Podonomics

Tod Maffin gave an impromptu presentation on why podcasting is so important. He used a variety of clips from various podcasts to drive his points home.

In particular, Tod said:

• Use music to separate the different scenes in your podcast.
• If you think you have a lousy voice for podcasting, get over it because someone has a worst voice than yours.
• All podcasters are making public radio. The only difference between podcasters and public broadcasters is that the latter has a transmitter.
• Music to a story is like sauce to chicken. It always tastes better with it on.
• Carry your portable recording device all the time. Your greatest podcast will happen when you leave your recording device home. So don’t miss out on a great story. Tod played a clip from a journalist who had his recording device on him. On September 11th when the towers fell, the journalist didn’t record the towers falling. Instead, he interviewed a man who was hitting golf balls. When the journalist asked the man why he continued to golf while the sirens blared and the towers fell, the man replied that there wasn’t anything he could do. Tod highlighted that this journalist got an awesome story because he had his portable recording device on him.
• Tod also stressed that he’s just a nerd who started to do it first, but we should all take the credit for being the first podcasters in Canada.

Technorati Tags: PAB2006

Bruce Murray was by far the most humourous presenter. While his session wasn’t interactive, we were all certainly entertained. He spoke at length about editing and his main message was, “A good edit is one that you can’t hear.”

Some other points he made:

• Having different tracks while editing gives you greater flexibility, however, the file is big in terms of space and is demanding on your computer system. So, you sacrifice one for the other.
• Don’t be afraid to use sounds to create an environment in your podcast. Bruce talked about podcasting from a cafe, however, he actually recorded the podcast from his office. Use familiar sounds to create the effect of being in a time or place. Just type in “sound fx” or “sound effects” in Google to grab your sounds.
• If using music, record in a stereo format.
• Use shortcuts. CLT-S for saving your file (Command-S for Macs), CLT-Z for cutting (Command-Z for Macs), etc.
• Edit with headphones, then mix down with speakers.
• Use plenty of duct tape.
• To avoid legal hot water, use podsafe music. I highly recommend Podshow. Also, you can download the Podcasting Legal Guide at Creative Commons. It’s based on American laws, however, there’s a Canadian version in the works.

Technorati Tags: PAB2006

Mark Blevis gave advice on how to conduct a good podcasting interview. His points:

• No matter how knowledgable you are in the topic, let the expert talk. Don’t talk for him.
• Let your guest know that it’s a taped interview. This will help them relax and know that they don’t have to get it right the first time.
• Cutting out every um or ah may make the interview sound artificial. If the person speaks using alot of verbal crutches to the point that it’s annoying, then edit them out. Pick and choose at random the verbal clutter to make the interview sound natural.
• Don’t be afraid of dead-air. Often a person will take a breath before making their point. If it’s edited out, often the flow of the sentence sounds like it was edited.
• There are 3 people you need to respect in a podcast - the listener (give them what they want to hear), the guest (allow them to make their points) and yourself (don’t embarass your host).
• Mark made a difference between having a conversation and conducting an interview. A conversation will take the host off track as she or he introduces her opinions. An interview helps the host focus exclusively on getting a story from her or his host.
• Tod Maffin popped up on stage and made a really good point that you need to read the book or blog, or visit the website of the person you’re going to interview. In essence, get to know who you’re interviewing. Otherwise it’d become a really, really bad experience.

I believe that the interviewing process is the weakest part of the many podcasts I listened to. Many podcasters really have no clue how to conduct a really great interview.

A journalist could really tap into this by providing services for podcaster on how to ask really great questions, how to make guests feel at ease and how to successfully craft a story from your expert for your podcast.

Technorati Tags: PAB2006

In my presentation, I used each letter in the word PODCAST to show 7 ways to grow your podcast audience. I made sure that my presentation was as interactive as possible, although I ran out of time near the end. That meant that I had to rush through a couple of points.

There were a few people blogging from the conference, so I hope to find some comments from others and include the links here. I stayed away from the obvious - submit your podcast to podcatchers, send out a press release, do interviews in other podcasters’ podcasts, etc. Instead, my points were:

• Serve your podcast up from a blog, not a website.
• It will be difficult to make money directly from your podcast. Instead, use it as a lead generating tool.
• Optimize your post for search engines. Put keywords in the title and description of your podcast post in your blog.
• Create a community for your listeners. Encourage commenting on your blog and launch a forum.
• Actively support other podcasters. Use tags, trackbacks, bookmarks and other social media to drive traffic to your website.

