Never Cold Call Again

In today’s podcast success we hear how the hosts of Internet Business Mastery sold a $6,000 coaching course using their podcast to create a relationship with their audience (which was then prompted to subscribe to their email list that then markets to them and “sells” them on the course). On the Marketing Show Clay Collins explain how audio podcasting is a great platform. Jason explains how the people who signed up for their course were not the long time listeners of their podcast, but people who had been listening for six weeks. I mentioned Clay last week as he is one of the founders of Lead Pages.

Broadcast Live With Spreaker [7:38]

Today I interview Anna Piazza of Spreaker.com who introduces us to their service. I’ve played with spreaker for about a month, and if you are looking to broadcast live this is a good service. Unlike Blog Talk Radio (which I have documented why I feel they are the devil numerous times on this website) this site allows you to create a decent sounding podcast using online tools. Their chat system is built in and works, and you can embed their player on your website.

As a hosting company, they do not offer unlimited storage like my preferred vendors Libsyn.com and blubrry.com (get a free month at libsyn.com using the code sopfree), they do offer a large amount of storage.

They have a “Social Media” element of their site where you can follow hosts and be notified when they are broadcasting. If needed you can block people from participating on your show. I am continuing to test different live streaming systems, but so far Spreaker vs Blog Talk Radio is hands down Spreaker is better (and cheaper). They also offer an app that allows you to broadcast live from your iPhone. This is not quite as cool as Boss Jock Studio, but it ties in directly to your Spreaker account. For more information visit spreaker.com

iRig a Way To Get Live Phone Calls Into Your Podcast [24:50)

I have mentioned in the past, if you have a smartphone you can plug a 1/8″ jack to either RCA or 1/4″ and put the phone into your mixing board.

But what if you want to play sound effects and have the person on the phone hear them? Here is a solution

The iRig plugs into your iPhone. You can then plug a 1/8″ to 1/4″ cable to get the voice of the caller into a channel on your mixing board. You need a 1/4″ to 1/4” to go from your effects (or auxiliary) out into the input of the iRig. Then you adjust the auxiliary send (or effect send) of each channel to adjust how much is going to the caller. Just make sure the caller’s channel has no effects/auxiliary up. Again this is only needed if you need to play music, clips etc to the person on the phone. The iRig goes four around $32.

Then sign up at podcastvoicemail.com for a phone number ($2 a month & .06 a minute), and forward the number to your cell phone. Another alternative is Google Voice. It’s free. You can also forward this to your phone. I’m not sure I’m comfortable using a Google service as they have been known to cancel them. Another service is evoice.com ($10 a month).

Member Spotlight Passing Places

This week’s member of the School of Podcasting is Passing Places. If you are looking to learn about Scottland, check out passing places at bonnietours.com

Scotland by motorhome, motorcycle, bicycle and hill walking. Information and advice on the more remote and scenic parts of Scotland including the Highlands and Islands.

Check out how he is using a google map to spotlight his episodes.

Portable Recording Podcast Rig

I would recommend using the Roland R-05 with an Audio technica 2100 with a 1/8″ to XLR cable.

If you need to record more than one person, and you don’t want to bring a mixer, check out the lapel microphones at Giant Squid Audio.

Mentioned in This Episode

backblaze.com – backup your website

The post Broadcast Live with Spreaker appeared first on School of Podcasting - Learn "How To Podcast" with Podcast Coach Dave Jackson.

On today’s show we hear about some podcasting statistics, we talk with Rob Greenlee about pocasting at Microsoft and his new “New Media Show” with Todd Cochrane, and he recently interviewed some people who are looking to connect podcasters with sponsors.

Podcasting Statistics From Blubrry.com

This was a sampling of 69.7 million audience listens/views across 17 genres.

*Desktop applications, such as iTunes, 36.7%
*Smartphones and mobile devices, such as iPhone, iPod and Android, 30.3%
*Web browsers, 18.3%
*Tablets such as the iPad and Nexus 7, 8.8%
*Mobile applications, 3.2%
*Smart TV / OTT set-top boxes, 2.7%

Percentage of consumption by client:
*iTunes (desktop applications), 27.4%
*iPhone (smartphones), 22.8%
*iPad (tablets), 8.7%
*Android (smartphones), 7.1%
*Firefox (Web browsers), 4.8%
*Google Chrome (Web browsers), 4.1%
*Internet Explorer (Web browsers), 1%
*All others (100+ other clients), 24.1%

