Saturday, January 26, 2008

Your Podcast "To-Do" List

yourpodcsttodolist_1
Planning A Podcast
Producing a podcast can be fun and rewarding, but it is also a lot of work. You can avoid "pod-fading" (losing interest in producing episodes) by letting your passion for your topic fuel your motivation, and taking these preliminary steps to get organized.

After you have identified the objectives, audience, format, and content for your content, put these items on your podcast planning "to-do list."
  • Brainstorm podcast topics and alternative format ideas.
  • Write podcast outlines or scripts and show notes.
  • Research and purchase equipment (microphones, computer, editing software, etc.)
  • Select pod-safe music.
  • Create graphics and collect images and assets, such as your podcast logo/album art, down-loadable handouts, web links, and photographs.
  • Schedule your episodes; plan for production and editing time.
  • Select a host for your podcast.
  • Promote your show on podcast directories, web sites, blogs, and advertisements.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Planning Your Podcast: Tone, Content, and Format

Planning the Tone, Content, and Format of Your Podcast

It may seem obvious, but determining what kinds of attributes you want to have in your podcast is an important planning step. Before you podcast, decide what kind of tone, content, and format is right for your message and audience. This will ensure that your podcast has focus and appeal.


Tone and Content. How will your podcast be different from other podcasts (or related media)? Originality is important, especially if you want your podcast to be prominently featured by iTunes and other podcast directories, or if you're contemplating monetization.

Check out other podcasts and websites that relate to your podcast's subject. If you find a well-produced podcast on your topic, then consider ways to differentiate your podcast. For example, decide if your podcast have a serious or humorous tone. Will you restrict the content of the episodes to specific themes or subject matter not explored elsewhere?

Format. Just like radio and television programs, there are many types of podcasts. Considering your subject matter and your audience, which format of podcast would work best? Or be most original? These are just some examples...
  • A monologue-style podcast, featuring commentary by a single host.
  • A duo-style podcast, emphasizing conversation between two hosts.
  • An interview-style podcast, featuring studio guests or on-the-street, "live" podcasting
  • Entertainment podcast, featuring music, drama, readings, or other performances.
One aspect that will affect the tone of your podcast is whether you will work with a well-rehearsed script or if you will produce a more spontaneous show, with an outline and notes, but some degree of ad-libbing.

Another basic decision is determining whether your podcast will be audio or video, or enhanced audio (enhanced with images and photographs). Which format do you believe would be most enjoyed and most easily accessed by your audiences?

How long will your podcast be? Online audiences have brief attention spans. If you're planning a videocast, and you also plan to put your video on YouTube, keep your individual video podcast episodes to ten minutes or less.

The duration and frequency of your podcasts may be largely affected by how much time you can dedicate to podcasting, especially if this is a hobby for you. In some cases, such as when you are first starting out, a five-minute podcast can take more than a week to produce and edit!

Keep in mind that your subscribers may appreciate it if you podcast on a regular schedule, usually no less frequently than once a month. Few people have the time or energy for a daily podcast, although those exist. A weekly podcast is only for the truly dedicated. This might be a good time to think about whether you will podcast indefinitely, or end your programming at a set number of episodes, or for a certain amount of time, such as a year.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Choosing a Microphone: The Basics

Which Microphone is Right For You?

Remember when Harry Potter wanted to choose his first wand at Olivander’s, and was told that the wand would choose him? You know, it’s not so different with microphones. You have to experiment to find the one that's right for your voice. Many microphones aren’t returnable, however. Sometimes you can try out different ones at a music store.

Microphones are available in a wide range of prices and types. There are small mics that you can clip onto the lapel of a speaker. Another small mic made by Micromemo plugs into your iPod and turns it into a voice recorder (about $60). I've seen round "snowball" mics, which I understand can be useful for group interviews, and I've considered wireless mics for people who just can't sit still (like kids!) At the low end, you can purchase a USB microphone that records right into your computer for about $30, while other more expensive mics require special cables, digital recording devices, or external power sources.

Dynamic microphones are relatively inexpensive, produce a punchy sound (warm, round, and full), and are forgiving about extraneous noise. Condenser mics (such as in the picture, left) are more expensive but they can produce wonderful sound.

Nearly as important as the quality of the microphone is how you use it. I've been told you should never hold a microphone and speak directly into it. Use a good quality microphone stand, instead. Angle the microphone stand so that the microphone is aimed down at a 45 degree angle, to pick up resonance from your chest. Instead of speaking directly into the microphone, speak “across” the microphone and slightly off to one side. You have to play with this a bit to see what works for you.

When my friend and I record my voice, we have to use a little creativity with mics. He directs one mic at my chest and another mic near my mouth. It's a little more trouble, but I admit my voice does sound better that way. We also add more dimension to my recorded voice in sound editing.

Use a shock mount on the microphone (most good quality mics come with a shock mount) and a pop filter (they're not expensive). The pop filter protects the mic and helps to eliminate the “popping” sound that can be recoding when people say words with the “p” or “b” sound in them.

Can You Make Money With Your Podcast?

Monetization was a hot topic at the 2007 Podcast and New Media Expo. If you’re creating content that people can view or download for free, how do you make money with a podcast?  If that is your goal? 

Some podcasters make money with product placement, advertising insertions, and sponsorships. 

If you're trying to attract advertisers or sponsors, consider creating a well-organized web site for your podcast that features (in addition to show notes) a media kit and a rate card.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Podcast Planning: Target Audiences

Planning A Podcast: Identifying Your Podcast's Target Audience

With a little advance planning, you can create an outstanding podcast that is meaningful for your subscribers. But first, you have to know who they are!


