Podcast Freq

Part of my work on Podcast Freq is about helping to promote other podcasters work. I want to help rebalance the promotion of work between corporates and independent podcasters….via my very own A-Z of Podcasts that I listen to and why…

Today I will talk about C and as always if you have any to add then feel free to add as a comment at the end of the post…I love to find new gems.

C=Connected Generation. I love this show as it talks about how to market to the new generations, it covers all sorts of marketing concepts but the shows are not too lengthy they remain under 10 minutes and are packed full of ideas that either clairfy for you or inspire you within your business. It is produced by Reach Consulting and the latest series looks at how to market to women. You can subscribe in iTunes or visit the website

The world of marketing is changing, indeed it has changed already! Sometimes it can feel so complex, so alien to someone like myself who was brought up on traditional marketing and branding messages. This podcast is a bridge between how marketing works in the 21 century to what that means for you as a business.

marketing, podcasts, podcasting, reach consulting, branding, web 2.0

So I went on my usual way, wanting to track how The Engaging Brand and The Podcast Sisters were doing within the podcast charts on iTunes….then I was struck by the fact there are no charts except one for the Top Shows…or is it me??

Great iTunes and podcasting was the independent person’s chance to reach out to a global audience…and yes that is still possible, but how on earth do they find you! Now - at least on the UK site - there is one chart, an area of focus, staff favourites (great if you can get in there) and then what’s new. If you want to find shows in the categories they are just in lists….no charts as I can see. I think this is a pity - the lists are not user friendly, they look awful, they look so un-”apple”!

I know people say that content will win out, that people will find those nuggets of independent shows but this makes it even more difficult to find them. The podcast page is dominated by the “old media” channels, podcasts that are repackaged content from radio or tv. Maybe that is the way forward for podcasting but I think it is a real shame that Apple who likes to “think different” has gone with the “think like everyone else approach”.

Am I missing something, am I wrong…is there another view I should be thinking about? Would love to know your thoughts…in the mean time tomorrow I will continue my attempt to give the smaller shows a chance by moving on to C of the A-Z oF Podcasts to Listen to!

itunes, podcasts, podcast directories, apple, podcasters, old media,

Yesterday, I started the series on podcasts that I believe add value to my life and why…as a way of showing that there are great independent podcasts out there that may be difficult to find in the directories but are well worth a listen to…Throughout this series I am quite willing to take suggestions, as I love finding new nuggets for myself!

So today is B…

B = Brain Storm. This is a podcast which is run by Penny Haynes and what I love is that it takes success stories and translates how the success principle could relate to your business. It creates inspiration for making money on line from all over the world.

The value of this podcast to me is Penny’s passion for looking how to make money, how to take an idea and run with it. She is an entrepreneur who is developing an online community software package, and part of my engagement with this show is that you are following her journey from seed of an idea to the launch of a business - and all the hiccups along the way!

I chose this show as my other B’s were all business update shows and would in the main be UK specific - but what other B’s would you suggest, what nugget of an independent show is out there that many of us don’t realise.

penny haynes, podcasting, brain storm, on line commuities, making money online, independent podcasters

I believe one of the hardest things that podcasting faces, is the ability to find the great little independent shows amongst the mass of larger corporate ones that are now appearing. So in my little attempt to bring attention to those shows out there that bring value to my life, I want to do a series on shows that I listen to and why… If you have shows that you want me to review let me know at anna@theengagingbrand.com.

I will post these regularly and take you all the way through the alphabet…mind you I have a couple of gaps at the moment! A is a difficult one to start with as I have so much choice but I am going with (Drum roll, drum roll)

A= Accidental Creative. As I work a lot by myself I was looking for a podcast that inspired me, that encouraged the creative side of my mind. Todd Henry was one of the first people that I interviewed on The Engaging Brand, as well as being one of the most articulate people that I know…Todd is genuinely a really cool guy.

