Click play below to hear about one of my podcasts for you Nascar fans out there… (It takes you there when its finished!!)
What’s Hot at TNR “Members Only”
EZINE ADVERTIZING WORKS
Media Traffic Meltdown
Podcastnorm talks about using video for your podcasts or presentations…
Hello every one. I am very excited about the plans for near future right here at Podcastnorm.com. I have several things I want to tell you about and I couldn’t wait another minute.
Today is just a little tidbit of what I am excited to tell you about. Watch this short little video and it will tell you more about what is to come and give you an example of what will make putting audio and video on your websites(s) as easy as anything you have ever experienced.
Later on this week come back for the first of a three part intro to Royalty free music for your presentations or commercials and podcasts, S3 storage, and the amazingly simple to use S3 media player…
Just double click on the play button below for a message from me, Rusty Norman.
See ya next time…
Rusty
©March 2009 – all rights reserved
Podcastnorm and Rusty Norman
Beginner Podcasters – You Can, and Should, Make Your Own Audio Templates For Your Productions
Click the play button below to hear the audio version of this article
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
The way of software and the internet today is toward making things easy for even the most casual users of the technology. Everything is moving toward software and techniques using templates. Templates allow the user to, basically, only need to know how to fill in the blanks (or overwrite what’s there) which makes what they want to accomplish much easier. I think templates are a great idea and I use the ones I have made to make my podcasts.
I make a couple of podcasts and have a couple of more in the planning stage. Using a template makes my job of editing and turning out my podcasts go much faster. I can make them either way — with or without templates — but using them makes things go a little faster, especially after I have decided on the type format I want to follow. (You see, I like to have a plan and follow it. It doesn’t mean I can’t bend it a little; it just means I have a type of map to follow.)
For the purposes of this article, I will be talking about using Audacity 1.2.6. If you don’t already know about Audacity, it is an open source audio recording and editing program that is free and it has a pretty fast learning curve to make it do what you want it to.
Now you may ask why I use the version 1.2.6 instead of the beta 1.3.7. Without going into a lot of detail, it is because it is the most simple and is fairly glitch free. (The newest version 1.3.7 is also good, but, has a lot more features and I don’t think they’re all necessary for the beginner.)
You see, I’m a firm believer in not spending more money than you need to spend for accomplishing the same ends. With what I am going to talk about today, you will find that you still don’t have to spend money to make your own templates for your audio productions (except for maybe the music). What you will have to do is learn, or become more familiar with, your free “Audacity” program and some recording/editing techniques. (Believe me, a little practice goes a long way to getting a good start.)
What equipment and software will you need to make your own templates? That’s pretty simple and straightforward. You will need:
- Audacity (an open source recording/editing program from www.sourceforge.net)
- A way to capture your voice (a microphone or recording device of some sort)
- Some original or “royalty-free” music
- Willingness to learn some simple recording techniques
- The ability to use what you know and learn from this and others
Okay, now that you know what you need, do you know where to get started?
If not, let’s talk for a moment about the technique to use to make an audio template. The purpose we want to accomplish is to make production much easier and less time consuming, especially when you do something repetitive.)
I’ll to be right up front with you. I am not going to go into a long winded discussion right now of how to use Audacity to make a template. I am going to tell you why and how I do it. On another day, I will offer a screen capture video tutorial (on using Audacity and making a template) available for simply leaving me your first name and email address or joining my soon to come membership site. (As I said, that is coming soon, so if you don’t want to leave me your info at that time, I will also be making it available for a small donation.)
So … let’s talk about this. In fact, just take a quick listen to the audio below. It was made with the same template I use for my “Just A Fan’s View” Nascar podcast. I made this short one to tell people I had moved from one website to another. (Just click the play button below)
“Just a Fan’s View” HAS MOVED TO ITS NEW SITE at www.justafansview.com
I actually use that template to make my podcast over at “Just A Fan’s View” and used it to slightly doctor that little audio file for the old site. I can tell you I can make my completed podcasts in one quarter the time now, (that is not counting the time it takes to write them. That has always taken more time time than I like to admit.)
Okay, now quick overview of why you should use a template.
