Podcast Support Training
Role: Instructional Designer
Timeline: 1 month
Tools: Articulate 360, Google Workspace, GarageBand, Anchor
Stakeholders: CS Training, Partner Management, Podcast Support Advisors
Problem: We were launching a new channel for Podcast Support and needed to upskill a small team of existing Creator Support advisors. Pilot advisors were also hesitant about moving into a new support structure, so the training needed to have a very positive spin.
Outcome: I delivered a 3-day blended learning curriculum. It had the dual purpose of training on tools and processes, as well as selling the new channel as an exciting learning opportunity.
Before and After - Working with SME Content
We agreed on a short, prerequisite eLearning to cover what podcasting is and who the advisors’ new audience would be. The SME I worked with on this project sent me this to include in the training. It was bulky and didn’t have much of a flow, so I took it from slide to Storyline!
This Storyline block featured the same icons from the SME’s slide, but now broke each type out into different screens. I used hovers and layers to keep the text minimal and to engage advisors. I even included a play button that would share a snippet of the podcast so advisors could hear it!
Create Your Own Podcast
A chance for new Podcast Support advisors to get a behind-the-scenes look at their audience.
The Studio
This activity was something I could only develop due to the small size of the pilot class and their location. The call center has a music studio in their office that we were able to utilize.
The Learners
Learners were given a set of prompts to inspire their podcasts, but they were also given creative control to choose their own subject (as long as it was appropriate for work!).
Supporting Each Other
Advisors published their podcast episodes to Spotify using the same tools a podcaster would. But we took it one step further! Overnight, we took their podcasts, broke them, and then used them to create practice cases for the next day.
Instructions for Advisors
The trainer described the activity and had a short discussion before sending advisors off to the studio, but here are the written instructions advisors were given for the activity.
Follow the general structure below to record your podcast. If you listen to podcasts, this should be pretty familiar to you! But if you’re not an avid listener, you’ll still be able to follow along with this outline guiding your conversation. Take some time now to jot down some notes with your podcasting partner.
Times and bullet points are suggestions, but have fun with it! This is your time to put on the podcaster’s hat and see what it’s like to record a podcast.
Jingle & Short Intros (30 seconds)
Short and peppy intro music.
A quick “I’m (name) --”
“-- And I’m (name)!”
“And you’re listening to (podcast title)!”
Intros (1-2 minutes)
Slightly longer intros to talk about who each host is on the podcast.
Why did you choose this title for your podcast? What inspired it?
What are your goals with the podcast?
If you want, include a quip about “last week’s episode.”
Today’s Topic (2-3 minutes)
Start with one person talking about the topic to introduce it, and then have a short conversation.
Can be a back and forth discussion or split between the two sections.
Lead into the ad by saying you’ll get back to the topic at hand shortly, but first you have to include a word about your sponsors!
Ad (20-30 seconds)
Choose whether you want to have another jingle here or not.
Include a short anecdote about how using the product made your life better.
Let the listener know where they can go to get the product / subscribe to the service, including your unique podcast “code” that they can include for a discount.
Be creative! Have fun with it.
Today’s Topic, Cont’d (2-3 minutes)
Continue with your main topic discussion.
Wrap it up and move into your closing!
Closing (1 minute)
Thank your listeners for tuning in.
Tease “next week’s” episode topic.
Remind listeners to follow/rate/subscribe/etc.
Jingle, if you want it!