The Accidental Creative gives me tips on how to approach creativity, how to inspire creativity around me and also ideas to keep my own inspiration going…as well as some superb interviews with people like Seth Godin. Accidental Creative is constantly in the iTunes charts and if you are looking for a creativity podcast to inspire your thinking..check it out.

todd henry, accidental creative, podcast reviews, podcasting, seth godin, creativity, podcasting,

As I mentioned the other day in the post Podcasting for Profit, I have been lucky enough to be mentioned in the new book by Leesa Barnes. I have been impressed with the mix of information that Leesa gives in the book, examples of how to use the techniques, examples in the ‘real world’ and also the use of personal stories that make this book very readable. Often books about technology are dry, but Leesa uses personal experiences to engage with you as a reader.

As I go through the book I want to pick out areas that may help you, but I would recommend that if you are struggling to see how you are going to make your podcast profitable..buy the book!

Leesa stresses the need to have SMART goals. One that is specific, measurable, agreeable, realistic and time sensitive. She describes
1) The wrong way - “I want to make money with my podcast”
2) A good way - “I want to make $500 with my podcast”
3) A better way - “I want to generate $500 in 30 days with my podcast”
4) The S.M.A.R.T way - I want to make $500 in 30 days with my podcast using sponsorship, text ads, and tip jars”

What is your SMART goal? Do you know specifically what you are trying to achieve? Have you set that goal out there, to be your aim - no excuses - that you will succeed at? If not, then stop and assess what you want from podcasting - be it leads, be it fame, be it money, be it personal satisfaction . Taking that time to really understand what and how you are going to achieve those personal goals, will save time and heartache later.

leesa barnes, podcasting for profit, podcasting + making money, podcasters

OK, I have to admit the guys over at Blubrry are some of the nicest guys I have met and they also have helped me as a non geek out of many a hole I have got myself into! But for people new to podcasting, they have produced a New Podcaster Guide in PDF or in an audio file format.

Anything that encourages more people to start podcasting or understand podcasting more..gets my vote! I met the Blubrry guys over at Podcast Expo, in fact you can see my comments on this video - I am at the end speaking about how we need to ensure that as fast as we rush ahead with all the new bits and pieces..like links in Facebook etc We should never forget that over 80% of people have still not found podcasting…so how hard are we working on making the interface with them easier?

Just a sign of what the guys at Blubrry are like…based on that short conversation, they sent me over a play button based on my corporate colours for The Engaging Brand to trial…wow, now that is delighting the customer!

podcasting, blubrry, podcasting guide, beginner podcaster

I love it when people don’t just enjoy absorbing social media..but actually try and use social media to change the world. One podcaster from the UK, Heather Gorringe the host of the Wiggly Wigglers podcast ( brilliant show about nature, farming, country living…all done with a huge amounts of laughs) has embarked on a solo 5 week tour of the USA…looking for ways that social media can help the farming community in the UK. I met up with her in Los Angeles and was bowled over by her enthusiasm for podcasting, blogging, social networking….in fact she is writing about her journey over at Around the World in 80 Megabytes.

Heather believes that podcasting etc can help improve the image - both self and that of the consumer - of farming. She is connecting with podcasters/bloggers in the US who have used social media to rebuild communities, rebuild business sectors, redefine business models and also businesses that have used it to connect with their end consumers. If you know of anyone that she should talk to, visit, etc then e-mail her at heather@wigglywigglers.co.uk.

What I like about this mother, wife and business lady is that she is not just using social media to help her business…she is exploring ways that will help those people around her…brave travelling by herself, brave taking on the task of helping to define UK farming of the future! Good luck Heather on your US venture.

wiggly wigglers, podcasting, community, farming, uk, heather gorringe, podcast, social media

The podcamp series has been so popular and last week saw the first podcamp in Ireland. My good friend Krishna De was one of the organisers and by all accounts - I was at the Podcast Expo - the event was a huge success. Not that I am surprised, as Ireland is a superb country for hospitality and openness.

