secrets of podcast success

Secrets to podcast success

Silicon Halton Meetup #52February 11, 2014

@donnapapacosta

Simple definition of podcasting: Internet radio showSECRETS TO PODCAST SUCCESS

Difference between any old audio and a podcast:Podcast is serial; you can subscribe.

SECRETS TO PODCAST SUCCESS

Podcasts – part of your content marketingSECRETS TO PODCAST SUCCESS

Why podcasts for content marketing?

Why podcasts for content marketing?• Portable, time-shifted

Why podcasts for content marketing?• Portable, time-shifted

• Human touch of audio; in your ears

Why podcasts for content marketing?• Portable, time-shifted

• Human touch of audio; in your ears

• Multimedia grabs people

Why podcasts for content marketing?• Portable, time-shifted

• Human touch of audio; in your ears

• Multimedia grabs people

• Complements text and other communications

It’s NOT just about technology and gear.

SECRETS TO PODCAST SUCCESS

Yet good sound and editing matter.SECRETS TO PODCAST SUCCESS

Microphone tips

Microphone tips

• Know your settings

Microphone tips

• Know your settings

• Use a pop filter when possible

Microphone tips

• Know your settings

• Use a pop filter when possible

• Find sweet spot (distance and placement)

Microphone tips

• Know your settings

• Use a pop filter when possible

• Find sweet spot (distance and placement)

• Experiment before you record

Microphone tips

• Know your settings

• Use a pop filter when possible

• Find sweet spot (distance and placement)

• Experiment before you record

• Turn off all alerts, noises, ambient noise when possible

Quick recommendations

Quick recommendations

• Audio editing: Audacity or Adobe Audition (Mac and PC) or Garage Band (Mac only)

Quick recommendations

• Audio editing: Audacity or Adobe Audition (Mac and PC) or Garage Band (Mac only)

• Microphone: Audio-Technica ATR2100 or Blue Yeti USB

Quick recommendations

• Audio editing: Audacity or Adobe Audition (Mac and PC) or Garage Band (Mac only)

• Microphone: Audio-Technica ATR2100 or Blue Yeti USB

• Recording Skype calls: Call Recorder (Mac) or Pamela (PC)

Lots of options in the iOS world

Lots of options in the iOS world

• Record on your iPhone

Lots of options in the iOS world

• Record on your iPhone

• Try the iRig microphone

Lots of options in the iOS world

• Record on your iPhone

• Try the iRig microphone

• iTalk, SoundCloud

Lots of options in the iOS world

• Record on your iPhone

• Try the iRig microphone

• iTalk, SoundCloud

• And many more

Don’t rely totally on a script.

SECRETS TO PODCAST SUCCESS

Remember this is audio! Give guideposts.

SECRETS TO PODCAST SUCCESS

Listener has no visual cues

Listener has no visual cues

• Communicate for the ear, not the eye

Listener has no visual cues

• Communicate for the ear, not the eye

• Use simple language; start with a hook

Listener has no visual cues

• Communicate for the ear, not the eye

• Use simple language; start with a hook

• Give auditory guideposts (Let’s talk about three things… First…”)

Listener has no visual cues

• Communicate for the ear, not the eye

• Use simple language; start with a hook

• Give auditory guideposts (Let’s talk about three things… First…”)

• Avoid lots of numbers

Listener has no visual cues

• Communicate for the ear, not the eye

• Use simple language; start with a hook

• Give auditory guideposts (Let’s talk about three things… First…”)

• Avoid lots of numbers

• Do a recap at the end

Search engines hate audio.

SECRETS TO PODCAST SUCCESS

Search engines hate audio.So write show notes!SECRETS TO PODCAST SUCCESS

Typical workflow

Typical workflow

• Plan episode, including guests; write outline

Typical workflow

• Plan episode, including guests; write outline

• Record and edit

Typical workflow

• Plan episode, including guests; write outline

• Record and edit

• Mix in music, if using

Typical workflow

• Plan episode, including guests; write outline

• Record and edit

• Mix in music, if using

• Save as MP3; upload file (with ID3 tags) to Libsyn or other host

Typical workflow

• Plan episode, including guests; write outline

• Record and edit

• Mix in music, if using

• Save as MP3; upload file (with ID3 tags) to Libsyn or other host

• Publish podcast as part of a blog post (use PowerPress plugin on WordPress)

Typical workflow

• Plan episode, including guests; write outline

• Record and edit

• Mix in music, if using

• Save as MP3; upload file (with ID3 tags) to Libsyn or other host

• Publish podcast as part of a blog post (use PowerPress plugin on WordPress)

• Share the podcast via social media

Consider the podcaster’s secret weapons.

SECRETS TO PODCAST SUCCESS

Choose a meaningful name and cover art.SECRETS TO PODCAST SUCCESS

Building your audience is not a sprint.SECRETS TO PODCAST SUCCESS

Get help when you need it!SECRETS TO PODCAST SUCCESS

Top tech podcasts ...

Please keep in touch

Donna Papacostadonna@trafcom.com905.844.7645

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@donnapapacosta