Think about your podcast's audience in terms of real people. Which magazines do they read? Which websites do they visit? What kinds of music do they listen to? Where do they shop for clothes? Examine those magazines and websites for podcast episode ideas and inspiration for graphics. Visit the places where they shop to see what appeals to them, marketing-wise. You might even develop a profile of whom you imagine your typical listener to be.

Who is the
target
audience for this podcast? This can be as detailed as you like. You may elect to research and identify their age, gender, occupation, location, buying behavior, preferences and podcast experience level.

Keep in mind that downloading a podcast is a deliberate and decisive act; much more difficult than just passively watching a television program. For this reason, your podcast's content has to be especially compelling. Think about the reasons why your target audience would want to take the time to tune into the podcast. What's in it for them? What needs does the target audience have that the podcast would help meet? What would they expect when they tune in? What do they want to hear? How can you make it easy for them to find and subscribe to your podcast?

Thinking about your podcast's target audiences will help you set an appropriate tone for the podcast; select images, music, and other assets that they will like; and plan episode topics that will be meaningful for those audiences.

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Planning Your Podcast: First Steps

Planning for Podcasting: First Steps

Like relationships, the best podcasts start with passion. If you are planning to podcast about something that is important to you, and you have a burning desire to share that knowledge or viewpoint with the world, then you are on the right track for creating a dynamic podcast.

But, just as with relationships, podcasts can't endure on passion alone. Before you hit "record," take the time to identify the objectives, target audience, and desired characteristics of your podcast.

First Step: Answer "What is the Big Idea?"

The first step is to define the podcast’s key message for your audience. The key message is the whole reason-for-being for your podcast. It should describe how you think the podcast will benefit the people who may tune in. The key message may be stated in your show's description and it will be the foundation for all the episodes of your podcast. For example, I produce a podcast for parents of children with autism. My key message is that parents of children with autism have the ability to improve the quality of life for themselves and their children by taking the time to learn free (or low-cost), fun, and easy strategies.

Next Step: Identify Objectives for the Podcast


This step takes your big idea a little further. Why do you want to produce this podcast? Who are you trying to help, inform, or entertain, and why? What results should the podcast accomplish? Identify the specific personal, business, or organizational objectives associated with this podcast. Think about what the podcast will persuade the audience to believe or do.

Stay tuned for more ideas on planning your podcast.

Monday, January 7, 2008

How to Promote The Heck out of Your Podcast

IMG_0003.JPG
Want to increase the numbers of people who subscribe to your podcast? Try these promotional tactics!

  • Create a business card for your podcast. This is SO important. Business cards are inexpensive, and there are some really fun designs online. If you just can't wait, you can get a professional business card in minutes from Staples for about $40. Put the URL for your podcast on the card and take it with you everywhere.
  • This one is so obvious I almost forgot it...Join DC Podcast Alliance!
  • Design a t-shirt for your podcast and wear it. Or at least a button. You can make a t-shirt with transfers from a craft store, or create one on CafePress.com for about $20. People will ask you about your podcast, then whip out your card!
  • Post the link to your podcast on your e-mail signature. And on your blog.
  • Write an article for "E-zine" on a topic related to your podcast, and include a link to your podcast. I received quite a few subscribers that way.
  • When replying to blogs, forum posts, or Yahoo Answers, include a link to your podcast if it is relevant to the subject.
  • When you network at business functions and conferences, mention your podcast in conversation.
  • Tell people you will buy them a drink if they listen to your podcast. Okay, I am just kidding about that one.
  • Post keywords related to your topic in your podcast description and show notes, so that the search engines will pick it up. Don't forget to include the title of your podcast!
  • Get an embeddable player (in HTML code) or badge for your podcast. Mine is on Podomatic. You can put that embeddable player on your blog, on MySpace, and on your website.
  • Post an ad for your podcast on Craig's List. It's free and it gets me plenty of subscribers. You can also embed a player in your Craig's List ad, so people can just click and listen.
  • Post the link for your podcast on all your profiles. If you don't have profiles on LinkedIn, Flickr, MySpace, Facebook, YouTube, Yahoo, etc. then what are you waiting for? It's free, and there's space to post links to your podcast.
  • List your podcast in podcast directories. Mine is listed on about 45, maybe 50, directories.
  • Share the love! Use your podcasting talents for the greater good. Help other people learn about podcasting, or volunteer to create a podcast for a nonprofit organization. Podcast about a worthy cause, or about something that makes life more beautiful. Think positive, and podcast that positive energy. Good stuff comes back. :)


Saturday, January 5, 2008

An International Survey on Podcasting

11002013577
This international survey has a lot of information on podcasting. The survey size is a little small, so the numbers are skewed a bit... but it is still a good read. You can download some of the statistics at:
. Some of the interesting findings include:
  • Podfading seems to be a minor problem at the moment
  • The European podosphere is commercially less ambitious
  • Podcasting is not only attracting "techies"
  • Podcasting is about identity and relationship management
  • Most are interested in sharing information and expressing of opinions


Friday, January 4, 2008

New Resource Site Launches – Final Cut Help

RHED Pixel launched a new resource site called Final Cut Help to offer you more news on Final Cut Studio as well as centralize all of their Final Cut resources and training products. Here are a few things you may like.

Banner



As always... comments and requests are very welcome.



Thursday, January 3, 2008

New Report on User-Generated Video

page1_blog_entry215_1
The American University has released a new report called
, which finds that many online videos creatively use copyrighted materials in ways that are eligible for fair use consideration under copyright law. The report claims that some users are potentially using copyrighted material legally (under fair use). These uses--an exercise of freedom-of-speech rights--are currently threatened by anti-piracy measures online. The report is online
- we hope you enjoy it!