If you think about making a podcast in a type of format, (or a planned form), then there is every reason why you should consider making a template for it. If you have heard some of my other discussions on this matter, you already know that I like a certain type of format. You don’t have to use that type format, but, you may want to have something similar.
Here is my simplified format:
- I use a statement of copyright for my programs because, although I don’t mind sharing information, I don’t particularly relish the thought of someone profiting from my hard work unless I want them to. In other words, I want them to ask permission
- I start off with music of some sort just because I like it. It can either fade out after 10-15 seconds or it can play as a musical floor beneath my podcast. (I have done both.) It adds so much to the presentation and besides, most people like to have either a musical beginning or some sort of multi-track concoction to either get the attention of their listener or give a signature, (so they know it is you.) If you don’t believe me, just listen to some other podcasts, radio programs and television shows.
- I use “Royalty Free” music for the same reason I make a statement of copyright. This is because I believe that the people that make the music deserve what they ask for it because they work hard to make it happen. There is no reason to steal from a person and there is a lot of “Royalty Free” music available. (At the end of this article I will tell you of a great source for some very affordable “Royalty Free” music.)
- I have a canned close that I can insert at the end of my talk or show. This is because I want people to remember who I am and where they can find me in the future. It is also where I can make verbal disclaimers of the material contained in my podcasts. (This protects me and the listener.)
- After a template is put together, all that remains is to add the latest talk or interview. If you have planned your template properly, this is merely adding the edited version of the file you want to use to a track in the template. Now, you may be moving a few items around so they fit better with the new track and the close, but that’s very easy, too.
That sounds simple … doesn’t it? Believe me, it is with a properly planned and constructed template. You will be amazed at how easily you can turn out your podcasts on a continuing basis.
There is no reason why you cannot learn how to make templates and use this process quickly and easily. Who knows, you may find you actually have more time to do other things.
Well, I’ll talk more about it next time, but, I mentioned I would tell you a great source for “Royalty Free” music. Click on this link,
and it will take you to the most affordable sources on the planet. Not only that but some other great things, too.
See ya next time …
Rusty
©March 2009 – all rights reserved
Podcastnorm.com and Rusty Norman
Change is the name of the game!…Hello Podcasters and Welcome 2009
I won’t keep you long today. I just have a short little video I want to share with you and it is, hopefully, the direction we are going to be going, in some form or fashion, for 2009.
I don’t claim to be a predictor of the future, but I do think that there are great changes coming to the world of podcasting for the new year. Directions are changing and lives are being shaken up, but, the future is out there and it will be interesting to see how it all pans out.
Enjoy the video it only takes a little over a minute.
See ya next time…
Russ
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
A podcastnorm belated Christmas Gift… “Decorating Christmas”
I was just having a little fun this Christmas and actually planned ahead for this little video. I just didn’t have enough time to get it out with all of the hustle and bustle of the holidays, BUT, here it is…
Enjoy it, I had fun making it.
By the way, I’m using some royalty free music from Mike Stewart from his “two buck themes.com” Please check him out at internetaudioguy.com or internetvideoguy.com. That’s how I get permission to use this song (and others) for all of my podcasts and other projects.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
See ya next time…
Russ
Beginner Podcasters – Podcasting can be more fun when you’re able do what you really like
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Go To www.mypodcast.com — or –
Hey everybody, this is podcastnorm, maybe better known to you as Russ and I just wanted to tell you about a presently little known fact. I’ve been busy working on my twice-a-week podcast I like to call, “Just A Fan’s View” and that is exactly what it is. It is about Nascar from “Just A Fan’s View” and I have to admit it is something I am really having a lot of fun making. It gives me a chance to have a little fun amongst all of the stresses of life. In fact, I’m having so much fun I just had to let you know about it and what better way than right here on Podcasting Resources.
I can tell you from personal experience that making a podcast can be a lot of work, but it can be a lot of fun if you can make a podcast about something you really like and then it doesn’t seem so much like work. That is why I am telling you about this now. As beginner podcasters, I’ve been telling you a lot of important information about getting started right and how to make your podcasts a cut above the rest, but there comes the time when you just have to take your idea and make it happen.