I must admit, my presentation was heavily focused on business podcasting, so I know that I alienated those whose podcasts are more entertainment or spoken-word based. However, there are some lessons that all could learn whether they’re podcasting for fun or for profit.

Technorati Tags: PAB2006

I had a chance to hob-nob with Tod here at the conference. Despite the fact that all of Canada hails him as a pioneer in the podcasting field and interviews him for every piece they do on podcasting, he’s such a laid back type of guy. Humble, smart and loves his cats.

When I was preparing for my presentation, he came up and asked me if I needed anything. When I told him “hand lotion,” he rushed off and returned 3-minutes later with a small bottle of lotion.

(**sniff sniff**) No man has given me so much for so little. Well, except my dad. And my ex-boyfriend. Oh yes, and the guy I bought coffee from this morning (added extra cream). And the guy at McDonalds when I purchased a McGriddle (he almost gave the egg & cheese when I asked for egg, bacon & cheese). But still, I appreciated the gesture from Tod.

Technorati Tags: tod maffin, PAB2006

Bob Goyetche gave us information on building your studio on a shoestring. I had to really pay attention because #1) I was very interested in what Bob had to say because I’m looking at upgrading my mic and #2) it’s the tech stuff that I don’t clearly understand because it was all about audio hardware stuff.

Points of interest during the session:

• Compression is your friend. Get an output device and compress the heck out of your audio file. Benefits? I don’t remember, but I’ll chat to Bob afterwards.
• You still don’t need to blow your budget on a elaborate recording system. Tim from Twisted Wrist said that he didn’t podcast for a long time because he thought he had to buy a whole bunch of equipment. Then he realized he could just go and buy a USB mic. Now, Tim’s podcasting his heart out.
• Don’t record in a room with bare walls. Go to your local hardware store, buy a roll of foam for $4 and then staple it to your walls in the room where you’ll be recording. As Bob said, “You won’t win any decorating awards, but you’ll get a great sound in your podcast.” A female podcaster said that she just goes into her mother’s closet and that helps to cut out any background noises.
• To get rid of those “S” in your recording, get a program called De-Ser (I’ll grab the link).
• Try to record everything at the same time. One podcaster said he notices all the edits in a podcast. At the beginning, the host’s voice sounds slow and relaxed, then by the end, it sounds fast and energetic.

To be honest, I’m quite content with my $60 Plantronics headset that I got from Best Buy. Listen to my podcast and see if you don’t agree that it’s a pretty good piece of equipment. With Audacity and Audio Acrobat, my podcast sound as if I recorded it in a studio - and all this for under $100.

Now, off to lunch.

Technorati Tags: PAB2006

Cathi Bond and Nora Young talked about planning your show. It was extremely interactive, to the point where the 2 ladies were just moderating our discussion. They gave us an article and asked us to plan the episode. Then there was an open discussion.

Points of note from this session:

• Dave (I’ll get his podcast in a minute) said that you should make your episodes interesting. People can use google to find information, so if you’re just using your podcast to regurgitate what’s already out there, you’re missing the point. Soapbox, provide an opinion, be controversial, be interesting.
• Craig of Tangents rebutted by saying that there’s a fine line between soapboxing and providing entertainment.
• Hugh from Librivox said that because no one is looking over your shoulder, there’s no hard-pressed rules. Just do it well and make each episode good.
• I said that listeners are sophisticated enough to know the difference between the stoginess of mainstream media and the freedom that podcasting gives individuals to voice their opinion.

Bottom line - Podcasting is our speaker’s corner.

Technorati Tags: PAB 2006, PAB2006

It took me 2-hours to get from Toronto to Kingston at 140km. I thought I’d shave off some time going 40km over, but it was still 2-hours.

I’m sitting here during the first session. It’s very interactive which I just love. I really didn’t know what to expect, so I’ll be able to tailor my speech accordingly.

I’ll provide a summary of the sessions throughout the day. If I can figure out how to download pics from the digital camera I borrowed from my sister, then I’ll provide them as well.

In just a few mintues, I’m going to jump in my car and head out to Kingston for the Podcasters Across Borders conference. I’m just putting the finishing touches on my slides and then, off I go.

Since I’ll have wireless connection while I’m there, I’ll update this blog throughout the day with pictures and comments about the people I’m meeting and the things I’m hearing.

Stay tuned.

My goodness, I almost spelled bursaries wrong (try burseries).

Tod Maffin still has 3 bursaries to give away for the Podcasters Across Borders conference, June 23-24 in Kingston, Ontario.

I’ll be there as a speaker and as I’ve said before, I’m very excited. So, be sure to read the details about the bursaries and if you qualify, contact Tod.

I’d love to meet you there.