Category: General

Why Not Use This To Get Started With Your Podcast?

(Click here) for the podcast version of this article

Okay, this is the last time I am going to talk about this for a while. I have been directing most of the last few articles at you beginners out there and this one is too. I have been talking about ‘mypodcast.com’ a lot and I will probably mention it several more times in the near and distant future, but I cannot tell you how easy it is to use. You will just have to experience it for yourself.

If you are a beginner podcaster, or advanced, and you want to get started with your own podcast, don’t let anything hold you back any longer. You can get started in the next half hour simply by going to ‘mypodcast.com’, signing up and start your very own , FREE, podcast from their site and you will be on and people can start listening within a few minutes of the time you click the “publish” button. What could be easier? (NO, they’re not paying me to say this!)

I know it sounds too easy. I know it sounds as if I want you to go there so I can make money off of your visit. The truth is, if you want an easy and inexpensive way to get your podcast on the web, I know this is one place that will work for you. It is simple, fast and easy. It works and does not limit you to only being on their site. You can also transfer your ‘cast’ to iTunes if you want.

Is this the only place you can go? No. Is it the best? I can’t answer that. I only know that it is easy and inexpensive and you can turn out a very good quality simple podcast. If you think you need a bunch of pricey equipment to try out your idea, think again. All you need is a microphone attached to your computer and you are ready. Try this if for no other reason than to find out if podcasting is for you.

By the way, stay tuned to this site. I am planning some changes in the very near future and I am excited. I hope you will like them, too.

See ya next time . . .

Right Time – Right Place

You know, sometimes, things just happen for the best. It is like last Friday (very,very early in the morning), when I really wanted to show how well I felt the things I talked about in “Podcasting Quick Tip #3” worked. The problem I had was finding a place I could quickly get my demo out and available.

Now, admittedly, I didn’t search high and low for a place to host my simple little example podcast production, but I did have a few places that were free, or at least inexpensive, and quick and easy to use. Although I had my mind set on a few places, I was not happy with them when I tried to use them. Some wouldn’t let me do an upload from my computer; one wouldn’t let me do a podcast at all, (for what i thought was a really stupid reason) and some had a delay and I didn’t want to wait.

And then it happened. I just happened to notice one of the Adsense ads on my site. Knowing that you can’t (and shouldn’t) click on your own ads, I looked at the address for it and typed it into my address bar. It came up and I began to check out the site. It was “mypodcast.com”.

At first I wasn’t sure whether they would let me upload my file from my computer, but I did like the fact that they had simple downloadable recorder that worked with their site which would really expedite the process. Becoming just a little bit desperate, I figured what the heck, I can re-record it and just not have the additional production on it until I found a better place. I signed up for it and downloaded the recorder program.

Through the FAQ’s I found that I could not only use the recorder program but they had a simple way of uploading my file from my computer and that would allow me to demonstrate my little production using the equipment and software I had talked about.

I uploaded my short little production and almost immediately it was live and available. I was quite pleased with the quality and the ease of accomplishing the end result. By the way, in a few short steps, you can transfer your podcast to ‘iTunes’, (see the FAQ’s for the “mypodcast.com” site for the details.)

If you’re looking to get started with your own podcast, and you would like to get started soon, this is a great place and it is free at the present time. All you really need is a microphone and you are ready to get started. (Click here, to listen to this read as, episode #0002.)

See ya next time . . .

Example of Podcast Quick Tip #3 . . . (Hear How Well It Works)

Sorry about not being here earlier for you, BUT, I was trying to get a new thing started right here and tried several different programs before I actually decided on this one.

I wanted to present to you an example of what I talked about in Podcasting Quick Tip #3 and this was the first place I found that I liked the result. (Plus, it is a great place to get started with your own podcast and, of course, it is free.) The name of the site is “mypodcast.com” and it is very nice. They even give you a simple recording program to get you started. All you need is a microphone or a way of entering you voice into it. You can also upload files from your computer. That is what I did. I made this little production of reading my Quick Tip #3 and used only the equipment and software I talked about in that Quick Tip. Go to this link and give it a listen, “podcastnorm.mypodcast.com”

I am pleased with the result so far. Now, remember. I only wanted to give you an example of what could be done. I intend to keep on doing a regular podcast, although I haven’t decided how often yet. I may read my blog for those that want to listen while you do something else. I may be doing some interviews or other similar things. (Why, shucks, I may even go on a little bit of a rant if I think the subject deserves it.) As you all well know, the possibilities are endless.

I hope you like the presentation. Click here to go to the podcast.

See ya next time . . .

Podcasters Should Pay Attention to the Details? (Honestly, It Won’t Hurt.)

Do you believe it is really true what they say, “The devil is in the details?” I don’t and I have some pretty strong feelings when it comes to paying attention to the details.