You see, I enjoy Nascar racing and I’ve been a fan for a long, long time. I just decided I would like to make a podcast about Nascar from a fan’s view so that is what I did. I’ve found out what I already knew and that is what this is all about. That you can:
- take your idea,
- think about what you want to accomplish with it,
- consider whether it is worth the effort
- do a little short range planning
- at least consider some long range planning
- be sure you have the equipment and software you need
- and then make it as good as you can with what you have
Now, you can find “Just A Fan’s View” where it temporarily resides at:
I definitely want you to check it out. It is on my main blog site and the blog is called “Rusty’s View”. That’s where I can talk about any subject I want that affects and interests me. It’s my view … It’s the way I see things. (But that’s another story for another time…)
“Just A Fan’s View” will soon be on its own site at, “www.justafansview.com” and I can’t wait until it is. Now don’t go looking for it because it’s not quite there yet, but trust me, I intend for it to be up and running all on its own on or before December 2nd. In the mean time, (and I know I’m being a little repetitive here), you can listen or read “Just A Fan’s View” at my other site :
What I want to do today is include the podcast in this post/blogcast and give you a taste of what it is like.
Go ahead … Click this link or Press the Play button below and listen to it right here.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Check it out … you never know, you may find you like it.
See ya next time …
Rusty
©2008 PCN Productions and Rusty Norman
all rights reserved
test 2
Yes, you guessed it, I’m testing video again!
hope you enjoy it…
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Testing, Testing … is anyone there??????
Hello
This is Russ, better known as podcastnorm and I’m really glad your here today.
This is just an experiment and will only be available for a few hours. If you happen by, please leave a comment to let me know you were here and be looking for more video from us here at:
PODCASTNORM.COM
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Beginner Podcasters – The Next Three Questions You Need To Ask Yourself Before Starting A Podcast
Click the play button below for a message from podcastnorm – Rusty Norman
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Click link to go to #0044 at mypodcast.com
Wouldn’t it be great if there were just three “magic” questions you could ask yourself and then immediately progress to producing your first podcast?
Well … yes … in a way that would be nice, but, it seems as though there are many questions on getting started and then you work through to the normal nuts and bolts questions so you can make your podcast as good as it can be technically.
Why can’t you just sit down and start talking into your microphone or recording device?
Well … the truth is … you can, but, I personally believe, if you are really serious about being a podcaster and turning out a podcast with regularity, you need to consider several things before you jump in with both feet. You need to fully consider what I call ‘the broader picture’ in this adventure called podcasting. Before you go to the all the trouble and possible expense, why not think about your full, long range, plan and intentions.
Does that mean you can’t have any fun and that everything has to be set in stone, serious and perfect from the beginning?? Of course not, it merely means that you should think further down the road than next week, (unless one more week is all you intend your podcast to be around for.)
A couple of weeks ago, I presented you with three questions you needed to ask yourself before starting a podcast. Now that you’ve had a chance to think about your real reasons for producing a podcast, here are the next three questions that would be good to consider before you actually invest your time and hard earned cash in equipment or software to make it happen.
Question one – Uniqueness
- What makes your podcast unique? Just what is it that separates yours from others and what is it that will keep you and your listeners coming back over and over again? Is it your personality? Is it the subject matter? or is it just because it is so much fun?
Question two – Niche Knowledge
- How well do you know your chosen niche subject or subjects? This goes back to the question of, “just because you know a lot doesn’t mean you know it all.” If you are an expert in your field and have lots of shortcuts, tips and general, as well as specific, knowledge then you can probably be the authority on the chosen subject. If not, you may want to consider …
Question three -Type of format
- What type of format will your podcast be? Will it be an interview type? Or possibly a monologue type? Perhaps you will just depend on your ability to express yourself with your gift of gab. Maybe you will choose a disc-jockey style with all the bells and whistles as well as with playlists. May be you will simply talk about your subject with mood setting musical underlays or adding commercials and any number of technical complexities.
Look, I’m not trying to hold you back by asking a bunch of senseless questions or beat the preparation thing into the ground. I just want to see you turn out the best podcast you can. These questions don’t in any way cramp your creativity. If anything, they will enhance your ability to accomplish your end results.