Krishna has recorded some interviews with people at the event, which you can listen to over at The Podcast SIsters.

When I first started to listen to podcasts and even podcast myself, the US was the only place that seemed to discuss podcasting. It is fantastic to see the podcamp series now moving into smaller countries, helping podcasting to increase its global audience - Copenhagen, UK, South Africa, Ireland.

What I have loved about attending the podcamps is the informality, the level playing field of podcasters. Ok there are stars there, that people want to talk to, but the community just wants to learn from each other - whether you have produced one show or 100 shows. If you haven’t attended a podcamp and are either new or looking for inspiration then check out the Podcamp rss feed for details.

podcamp, podcasting, podcast sisters, podcamp ireland,

My good friend Leesa Barnes has now launched her new book Podcasting for Profit - you can download 2 chapters here at her site.

In the book, Leesa shares a proven 7 step plan to help individuals and businesses generate income through audio and video podcasting. I was privileged to be used as a case study, over at The Engaging Brand! The 7 steps are explained in detail but in summary are
1) Assess - work out your goals
2) Plan - your next steps
3) Launch - your podcast
4) Grow - your audience
5) Profit - 106 pages dedicated to ways of creating income streams!
6) Measure - your success to your goals in the right way
7) Optimise - Reviewing progress to ensure that you are maximising your return

Well done Leesa on a great first book - if you want to check out an interview with her then check out The Podcast Sisters as there is an interview coming up on the show.

So after Tim and Emile Bourquin’s Podcast Media Expo event I have had some time to think and I thought I would try and write down some initial thoughts on what I would like to see at the 2008 event in Las Vegas. I really enjoyed this year’s event and have to say The Podcast Brothers know how to hold a superb event!

1) I would like to hear from people who are using podcasting for different uses than the “normal” programming …for instance I do work with clients - which you can hear about on Show 20 of The Podcast Sisters using podcasts as training, communication and employee engagement tools. I would like to inspire or be inspired by people who are using podcasting in a creative way.

2) I wonder about a speed dating session! Sometimes as a lessor known podcaster it can be hard to meet people, especially if you are a little shy…so what about a speed podcasting date session where people have 30 sec to introduce themselves to each person in the room!

3) As podcasting is a global medium, I wonder if we could have a geographic track…finding out what is popular in different world audiences and how countries differ in approach?

4) Maybe a future trends strand that looks at how the web is evolving…3.0 if you like…and the implications for podcasting, social media etc and how as a podcaster you need to be evolving your offering.

Just some quick ideas on what I would like to see at the next PME, but remember if you missed this year’s then you can always download the audio over the next few weeks.
[tags] podcast expo, podcasting, tim + emile bourquin, social media, corporate podcasting [ /tags]

At the Podcast Expo, Podtrac have announced True Track, the “first automatically distributed platform-independent play measurement system for audio and video podcasts and serial video clips on PC’s and portable devices”. This is an analysis tool which is designed to give the advertising industry the play measurement data it needs to fully embrace podcasting as an ongoing part of advertising campaigns.

Measurement is increasing in importance and as people want to improve advertising deals, they will need to improve their information to investors.
I haven’t tried this as yet because I am a Blubrry user and love Blubrry !

blubrry, podtrac, truetrack, podcasting, measuring downloads, podcast advertising

I listened to Heidi Miller at the Podcast Expo, she is a wonderful presenter and gave some great tips on interviewing techniques. I loved her idea that the interview is about telling stories and giving surprises for the listener. She shared with us some ways to start the interview questions, which I thought I would share with you.

1) Your goal is to get the guest to tell their story…each person has a story

2) Some great questions to entice out the story

Why did you decide to…
What has the been the biggest reason …..
Where were you when you decided….
What experience did you draw on when…
Tell me about….

[tags] interviewing techniques, podcast media expo, storytelling, podcasting, podcast [ /tags]