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Saturday, December 1, 2012

Recording Your Podcasts

Podcasts are an excellent way to drive targeted traffic to your website. They help build credibility and they can turn your customers into your fans. They are a great tool for marketers of learning content products.

But recording them scares many people!

Does it scare you? There really is no reason for it. Making podcasts is actually quite easy and inexpensive. It doesn't take much in the way of hardware. And it takes only the barest of skills to record and produce a quality podcast.

In this article I'm going to give you an overview of what is needed for recording your podcasts.

Recording a podcast requires three tools:

1. A computer 2. Editing and recording software 3. A headset.

The computer you use doesn't have to be anything special. In fact, you can use a computer that is barely able to function with modern tools. Netbooks work well, as do laptops. Both of those have built-in speakers which makes editing slightly easier. However, you will find that the built-in microphone won't do the job. A desktop computer will also do the job as well.

Technically there are only three things that you need from the computer. First, that it runs the software you have. Second that it has the ability to connect a headset microphone. For that you will need either a USB or a micro-jack set. Almost all modern computers have at least one of those. Finally, the ability to store the podcasts on a CD or DVD would be beneficial. Strictly speaking the computer doesn't need to have this capability. A portable unit will do the job quite nicely.

Most editing software is also capable of doing double duty as recording software. You don't need a professional or expensive piece of software. In fact, one of the best is Audacity. It is also open source software and free. Which makes it a triple threat.

Finally you will need a headset microphone. Why a headset microphone? Microphones installed in laptops and netbooks are similar to the typical desktop microphone. They are omnidirectional. This means they pick up sound from all directions. A headset microphone is unidirectional and will pick up only your voice. The result will be a much cleaner recording that doesn't need much in the way of editing.

When recording the podcast there are a number of things you can do to create a great podcast. For example, you can start by realizing that you don't have to be perfect. Editing can clean up major mistakes. Minor mistakes are best left in since they make you seem more human. However, to do this requires that the editor have enough material to patch together a corrected recording.

Having said that, practice makes perfect. Making multiple recordings allows you to practice the podcast. It also allows you to polish your presentation and the information you are presenting. Finally, by recording the practice sessions you can generate more material for the editor to work with.

When actually recording, the best position is standing. This gives the body room to breathe. A stool can be used to give some relief to tired legs. You should also try gesturing and walking. Gesturing helps you to express your passion for your subject. That passion will show up in your voice and be recognized by the audience. This helps your presentation to avoid the boring drone label.

Six Benefits of Podcasting The Benefits of Starting a Podcast Podcast Transcription: Converting the Spoken to the Written How to Begin Podcasting the Right Way The Art of Podcasting How To Pick A Great Name For Your Podcast

How to Listen to More Podcasts in Less Time - Software Tips to Play Podcasts Fast

The internet provides a variety of entertaining podcasts. There are so many that it is hard to fit them all into the time you have to listen. One way of listening to more podcasts is to speed them and up listen to them faster. Do not worry, it does not take too long to get used to 1.5x or even 2x speeds.

Users can use two free programs that will help you speed up your podcasts without making the voices sound like chipmunks.

Download a program called VLC.

Once you start VLC, click on Tools > Preferences.

At the bottom left click on All.

Click the ">" button next to Audio then click on Filters.

Finally click on "Scale audio tempo in sync with playback rate" then save.

Now when you play a file you can click on the outer ">>" button to speed up the speed of the podcast and get more content in less time. You can also left click on where it says 1.00x and use the slide to set it to a faster speed.

This is best when you are listening while at your computer.

Another program you can use is called Audacity.

If you need to have your podcasts on the go, then you need to use Audacity to speed up the tempo of your files so you can use them on your mp3 player.

Download Audacity.

Open up your podcast or file

Hit Control+A.

Click on Effects > Change Tempo.

You will see a slider that you can either speed up or slow down the tempo. For my computer going past 70% increases in speed makes the audio sound bad.

Set the slider to your desired speed and click OK. It will take it a few moments to transpose the podcast and speed up the tempo.

Click on File > Export to save the transposed file.

