Sound Delivery

The nominations are out for this year’s Sony Awards – the audio equivalent of the Oscars. As an organisation that is passionate about audio and podcasting we at sounddelivery follow the nominations with great interest. Over the last few years as charities and community groups have embraced the digital age and started creating their own digital media (including podcasts) their work has been rewarded with nominations and awards. Since 2008 nominees and winners have included The RSPB’s Nature’s Voice, Clifton Diocese and the Prison Radio Association. This year the Prison Radio Association and Great Ormond Street Hospital have been nominated for their podcasts Behind Bars and Children First for Health. It’s a competitive radio production field and I can assure you everyone wants to win a Sony so it’s fantastic news that these organisations are getting recognition of this kind. Its also great to see the community podcasts being recognised too – anyone East London based would be advised to check out the Hackney Podcast, which has also been nominated for an award this year.

But podcast production isn’t for the faint-hearted. Although it’s a relatively cost effective digital media tool it does take time and effort to get it right. Listening to some charity podcasts we still worry that organisations are uploading content that simply isn’t strong enough. We’re still amazed at people who want to create podcasts for their charities – yet don’t listen to podcasts that have been produced – especially ones being produced within the sector. Audio is a fantastic media and is, quite rightly being embraced by the sector but take your time to get it right. The Sony winners will be announced on the 10th May so stay tuned.

Check out Jude’s top tips for podcast production:

http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/news/archive/786344/Digital-Communication-grab-ears/?DCMP=ILC-SEARCH