Since I have made just about any mistake you can make when it comes to recording, whether it be live or in the studio, I think I can speak a little more knowledgeably and forcefully on this subject. (After all, I have been doing this in one form or another for over thirty years.) I can hear some of you now, saying, “So What?!?” . . . (Well, you’re entitled to your opinion also.)

If anyone thinks that everything can be done “on-the-fly” when it comes to recording for a broadcast, podcast, or anything else for that matter, that person is sadly mistaken and is going to have some disappointing “setbacks” and some rather excruciating “learning experiences”. Now, what do I mean by that? I mean, they are going have some important recordings that will only be able to be used as ‘learning experiences” because the only thing they will be good for is saying, “I won’t make that mistake again”, or, “I wish I would have been better prepared for this interview, (or studio time, etc, etc)”.

There absolutely has to be some pre-planning and some thought given to what it is you want to accomplish. Even things that are ‘spur of the moment’, or casual in nature, still require a little fore-thought. There still needs to be at least some semblance of a plan. At the very least, when you have a direction you want to take in your monologue, teaching time, interview, conversation, or dissertation it is easy enough to take a few detours along the way and still end up where you were headed. (Sometimes, those detours take you to the place you really wanted to be in the first the place and because of your forethought, you got there). Please understand, I am not talking about a script (althought there are times that is a good idea, also). I am talking about even the simplest plan to follow.

After you’re finished and it is time for editing, there are a few things you need to check as far as what the final product will be. Is there good balance between transitions from speaking to music or breaks. Is the level between two or more speakers relatively the same. When you listen to your recording, are there places that cause you to be irritated or distracted, (such as noises, poor levels or glaring level mistakes). Believe me, if they catch your attention, your audience will catch them too, and they may be distracted enough to turn you off permanently.

I have always believed it is worth the extra effort to pay attention to even some of the smallest details, both pre and post production. Whether you’re a beginner or advanced veteran, paying close attention to small details can make an enormous difference in your final product. As I said in the title, paying attention to the details won’t hurt (and it definitely won’t cramp your creativity). Besides, you will be pleasantly surprised at how much better your product can be and amazed at how many people will be pleased to tell others about you and your effort.

See ya next time . . .

Beginner Podcaster . . . ?

Everything begins somewhere. If you’re a beginner podcaster, you need a place to start and today’s world makes it easier than ever for you get a good start on your chosen subject or subjects.

There is hardware and software — some inexpensive and some not — that can turn out just about any quality of production you desire. Free stuff is available, whether it be information or programs or sites, and it is easier than ever to be syndicated.

There are so many people out there in the world that are creative in many differing ways and their ideas for podcasting (both audio and video) cover the spectrum from “the ridiculous” to “got to have it daily”. I am quite amazed at how much diversity really is available. Some of it I like and some of it is absolutely useless. (Oops, there I go getting opinionated again.)

If you are a beginner, it doesn’t hurt to do a little research on the history of this popular medium called podcasting. You don’t have to let that keep you from getting started, but it is always good to know the roots of your chosen interest. This will help you understand where it came from, but more importantly, it will help broaden your vision for the future. This is a relatively new industry and it is looking to go forward and not repeat the mistakes of the industries that preceded it and yet take the best things from those predecessors and build on their positives.

If you think it is easy to turn out a quality product without forethought and effort, you can rest assured that your stay in this arena will be short. Whether you offer daily or weekly broadcasts similar to radio or TV, or information on your favorite handy tip for around the house, you will soon recognize that quality is going to become more and more important. People want to listen to a good sounding program or see a good looking video product. That is why you will want to experiment with different hardware and software to find what works best and easiest for you. Spending a little time with some demos could possibly save you a bundle in the long run, when it comes to investing in those products you want to, or will, use. Reading about or listening to some veterans’ thoughts on the type equipment that can work best for your situation is always a good investment.

It is work (although it can be a lot of fun) to turn out a product that will cause your audience to want to return again and again. That is why it is so important to enjoy what you are doing. When you’ve had a rotten week and the world has crashed down around your shoulders, your podcast can be a sanctuary for you. It can be the place you forget about all of the problems and stresses and just enjoy doing whatever it is you do and offer people a place to come and enjoy that very same thing.

Beginning at the beginning seems to be a good place to start BUT it doesn’t have to hold you back. Spending some time studying and listening to the veterans will make your advancement take place more quickly because you won’t have to stumble around in the dark, looking for the right equipment and software to turn out your best product.

Podcast Solutions: The Complete Guide to Podcasting (Solutions)That is why I do highly recommend this book, Podcast Solutions: The Complete Guide to Podcasting (Solutions). It is a wealth of information and really is a “Complete Guide to Podcasting”. If you are a beginner in podcasting you won’t regret the investment. The same holds true if you are an advanced podcaster. It is a good investment!

