Podcasting Advisor

As you may know wee have been offering video for a while now. Last week I met Greg Brand of Travizeo who produces videos for a variety of clients - I thought he’d be the perfect guy to talk to about how to start making videos whether they be a video podcast or a one off for YouTube or your website. Greg mentioned video sitemaps. Neither of us were sure if these were the same as normal sitemaps. It turns out they are, in fact, a separate extension of the Sitemap protocol.

More scientific tests to compare the Heil. Here’s the youtube video.

In an excited frenzy upon receiving my new Heil PR40, I performed a series of scientific tests to compare it with my trusty Shure SM58.

Today I answer a listener question about the best way to get interviews PLUS the ins and outs of Skype Out.

As many of you know - I’m a sucker for the paranormal and conspiracy theories - so it was a tremendous pleasure to have Jim Harold on the show. Jim has a number of podcasts, all based around the paranormal, ghosts, spooky stories and things that go bump in the night: The Paranormal Podcast - Jim’s most downloaded show The Paranormal Report - a videocast which he co-hosts with Clayton Morris Jim Harold’s Campfire - spooky stories from listeners Weird News Radio - a light hearted view of the paranormal Jim says that podcasting changed his life. Jim started out in the media side of radio, then discovered podcasting - being inspired by Adam Curry and Leo Laport. Always being passionate about the paranormal, Jim decided to do a show where he interviewed experts in the field (a great strategy). Later, Jim teamed up with Clayton Morris to do the Paranormal Report and Kate Botello (who used to co-host with Leo Laporte on The Screen Savers) on Weird News Radio, his latest show. In this interview, Jim gives some great insights into the way podcasting can open doors. He also gives us some great podcasting quotes. Jim uses Vodburner to produce his Paranormal Report videocast - this allows you to record two video and two audio streams simultaneously - great for recording a Skype video interview - check it out. Jim also has a new book out - Jim Harold’s Campfire - True Ghost Stories

In today’s episode I talked to Dr Chris Smith who has been podcasting since 2001 (predating even the mighty Adam Curry)! Now that’s early. Chris produces and presents the Naked Scientists Podcast - which started as a radio show. Chris tells how he put the show on the Internet for people to download and how the podcast audience exploded in 2005 as iTunes opened its Podcast Directory. Chris gives some interesting insights into content creation and getting feedback from your listeners - including setting up core samples of your audience as focus groups. He also covers how great content can carry your content even if you’re not a big name brand.

In today’s show I speak with Ted Forbes, photographer, film maker, teacher and podcaster about his videocast, The Art of Photography. Ted is from Dallas, Texas in the US of A.

Michael Rose, Content Strategist, gives us some top tips of content and our podcasts. Areas discussed: Definition of Content Strategy Content Strategy for podcasters Writing shownotes before recording Classic journalist techniques for writing - the inverted pyramid The anatomy of a post SEO and your shownotes The difference between categories and tags in WordPress A recommended podcast on content from Michael: Boxes and Arrows Michael also recommends these books: Content Strategy for the Web - Kristina Halvorson Elements of Content Strategy - Erin Kissane And, for good measure, a couple of useful links on the inverted pyramid style: Inverted Pyramid Inverted Pyramid for the web

In today’s show I cover questions about: Premium feeds Low levels from a Rhode Procaster Missing artwork Plus an impromptu interview with a proud owner of the Zoom H1.

I got a question recently about enhanced podcast - in this short show I give my thoughts on what I believe to be a better, more widely compatible alternative.

I chatted to Jonathan Ahlbrand who uses podcasts in an education way. Jonathan gives us an insight into Mixcraft, a Windows alternative to Apple’s Garageband and Logic Express. And, true to form, I asked Jonathan all about his latest acquisition - a Blue Yeti microphone. Other links: Test of the Blue Yeti from Jonathan Video overview of how Jonathan uses Mixcraft

I thoroughly enjoyed my midnight chat with Daniel Lewis. Daniel produces three podcasts, The Audacity to Podcast, Are you just Watching and The Ramen Noodle. Listen out for some great tips on Audacity and podcasting in general. Daniel’s details: Daniel on Twitter on Twitter Daniel’s design work

I met Alastair McKenzie at the Travel Bloggers Unite 2011 event in Manchester a couple of weeks back. Alastair is an x-radio journalist/editor, now turned to the Internet. In this interview he gives us some killer tips on interviewing and post production with particular reference to using atmospheric backgrounds - great stuff!

Audio and video have different modes of consumption. Video: is immersive is a foreground process - at computer/media player/TV is visual - great for screencasts, demonstrations, needs to be short - people won’t watch long videos is consumed depending on people’s context - if people find themselves at computer is just preferred by some people Audio: is a background process can be consumed while doing other things - driving, operating machinery can be longer form We need to aim for similar results though: Engaging Informative Entertaining Inspiring Ask yourself some standard questions - if YES to any then consider video: Am I explaining how to use software? - go for a screencast Am I showing how to do something? Would I find a video of this more helpful than a video? Will the visual aspect add any other value? Talking head videos are not always bad! Think of video as an additional channel - utilise YouTube - potential good exposure - 2nd biggest search engine

Last night I had a chat with Ciaran Rogers who co-hosts the Digital Marketing Podcast. We mention: Marketing your podcast Consuming podcasts in the Android operating system The Blue Mikey Google listen for Android Doubletwist Fine editing in Garageband

In today’s show I help you to create your first podcast in Garageband on the Mac. I show you how to record, edit, mix and encode in Garageband, then tag in iTunes.

