Most ruined episodes don’t fail for lack of talent, but because of some small thing nobody checked: the wrong microphone, a recording that never started, a guest’s battery at 5%. A pre-recording podcast checklist wipes out those silly mistakes. Here’s one broken down by moment: the day before, one hour before, five minutes before, and right after.
Copy it, adapt it to your show, and use it every single time, even when you’re a hundred episodes in.
The day before
Content
- The script or episode outline is ready. If you’re not sure how to put it together, see how to write a podcast script.
- I have the facts, names, and figures I’m going to mention, and I’ve double-checked them.
- I know how I’ll open, what the segments are, and how I’ll close.
- I’ve prepared backup questions in case the conversation stalls.
Guests
- I’ve confirmed the date, time, and time zone with each guest.
- I’ve sent them the session link and the technical instructions.
- I have their permission to record and publish. More in permission to record other people.
- I know how to pronounce their name and how they’d like to be introduced.
- I have a phone number to reach them if something goes wrong.
Gear
- I’ve charged the batteries: recorder, wireless headphones, camera, phone.
- There’s free space on the drive or card I’m recording to.
- I’ve checked for pending system updates and installed them ahead of time, not during the session.
One hour before
Space
- I’ve closed windows and doors to cut down on noise.
- I’ve turned off the AC, the fan, or a nearby fridge if they’re noisy (and made a note to turn the fridge back on).
- I’ve told everyone at home or at the office that I’m about to record.
- My phone is on silent and do-not-disturb, and so is my watch.
- If there’s video: the light is on and in position, and the background is tidy.
Audio
- The microphone is plugged in and the system recognizes it.
- The app or web page is using the right microphone (not the laptop’s built-in one).
- I did a 30-second test and listened back with headphones.
- The distance to the mic is right: usually a hand-span or a bit more, depending on the microphone.
- The level doesn’t clip on the peaks (when I laugh or talk loudly).
Connection (if remote)
- I’m on a wired connection or close to the router.
- Nobody else is hogging the network.
- I ran a speed test. If you’re unsure, check what internet speed you need to record remotely.
- I’ve closed tabs and programs I won’t be using.
Virtual studio (if you use one)
- The set is built or loaded from my saved sets.
- My avatar is wearing the outfit I want for this episode.
- The TV or the wall frames are showing the right content.
- I’ve checked that the avatar’s mouth moves with my voice.
Five minutes before
- All participants are connected and can hear each other clearly.
- Everyone is wearing headphones (to avoid echo).
- We did a voice check for each person, one at a time.
- I’ve reminded everyone to mute their mic when they’re not talking, if there’s background noise.
- I have water within reach (no ice, it clinks).
- I’ve gone over the structure out loud with the guests: how long it runs and what the segments are.
- I’ve confirmed out loud that the session is being recorded and will be published.
- The recording is running. Check that the timer is moving or the indicator is on.
That last item deserves mental capital letters. It’s the most common mistake and the most painful one.
During the recording
It’s not part of the pre-recording checklist, but it’s worth keeping in mind:
- Glance every so often to make sure the recording is still going.
- If there’s a loud noise, stop, let two seconds pass, and repeat the sentence. It’s easy to edit.
- Jot down the timestamps of standout moments for clips. If you want to get the most out of them, read vertical clips from your podcast.
Right after
- I stopped the recording and waited for the file to finish saving.
- I checked that the file exists and plays back.
- I made a backup somewhere else (another drive or the cloud).
- I asked guests to save their local recording, if they made one.
- I wrote down what went wrong so I can improve it next time.
- I thanked the guests and told them when it comes out.
Short version to print
If you want something to tape next to your microphone:
| Moment | Check |
|---|---|
| Day before | Script, guests confirmed with link, permission, batteries, disk space |
| One hour before | Noise, correct mic, audio test, connection, set and avatar |
| Five minutes before | Everyone can hear, headphones, water, recording notice, recording running |
| After | File saved, backup, notes for next time |
Mistakes this checklist prevents
- Recording 40 minutes on the laptop’s built-in microphone.
- Finding out the recording never started.
- A guest with echo because they were using speakers.
- A notification going off in the middle of a story.
- Losing the file because you didn’t back it up.
The more episodes you record, the shorter this checklist gets in your head, but having it written down saves you on rushed days. If you want to prep your set ahead of time and keep it saved for the next session, create your studio for free.
Frequently asked questions
How far ahead should I get everything ready to record?
Ideally, have the content and guests sorted the day before, and set aside 30 to 60 minutes before the session to check your space, audio, and connection.
What do people forget most often before recording a podcast?
Checking that the recording actually started and that the right microphone is in use. Those are the two most frequent mistakes and the easiest to avoid.
Should I always do an audio test, even if nothing has changed?
Yes. Thirty seconds recorded and played back on headphones is enough. An update or a loose cable can change everything without you noticing.