Podonomics

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.

Business Coach Jan Janzen is hosting me on a no-fee teleclass geared to small business owners and entrepreneurs on May 31, 2006 at 7pm PT.

You’ll learn:

1. How to use just your telephone and a blog to create your first podcast.
2. The best way to use a podcast so you can pull client to you and stand out from the crowd.
3. How to use a podcast to generate search engine ranking on page 1 without hiring a search engine expert.
4. How podcasting can bring your radio show dreams to a mass audience cheaper, sooner and quicker.

Here’s why Jan is so excited about podcasting:

“Last year, one of the largest radio stations in Vancouver that targets women, invited me to buy into their show program. For one hour per week, it was going to cost me $1,600. As much as I wanted my own radio show, I wasn’t willing to put my neck on the line for $6,400 per month in fees! Now, with podcasting, I can have my own radio show and it will cost me less than $30 per month for unlimited shows! And I won’t just target the Vancouver market - I can reach the entire planet! Do you see why I am excited?”

Now, here’s what she had to say about me:

“Leesa Barnes, podcasting expert from Toronto and I will be sharing a fun, informative, dynamic teleclass. I promise - you will love her! She’s very good at what she does and she knows how to make this simple. She is articulate, fun, and although she is one of those ‘techno geeks’, she talks our language, so you won’t feel stupid, promise!”

According to Jan, it will take you 10 seconds to register your spot for this teleclass. Click here to secure your spot.

Technorati Tags: podcasting, jan janzen, podcast monetization, Marketing, sales, online marketing, promotion

A colleague of mine who works at an Apple retail outlet (can I hear discount for Leesa on a Apple MacBook) sent through an email about camps that Apple puts on for the kids.

His email said:

“It’s an awesome cool way to expose kids to some fun thing you can do with a computer. They will learn about making movies, podcasts, websites, and music. Campers will receive a CD/DVD with their podcast, movie, website or music project burned on it. All campers will also receive a t-shirt, patch, field journal, field guide, bumper sticker, name tag, and a certificate of achievement (yeaaaa I love certificates and T-Shirts).”

And here’s a more corporate description from Apple:

“Apple Camp, available at all Apple Store locations, provides an opportunity for kids and families to participate in fun and engaging activities. Each Camp Workshop consists of two and a half hours of hands-on learning, doing cool stuff on Macs. Campers complete their own project that they will take home on CD or DVD.

All four Camp Workshops to choose from are recommended for kids ages 8 to 12. Select from Podcast Workshop, iWeb Workshop, Music Workshop and Movie Workshop. You may sign up for up to two Camp Workshops.”

If you want to send your little bundle of joy (or your huge blob of misery) to a really cool camp this summer, click here for more info.

Oh, Apple, how I love thee.

Technorati Tags: apple, technology, apple camp, podcasting

Just a heads up that I’m participating in a virtual expo on podcasting. Click on the banner above to find out how you can attend as an exhibitor, attendee or even as a sponsor.

If you view the seminar schedule, you’ll see that I’m speaking on 2 topics:

Friday April 21st @ 11pm ET - What Makes (Or Breaks) A Podcast - Podcast Listeners Speak

Sunday April 23rd @ 4pm ET - 7 Ways to Turn Podcast Listeners Into Clients

If you really want to find out what makes podcast listeners tick, you have to attend the session I’m hosting on the 21st. Tickets to get into this virtual event are only $11. Click here to purchase your ticket.

Plus, there’s a whole bunch of cool prizes that will be given away during the expo. You can see the list here (look on the right hand side). I’m contributing copies of an ebook I’m co-authoring called Jump Start Your Podcast (released later this spring) and a CD called How to Turn Listeners Into Clients.