The Talkshoe Support Live! shows will be held at Show ID 875 every Monday Night at 7:00pm EST. Hosted by support reps, Dr. Robert White and Josh Budde. The recorded training sessions will be available at http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/875 as well as playable here with each show notes post.

With regards to connecting to the Talkshoe Service, there are several methods available.

Land Line or Cell Phone by dialing into the (724)444-7444 number
Skype Out dialing into the (724)444-7444 number
Using Shoephone, XLite, SJPhone, Gizmo or other SIP client
Or just simply logging into the chatroom and interacting with the service by chat.

Listen to the recorded session in the player below to get the full details of how to use each of these methods.

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Beginning Monday, June 8th, 2009, Dr. Robert White and Josh Budde, both Support Reps for Talkshoe, will begin hosting a new Live Support Show at Show ID 875, starting at 7:00pm EST every Monday Night.

The show will begin promptly at 7:00pm and there will be a short explanation of the shows format before the recording is started. Everyone will come into the show muted, however, the chat room will be open during the entire show.

Once the recording begins, there will be a 10 to 15 minute training that will be recorded and then the recording will be stopped. Once the recording has stopped, the phone lines will be opened and a Q&A Session will begin. We will go until all questions have been answered or fielded.

We urge all hosts and listeners alike to attend this show every week. We will take your support requests, comments and suggestions and then either answer your questions right there and then or if additional research or support is needed, it will be handled immediately following the show.

This new show is just another way that Talkshoe is getting you the support you need and want. Remember, that every Friday Night on Podcaster Training, there is also a time for Talkshoe Support added to that show too!

See you on Monday Night!

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Since the inception of this show, almost 3 years ago now, I have always had a Co-Host. For some shows, a Co-Host may not work out well, however, for most, having a Co-Host is almost like breathing new life into your podcast.

Many podcasters begin solo and they do alright, then over time, the broken toaster effect starts to set in (we all remember the broken toaster episode a few weeks ago) and then the podcaster simply vanishes into the night, never to be heard from again.

Enter the Co-Host. This is a person who mans the “second chair” for your show. Kind of like Ed McMahon to Johnny Carson…ok, I just dated myself there, didn’t I? But I think you get the idea.

A couple of years ago, I had an idea for a business oriented show here on Talkshoe. I invited Patti Serrano to join me for the first show as a guest host and the mix was just right and I asked her to stay on as a permanent Co-Host for that show. We ran that show for almost 1 and a half years and it was very successful as a downloaded show.

When I started this show, it was started as a Talkshoe Support show and Tommy Vallier, then the only support rep for Talkshoe, came in on my first episode and became my Co-Host and was here for more than a year before he moved on to bigger and better things. As time progressed, this show evolved and I picked up another Co-Host, Jeff Chandler, who went on to start up his own Wordpress Weekly show, something he had done prior, and is still going strong today. After flying solo for a few months, I then invited Josh Budde on as my current Co-Host. This show is more of a two host style show and it just flows better with two hosts.

Of course, prior to bringing Josh on, I brought in the concept of Segment Hosts. A Segment Host is kinda like a Co-Host, except they only do a short 3 to 5 minute segment during your show. Maybe this would enhance your show, much like it did mine. A Segment Host can add more details to any show and the nice part about a Segment Host is that they don’t have to talk about what you are talking about, thus adding content to your show.

Now, consider your show that you have right now. Depending on the niche you are serving, you may be able to bring in a Co-Host easily and begin enhancing your show. So, just how do you find this ever elusive Co-Host? Easy! Start listening to other shows that are in the same niche that you are serving. If you can’t find one that way, look at your current listeners and see who is coming in faithfully on most every show. Start by asking them, as a group, to see if there is any interest. If you have more than one, then you can pick and choose, otherwise go with your gut and give this person a try out and see if there is a fit.

Now, you have a Co-Host, the next step is to set a time, once a week, if your show is a weekly show, for example, to get together on Skype or a Private Call and put your heads together and decide how the show will progress and collaborate on Show Notes, etc. to make sure you will have a good flow. I would suggest using something like Google Docs to collaborate your Show Notes, so that both you and your Co-Host can easily make modifications to the notes and both can easily stay on the same page.

