Shaping Fire Podcast Guest Tips

Reduce Unwanted Noises•Mute your cell-phone, or preferably switch it off altogether

•Close all programs on your computer that make sounds, e.g. email, Facebook etc.

•In your Skype settings click the “Mute all sounds” button on the “Sounds” tab to eliminate Skype sounds from the podcast•Close external windows and doors to minimize noises from outside•Ask anyone in the house to be quiet whilst you’re being interviewed•Switch off TVs, radios and stereos, or turn their sound right down•Switch off noisy air-conditioning or fans•Don’t fidget: eliminate chair noises, table kicks, pen clicks, paper rustling etc.•Use a room with soft furnishings rather than an echoey room like a kitchen•Close the curtains / drapes in your room as this helps to reduce echoes•Don’t touch your microphone during the interview•Use headphones (e.g. your MP3 player’s ear-buds) instead of your computer’s speakers so your microphone doesn’t pick up an echo of the interviewer’s voiceOptimize your Internet Connection•Hardwire your computer to your internet router with a CAT5 / Ethernet cable•If you can’t hardwire to your router, get as close to the Wi-Fi router as possible•Turn off Skype video to reduce the load on your internet connection•Ensure no internet intensive tasks are running on your network e.g. video streamingMiscellaneous•Have a glass of lukewarm water handy in case your mouth becomes dry•Speak close to your microphone (approx. 5 inches away)•Make sure your audio is coming from the correct device / microphone in Skype•Try to maintain a consistent distance from your microphone•Reboot your computer to ensure it is operating optimally•Close ALL unnecessary programs (e.g. iTunes) to reduce the load on your computer