See ya next time . . .

‘Free Stuff’ vs. ‘Pay Stuff’

Everybody likes ‘free stuff’. I am no exception for, you see, I like ‘free stuff’ too. There will always be ‘free stuff’ available and it should be that way. ‘Free stuff’ is good, but, not always the best. ‘Free stuff’ is sometimes free because it has little or no value or, it’s free because the info is somewhat outdated and only useful to attract your attention to newer ‘stuff’. At other times, some ‘stuff’ is really good and very valuable but it is free just because the person that makes or owns it wants to give it away no matter how much value it has.

Now, even though I say free stuff isn’t always good, I do have a great resource spot you need to check out. It is free and, even better, it is good. It is made for beginners in podcasting as well as helping the experienced podcaster make his/her podcast even better. You really should give this place a try. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. You can find it at, studio.odeo.com/create. If you want to create something new or just listen to others let loose their creativity, this is a ‘must do’ place. (Besides, it’s f-r-e-e, so what do you have to lose.)

I was introduced to this site by a very good friend of mine named, Christer Edwards. He is a very knowledgeable internet marketer and educator. (You can, and should check out his blog at www.christeredwards.com. It is full of great! information, and, by the way, he has a vast amount of technical knowledge and skill and is more than willing to share it.)

Now, getting to that ‘pay stuff’. When someone has something they (or we) perceive as valuable, we are willing to pay for their knowledge or product. If we don’t perceive it as valuable, we may find their asking price too high or their knowledge lacking in some fashion. Either way, we as the customer (or audience) make the choice as to how much value is placed on the product(s) in question which determines its monetary value and “staying power”.

This is also the way it should be. The question now becomes, “Who and what should we be willing to pay for and how much is that information or programming worth?” If we are making our product available for free, does it contain value for those that receive it even though it may have a sort of ‘hook’ attached to it? When it comes to podcasting, it is my personal opinion that ‘value’ is a very “key word”.

See ya next time . . .

“Podcast Solutions”by Michael Geoghegan and Dan Klass … This Months Book Review/Recommendation

Podcast Solutions: The Complete Guide to Podcasting (Solutions)(click on the pix to get it quick!)

This is my recommendation for the book to read for the month of February if you are a beginner looking to get started, or simply like would like some great info for making or improving your podcast.

I realize there are a lot of books on the market for podcast beginners and advanced users. I think this book is well worth the investment whether you are a beginner or an old pro, (maybe even a young, old pro). Because there is so much in this great book I just want to tell you a little of what it contains. Now, that doesn’t mean I won’t be metioning more about it later, it just means I want to tell you a few things about it at this time and hope you will pick it up as a valuable resource you will be able to refer to on a regular basis. These guys KNOW what they’re talking about.

From the pages of this book you will harvest a wealth of information on things like:

  • How to use “podcatchers” like iTunes, iPodder Lemon, and iPodderX
  • Secrets of creating the perfect podcast
  • Expert advice on how to design a successful show
  • How to set up an effective studio in which to record your podcast
  • Includes the complete “Podcast Studio Buyer’s Guide”.
  • Everything you need to know about recording, editing and encoding
  • Everything you need to know about uploading your podcast
  • Information on using music “legally”
  • Attracting sponsors, advertisers and other evenue sources for making money with your podcast

Michael Geoghegan and Dan Klass are pioneers in podcasting. (You can find out more about them by clicking the links in “Podcasting Quick Tips #2” This book a not just something you will want to have for one read. It is something you will want to refer to often even though podcasting is a technology that is changing rapidly. This book is jam-packed with great information and I like the way they offer the important information and yet keep it simple and straightforward. They present it in an understandable way and that is a BIG plus for those that pick it up to get a great headstart on podcasting even though they may be absolutely new to the technology.

Now here’s another thing about this book I really like. It comes with a CD, (worth the price of the book by itself), packed with useful programs, although mostly trial versions, for getting started in podcasting. Even though some of the programs are trial versions they will give you a good feel for the programs BEFORE you invest your hard earned money and that can help you get started on a shoestring and move up as you progress or start up without having to go at the programs ‘cold’.

All in all, I guess you can tell I like the book. I would rate it at least four and a half stars.

See Ya Next Time . . .

(Podcasting Quick Tip #2) Try this. . .

Podcast Solutions: The Complete Guide to Podcasting (Solutions)There is a lot good stuff going on the software and hardware areas of Podcasting these days. I am always looking for ways to make things easier for myself and I am favorably impressed enough with this piece of software that I am willing to recommend you try it.