You see, I want you to accomplish your goals and not be disillusioned by the pressing demands over the long run by your continued involvement in this exciting way of communicating. I hope it is your intention to always be learning and striving for excellence with your production while at the same time having a great time and thoroughly enjoying creatively expressing yourself or your subject.
You can have a lot of fun podcasting and you can teach or inform others about your subject and also learn and hone your craft at the same time. The sky really is the limit and the only thing that can hold you back is lack of preparation and planning. Sure, there will be times when it is difficult and there will be times you may be disappointed, but, if you “take the time it takes to think it through” before you run across those times, you will succeed beyond your wildest dreams.
See ya next time …
Rusty
Beginner Podcasters, Consider This: Life On The Web and In Podcasting Can Sometimes Be Tough and Short-Lived
Click here for mypodcast.com article audio
Click here for podcastpeople.com article audio
I fully intended to be giving you a review of a nice little software program I tried out at the request of one of my reader/listeners … but I have found that they are no longer around. That software was called “Podcast Station” and I gave it a good try for the thirty day trial period and wanted to buy it but found they were out of business.
Wow, how quickly things change in this world we live in … especially this audio and video podcasting world.
That’s one of the problems, or should I say challenges, of getting started marketing either yourself or a product online. Sometimes a great idea is just that, a great idea, but needs to be looked at further BEFORE you offer more than you can deliver or before your hopes and dreams for a program or product bankrupt you either physically, spiritually or financially.
I am sure all of us would like to generate some sort of income from our podcasts, products or productions, but there are some pitfalls that need to be considered also. That’s why we need to look at our future in this endeavor before we’ve invested too much money or time (which is part of the subject I talked about in my last article).
I cannot, and will not, speak for the makers of “Podcast Station” but I do kinda know how they feel. It can be really tough in this life of technology and information sharing, whether you are trying to market a podcast or trying to sell a software program. I’m inclined to believe that just because something is so easy and inexpensive for individuals, or companies, to produce does not mean it will always be successful or valuable.
That’s why I think it is so important for beginner, (or wannabe), podcasters to really think about their short-term and long-term goals for their chosen direction. Although you can’t necessarily see all of the possible problems before you actually turn out your project, you can research and analyze your possibilities by taking just a bit more time before making a long-term commitment to something. Does this mean you can’t step out and just do it? No; but it does mean that you need to take the necessary time to look at your plan before it causes you a lot of grief or heartache.
If you take that little bit of extra time, what does it cost you? Nothing but the extra time it takes. The nice part is that if you take a little extra time and decide to continue on, you may find that it makes your progress towards what you consider success that much quicker. Can that be a bad thing? I don’t think so.
You see, I have this really big “wish list” filled with all kinds of nifty items I would love to have or at least try out. I just don’t have the extra cash laying around to throw at items that I probably don’t need anyway. I have managed to keep my budget relatively low because I took a little extra time to look at what I wanted to do, what I could afford to do and how important it was for me to do it.
I have invested in a couple of pieces of equipment to make my job easier for now and they were things I could use not only for my podcasting adventure, but also for other things I like to do.
One of the best investments I think I have made is how I record my voice for this podcast. I use a ZOOM H4 Handy Recorder. It is a portable and handy device that captures (records) directly to an SD memory card (up to 2g) in either wav or mp3 files from the built in x-y pattern mics. It also has the capability to directly connect external mic or instrument inputs. In fact, it is actually a hand held 4 track studio.
As I have mentioned many times before, I use Audacity to edit my programs. It is free, versatile and works extremely well. (Now, admittedly, I use ver. 1.2.6 just because I like the stability of it but I have used the newer versions which do even more and also perform well). Did I mention it was FREE?
You see, I’m a believer in not spending more than you need to and I also believe in keeping things simple. Both of the items I have mentioned here are easy to use and affordable. I didn’t start out with the H4 but took equipment I had laying around and used that until I determined what would be the best for me to invest my limited finances in. I’ve used an old hand-held, full-size cassette recorder and then graduated to using my little hand-held, audio note-taking digital recorder (made by Olympus) until I made that investment in the H4.
Now, I feel as though I am working with two things, (the H4 and Audacity), that allow me to quickly turn out a very good production and also serve me well in other areas of interest.
