcast, consider getting an intern.