Six Benefits of Podcasting The Benefits of Starting a Podcast Podcast Transcription: Converting the Spoken to the Written How to Begin Podcasting the Right Way The Art of Podcasting

How to Turn Content From a Video Into a Podcast

To make product creation effective you need learn how to repurpose content. How to change content created for one media into an entirely different product created for a different media.

Usually it just doesn't work.

To do it you need to know both how to do it and also why it works -- or doesn't work. Generally speaking whenever you go from a simpler to a more complex form in the same media it doesn't work. Or when you go across media.

There are exceptions, however.

One of those exceptions is when you are going from a complex product to a simple advertising product. For example, when you go from a book to an article or a video to a podcast.

Normally when you go from a video to an audio product you are faced with two very serious issues.

With a video you have a visual component -- that's what makes it a video and not an audio. Typically when you design your learning content you take the freedom that implies into account. However, with an audio you can't refer to a picture -- there isn't one. You have to find non-visual ways to convey the information.

Secondly the content itself needs to be simpler with the more limited communications media. Think of a computer with a phone connection to the internet vs one with a cable connection. You simply can't move the same amount of information without having it come out garbled.

However, if you work around these limits you can successfully repurpose content from video to a podcast.

The trick is that the podcast is a much smaller and simpler product. You need to begin by selecting out appropriate portions of the video to convert. If you're drawing a diagram on a board to illustrate a point -- that's just not going to be a good piece to convert. You need to avoid those portions. Instead try using a talking head segment (in other words no references to visuals) as your base.

The second trick is to avoid complex segments. Typically these would be accompanied by visuals in any case. Remember you have an upper limit on the number of points you can make!

The third trick is to add packaging and content. Most of the segments you'll select won't include an introduction or conclusion. Usually because they're in the middle of a discussion or are themselves an introduction or conclusion. So you need to be prepared to record introductions and conclusions.

And like any other podcast, you need to add packaging around the content. Your audio beginning and ending credits and music are a good example of required audio packaging.

Can Podcasting Turn You a Profit?

Let's face it, building an internet business is time consuming and money consuming. And no one really wants to do anything that doesn't pay for itself. Even though you have to do article marketing or teleseminar marketing or video marketing or email marketing to drive traffic you will always want to turn a profit from it if you can.

And podcasting is no different.

So can you turn a profit from podcasting?

Well of course the simple answer is that's why you are doing it. Podcasting not only helps you build traffic but it also increases your credibility. And ultimately your credibility (your expertise) is what you are selling. Your products are just how you monetize that credibility as an expert.

But let's not stop there. Can you turn your podcasting into a product that you can sell? Can you turn a profit from your podcasting? Here are four methods that will help pay for your podcasting and make a profit from it. Of course, most of these are advanced techniques and you will have to have created a reputation already. But they are possible.

1. You can sell access to your podcast as a subscription. Yes, Virginia people will pay to listen to your dulcet tones. Well, actually for the great information that you are giving them week after week. This is really no different than a newsletter that people pay for on a monthly basis. People will pay for an audio magazine which teaches them and entertains them. Try mixing interviews and editorials and other formats with your training (learning) content. That way you'll give a little something for everyone and attract a wider audience. You'll also be giving your regular audience a little variety in their weekly listen.

2. You can sell a podcast as part of a monthly membership program. One of the joys of a membership program is coming up with enough content to keep people interested and maintaining their membership. A podcast can be one more form of content. And because it is easy compared to most other media, it can help keep the associated workload under control.

3. Podcasts are a repeating product. That means they accumulate on your hard drive. But it also means that they disappear from your website. In fact, most podcasts are only available until the next podcast. (Okay, sometimes the last one is kept available but you get the idea). That means that you will have content that accumulates but isn't available any longer. So package it up and sell it as a standalone product. Packaging in this case may mean simply creating a collection or it may mean editing segments together. Both collections and standalone products can be sold.

4. Okay, now I admit that this is borderline, but you can use your podcasts as a bonus. Often when selling other products you may need to include a bonus product to increase sales. In fact, you almost always have to include bonuses to close the sale. Podcasts on the same subject make great bonuses. Especially if you can create a package of them.

Make Money With Podcasts

First, Internet users realized that they could make money online by blogging and now podcasting is quickly gaining popularity as a way to make money online. Podcasting can be a little more technical than blogging, so it is helpful to know exactly what podcasting is and how to do it before a person dives into making money with podcasting.