Percentages by platform:
*Windows, 35%
*iOS (iPhone and iPad), 30.9%
*Mac OS, 16.5%
*Android, 7.7%
*Linux, 2.5%
*Other, 7.4%

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/business/prweb/article/RawVoice-Podcast-Statistics-Media-Consumption-4475559.php#ixzz2SWvRlJTS  

Podcasting at Microsoft

Today we get an update from Rob Greenlee who explains how podcasting has moved from the Zune platform to the Xbox and is built into the software of a Windows phone. To get your podcast listed, send an email to Rob with your RSS feed to podcasts “at” microsoft.com

Rob also talks about podcastone.com platform for connecting podcasters with advertisers.

Lead Pages Boosts Your Podcass iTunes Subscriptions and Reviews

A new service has been created to help podcasters get found in iTunes by drawing attention to their podcast listing, and by strongly encouraging people to write a review about their podcast. It’s called Lead Pages and it’s $37 a month (less if you buy a year at a time).

The “old school” part of me wants to say “we’ve never done it like that before.” On the flip side it strongly encourages people to subscribe in iTunes and leave reviews. Here are some points on this tool:

1. It draw attention to your iTunes listing which would lead to more downloads, which would boost your iTunes rankings.

2. It strongly encourages people to leave a review which will also boost your rankings in iTunes.

3. You can supply a reward to people who have taken steps one and two.

Part of me says, “The law of reciprocity makes people want to do this for you.” On the other hand if a tool helps you promote your podcast, is there anything wrong with this? Does it seem to “Internet Marketing” for you? Here is a video spotlighting the service.

Mentioned in This Podcast

Dr Nina on the Let’s Reverse Obesity Podcast

The New Media Show

Basic Blog Tips

Lead Pages

podcastone.com (advertising)

WP Touch

Weekly Web Tools

Internet Business Mastery Academy

The Audacity to Podcast

Feeding My Faith

The post Podcast Statistics, Lead Pages, and Mobile Themes appeared first on School of Podcasting - Learn "How To Podcast" with Podcast Coach Dave Jackson.

Today I’m answering the question, “How do you create so much content in such a small time? We also hear about how a Pat Flynn is topping the charts at amazon, and we talk with Jason Van Orden of Internet business Mastery about making money with your podcast.

Podcaster Pat Flynn Tops the Amazon Charts

Pat Flynn is a successful blogger. He has been doing his website, Smart Passive Income, for years. He added a podcast to his website, and great his audience by 20%. Now he has written a book, and because of the relationship he has built with his audience, his book “Let Go” is topping the charts.

Jason Van Orden Talks “Podcasting Why”

[5:00 - Mark]
Today I share a conversation I had with Jason Van Orden in the hallway at the New Media Expo back in January. I was talking to people who are making a living with their Podcast. Jason provides great content about starting an online business, and his audience appreciates the information. They then join his memberhsip site Internet Business Mastery. Jason points out that when you see someone else doing a podcast like yours (or a website) that means there is enough of a market to support that business (not “Oh drat, someone beat me to it).

You need to come up with what you’re passionate about. Then you can look into weather there is an audience for your topic. Jason’s academy helps people look at their niche (or find one). You can find out more at internetbusinessacademy.com

Increase Your Podcast Production

[16:00 mark]

I use to podcast anytime I could. My schedule was all over the place. I was podcasting in an instant. In the end, I wasn’t that productive. I hadn’t thought things through. I wasn’t “Winging it,” but I wasn’t as prepared as I am now when I podcast. How did I boost my podcast production? I cut back my time. What? I know it sounds weird, but I’m doing more by cutting my time. Let me explain.

1. I plan ahead, what I’m going to be doing.

2. I prioritize my tasks.

3. I organize my thoughts ahead of time using tools like asana.com and workflowy.com

I also use feedly.com to get content, but now I can paste this into asana (where each episode is a task, and each podcast an episode), and stay organized on days I’m not in my office. Then when I am, BOOM I hit the ground running.

