Podcast Freq

I just received as a gift a great read for all podcasters - Promoting Your Podcast by Jason Van Orden. The book itself is so readable and only 190 pages but it is crammed with great ideas from

Podcast Directories
Plugging into the Social Media Revolution
Search Engine Traffic
Tags
Cross Promotion
Keeping your audience
Tracking and COnversion

The foreward is by Robert Scoble who is one of the leaders of the social media revolution. The book is one of the most practical I have read and is a great mix of using simple terms but stretching your thinking. There is also a code to allow you 2 months free access to which is packed with tutorials to help with your podcasting development.

If you are on the look out for a fantastic booK, I would highly recommend this one.

Podcasting is a wonderful medium. It also has an incredible value to the listener. Let’s face it something that is content rich and free, is providing incredible value. I still believe that podcasting has a huge role to play in the learning and development field especially within corporations. Here are my ideas that I believe should be explored by companies.

1) Most companies do have an abundance of written content. Why not get that into audio format? It is a cheap way of making content available to people.
2) People learn in different ways - and some people prefer audio. So why not use podcasting as a learning tool.
3) More and more companies are geographically spread. Making classroom training expensive to many. Podcasting is one way of providing development at the time, place and format that is convenient to the person.
4) It can be tailored. Each person is different and standard formats do not necessarily work. So why not podcast and attach a wiki and a forum so that people can collaborate.
5) Time is a limited resource. Taking time to attend training sessions is sometimes difficult. Podcasting can use the downtime, reduce downtime in terms of travel and allow people to learn at a time of day that suits them not you.
6) The new generation are much more comfortable with technology than classrooms - use the medium that suits the generation.

There are consultancies that specialise in this area - eg The Engaging Brand, which for disclosure I am involved with, but are doing incredible work with companies who understand the power of this medium.

Every now and again I highlight podcasts that I listen to that are not necessarily in my subject area but they inspire me in some way. Here are another 5 that I listen to and what I learn from them. Today I will highlight podcasts on podcasting and how podcasting can help your business

Todd Cochrane and Geek News Central. Todd Cochrane has firstly the best podcasting laugh in the business! This show is fantastic at keeping up to date with all the technology news.

John Jantsch produces Duct Tape Marketing - brilliant insight into how you can market your business or podcast without a million pound budget

Paul Colligan produces Profitable Podcasting. Paul interviews people that have started podcasting and who have managed to make money through the venture.

If you are looking at how you can use podcasting to increase your personal brand, what technology you should be aware of or how to make money podcasting then these podcasts will really help you.

If anyone has a great show that they want me to listen to then let me know - always looking for inspiration and great content.

I attended the online business podcasting event this weekend and it was great fun. There was some great tips and one session looked at why people with business ventures fail. I thought I would share this with you as many podcasters are looking at how they can make money on-line and it would be worth avoiding these pitfalls.

1) Lack of persistance. A great one with podcasting…the word podfade is one that we all dread. But if we are determined to succeed then we need persistance, to fend off the apathy, the slow rise in listener numbers, the less than constructive feedback etc. If you want to make this work then you need to persist through all the technical and creative barriers. Best tip: Have some very positive people around you to keep you going.

2) Lack of a plan. What are you wanting to achieve with the podcast? What will success look like? How is the show delivering value….you need to write down your goals and actions to get you there.

3)Lack of knowledge. Podcasting is new to most people, you learn much of the time on the job! But you can quicken it by tutorials, e-mailing other podcasters, reading blogs, reading books all to help you learn about the new technology.

4) Indecision. In podcasting, decide your format and your subject….and deliver great content. If you keep changing the topic or the format this will confuse the listeners. Evolve yes, constant change not based on feedback, no.

5) Lack of a mastermind. In podcasting it really helps to have a mentor, to help you decide how to move your podcast forward. Networking is vital to develop a strong network of people to guide you through.

If you podcast you should have a blog - if you don’t then I would suggest that next on you list is blogger, typepad or wordpress!

But if you have a blog as a way of promoting your podcast then it is important to keep track of how your blog is ranked within the search directories. Why? well you want to drive traffic from search.

To check your ranking go to go.rank.com or digitalpoint.com both of which will track your blog over time. I also use technorati. If you can see that over time your ranking is rising then you are doing something right - that is not to say that you cannot improve and rise quicker! - but if you see a decline then you need to rethink your layout or your content. You may also see peaks and troughs….see if you can see changes that you made that may have affected your ranking.

I like to see my blog as a shop window for potential subscibers to the podcast. If people are coming to your blog they are interested in your subject and therefore a potential “buyer” for your podcast.

I received an e-mail asking for an explanation about some terms from Jack in Denver. Well, Jack here are some definitions for you

Social Media is any software used to share information and collaborating - usually over the internet.