Also, don’t forget, that when you have a Co-Host, you need to include your Co-Host in certain activities and discussions that will give your listeners a different voice to hear during your show.

Now with Segment Hosts, this operates a on a little different scale. With a Segment Host, they will most likely be talking on a subject that is different from your main show and something that they are familiar with. Because they aren’t really involved in the main discussion of the show, give your Segment Hosts their 3 to 5 minutes (or how ever long you have decided for them) to do their spot and then take back the reigns again and continue on. There is normally no collarboration with Segment Hosts, unless they are centering their segment around what you are talking about on that show. For example, if you have a Movie Review style show and you have a segment host coming in, they may want to know what movie you will be reviewing so that they can talk about when this movie is being released to DVD or maybe some special features that the DVD release will offer.

Ok, let’s say you have implemented a Co-Host and maybe even some Segment Hosts. Should you give them space in your blog or web site for their own show notes, commentaries, etc.? You betcha! Make sure that your Co-Host has their own category or seperate space and each Segment Host too. Now, not everyone will want to do this, but make sure you make the offer just the same!

Listen to this extended version of the show in the player below!

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“You have a way with words.”

“Uh huh.” I nodded, didn’t mean
much to me.

I continued my education, and
began to appreciate my writing
ability.

Still, I pushed away the idea of
taking it seriously.

The degree and I found a job,
planned to retire from it.

The unthinkable happened. I was,
unjustly, fired.

Devastated covered only one of
the emotions I felt.

“Why?” you asked

My former manager and co-workers weren’t happy with taking away my
livelihood.

They took it to the street.

My neighbors began being
rude, to put it lightly. Now,
I spoke to them, but they
weren’t friends.

Strangers bumped into me
as they passed on the
street.

I was forced to call the
Philadelphia Police.

They were the first on
the scene to take me
seriously. They came
to my aid. I was a person
with no money, and no
connections. Yet, they
found my complaint had
substance.

The tears dried up.

I turned to writing a detailed
account of what happened at
my former job, but fictionalized
it.

Besides, I was unable to
get a job. I sent out over
one-hundred resumes.

All kinds of doubts
invaded my thoughts
about my novel.

Can I do it? Would anyone
buy it? Publisher? Maybe,
an agent?

I shoved those writing-stoppers
away.

I wrote the novel, not sure where
to go with it.

I found someone to critique it, but
her rates were too expensive.

“I’m cheap compared to others.”
She assured.

“It’s just that my funds are limited.
My elderly mother shares her food
with me.”

“Good luck.”

I trashed paragraphs, and improved
the plot. From time to time, peppered it with more suspense.

I crossed paths with an agent, sent
him the manuscript. He returned it
with a scribbled note that read,
“Work on it.”

I did.

A telephone call or two from
him showed me my book was
not on his submit to a publisher
list. I moved on.

Next, I enrolled in a writing, mail-
order, course. The instructor
had the option of recommending
a student’s work for publication
with the school.

Of course, my manuscript failed
to get picked.

I tried a second attempt at taking
the course, and my manuscript
was tossed back into my hands.

It was time to read on my own.
The goal was to get a better
understanding of plot, suspense,
and breaking into the writing
world.

Surprisingly, no one explained
the reason(s) my manuscript
wasn’t acceptable.

So, it was up to me.

When I critique someone’s work,
I explain my comments. I tell
people why their work will be
rejected. It’s the humane thing
to do.

After studying on my own, I
managed to pin-point, correct,
errors.

Meanwhile, my search for a
publisher went on.

My efforts paid-off.

Life gave me the writing idea,
and I had the courage to use
it.

My novel, Grave Street House, was
published.

At any given moment, life will
throw dirt at me, you. I’ll write about it. What will you do?

In closing, life gives us many writing
ideas. Some are funny, and easily
written about. Others take effort to write about.
*******************************************
An excerpt from my novel, Grave Street House.

