mac 2013: using podcasts to reach patrons

Sound of the ArchivesMidwest Archives Conference

Prairie HadyLaura M. FarleyDana E. Gerber

April 20, 2013

RICK PIFER’S INTRODUCTION

Presenter biographiesThe role of social media in archives

CREATION, CHALLENGES & THE FUTURE

Prairie Hady

A clip, from us to you

7th episode

World War II

Love letters

Jim and Ruthie

The Vision...• Share in an accessible, fun and thoughtful way:

1. Knowledge and experience of practitioners2. Insights and inspirations of students3. Perspectives and ideas of archives users

• Foster a greater understanding of how archives function within society in hopes that it would inspire an appreciation for true value of the materials that archives hold.

The Mission...

• Produce a forum for discussion about theory and practice in the archival profession

• Change peoples’ perception of archives

The First Episode:

Prairie, Laura and Dana Recording "Social Justice in the Archives"

Challenges

• Resource Allocation

• Committed Collaboration

Overcoming Challenges

• Utilizing the input of others

• Delegating tasks

• Working with what we were interested in or familiar with

At Your Institution

• Incorporating work already being done on a daily basis

• Re-using previously created materials

• Creativity, flexibility, passion, drive

Reaching a Broad Audience• Start Small

o Relatives o Friends o Co-Workerso Classmates

• Maintain a Core Following

• Use that Foundation to Build a Solid Support Network

• Expand Audience...Slowly, but Surely

The Future of Sound of the Archives

• Physically separated after graduating in May

• Opportunity to broaden our reach and expand our audience

• Ability to maintain communication

Copyright © 1999-2012, USA Corporate Services Inc.

WHY PODCASTS MATTERLaura Farley

Using Podcasts to Increase Visibility

• Direct Ways to Increase Institutional Visibility:– Website, iTunes, and Social Media

Using Podcasts to Increase Visibility: iTunes Store

“history” 100s of podcasts “Minnesota history” 22 podcasts

Using Podcasts to Increase Visibility:

• Link to your podcast in:– Finding aids– Staff email signatures– Related Wikipedia articles

Using Podcasts to Increase Visibility:Indirect Exposure through Collaboration

Links to archival institutions discussed in the episode: Archives as… Irish For a Day: March 17, 2012

Using Podcasts to Increase Visibility: Increased Searchability

Search terms used to find Sound of the Archives taken from our WordPress Dashboard statistics:

Positive Outcomes of Collaboration

• Increased institutional visibility and searchability

• Honor the story of your donors and patrons• Partner with institutions near or far to

increase awareness of collections

Engage Patrons in a New Way

• Who is alienated by blogs and social media?– Visually impaired– Patrons with low literacy levels and learning

disabilities– Children– Those without a reliable internet connection– Anyone without time to dedicate to reading

Engage Patrons in a New Way

• Edutainment: providing education in an entertaining format

Engage Patrons in a New Way

• Institutional Episodes: podcasts that inform patrons about the policies, services, and staff at your archive– What is a finding aid?– How do you search the archive catalog?– How should you prepare for a visit to the archive?– What projects are staff working on?

Why Your Archive Can Create a Successful Podcast

• 45% of Americans Are Familiar With Podcasts• 25% of Americans Listen to Podcasts on a

Regular Basis

Why Your Archive Can Create a Successful Podcast

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57460633-37/apple-spins-out-podcasts-app-ahead-of-ios-6/

http://android.appstorm.net/roundups/lifestyle-roundups/great-podcasting-apps-to-replace-google-listen/

Kindle Fire on Amazon.com

• Capitalize on mobile technology

• Meet your patrons where they’re already at

This American Lifehttp://www.thisamericanlife.org/

Podcast access on This American Life’s website

Podcast access on iTunes

Stuff You Missed in History Classhttp://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/hsw-shows/stuff-you-missed-in-history-class-podcast.htm

Podcast access on the How Stuff Works website

Podcast access on iTunes

Documents that Changed the Worldhttp://ischool.uw.edu/audio-video

Podcast access on the University of Washington Information School website

Podcast access on iTunes

Characteristics of Successful Podcasts

• Podcast and episode themes• Storytelling to convey information• iTunes

PODCASTING IS POSSIBLEDana Gerber

How Much Time Does Creating a Podcast Take?

Four parts of producing a podcast: 1. Research and writing2. Recording 3. Editing 4. Marketing

Saving Time

• Recording for efficient editing

Equipment

Open Source Editing: Audacity

Audacity: Amplify

Audacity: Timeshift• Brian Miller and Chris Wright Interview

Free Music Archive

Audacity: Fade In and Out

Liberated Syndication

Hootsuite

THANK YOU

Prairie Hadyphady@wisc.edu

Laura M. Farleylaura.marie.farley@gmail.com

Dana E. Gerberdanaegerber@gmail.com