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(Click Here) for the podcast version of this article

Okay, I think I’m actually leaving the forest behind me for now, at least for the moment, while we move on to the actual preparation for a podcast. I think we’ve spent enough time in discussion and it is time to consider action. In other words, it’s time to quit talking about it and start doing it.

With all of the neat technology available to us these days, there is absolutely no reason why we can’t turn out a great podcast and have it sound as if we have been doing it for years. Even if you are an absolute beginner, one that has never done even one podcast before, or possibly, never even talked into a microphone at some time or other, you can make a successful podcast and you can do it sooner than later. Why, I would even venture a guess that you can even surprize yourself with the production you can turn out using the tricks, techniques, software and hardware I’ve mentioned here numerous times over the last six months or so.

Now that I have said all of that, let’s not forget that there are still a few important things we need to remember. If you have been along for at least part of the ride we’ve taken so far over the last several months, you know one of my main complaints and objectives has been to not neglect the details. I know you’ve heard people say ‘the devil is in the details’, but I totally disagree. Paying attention to small details can make a big difference between a mediocre and fantastic podcast. There are certain things you need to work on as far as technique goes, and then there is the fact that you need to relax and get comfortable behind the microphone. Let’s talk a little bit about that, now.

I know I’m pretty opinionated when it comes to certain procedures and the resulting final products people turn out, but, and I know I’ve said it before, if something is worth doing I think it is worth doing well. Why in the world would anyone want to waste their time turning out a podcast that is full of poor production techniques and sloppy mistakes that could have been avoided with just a little forethought, practice and preparation. I’ll even borrow line from the ‘audio generator’ folks and say, “If you can talk on the phone” you can make an audio blog, podcast or whatever. All you have to do is talk to the microphone as if you are talking to a friend. I know that sounds too easy, but it is true (at least to get you started) and it could very well be that that concept is what it takes for you to be able to relax and just let your conversation flow. Don’t think of yourself as speaking in front of hundreds of people that you don’t know. Think of it as speaking to someone you’ve known for years and you are very comfortable sharing your thoughts and knowledge with.

Why not write out your script? I know that requires extra effort, but it can make you more effective in delivering your message. I realize there are some of you out there that just like to fly by the seat of your pants. If you can do it, great! However, not many can and even those that can will have at least some form of an outline of what they want to talk about. Listen. There is no shame in having your topics written down in outline form. Doing this can definitely help you stay on track.

You’re the one that makes the choice of what you need as far as this procedure is concerned. I have a friend that makes outlines from his thoughts when he is preparing to speak with one or two words per thought. I have heard him speak and I have seen his notes. I am amazed at how much he can say with so little written down. Myself, I am just the opposite. I like to write out my podcast word for word in article form, but, I am in no way bound to every word it contains. I can, and do , edit on the fly. That means I can add to it, or subtract from it, as I go.

So what does all this mean? It simply means that I have a fairly well organized script to follow that I have taken the time to research and write. That means I feel pretty confident as I talk. It allows me to concentrate on getting my point across and not have to concentrate so hard on what I want to say.

That’s why I say it is well worth taking the time to prepare. If you are doing a solo webcast, I think it is even more important to have that preparation. It makes your presentation flow.

If you have two or more hosts, your job can be quite a bit easier. Talk does come a little easier between two people. Even though I still think it is a good idea to have at least and outline with multiple hosts, it probably isn’t as necessary to have a full script. Usually, the outline gives direction when the flow of ideas reaches a lull.

So, now you need to decide several things if you want to get started successfully with your podcast:

1. You need to decide what software you want to use. There are many to choose from and some are easier to use than others. I still recommend ‘Audacity’ for several reasons. It is free, it is easy to use and, as if that is not enough, it does a great job.
2. Make an outline or write a script, once you have decided on a subject.
3. Practice reading through your script. This will help you become more comfortable when you actually ‘Go Live’ in front of the mic (or audience.) The more you read, (or talk), in front of the mic, the more you learn about how to make your talk interesting and the easier it becomes to sound natural and confident. In general, you learn learn your craft better.
4. Practice recording with your software program. This will give you the chance to check your levels and be sure you are able to capture your production. (There is nothing worse than finding you have just made something that is unusable and having to do it over.)

If you will take the time to prepare your equipment, your production and yourself, there is very little room for failure. Thus, the title of this article; “Failure is not an option unless you make it one.”