“Amanda, few of us are goin’ to the club.
Come with?”
“No, I have to get home, because my mother wasn’t…”
“Not gonna last long ’round here with that attitude.”
“I’ll go another time.”
“Has to be now.”
“Why didn’t you let me know before the last minute?”
“That’s why they say stuck-up using ya’re name.” She rolled her eyes.
The trust I had for them added up to zero. The thought of going out with them made me uneasy. A trick? The way they talked
openly, loud in the work area. It showed they were capable of doing anything. I preferred not to be in their company.
On the other hand, if I joined them at the club, how bad could it be with others around?
Plus, if I go now, never again.
“All right, I’ll go out with you one time.”

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Last week, we discussed the Basics of Talkshoe and continuing with that line of thinking, this week, we will discuss Broadcasting on a Shoestring.

Everyone has the ability to produce a good sounding, professional style show, and most everyone has the inclination to do so. Sometimes, your financial situation, especially during these hard, economic times, can get in the way of allowing you to do this.

Tonight, we will discuss different hardware, equipment and software that you can use to setup your home studio to produce a more professional style podcast. You may need to spend a few bucks to do this, however, we will attempt to show you the most inexpensive way to get yourself setup.

To begin with, when using Talkshoe, of course, the service itself is free. The service is free, but consider that your Internet connection is not! Look at your current provider or ISP and see what package you are subscribed to. If you are wanting to do just audio broadcasting, then you can easily get by with a lower end package of say 1mb down and 128k up. However, if you are wanting to do audio AND video broadcasting, then you will want a higher end package with at least 1mb to 3mb up and maybe 3mb to 6 mb down. When broadcasting, your upload speed is more critical than your download speed. Check with your ISP or Internet provider to see what packages they offer and you might even be able to upgrade for only a few dollars more a month!

Now, once your Internet connection is worked out, you will want to look at how you are connecting to the Talkshoe Service. Talkshoe allows several methods of connecting including landline or cell phone by way of 724-444-7444 and of course this may be a toll call depending on your phone service, so expect long distance charges when calling this number, especially if you don’t have a good long distance plan on your land line or cell phone. Another way to connect is by the SIP Interface using Gizmo, SJPhone or XLite and of course, don’t forget the Shoephone that is built into the Talkshoe Pro Client. And then of course, there is Skype. With Skype, you can purchase an outgoing plan for around $36.00 US per year and you will have the ability to dial into Talkshoe using the 724-444-7444 number WITHOUT long distance charges! We’ll talk more about these alternate methods of dialing in shortly when we discuss some of the equipment you will need.

Ok, one quick comment about dialing in before we move on, remember, depending on how you are dialing in or connecting to the Talkshoe service, will greatly affect your audio quality and your recording quality. If you dial in using a cell phone, for example, then you quality will be lower as this will be an analog or phone quality audio. When you connect using Skype or SIP, then you will have a higher quality, because your connection is a higher quality connection. Again, we’ll talk more about quality when we discuss the equipment later.

Talking about equipment, a good microphone and headset will go a long way to helping you to have a great quality audio and recording. Most places such as Radio Shack, Office Depot, Office Max, Staples and even Wal-Mart carry quality products at low prices to get you started.

Listen to this episode in the player below to hear what some of the listeners had to say about this topic!

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It’s a must to push pass
excuses for not writing.
There are two choices for
you. They are to write, or
not.

Don’t give yourself any
excuses as to why you
aren’t writing.

Instead, find time to
jot ideas down. Later,
edit, and explore the
idea.

Set your alarm one hour
or two earlier to get writing
time. Scribble notes down
on a break, at lunch. Try
idea gathering as you
commute home, before bed,
or while relaxing in front of
the television.

You witnessed an interesting
event? Heard idea provoking
chat as you passed several
people? Take a few moments
to write your thoughts down.
It counts as writing time.

Let’s look at why passionate
writers are successful.

Passionate writers are
successful, because they find
time to write.

Passionate writers squeeze-
out some portion of their day
for writing, and so must you.

Perhaps, the time you spend
in the bathroom is your writing
get-a-way.

Have a writing session as you
enjoy coffee, tea, or orange
juice.

Think of reasons to write.
It frees you. Enlightens
you? You have something
to contribute to the world?
It stresses you down? You
have a story to tell.

