How to Take Phone Calls on Your Podcast - 8 Methods

Have you ever wondered how to take phone calls on a podcast? You may have run into situations where you want to connect with a guest or a listener over the phone. Getting your audience on a podcast is one of the best ways to connect with them.

More potential listeners would want to listen to your podcast, as they may have the chance to interact with you and involve themselves in one of your episodes. Having new people on your podcast makes your show more interesting.

More listeners may resonate with your content. Also, you do not have to think through creating content rigorously as you create an interesting conversation with the callers. In this post, we will walk you through different tips, recording techniques, and steps for how to take phone calls on a podcast. Relax! It does not involve an advanced audio setup or equipment expertise.

8 Ways On How to Take Phone Calls on a Podcast

There are a lot of ways to take phone calls on your podcast live. Usually, the process is similar to radio broadcasting or newscasting. We listed eight options for you to choose from in giving your listeners a convenient way to take part in your podcast.

1.  Call in Studio

Call in Studio is a cloud-based call solution for broadcasters. It enables listeners and guests to barge and join in public conversations or broadcasts. It functions similarly to a radio interview or a live news discussion.  

It allows you to eliminate expensive and fancy equipment. This way, you can insert an avid listener into your podcast conversation with ease. You do not need complicated software to make the call, either. Call in Studio is one of the available inexpensive options to take phone calls for your podcast.

The first step to using this platform is to create your own account. After which, you will receive a free $13 credit upon validating your account. The $13 credit is enough to buy a phone number for a month, as well as make and receive test calls.

This virtual call-in platform is best for the Internet space and radio shows. You just have to connect the system to a phone call and you can manage it through the website. Most users of this setup use Zoom or Google voice to dial into the Call in Studio host line.

Connecting your microphone(s) to a tiny mixing board is the most successful approach. This setup requires an additional audio line connected to a second computer or telephone that dials into the Call in Studio host line via a mix-minus setup. Frequently, the mixing board is connected to a major computer that broadcasts and/or records the entire production. Users usually set up some mixing boards to automatically mix minus when connected to a phone through a wired or Bluetooth connection. The Rodecaster Pro and Zoom L8 are two popular mixers.

2.  Radio.co

Another way to take callers on your podcast using no hardware is through Radio.co. This software allows you to create your own radio station. It lets you automate and set your live call schedule beforehand, broadcast live and track your listeners’ activity.

Launching your podcast can be quite tricky. Radio.co can help you take live callers on your podcast so that you can go live anywhere, anytime without having to set up studio equipment. To do this, you integrate Skype to do the live call.

You need to have a computer, a smartphone for your guest, a mixing desk, a microphone, headphones, and a couple of jack cables. Once you've got everything set up and linked, you can record audio for your podcast using podcast recording software on your PC.

3.  Mixlr.com

Mixlr.com is live broadcast software that allows you to go live on your own website or post pre-recorded audio live. Through this software, you can invite people to take part in the conversation and chat with each other. It works on both Windows and Mac devices. You can also choose to pre-record your podcast together with your chosen caller beforehand and broadcast it later.

To broadcast a phone call from one of your listeners, you need first to set up a live event on Mixlr.com. After this, integrate online audio messaging software like Skype, Facebook calls, or Google Hangouts to Mixlr. Mixlr AudioLink, an audio device that comes along with the application, can help you complete this process.

You won't be able to hear your caller using headphones or speakers since your messaging application's audio output is set to Mixlr AudioLink. In order to hear your caller, you must turn on monitoring.

Mixlr can provide you with data on who among your listeners is the most active. You can use this data to gamify things. The most participative listener can get the chance to call in and join you live on the next show.

4.  Zoom

The most efficient software-to-software solution is Zoom. It is free for two guests for up to 24 hours. It is also simple to use. The most excellent aspect of this tool is that most people are already familiar with it and have it loaded on their phone or computer.

Provide your guest with an invitation link so that they can join a call. Zoom can also provide you with a phone number. You can then give this to your guest so they can call you before the scheduled time.

The audio quality for Zoom calls is excellent. Zoom has the best audio quality of any VoIP program, the most recording options, plus the ability to generate individual MP4 or M4A recordings for each guest automatically. And on your end, you can have your podcast studio set up to work with Zoom. You can use your own equipment to record everything. Therefore, we highly recommend this software for live call-ins.

5.  Mixer

Mixers can come as hardware or software like Rodecaster Pro. These pieces of equipment can plug into your phone. Then you can start recording the phone’s audio directly through audio editing software. It's worth mentioning that phone call audio is the least high-quality of all the audio you can record, but it's the most practical option if you have a mixer.

6.  Landline

You'll need a gadget that plugs into the phone jack on one end and connects to an audio recorder with remote and microphone connections on the other end to record calls on a landline. The recording begins when the guest picks up the phone. You and the caller will capture the discussion on both ends at the same volume.

This service is tough to locate a device for. As the use of landlines has decreased, many acceptable recording devices are discontinued, and the costs for those still available, such as the RecorderGear TR600 Landline Phone Call Recorder, have increased.

7.  Google Voice

Aside from using mixers and mixing software, Google Voice is another way to allow your participants to use their phones to call in to your show. Call recording isn't available on all phones, though. You can also make outgoing calls from your computer with this application.

Set up Google Voice before the meeting. Try to learn how to make the best use of the app. Make a dry run call with someone you know. To set up Google Voice on your computer or phone, go to the official Google Voice website. Sign in with your Google account. Then, click Continue after agreeing to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy displayed. To complete the process, click "Finish." After this, you can use recording software to capture all your conversations.

8.  Skype

What's nice about Skype is that your guest is likely to already know how to use it and have the program installed. In this case, you would simply have them dial in using their smartphone app. You may also use a recording program to capture the interview on your end.

Key Takeaways

You should be able to receive quality phone calls for your podcast if you follow these easy instructions. Remember the following takeaways we listed for you:

• Although most podcasters use phone call podcasting software to take calls, it can never be a comparable substitute for studio broadcasting.
• Before you take calls, you must orient the guests on the dos and don’ts of calling in.
• Before making the call, prepare and test all software and / or hardware ahead of time.

Best of luck! Also, don't forget to enjoy the production! Podcasting is a fantastic way to stay in contact with your audience and share your passions. If you are still unsure about how to take phone calls on a podcast to open the floor for your listeners, get help from specialists. Podkick is a podcast production firm that will help you from start to finish with your podcast interviews.