By taking the time to prepare all of the above, you will just about guarantee the success of your production. If you decide to ‘wing it’, there is no guarantee you will fail, but, it could very likely be the result should you choose that option.

See ya next time . . .

(Click Here) for the podcast version of this article

It happens to us all at some time or other. You just flat run out of things to talk about with your podcast, or, at least you think you do. You struggle and strain your brain, trying to come up with something worth talking about, but it seems the harder you try the more blank your mind goes. No matter what you come up with, nothing seems to germinate into an idea worth spending any amount of time on.

So, what do you do . . . ?

You begin to write. That’s right, you take the first things that come to mind and do your darndest to expound on them. You work at them until one of them catches fire within you and you begin to notice that it has captured your interest. After that, the rest is following the flow. Yes, you heard me, “you follow the flow.”

So, what does that mean? It means, you have just forced your way through a bout with ‘podcaster block’ and the creative juices begin to flow once again.

Sometimes, it takes forcing yourself to think about subjects you want to talk about, write them down and then, after you have some fresh ideas before you, your mind begins to work on those ideas. Somewhere along the way, your mind takes the hint that you aren’t going to stop bothering it until you have something to focus on so it begins letting the ideas flow. (At least that’s one way of looking at it.)

If that sounds strange, maybe you haven’t actually experienced it yet. But don’t worry, you will. “Writer’s block”, “podcasters block”, or whatever you want to call it, does happen and it happens to everyone, (somewhere in their journey through this life).

When I run across those times that I just don’t have the ideas readily available, here’s what I do.

1. I take the time to write down some titles of some subjects I want to talk about.
2. After I have written down a few, I go back and begin writing a sentence or two to remind me of the specifics I want to talk about.
3. After I have written down those ideas, I walk away from them for a period of time. That’s right, I walk away from them and let them gel a bit.
4. Either a few minutes, or possibly even a day or so later, I go back and read over them again.
5. I take the one that captures my attention and begin to write more about it. If it doesn’t begin to flow, I save it and go back and grab another one and do the same.

As I continue reading and writing on them, I find I have several good ideas, and possibly, even a few finished articles. Then I go do the same thing all over again. Usually, I find I have enough to keep me busy for a while. Some of them even get combined together to become one article.

If all of the above things don’t seem to work, I go check out a few of the sites I like to frequent and see what they are talking about. In doing this, I hope to get inspired by an idea or two, or, at least a new angle on an old idea to discuss. With all of the available information out there, I know there just has to be something I haven’t been able to think of and it helps to get other people’s input and viewpoint. Their input may or may not be exactly what you want to talk about, but, it could quite possibly be something that inspires you in a whole new direction and gives you an abundance of things to talk, or write, about.

See ya next time . . .

(Click Here) for the podcast version of this article

I’m sure you already realize this, but, podcasting can really be a lot of fun. If it isn’t going to be fun, then you might as well hang it up right now, before you get started. If it becomes a drugery to you, you won’t make it for long because there are going to be days that you just won’t ‘feel’ like doing it. Once that “feeling” settles in, it gets harder and harder to make it happen. When that happens, you no longer look forward to doing your podcasts or any of the preparation it might take to ‘get ‘er done’ and it’s for sure, you won’t want to take the time it takes to do it right.

Let’s take a look at some of the things we’ve been talking about over the last several weeks. We’ve talked about things to do, and think about, to get a good start in podcasting.

In doing that, we’ve talked about several things I think are important:

• First and foremost, don’t be too proud to get input from others that are already successful at podcasting
• Check out other sites for their information and possible affiliations, etc
• Decide which equipment you want to use (Its okay to start cheap if you want)
• Decide what software you want to use. (Will you use free software or will you pay for it?)
• What is your focus going to be? (What is the subject, or subjects, of your podcast going to be?)
• What length format you will use? (will it be minutes or hours?)
• Who will host your podcast? (Free hosting or pay hosting?)
• How often will you be creating a podcast? (Once a day, week or month?)
• Who is your main audience going to be (Do you know who you are trying to reach?)
• Have a long term and short term plan for your podcast (Planning helps insure your success)

I’ve spent a lot of time trying to give the beginner podcasters an edge over others who are unwilling to listen to voices of experience. Do I think I know all there is to know simply because I have been doing it for a while? Of course not! I talk a lot about technique, paying attention to details and numerous other things because I think they are necessary for turning out a good product.