Get into the habit of
writing at the same time.
This good habit is practiced
everyday. Stay there a
minimum of two hours.
This is your time.

Bring inspiration. Inspiration
is a quote, favorite book,
poem that needs your touch,
or a note to yourself.

A possible note: I will write
at four o’clock. Repeat it
to yourself throughout the
day.

It becomes a goal, something
to look forward to. A dream
in the making. Connect to it,
realize your potential.

Look at a possible
writing idea from my life.

The city I live in gave me a
fine.

“Why?” You asked.

The fine was for litter.
Yes, litter.

I place my trash bags out
every week, at the same
time. This is a habit, like
brushing my teeth.

On a particular day, a violation
notice was pushed in my door.

I paid the violation.

Now, three and four weeks
after payment, the city is still
sending me a bill.

I’m being billed for the original
fine, and penalty. The penalty
is as much as the original bill.

I referenced it to point-out
the fact that life gives us
writing ideas.

There are endless ideas
running to my mind about
the litter fine.

Find the passion in you,
and don’t make excuses
for not writing.

In closing, push pass
writing excuses by
doing the simple act of
writing.

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Tonight, we will discuss the Basics of the Talkshoe Service. As many of you already know, I am a Support Rep for Talkshoe, so what we are talking about tonight will come, partially from, some of the requests that have come across the support lines.

To begin with, Talkshoe, as you already know, allows you to host and listen to, live, interactive podcasts. Some of you newer hosts may have questions pertaining to the service or how to do certain features, etc. We will attempt to answer all of your questions tonight, so feel free to chime in at anytime and ask, in case we miss something!

Now, to start off, the first thing you want to do, is to register for your free account at Talkshoe. This takes only a couple of minutes and like I said, it’s free! Once you have this done, you are ready to begin listening to shows or even host a show or shows of your own.

Next, let’s walk through the steps to setup a new show on Talkshoe.

To see a visual demonstration of this section of the show, please visit http://www.newmediapro.tv and click on Video On Demand.

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The important step is creating.
There will be time to go back,
review, and critique.

I’ve been in the moment of
writing, many times. I stopped,
read through it. Some paragraphs
were unreadable, weak verbs. I
had to put it aside for a few days,
and then do the critiquing. I found
mistakes immediately after writing.
What would I, you, find when
refreshed?

Like I always say, longer writing
projects require more time away.

An editor can spot mistakes in
paragraph one. To be honest, it’s
a waste of the editor’s time, and
your energy when your best work
isn’t sent out.

“How do you know?” You asked.

I’ve made similar blunders. Yes, I
speak from experience. It has led to
failures, of course. I gained from the
process, learned to write better. It set
me on the rode to developing an editor’s
eye.

The editor’s eye took me some years
to grasp. It could happen, sooner or
later, for you. Keep learning, writing.
It is the only sure way, I know of, to
reach writing goals.

It’s good form to request writer’s
guidelines before submitting your
work to a publisher. Also, a must
do is to include a self-addressed
stamped envelope. Sometimes, the
guidelines can be read online.

There are publications that offer
online issues for sale. Read back
issues of magazines to get a feel
for the style, flavor of it.

“Why read back issues?” You
pondered.

You are better able to give the
editor what he/she wants.

The dictionary and thesaurus are
tools that should be kept at your
finger-tips. Spell-check more than
once.

The dictionary explains the
meaning of words. It, also,
helps with spelling.

The thesaurus provides words with
the same, almost the same meaning,
and opposite meanings of words.

“Why is the thesaurus needed?”
You questioned.

Let’s look at angry.

“What’s the point?” You stared
at the word.

Your writing calls for an emotion,
anger, for example. Instead of
using angry nine times, replace
it with: annoyed, bitter, cross,
enraged, fuming, irate, vexed,
heated, or offended. I found
the words in the thesaurus.

It’s boring to read the same
words over. Also, it marks you
as an amateur.

I’ll show you.

Henry was angry at Jess. They
fought over the cat. Jess kicked
the chair. I guess, she was angry.
They were so angry until I had to
get my brothers.