In today’s show I talk to Benjamin Grundy who, along with Aaron Wright, produces the Mysterious Universe podcast. Stuff mentioned by Ben: Rode Procaster Mic Ready Accoustics BIAS Peak Pro Events I mentioned: Sussex Hub networking London Podcasters Free Meetup

As far as I can tell, there aren’t many turnkey solutions for setting up a voicemail answer line in the UK. In this episode I show you how to do this using Sipgate.

After a networking trip to Lewes, I cover the concept of audio compression. What is compression? Why do we use it? How do we use it? All answered in today’s episode.

Today I talk with Rob Greenlee of Zune. Rob tells his story of from the early work with Web Talk Radio to his current role with the Zune podcast directory. To get your podcast into the Zune podcast directory, send the URL to rob@zune.net.

Oh RSS feed, how I love thee (not, very not). I answer a couple of questions today that involve feeds - and a really juicy one about retro-fitting a Feedburner feed - all good stuff. Here’s the Redirect plugin for WordPress

In a rather short show today I go into the scintillating world of audio post production - and specifically normalisation. So don your propeller hats and prepare to enter the world of the audiophile. It’ll be worth it though - because this is laying the foundation for the other post production stuff we need to cover such as audio compression - more of that in a later episode… In other news - here’s Julia’s podcasts.

In today’s show I chat with Cliff Ravenscraft, of PodcastAnswerMan.com. Cliff shares his story of how he took a leap of faith and went from a career in insurance to a full time podcaster and then podcasting coach. A great interview and some terrific tips from Cliff. Also: Listener Joe Dale pointed me to the Audacity to Podcast show with Daniel Lewis, and The Podcasting Emporium with James Williams and Dave Gray. Submitting podcasts to the new Blackberry Podcast Catalogue - here is where to go - you’ll need to sign up first (pretty painless).

Today I delve into the whole area of tracks in audio podcast production and where to find music. Some places to find music for your podcast: Magnatune Music Alley Music Bakery Opuzz Ioda Promonet

Today I cover the essence of audio editing, what it is and how it’s best done. In other news, RIM announce the new Blackberry Podcast Catalogue and Podcast app that allow the user to subscribe to and download show on the move! Thanks to Cliff Ravenscraft of Podcast Answer Man for bringing this to my attention. Here’s the where to submit your podcasts to the Blackberry Podcast Catalogue .

In this week’s episode I talk with Skipper Wise of Blue Microphones. It was a fascinating chat and I really got an insight to the ethos of Blue. Skipper loves the combination of art and engineering. I asked him first about his musical beginnings and how Blue got started.

In today’s show I talk about a few portable audio recorders I’m familiar with. I was introduced to a new web based podcasting platform yesterday - ipadio.com. Only had a quick look but it looks very interesting and I’ll cover it in a later show. Blue Mikey - an external stereo microphone for the iPhone and iPods - nice review here iPhone App - Blue FiRe that goes with the Mikey The Zoom H4n - what you get these days in place of the H4. A nice page about the new Zoom H1

I was delighted to spend some time yesterday morning talking with Dave Jackson of the School of Podcasting. Dave gave some interesting stories and insights into podcasting: A simple way of explaining what a podcast is How podcasting can help you get a job How podcasting doesn’t have to be about making money How to evaluate the best content for a podcast What made Dave start podcasting A simple explanation of RSS using a popcorn analogy The steps forward for those hesitating with podcasting Top tips when starting a podcast

Audacity is a free, open source program that allows you to record, edit, process and mix audio. In today’s show I go over the basics of what it is, how to install the LAME MP3 encoder, how to record, and how to save and export an MP3 file.

After a rough, sleepless, windy night, followed by an afternoon power nap, I discuss the oft-asked topic of recording conversations from Skype. We start the show with a voice question from Kathryn Colas of Simply Hormones - she’s starting the Simply Hormones Podcast. Software mentioned: Audio Hijack Pro Pamela Pretty May

How to stop that annoying popping sound on your spoken audio. Links to YouTube videos where I review some mics: Shure SM58 (you can see the pop filter in front of the mic) Samson C01U condenser mic You can get pop filters at many electronics and music outlets - for online options look at Dolphin Music (UK). This pop filter by Rode from Dolphin Music (UK) has a small clamp which should be well suited to the Blue Snowball

Podcasting is all about honesty and authenticity. it’s important to be able to speak from the heart. But this is not always as easy as it sounds. Here are 5 easy tips to get you on your way to speaking with conviction, authenticity and passion.

I think interviews are one of the best things you can do on your podcast. In today’s show, I brain dump all I have learned about the best way to interview your guests in my 4 years of podcasting.

It’s time to get started in podcasting. I start off talking about headsets in general - Plantronics do nice ones. DISCLOSURE: Most of the links to purchase are AFFILIATE LINKS. I’ll get a commission if you end up buying the product. This helps me to feed my children. If you don’t want his to happen just use Google. For a good condenser microphone – take a look at the Samson C01U. Get it from Dolphin Music (UK). The Blue Snowball is another condenser microphone worth considering. You can buy this from Apple Store (UK), Dolphin Music (UK). Both these mics plug straight into your computer via USB. I talk about the Shure SM58 - this is a popular, robust dynamic microphone (It’s the one I use on this podcast). Bear in mind with this mic that you’ll need something to plug it into - it has an XLR plug that won’t plug directly into your computer. You’ll need an XLR to USB interface, a mixer or a separate audio recorder with XLR inputs such as the Zoom H4. Purchase the SM58 from Dolphin Music (UK).

Where is it best to host your podcast files? What sort of website should your podcast be? What is an RSS feed? I was prompted to answer these questions when my friend Paul asked about hosting companies. In this episode I paint a picture of the ideal podcast distribution setup.

Hi everyone. After having run a podcasting consulting business for 4 years, and started a book on podcasting, I have at long last decided to follow my own advice and start my own podcast on podcasting.