grinnin-ghost

[grinnin-ghost]

Daydreams of Dark Rides: The Podcast and its Creation

Good morning, afternoon, or evening, ghosties!

Welcome to today’s blog post, where I will detail how I created a podcast episode dedicated to the exciting world of theme parks and travel destinations. In this episode, I cover all the thrilling news from Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe. Additionally, I include updates from Walt Disney World and a fictional sponsored advertisement from Pixie Dust Vacation Planners.  Creating this episode was incredibly fun, allowing me to explore topics I truly enjoy and opening my eyes to patterns and trends consistent across social media.

Content Creation Process: When I was selecting the podcast topic, I went with what excited me the most, and what excites me? Theme parks and travel! I’ve been consuming content in this niche for years because it’s a passion of mine.  I grew up dreaming of having the time and money to be able to explore the world and visit theme parks whenever I wanted! Whether I'm diving into the latest updates or planning my own dream vacation, I am constantly watching creators like TheTimTracker, Mammoth Club, and DFBGuide. So, naturally, this was the perfect topic for my podcast episode. I’m not only enthusiastic about it, but I also have a lot of knowledge that I can share with my listeners.

One of the hardest parts of creating this episode was crafting a script that didn’t feel robotic. Most of the content was informational, so I needed to ensure my delivery wasn’t flat or monotone. I wanted to weave in my personality and ensure the podcast was engaging.  Watching creators like DFBGuide really helped with this, as much of their content is more focused on reporting information and opinions, rather than exploring the parks and updates in a vlog format like TheTimTracker.

The planning and scripting process came naturally to me since I’ve spent the last 12+ years consuming content on social media related to theme parks. Once I gathered the most recent updates about Epic Universe and Disney World, I started noting down key information that sparked my interest. From there, the scripting process came easily. I compiled my ideas, added an introduction, and structured the content to flow cohesively, ensuring it was informative and personal.

Recording and Editing: When it came time to record, I had to make do with the tools I had at hand. I don’t have access to high-end equipment, so I used a Bluetooth microphone with a filter (Thanks, mom!). Thankfully, the audio was pretty decent! For recording, I utilized the voice memo feature on my iPhone, recording multiple takes to get the perfect sound.

I used the microphone’s built-in filter to minimize background noise and reduce vocal pops, ensuring a clear and professional-sounding audio. While the recording was relatively smooth, editing proved to be a bit more challenging. I had to sift through about seven audio takes to find the best segments. I used Adobe Audition to trim the audio and splice together the most natural-sounding dialogue. This process required some patience but allowed me to ensure that the final product was crisp and seamless.

Sponsored Advertisement: As a part of the episode, I created a fictitious sponsored advertisement for Pixie Dust Vacation Planners. This is a real company, and their services align perfectly with the theme of my podcast episode, which was centered around theme parks and travel.

To make the advertisement feel natural, I made sure to tie it into the content of the episode by discussing the opening of Epic Universe and how listeners could use Pixie Dust Vacation Planners to help book their own trips to Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World. The transition felt organic, and it added value to the episode, giving my audience a helpful resource for planning their dream vacations.

Social Media Ad Creation: Creating a social media ad to promote my podcast episode was another fun but essential task. I wanted to showcase my credibility, so I chose a photo of my partner and me at Universal Studios, holding Butterbeer from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. This personal touch highlighted my firsthand experience with the parks, establishing that I genuinely know what I’m talking about.

For the design, I kept it simple but eye-catching. The text on the ad was bold and clear, reading, “Are you ready for an EPIC summer? Check out the latest episode of our podcast!” I also included the Epic Universe logo for visual appeal. My goal was to create a post that felt relatable and familiar while emphasizing my knowledge and passion for theme parks. The tools I used to design the ad were simple but effective – I relied on photo editing apps and a clean, straightforward layout that drew attention to the text and photo.

Challenges and Findings: Every content creator faces challenges, and for me, one of the biggest challenges during this process was simplifying the social media ad. I tend to want to add a lot of elements to make something visually interesting, but through research and feedback, I realized that less is often more. Striking the right balance of simplicity and engagement was key.

Through this process, I also gained valuable insights into logo design, ad creation, and sponsored content integration. I studied other influencers in the theme park and travel space to see how they approached graphics, sponsors, and promotions. I’ll take these lessons with me for future projects, helping me create more effective and engaging content that resonates with my audience.

Overall, creating this podcast episode and the accompanying promotional materials has been an incredibly rewarding experience. I’ve learned a lot about content creation, from crafting a script that feels personal to designing an eye-catching social media ad. By researching trends and patterns in the industry, I’ve developed a deeper understanding of what works and how to apply it to my own projects.

Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue honing my skills and creating content that brings listeners the latest updates on all things theme parks and travel.

Thanks for reading!  Good night, ghosties <3