Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Podcasting is hot.

What is it? Audio content available by subscription through the internet.

Many small businesses & solo entrepreneurs have eNewsletters with written content that their target audience can subscribe to. Podcasts are the audio version of an eNewsletter.

Let me know if you`re podcasting. I have been invited to speak at the Podcast and Portable Media Expo in late September in southern California. I`d like to use real examples of people in our community who are using podcasting as a marketing tool. I may even be able to include you on a panel if you`re planning on attending the Podcasting Expo in Ontario, California.

Any podcasters out there?

I`m JUST now working on getting into that.  I discovered a FANTASTIC resource - www.studio.odeo.com.  I don`t yet understand all that can be done, but I have recorded my first "sound bite" for my blog and one for my members.  It`s pathetically easy to record something there. 

I consider podcasting to be the next "blog".

~Kim

Try the following to increase accessibility to your podcast:

1) While most people know to podcast in .mp3, you can make a lower-quality or edited version for those using dialup.  Be sure to put in a .zip if you`re podcasting mainly to overseas audiences, where broadband is in less proliferation

2) Many of your more paranoid  customers and listeners may not like downloading a .mp3 file.  This is where "embedding" a .mp3 file can really help you out.  Almost all of CNN`s videos are embedded.  This link shows you how to embed with Quicktime and this is for Windows Media Player.  (Macromedia Flash experts can also embed .mp3s with Flash.)

3) No matter how much money your friends bet you, never ever attempt to podcast while drunk.

4) Want more exposure? Add your podcast to top directories such as Podfeed, PodcastAlley, or Podcast.Net.  The more traditional blog directories such as Technorati and del.icio.us will also provide a boost in readership. 

5) The largest boost however, will be linking and networking with other bloggers.  Don`t be intimidated by blogs or podcasts that get millions of hits a day.  Most of them are everyday people doing it as a hobby too and may be more than glad to give you a traffic-driving link or even a blog entry about you.

6) While the search engines will usually pick up your podcast/blog sooner or later, there are ways to boost your ranking.  First off, archive your older content and make sure it`s accessible to both bots and humans.  Finally, submit your blog to human-run search directories such as The Open Directory.  Google and Yahoo both give any link there major credibility and it`s free!

7) Have fun!  Stay true to your message, don`t digress off topic, and never change your opinions for anyone else. 

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"Forget inspirational quotes to keep you going. If by doing what you do, you get an hour every day to relax, be with the ones you love in comfort without doing wrong, then it is all worth it." -Anon.

Kim - good luck and keep us posted.

David - great info - thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge and more specifically the links. Appreciated!

R@

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Richard Arnold · Key Concept Writers · Business Communication: The "Key" To Success· Law of Attraction Blog · Life Ain`t Brain Surgery Blog

David, thanks for the links and info. I to am very new at the pod cast thing.


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Vincent Wilcox (a.k.a. KRAKR)
Drummer
My band: Letters Make Words

David - ditto - thanks for the links and information. 

Podcasting has been incorporated into my marketing plan and I have written a few scripts and recorded some tests - but I haven`t been brave enough to go public yet!  My tests sound `amateurish` and I think I need some better equipment.  I have the standard headset and mic - but it isn`t getting the job done.

Any equipment recommendations (hardware or software) would be appreciated as well!

-Ali

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Ali
Alison@croppersalley.com
www.croppersalley.com

You don`t really need an overpriced setup.  If you`re worried about sound quality, keep a glass of water near you and make sure your improvised sound studio has some soundproofing.  Nothing fancy, just making sure the doors are closed and outside sound isn`t seeping in.  Also try keeping your speakers plugged in while you`re speaking on the mic to hear what you sound en vivo.  It may be distracting, however.

As for equipment, don`t spend anything over $100.  I recommend using Sennheiser headphones and a Creative or Plantronics mike.  (Plantronics also makes 2-in-1 headsets with microphone.)  You can also use sound editing programs like Goldwave (Has a free version with about 75 percent functionality) to filter out any grainy sounds or feedback on the recording before you publish it.

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"Forget inspirational quotes to keep you going. If by doing what you do, you get an hour every day to relax, be with the ones you love in comfort without doing wrong, then it is all worth it." -Anon.

Thanks for the links! 

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Nicole Champagne
Email: influencialexpectations@gmail.com
Cell: (734) 262-3730
Soar With Influencial Expectations!

I can say we have used podcasting to grow our biz (and others!)

One of the interesting things our company does is podcast events... things that in general, someone with a home setup can`t do very well or it`s impractical to get the equipment for.  We bring as many as 15 professional microphones depending on the number of panelists (some wireless too), do a lossless digital recording, possibly do a broadcast-quality videotaping for a video podcast,  and then edit it, tag it, publish it and host it (sometimes with a custom landing page with the media embedded just as described above).

We`ll also do the sound for the event audience that`s present as well, if needed.

It`s been a very natural transition from broadcast media (where our original expertise lies) into internet media (and having good experience in web design/development doesn`t hurt) for us, and we`ve gotten to do some pretty interesting clients as well, such as the Vice Chairman of AOL. 

I think podcasting, whether you do it yourself (which I totally recommend for certain situations) or hire someone for a larger project is a great way to economically reach a specific target audience.  We only need the equipment we do because we`re working at banquet halls, conference centres, clubs, etc. and dealing with lots of obstacles and unique challenges before, during and afterward when you start doing that kind of work.

My word of wisdom is to present your material as many ways as possible because the viewing/listening audience is fractured in how they like to receive and view content.  For instance, for our video podcasts, we may encode up to five different formats to make sure we hit everyone. 

p.s. - Another great thing for subsribers who get podcasts in iTunes (a majority), you can do something called an enhanced podcast... and include images and links, like a slideshow, along with your audio material.  Can really help convey the message, but the limiting factor is that it`s not MP3 so the images are only viewable in iTunes currently.

p.p.s.- Microphone quality really matters.  I hate to be contrarian, and no offense intended, but I would spend more than $100 for a quality mic if you want radio-style sound (I take this advice straight from my certified audio engineer).  I recommend the Heil microphone line, or for direct connection and ease of use, the USB Snowball by Blue, and don`t skimp on the encoding, do 56k mono or 64k mono.  Unless you spend a lot of money, a headset microphone, especially a plantronics, is not going to give you the full sound you may be looking for (especially if you`re saying it sounds "amateurish.").  The mic is going to be the most important factor in getting a good recording because you cannot improve the quality from a poor or not great microphone.

p.p.s.- run the sound back to the headphones as opposed to using your speakers.  That will eliminate any echo you may hear on the final project.

Hope this helps!


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"It`s not work, it`s network!"

Portage Media Solutions
http://www.portagemedia.com
My Blog: http://www.interactivemediatips.com

Hello ALL,

Please advise on a site on information for a straight beginner in the aspect of Podcasting. I`m savvy in audio and creating the bit.

Where do I go to format the audio file into Podcast and how can I submit it to iTunes or what have you?

Peace,

C.F. Jackson