Does that mean I can’t do better?
No … it means I have put off making a larger financial investment in some equipment I would someday like to have until I really need it. I think what I use serves me quite well considering what I have invested in it.
You may ask the question, “Do I really think my podcast is that important or popular?”
I would answer you this way. If I can help just one person make a better decision in their quest for a dream, then I have accomplished at least one purpose for this website. My hope is that I have reached, and will continue to reach, more than one. I have considered my purpose and investment and it is worth the price for me to continue trying to help people not waste their time or money and become frustrated.
Am I looking to be popular? Although popularity is always appealing — no — I am looking to help you make wise decisions to accomplish your most burning desire in podcasting. The most important thing I have to offer is my experience in recording, editing and turning out productions and doing it the best I can. That part may not be important to you, but I have been doing it for a long time and I do care about what I do.
See ya next time …
Rusty
Beginner Podcasters – Three Important Questions You Need To Ask Yourself Before Starting A Podcast
Click the Play button below to hear a message from PodCastNorm – Rusty Norman
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
“So … why can’t you just start a podcast?” Well, that’s a really good question and here’s another. “Why bother thinking about the ins and outs and pesky details of making a podcast when all you want to do is interview people and/or talk about what-ever comes to mind?” Well, that’s another good question, and here’s one more. “When all is said and done, couldn’t spontaneity be the key to a successful podcast?”
The answers to these three questions are:
- you can;
- you don’t have to
- and, yes.
But these are not the three most important questions you need to ask yourself before you start your own podcast. Hopefully, you will consider these and other questions as you progress towards producing your own podcast, but, you see, there are a lot of things that need to be considered and some are more important than others.
Let’s get real here. Audio recording and editing (especially simple, digital recording and non-destructive editing) is not at all difficult in this day and age but it is an ever-evolving craft as far as equipment and software is concerned. Although not quite the same, this same thought holds true for video recording and editing. Podcasting, more often than not, is merely an extension of recording and editing either audio or video or both.
While we’re at it, let’s not forget what a definition of podcasting actually is. It is the ability of the listener to take recorded audio or video files of information they’re interested in and listen to them at a time more convenient for them. Perhaps better stated, it is a recorded audio or video file that is portable and time-shiftable by the listener.
In the end, however simple or complicated you decide to make the above tasks determines what equipment and software you will need, but those are questions we can better answer later.
Now that we’ve gotten those preliminaries out of the way, there are other things you need to consider as you plan producing your podcast. You don’t need to consider every little detail here at the beginning, but you do need to think about the bigger picture. In other words, you may know you want to be podcaster, but, do you know what you are getting yourself into?
Let’s take a look at three of the questions you really need to ask yourself before you get started and before you make any large investments in equipment or software.
First: Just how serious are you about making a regular podcast?
- You must first make up your mind whether or not you are really serious about doing a regular podcast. Believe me, somewhere down the road you will definitely come to the point of answering this question and you might as well answer it first. It is one of the most important you can ask yourself right now, before you spend any money or invest in any equipment or software. Think it through. After the newness wears off and the drudgery kicks in will you still want to pursue this?
Second: How much do you want to invest in this adventure?
- Just because you only have a little money — or don’t have any money — to invest in equipment or software doesn’t mean you can’t achieve your goal. It just means you may have to be more creative in your approach to getting started. It may mean you have to think a little harder or consider more broadly how you can actually get started or where you want to spend what little money you do or don’t have to purchase the necessary equipment or software. It is my opinion, if you have a relatively new computer and a microphone that records your voice somewhat decently, you are ready to get started, (even if only on a limited basis to begin with.) Your options are still wide open in any case. Trust me, if you really want to be a podcaster, there are even ways to be one whether you have a computer or not.
Third: How willing are you to listen to the input of others even if you have a working knowledge of recording, editing and podcasting?
- Just because you know a lot doesn’t mean you know it all. Swallow that pride, be open-minded and listen to the input of others. You may not agree with them and you may not use all or any of what they offer but you can gain valuable input and information from them; and come to better know why you do things the way you do and why their way won’t work for you. You never know, you may actually find they have some really good ideas that you can tweak and use for your own purpose. (Who knows, you may even one day discover that people are willing to listen to what you have to say concerning this ever-changing way of communicating ideas to others.)