Tom and Bill persuaded Henry
to leave. Henry broke the door
down.

The re-written version follows.

Henry was irate when he walked
in the door. Henry and Jess
fought over the cat. Jess fumed,
and kicked the chair.

They exchanged heated words,
and I ran to get my brothers.

My brothers, Tom and Bill, urged
Henry to leave.

They offended Henry, and he
shattered the door as he left.

Critique the above two paragraphs.
Would you write the paragraphs
differently? How? Did you find
the thesaurus helpful?

Leave me some comments, thank
you.

The goal is to pull-out weak,
bloated, and grammatically
incorrect sentences. Once that
is done, you’re on your way to
success.

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Many times in past episodes, you have heard me mention using Wordpress, not only for blogging, but as a web site too. Since it’s early days, Wordpress has developed into, what many feel, is the Number One software for blogging.

Tonight, we will discuss using Wordpress as a platform for your podcast. No, not to host your podcast, but to give your podcast an additional presence in the Internet Real Estate Arena.

To begin with, let’s talk about what Wordpress is. Wordpress is a software package that you run on the Internet and it is commonly known as a Content Management System or CMS. With the availability of literally thousands of plugins and themes, you can easily make your Wordpress site do anything you need and look completely different from the millions of other Wordpress sites running today.

Podcaster Training and it’s parent site, The NMP Network, each operate a Wordpress site. Using a News Style or Magazine Style Theme, these sites do not resemble a typical blog, but they are organized and easy to use. Along with several plugins, oh, a plugin is a smaller extension program that adds functionality and normally provides a specific task to the site, each site has lots of features not normally found in your typical blog. Again, giving a unique perspective to your site.

Now, to bring a very unique perspective to this discussion, Jeff Chandler from Wordpress Weekly is with us tonight and I hope he will share his insights on this topic with you.

We discussed the various themes and plugins that Jeff, Josh and myself use and had some input from a new listener about his site and how he uses Wordpress.

You will definitely want to listen to this episode to find out more and be sure to tune into Jeff’s Wordpress Weekly show on Talkshoe every Friday Night at 8:00pm EST (or you can at least subscribe to his RSS Feed so that you don’t miss my show!)

Be sure to follow Podcaster Training on Twitter @podcasttraining">@podcasttraining and Jeff @wptavern">@wptavern and Josh @buddemedia">@buddemedia

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One method will not work
for everyone. No matter
how hard you try, some
days you’ll not connect
with a specific writing
method.

Still, you must write.

Take a deep breath,
several times, if
needed. Relax.

Next, write anything,
everything, that comes
to mind. Write about
your favorite color, for
ten to fifteen minutes.

Scribble down why a
particular season is
the most pleasing to you.
Or, describe your favorite
time of year, and why.

Make remarks about any
noises you hear.

What was the longest day
of the year? Why did it
seen so? Was it a bad
experience for you? Was
it the best day of your life?
Write about a funny
experience.

Think of a plot,
characters, when
re-counting an incident.

Or, do some research
on an area. Gather-up
more information to
write an article.

Pull-out a book to read.
Is there a section you’d
like to re-write?

If yes, make sure the
passage is yours, not
paraphrased. Don’t
restate someone’s words.

“Why?” You asked.

The writing starts your
day, and stimulates the
right brain.

“What does the right
brain have to do with
anything?” Someone
questioned.

The right brain is
responsible for
creating, your
creative side.

The same holds true
if you write an e-mail,
snail-mail. The writing
prior to working on your
regular project(s) serves
to kindle your creative
flow.

Start your writing day
by toying with new
ideas.

After ten to fifteen
minutes, your creative
flow should be ignited.

If not, continue with
the exercise.

Perhaps, the exercise
has turned into a piece
you plan to show-case,
sell.

The writing exercise
gets you into the
writing mood. Your
writing day starts
with all kinds of
possibilities, new ideas.

File away new ideas,
possible projects, for
later. Come back to
them as time permits.

Carry writing ideas
from the exercise
to your normal,
regular, projects.

In closing, stir-up
old projects with
new ideas. This
is how to start your
writing day.

This writing exercise
picks up momentum
as you churn out new
material.

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