E-Zine refers to an electronic magazine or newsletter sent via e-mail.

Wiki refers to a web site that allows multiple users to easily add, remove or edit content. It is a key collaboration tool.

Jack - hope this helps, have a great New Year

2006 has seen the launch of my podcast, and also HUGE learnings. Here are some of the things that I wish I had known at the start of the year

1) In audacity, how to change the stereo recording so that it plays through both earpieces… split the stereo, change both to mono and then quick mix!
2) Never to be scared of asking others for help - podcasters have all been in the same boat, and are willing to help.
3) How to get interviews …..ASK! Most people are so giving with their time.
4) If interviewing keep a level of distance - early doors I was so absorbed in the conversation I talked too much!
5) The Levelator - fantastic free tool for levelling those sound differences.
6) Always back up your voice recording when you are interviewing…2 is definately better than one.
7) Elance for all those small jobs that you don’t have the technical ability to complete.
Don’t underestimate the amount of time to produce a podcast..whatever you think, double it. Preparation, interview, and the bit that I hate - editing takes time.

All obvious points I know, and I have to say the great points for outweigh the bad. Podcasting has opened up a whole new way of connecting with people for me…and every minute hour of editing has been worth it!

Every now and then I give you an insight into shows that I listen to, here are 2 more that help keep my motivation high

The Scoble Show Here Robert Scoble - the king of blogging! - interviews companies who are trying to create the future…a great way to keep on top of technology.

Media Artist Secrets = Franklin McMahon is one of my favourite podcasters and covers all things creative.

Let me know of any that I should be adding to my iPod!

My dad was a huge mentor to me, and he achieved succes despite his dyslexia….I was thinking the other day how podcasting could have changed his life. He always felt that he was “under read” and found it difficult to learn new techniques etc because of his inability to read. Podcasting could really help people with similar issues and open up a whole new world of experiences. Has anyone got any stories of how podcasting has changed someone’s life?

As we near year end it is important that we sit down and review progress with our shows, have you achieved what you wanted to? It is not important how you measure it, via downloads, comments, growth, revenue etc but have you achieved what you set out to ?

Then just take 30 minutes to set some targets for 2007

* How do you want your podcast to evolve?
* What will your targets be?
* How will you market your podcast?
* Do you want to start a new podcast?
* Do you want to start to monetarise your podcast?
* How is the podcast helping your personal success and brand?
* What do you need to learn about and develop to keep a pace with the technological advances?

It is a great time to sit down and reflect, and ensure that 2007 brings you all the success that you deserve.

Many of the podcasting experts have posted thier predictions for 2007 Leesa Barnes, Paul Colligan reviewed his 2006 predictions, Bourne Media so I thought I would give you my thoughts on what we should be thinking about to stay ahead of the pack.

1) Mobile pod listening. The great aspect of podcasting is the ability to listen to what you want, when you want to…and mobile phones are a great tool. The mobile phone companies are now entering the podcasting world, and I think this will grow your audience even more…..and could be the most important technology for 2007.

2) There needs to be a way of finding the smaller podcasts easier…at the moment the directories tend to highlight the bigger podcasts and this becomes self-filfulling prophecy that they continue to grow. There is a need to support the lesser well known podcasts so that people don’t become “bored” with the popular ones. I think there may well be a move from some of the more popular as people search for new stimulation/entertainment….but is there a directory that helps you to do this now?

3) Tailored podcasts. The podcasts are still for general consumption - albeit often for niche audiences. The power could lie in individualised, tailored podcasts…the ultimate personalised listening.

4) Learning and development lends itself to podcasting…but is there a brand leaders out there?

5) Interactive technology. Podcasting still struggles to get true interaction with the audience. Would be great if when you are listening you could text, phone in etc while listening…

So what trends do you believe will emerge in 2007?

Your blog can provide a good feedback system via the comments to your show notes. As your podcast grows the comments can become overwhelming, and therefore why not try a bulleting board. You can link your blog to the bulltin board via a program like phpBB. This can really help develop a conversation about your topic and build a sense of community.

Leesa Barnes is holding a special 2-day workshop in March 2007 with a London-based blogging expert to teach coaches, speakers and consultants how to use blogs & podcasts to turbo charge their businesses. If you are based in Europe or the UK may well be worth checking out.

She is looking for people to fill out a form telling her your biggest challenges using blogs/podcasts ahead of the event.

For more information check out - http://www.buzzmarketingworkshop.com/ask/

I was waatching the Scoble Show and saw a short video for Pando - a new service for sending large files via emails which could be great for podcasters. You attach the file, and Pando uses peer to peer technology to transmit the file to the recipient, without having to upload the file to a hosting site…worth a try with big audio files!