As I said earlier in this article, there are many things you need to consider before jumping headlong into your choice of podcasting. These are three of the ones I consider to be most important to consider before you get started. I do believe if you take the time to evaluate them and your plans for your production you will be miles ahead now and in the future.
See you next time …
Russ
Beginner Podcasters, What Do You Ultimately Desire To Accomplish With Your Podcast?
Click the AudioGenerator button for a message from PodCastNorm
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Before I answer with the obvious, let me slightly re-state the question? What do you ultimately hope to accomplish with, or by, podcasting?
Is it just something that you like to do or is it a burning passion from within you to communicate your thoughts, knowledge or view of your chosen subject or subjects? Could it be that you do what you do to accommodate people that can’t read your written words because they are visually impaired? Perhaps it is because you know they want, or need, to hear what you have to say? Maybe you just like to talk and think you have something to say that others want to hear? These are all good reasons for spending the time that takes to make a podcast, but, what is YOUR ultimate purpose? What is it that will make yours ultimately unique and will set you apart from the rest?
Think about it for a moment. What is your purpose for making a podcast or being a podcaster? It is important that you answer that question before you get too far into your podcasting experience. I can tell you that without a clear direction and a love for what you are doing, you won’t last long.
Because of personal reasons, I haven’t been blogging or podcasting for a while and, honestly, I hope I was missed but I don’t think anyone much noticed. The only fortunate thing I have going in my favor when I took the extended leave is that I have almost two years of content out there. Some of it is pretty good (even if I do say so myself) and some of it … well … it’s even better. That’s because, though I do get sidetracked at times, I have a lot of interest in this thing called podcasting and the recording and editing of audio and video. You do know that this thing most often called podcasting has really only been going on in its present form for a little over four years.
Just in case you haven’t had time to notice, a lot is going on in this communication field and it is becoming more and more popular all the time. More people than ever before are finding audio and video podcasting as a means of getting their message across to the masses.
I am not so sure that every podcast that’s popular sounds like just another radio program though. It seems more and more are discovering that the message is more important than the fancy “radio-type” production. In fact, it seems that the ones that provide the most pertinent information to their audience are the ones that are growing in popularity.
That’s why I think it is important for you, the beginner podcaster, to think about what drives you to be a podcaster. Just what is it that you desire to accomplish with it? What is so important or interesting about it that makes you and your audience keep coming back for more?
I would like to be really transparent and tell you that my biggest problem more often than not is deciding what to focus on. Some people ask me what equipment to use and others ask me to try out different and diverse software. Some, by their questions, have even forced me to become more familiar with some of the technical aspects of podcasting software and equipment that I used to just take for granted or think that most people somehow just understood. Now I admit, I do have an interesting time with some of the equipment and software but honestly, I’ve discovered that some of it is just a total waste of time and energy. More often than not, whatever you choose, simple is better.
The redeeming value to all of it is that I have the opportunity to learn something new all the time. When I learn something of particular interest, (or something that really surprises me with how well it works or how easy it makes a task) I share it with you as quickly as I can. In future articles, I have some interesting things to share with you. In fact, I have a bunch of ideas in my “article oven” right now. Soon you will able to tap into what I think is some really interesting stuff right here on “Podcasting Resources” at podcastnorm.com.
For right now though, I just want to talk to you beginners about what you want to accomplish with this form of communication called podcasting. If you haven’t started yet, now is a good time to take some time and think through your plans for the future. Try to visualize yourself a year from now. Does your chosen direction still look appealing? Do you look forward to each new podcast with the same excitement you used to.
If you’ve already started with your podcasting adventure, take a little time to evaluate where you are and how far you’ve come. Does this “podcast thing” still hold you in its grip with anticipation for every new show or do you dread even the thought of having to turn your next one out?
In the mean time, take a look at why you want to be a podcaster and what you want to accomplish with your podcast and be on the lookout for the next article, “Three Questions You Need To Ask Yourself Before Making The Committment To Be A Podcaster.”
See you next time …
Russ
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