How to Participate as a Guest on the Podcast and Videocast
FAQs
1. When do I record or go live to the public?
See your confirmed time and date on your calendar invitation.
Unless it is agreed that your episode will stream live in real-time on the internet, you should assume that you will pre-record the episode for later publication. Pre-recorded episodes usually publish and release within 1-2 days after recording, or on some future agreed date.
2. What if I appear at the wrong time or show?
If you appear in the studio when no host is available to admit you on air, then please double check your date and time, and if necessary, email us at team@instantmediations.com to address any errors with your confirmed date and time.
If you appear at a time when another recording is already in progress, you may wait and enjoy the show from your backstage view, or you may exit the studio and return at your scheduled time.
3. How do I prepare my environment for recording?
The 3 things all participants should have: fast internet, clear microphone, and good lighting.
- Try to sit near high-speed internet and participate using a computer (instead of using a phone or tablet). If your internet is not fast enough, you may consider appearing by audio only rather than appearing by choppy video. If your computer has limited RAM, then close power-hungry or data-hungry programs that may interfere with your computer’s processing (good tip too for when using Zoom).
- If possible, try to connect an external microphone for clear audio. Bluetooth earbuds with microphone can work well too. Noise-cancellation mics are great. And avoid sitting near loud “humming” devices like fans and fridges or recording near traffic, pets, or kids. If there will be some noise around you, then be ready to click your mute button (shortcut keys: CTRL + M) when you’re not speaking.
- If appearing on video (most common), be sure to have plenty of light in front of you. Avoid the silhouette look caused by light behind your back, or from sitting in front of a window. You’re welcome to test out your screen appearance and lighting anytime you want once you get your calendar invite guest link.
4. How long does it last?
Recordings typically last just 20 minutes.
Episodes with more more than 3 participants on air, or that contain more complicated subjects, may record longer, in rare cases up to 1 hour.
For efficiency, please appear promptly at your schedule time to do a microphone check and to go over the topic and format. Feel free to visit the Restream.io link on your calendar invite anytime prior to test your own camera, image, and lighting.
5. What is the topic and what is the format?
6. Who is the audience?
Deciding what topic to discuss on air has a lot to do with what your audience is looking for. While viewers and listeners on the IM platform come from diverse groups (gender, age, background, etc.), based on some consumer research, we’ve concluded that our audience is comprised of individuals from 5 main groups:
1. Individuals interested in episodes for law clients, and legal tips/tutorials (non-advice) for potential law clients.
2. Individuals interested in episodes containing practical mediation tips and tips for pro se mediation parties.
3. Individuals interested in episodes that educate on dealing with conflicts, communication-skills, and addressing interpersonal relationships problems.
4. Professional mediators interested in mediator skills and med-arb training opportunities, and in conflict resolution advice/theory/techniques, especially in online mediations.
5. Professional business owners interested in mediation practice management and marketing, and those seeking tips and training for growing or expanding their practice.
There is a relationship between the content contributors share with a particular audience group, and the content audience members want to consume and see more of. Contributors are therefore encouraged to explore “trending” topics as topics to be discussed on each episode. Trends in particular fields can be discovered from places such as Google Trends and on Twitter. Overall, connecting contributors with consumer viewers and listeners is more an artform than an exact science. IM will continue to help guest contributors craft and present their topics in ways that connect with audience members.
7. Where will it publish?
All episodes publish to InstantMediations’s Lawyers & Mediators International YouTube Channel, and on this site’s pages.
The audio of most short episodes and some long ones also publish to InstantMediations’s Podcasts Library.
Finally, published recordings may be published to InstantMediations’s social media accounts. Social media postings may “tag” contributors and may be “reshared” by InstantMediations’s followers.
8. How much does it cost?
Nothing!
The Lawyers & Mediators International Show & Podcast by InstantMediations.com is a free service put on by knowledgeable professionals who aim to provide informational and educational content to the public, especially those dealing with conflict resolution issues.