Podcasting has two different versions; audio podcasting and video podcasting. Audio podcasting entails recording one or more people speaking and discussing various subject matters and then saving the recording typically in an MP3 format. MP3 formatting is used because that's the type of audio file that most Internet users can easily open without having to install extra programs on their computer. Video formatting is normally done with either a video camera or webcam and is saved in a flash or MP4 video format. While neither audio or video podcasting is complicated to set up, good equipment should be used in order to achieve the best quality.

Those who podcast can talk about whatever they want to. Some podcasts are funny, while others are tech based and then there is everything in between. The key to successful podcasting is coming up with a theme or subject matter that other Internet users are interested in. Now that podcasting has been explained, here are a few different ways to make money with podcasting:

As with many other Internet opportunities, one of the easiest ways to make money with podcasting is advertising. Podcasters can either sell advertising space on their website that hosts the podcast or the podcaster can vocally mention their advertisers and their advertiser's products during the podcast episode. Another way to make money with podcasting is to charge for all or some of the podcasts that you make. For example, you might not charge for shorter podcasts, but may want to charge for longer ones that provide the listeners or watchers with more information. You could also allow users to watch part of the podcast for free but then require them to pay if they want to watch the rest of the video or listen to the remainder of the audio. The third way to make money with podcasting is to ask for donations. Some people might not feel comfortable doing this, but remember that it does take a lot of time and money to put a podcast out there for others to view or listen to. Internet users do understand that and if they enjoy the podcast, they might be willing to donate in order to keep the podcast going.

The three ways above to make money with podcasting are only a few of the different methods that can be used. The method that will work the best will depend a lot on the podcast itself and what type of audience the podcast has.

Six Benefits of Podcasting The Benefits of Starting a Podcast Podcast Transcription: Converting the Spoken to the Written How to Begin Podcasting the Right Way The Art of Podcasting

Internet Marketing - Using Podcasts

Do you know what a "podcast" is? A podcast is simply an audio recording (typically in MP3 form), where you talk about a certain subject, and submit them to the podcast directories. Now the biggest podcast directory on the internet is iTunes. Almost every famous person who has a show or a popular YouTube channel uses podcasts to market their products and services. Even my favorite financial expert Suze Orman uses podcasts to teach her listeners tips and advice on how to be financially free.

When I first got started making podcasts for one of my old businesses along while ago, I would use a webcam to record myself on video, and then extract the audio from the video file to create the podcast. Now granted, the software that I was using to turn my videos into podcast wasn't too good - but it was all that I had at the time.

Plus, I used a cheap $20 webcam to record my videos. You could hear a "squeaking" noise in the background of the webcam video, but that was just a testament of how "low-tech" this webcam was. I didn't have the money to buy a camcorder, so I was stuck with this option.

I honestly believe that when I extracted the audio from the video file that my webcam created, it picked up on the "squeaking" noise in the background, and incorporated it into the podcast MP3 file. So needless to say, the resulting podcast file was of very low quality.

I bring this story up because if you want to make a podcast, you will have to do it right. Either buy a microphone and record yourself on a computer, or get a camcorder to record yourself via that. The camcorder option is actually a "double whammy" for your marketing efforts. You can take the video and upload it to YouTube, and you can extract the audio file and create a podcast out of it. It's very simple and easy to do.

So how long should your podcast be? Well, Suze Orman's podcasts are over 40 minutes long. So if you think that people will only want a 5 minute podcast, you're mistaken. You can make it as long as you want. Just make sure you provide a lot of high quality information that your listeners can use to achieve a goal or solve a problem in their life.

If there's one thing that I want you to remember about today's lesson, it's that iTunes is definitely where you will want to submit your podcast to. And it's free to do so. They are the largest podcast directory on the internet. There are other podcast directories out there also, but this one definitely takes the cake.

Get started working on your podcast today so that you can start driving people back to your website simply and easily. Make sure you mention your website address at the very beginning and at the end of the podcast. This is how people will get in touch with you and will visit your website simply and easily.

Take these tips and use them to market your podcasts today.

Good luck with using podcast marketing in your online business.