Oh I learned this tip the hard way!
If you don’t record your file at a frequency of 44,100 then on many of the sites that I mentioned yesterday you will sound like a chipmunk. In the early days I didn’t know this and could not understand why it was happening. One of those tips called…things I wished I had known when I started!
One system that was mentioned was distributing via EzineDirector. Here if you have an e-mail list then you could get the message out via this route. Interesting idea.
If you want an up to date list then go to Podcasting 411 Directory of Directories.
I also learned that 1st Podcasting publishing offers a service for $49 where your podcast is listed in 35 directories which may be useful to you. I have not tried this, but may be worth checking out if time is an issue to you.
If you ever want to convert a group of files that have different bit rate, frequency or change mono or stereo - then try dpoweramp You can set this going overnight and is usually free for a 30 day trial.
Hopefully a quick tip for all you podcasters!
In 2005 the word podcasting was voted the word of the year by the New Oxford Dictionary. That is a huge accolade, so why was it so lauded? Well, look at podcasting and the true power of it
It connects YOU to a one on one converstion on a regular basis via RSS
It opens you to a world of friends…I now have friends in Canada, USA, Netherlands, Denmark, UK and many more
It is accessible to everyone with a PC
It is a global connection tool that you can start for virtually nothing
Mmm I can now see why this tool has been lauded and we are only at the start of a new media age, we can shape the future of podcasting…wow, now that is exciting!
When you interview people and you both record the conversation, you may want to send the files to each other. The files will tend to be to big to go through the e-mail system so use a site like yousendit
You can both access them, work on them and send files back if necessary.
Great tool for us beginners!
People find you in 3 main ways
By browsing
By using keywords
By being featured
Although there is little you can do on being featured, you must spend time ensuring that your keywords are the “best that they can be”. One site that can help with this is Nichebot
For the browsing audience make sure that your title and album art entice people to your show.
Understand whether you have a Podium or a Living Room podcast!
A podium = An active speaker to passive listeners
A Living Room = Active speaker to active listeners
If you want to be the second then how do you encourage people to participate? Are you sure that you are giving listeners a reason to participate?
If you want active listeners then you need to build into your format many different communication channels, and build a USP to ensure that people want to engage with you. Every podcast will be different…trial and error is a great way of finding the right solution.
Jerry Franklin suggested 2 pieces of editing to do to any of your audacity files before publishing
1) Hard Limiter - to reduce the peaks
2) Normalise - maximises “listenability”
Leesa Barnes shared with us all what her research shows people are looking for…
69% want ORIGINAL content which they cannot find anywhere else
42% look for existing TV related content
This means you need to think about originality, either in approach or the area that you podcast in. You need to create a show which is unique and that people cannot find through other channels. As they say Content is King.
One of the presenters at the International Expo was Leesa Barnes who is a brilliant podcasting expert - check out her blog Podonomics to see what I mean! Also I recently interviewed her about podcasting in the corporate world - check that out here, you want show 21.
Leesa explained to us her PLAN for success.
P= Pick your role as a podcaster - expert, interviewer, connector etc
L= List your goals, 3 is a good number to aim for…
A= Activity - here she talked about understanding what you want your listeners to do once they finish the show.
N= Narrow down, focus on a call to action. Don’t try and conquer the world on day one, focus on small realistic steps you can take.
Great advice!
Some stats that I found amazing on video podcasting (which is more popular than audio) are
1) 55% of users view podcasts online
2) 45% of users download
3) 7% subscibe to new podcasts
4) You Tube has the highest market share but MySpace has the most visitors.
5) 106.5m people downloaded (about 3 out of 5 of US Internet users) or streamed video during July.
Phew…shows the need for you to make yourself easy to find..more on that tomorrow!
I have just joined Linkedin so if anyone wants to contact and make on line touch then give me a shout
Have a short audio promo that others can play to advertise your show, offer to promote each others and build an audience together
I wanted to know more about microphones as I don’t understand them! Rich Roszel in his presentation Here is what I picked up as a little summary of the difference between Dynamic and Condenser
Dynamic
Needs no external power
Can tolerate higher sound levels
Has lower output volume and higher noise floor
Condenser
Needs a battery or phantom power
More sensitive and may distort at higher pressure level
Higher output volume and lower noise pick up.
You also may need to understant the following descriptions
Omni - picks up sounds from all sides
Cardoid - it is directional and picks up from the front
Hyper or Super cardoid - directional and mainly from the front, with slight pick up from the rear
Figure 8 - Picks up sound from front and rear but not sides
So no wonder I was confused - his advice for podcasters….drumroll……a cardoid condenser mic
Hope this helps!
I needed to understand more equipment and indeed one of the best presentations was done by Rich Roszel who is an audio expert. The first tips I wanted to share were his ideas for upgrading your microphone, here are his 3 tips
1)MXLVG3M Condensor mic - $99.99 by MXL.
2) Audio-Technica AT2020 $99.97
3) Rode Podcaster with USB connection - $199
4) Audio-Technica AT4033/CL condenser - $399.99
He gave a wide range of prices but I will be checking these out. They key part of purchase he said was “Don’t buy unseen,or sound unheard” Always record your voice and play it back through the PC…let your ears be the judge.
Podcast Freq is for the non geek. Tips, thoughts, learning and ideas for the future of podcasting - all at Podcast Freq. I share my knowledge of podcasting and even the mistakes that I have made, all to help you grow your audience!
Podcast Freq Author(s)
» Kelly-McCausey