I think it is important to do all of those ‘things’, but always remember this. I am, in no way, trying to discourage anyone from pursuing their dreams or trying to mold them in a certain way so that they can fit into the mainstream of the ‘status quo’. I just want all of you to be the very best you can be and think further down the road than one audio or video podcast. This is not because I want you to be like me. I simply want you to understand that there are many people that have knowledge of podcasting and recording and editing. You can cut down your learning curve by taking some time to listen to their input and see if what they know will help you accomplish what you want. None of us are trying to remake you into something other than who you are. We just don’t want you to make the same mistakes we did. (Perhaps it was in those days when we thought we knew it all.)

There are so many reasons why it is necessary to learn as much as you can about properly recording and editing audio and video for podcasting and other purposes. A very important one is that it is becoming increasingly evident that the internet is becoming a place where more and more people are visiting first to check out differing products and desired information. It is still a blossoming industry and all of its potential is still being recognized. Why not be a leader in it instead of an ‘also ran’?

You see, I believe that everyone is endowed with certain characteristics and talents that are theirs to pursue and build on. I really like the creativity expressed by those that have turned out some very interesting videos and some really great audio podcasts. Some of us wish we had your talents and I personally call upon you to continue expressing your creative pursuits. That’s what is so great about podcasting. You are relatively free to present your ideas in your own creative ways and get the message to hundreds of thousands easily and relatively cheaply.

Now that you are ready to really begin your podcasting adventure, I only have one short statement to make as you move on to getting started. YOU CAN DO THIS!

See ya next time . . .

(Click Here) for the podcast version of this article

Life is full of choices and entering into the podcasting life is no different. Have you really thought about who you want to reach and what you want to accomplish with your podcasts? There is nothing wrong with beginning with a single idea and trying it out, but you also need an expanding vision of the possibilities. Along the way, you may find your focus and direction change a little –maybe even a lot– but it becomes more clear.

If I may, I want to speak to you from my personal experience on this subject. When I first started with my pursuit of podcasting, I had an idea of what I wanted to do and I had a lot I wanted to say. I wanted to share the things I have learned over a lot of years of working with live and studio sound. I have also spent a lot of time during those years recording groups and individuals, capturing them live. Most of what I have done in the recent past can be edited later, but I only get one chance to capture it. Many of the things I have done, and do, are for broadcast, both live and captured live and edited for later broadcast.

I learned a long time ago, whether recording or podcasting, the more your do it, the less you find you know. Don’t misunderstand what I am saying. I’m not saying that experience and knowlege don’t mean that much, but, the more you learn the more you know there is to learn. I have always been a person willing to share what I know if someone is willing to listen. Still, everyday is a learning experience for me. I don’t know everything there is to know, but I am thankful that there are others that are willing to share their knowledge with me. Technology is changing at such an abrupt pace that it is difficult to keep up with everything.

The more I’ve done, the more I have changed my approach, but not necessarily my direction. I haven’t departed a long way from my original vision but, over time, I have expanded and honed it to take in more things that I, at first, thought I didn’t want to do. I have begun to focus more on a method to teach what I have learned and know. What you choose to do with my knowledge is up to you. I simply share what I know and have learned an hope that it helps one, or many of you, advance toward your goals for podcasting and that you can avoid at least some of the pitfalls.

Now, getting back to you and your podcasting; do you want to take the idea you have and make it an everday thing or once a week? How about once a month? We can talk about those options more fully later, but they are options that must be considered very early on.

You have to choose how you want to get to where you want to go. If you think you can just get on the mic and start talking, you will find your dream may be short-lived. Understand, your short sightedness may work well if you are the only one listening to your production, but, if you want to grow your audience, you need to have a strategic plan for your podcast.

In the end, the choice is up to you. You choose what you want to say and how you want to say it. You even choose whether you want to take ‘the time it takes to do it right’ or just throw it all together and hope for the best. You see, ‘flash in the pan’ podcasts, whether audio or video, can be wonderful for the moment, but they seldom last any length of time. Your choices will affect the way your podcasts will be looked at and thought about by those that frequent them. Choosing to plan, whether short term, long term or both, is the best way to better assure yourself of extended success.

See ya next time . . .