First, let me tell you how I came across it. There are millions of search results for anything to do with podcasting. So I don’t generally go that route. I tend to use people’s sites that I have come to trust over time. One of those is Paul Colligan. I visited his site again a few days ago, (something I do quite often), and he mentioned this software that is available from GigaVox media. It is called the “LEVELATOR” by GigaVox media. (Although it is free for personal use at the moment, there will probably be a reasonable charge in the future for those that will be using it commercially.)

It is the “podcasters dream” as they say. It is able to take uneven audio (like when you interview someone over the phone or in another type situation and your audio is not at the same level for both speakers) and it levels out the audio (bringing the two into a much closer reference level). It should be used before you convert the file to mp3 and it only works with WAV files.

I tested it with a very bad beginning to a taped seminar. To add a slight twist to this particular test, I had to convert the mp3 file back to WAV (which I did with ‘audacity’) and then run it through “Levelator”. I have to admit, the result was quite acceptable. I was very pleasantly surprised and pleased, I will admit, it wasn’t miraculous, (it could not bring back what wasn’t there) but it did a good job of what it was made for. Give it a try. I really think you will like it.

By the way the book shown above is co-authored by Michael Geoghegan (CEO of GigaVox media) and Dan Klass (“The Bitterest Pill”) . It is a good source for podcasting because it covers the whole world of podcasting, whether you’re just a listener or a podcaster. (Just clickon the picture above to purchase it) Be sure to visit the GigaVox media site for more info on the “Levelator”. They are also a great source for info and all kinds of related ‘stuff’ to podcasting.

See ya next time . . .

(Podcasting Quick Tip #1) Try this . . .

If you’re just beginning in podcasting, or just want a low-buck startup option, here is a way that could get you started without too much expense.  In one sense, this may not be the least expensive way to get started, but it may be worth a try and, if you have some of the equipment laying around that you need to try it, you could get at least some practice sessions in to see how you do before investing in something more sophisticated. 

This process requires the following items:

  • A computer– PC or Mac– with sound recording capabilities (with at least a mic input)
  • Some type of portable recording device (even an old hand-held cassette recorder)
  • Download a free software program (in this case, “audacity” from http://audacity.sourceforge.net )
  • Cable(s) for connecting your portable device to enter your recording into your computer.

(Although this will work with either a portable device or directly recording to your computer, this example is based on remotely recording with a portable device and then loading it into your computer later.)  If you don’t have any of the above hardware, that will determine how expensive this could be.  (If you don’t have a portable cassette recorder, they can still be found and are relatively inexpensive.)

The quality you can produce in this manner depends on how well your portable recording device records sound.  I suggest you record at the highest quality available on your particular device.  It cuts down the amount of time available for recording on your chosen media, but, higher quality recording is an essential.  (If you don’t already know that, you will find it out soon enough.)  Here’s how easy it can be:

  1. Go to the above address and download “audacity”.  (Be sure to read what plugins you need along with it.)
  2. Record your self talking or conversing with another on your portable device
  3. Hook up to the mic input of your computer and download your recording into “audacity”
  4. Once it is in “audacity” you can edit it.
  5. With the additional plugins, you can export it to an mp3 file (or other types)
  6. It is ready to send or upload to your friends or site

Although this sounds (and is) relatively simple, it will probably require some practice and experimentation to achieve the best results.  At any rate, you can have some fun playing around with it while learning the “audacity” program.  It is a neat little program and works well.  (Besides, for now, it is free!!!!).  Have fun with it.

See ya next time

Podcasting, Anyone? and Everyone?

If you listen to what many people say concerning this new and exciting broadcast medium, you will often hear the words, “anyone and everyone can, and should, have their own podcast.”  I really can’t say I agree with this.

Although anyone can have their own podcast, I am of the opinion not everyone should.

Now that I’ve said that, I guess I should clarify.  I don’t mean to stand in anyone’s way or step on their rights of free speech, but there needs to be more to an audio podcast that just having something to say.  You need to say something that people want to listen to, (or see, when talking about video podcasting.)  Otherwise, why take up space in the virtual world. 

Although it is true anyone can rant and ramble on about any subject that interests them, it is my opinion, (and I have to be blunt), if it doesn’t appeal or interest others . . . there won’t be a soul there to hear what you have to say . . . so in my book . . . what’s the purpose.  (Maybe you don’t care about this or just want to get on your soapbox and go off on a rant to get it off your chest.)  My answer to that is, go ahead, but, don’t get upset when nobody shows up to listen to you or they click away to something else before you even get to the heart of your matter.

If you listen to those in the know about podcasting, you will find they recommend you do testing to see what your audience really wants to hear or if they really want to listen to you say it.  You may want to have some of your close and trusted friends listen to it first, but keep in mind, you need good, solid, constructive critique of your product and you need to be willing to listen to what those you’ve asked to give their input say, or, at least, weigh what they say in good faith and use it to better yourself and your “webcast”

See ya next time . . .