Feedback From the Audience

People are still commenting on the “Chit Chat” at the beginning of the podcast episode. We learned that in the case of a hyper local podcast it seems to work, and in some cases your audience may want the chit chat. The bottom line is you might want to ask. From most of the people I’ve spoken with, everyone seems to think a small amount at the beginning is accepted, but you need to keep it under control

Mentioned In This Episode

internetbusinessacademy.com

asana.com and workflowy.com

Feeding My Faith “Jesus Hated the Silent Treatment”

fortwaynespeaks.com on episode 345

Once Upon a Time Podcast

The Audacity to Podcast

Screem Queenz

Butch Gibson

Ryan K Parker of Killer Food

The post Producing More Podcast Episodes in Less Time appeared first on School of Podcasting - Learn "How To Podcast" with Podcast Coach Dave Jackson.

I’ve been saying podcasting will change the world since 2005, and this week I had a spike in people starting podcasts. Why? Because a very popular Internet Marketing Conference with the typical players stated over and over how podcasting is THE THING that everyone should be doing. Then I heard it on another podcast, and another podcast. So today I’m saying, if you don’t believe me, believe these other people:

Michaels Stelzner of the Social Media Examiner (who gets 20,000 downloads per episode) that podcast is the hottest thing in 2013.

Pat Flynn (who grew his audience by 20% in 2012) said that everyone at the Social Media Marketing Summit was “buzzing” about podcasting.

Naresh Vissa  on the speaking of wealth show said a podcast subscriber was worth around $25 while an email subscriber was worth $6 due to the action it takes it takes to subscribe. It’s not as easy, and a podcast subscriber truly wants your content.

Jason Harman of the Hartman Media group said in 1999 when he wrote his first book he was telling people to drop everything and build a website. Now he is telling everyone to stop and get a podcast.

Podcast Success: Ray Ortega

Not only has Ray Ortega landed a full time job podcasting, but this job recently sent Ray to the UK to spotlight an event on the podcast. While he was there Ray met up with Mike Russell of Music Radio Creative.

Podcaster’s Roundtable 11″ Podcasting Pruchases

Find out what experienced podcasters  +Daniel J. Lewis,  +Jeffrey Bradbury, Ray Ortega and myself would purchase if we were starting our first show and had the knowledge we now possess after years of producing podcasts.

Based on experience in podcast production, we’ll take a mock budget and spend it on what we think are the most valuable items for starting a podcast.

Dave Jackson Interviewed on the Audacity to Podcast

The Audacity to Podcast Episode 122 titled “Niche podcasting for 100s of episodes, with Dave Jackson” where Daniel interviews me about being the first podcast about podcasting and how things have changed since then. We also talk about gear, and you get some tips on how I gather information for each episode.

Mentioned on This Episode

Episode 351

Podcast Answer Man

More Podcast Money

Building a Better Dave podcast Bacon Rant

The post Podcasting is HOT! – Grab Some Oven Mits appeared first on School of Podcasting - Learn "How To Podcast" with Podcast Coach Dave Jackson.

Enough With the Podcast Chit Chat?

Today I went to listen to a new podcast. I was pumped up as it was recommended by another podcaster. It was on the subject of being a better husband. I waited as they did their intro, I waited as they went through their contact information. Then one of the hosts talked about he was going to wrap up the final segment of an exciting story that had been going on for weeks. “Ooh this sounds good,” I thought to myself. Then he revealed the story was about finding his car keys. What? I was bummed. So I’m here to ask you, is it just me or do podcasters tend to spend too much time on “Chit chat” at the beginning of their podcasts? Am I in too much of a hurry?

My point has always been to put this stuff toward the end of the podcast (as your loyal audience who listens that far will appreciate it more than a newbie listener). I would love your thoughts in the comments section below.

No Real Traffic at Blog Talk Radio and Spreaker

I’ve been playing with “live streaming” of your podcast. This adds an amount of difficulty to your podcast (or more technology might be a better explanation). My point is Blog Talk Radio makes it sound like just being on the site, you will get an audience. I did a podcast every week and you will see with 33 downloads, that their numbers don’t seem to translate into an audience. If I had to choose between Blog Talk Radio and Spreaker, I like Spreaker much more.

Dont Cheap Out of On Video Podcasting Either..

I feel dumb. I explain to people over and over that you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on podcast equipment, but going with the “bottom denominator” is usually not the best strategy. I was looking into getting some lighting for my videos that I put on YouTube. Most of the time these kits are around $400 if not $600 (see kit below on the right). When I found a kit that was $105 I thought “Awesome!” I didn’t ask anyone I knew about them (my buddy Ray Ortega has more experience with video). I knew they wouldn’t be as study as some of the other more expensive systems, but I planned on setting them up in my office, and leaving them. They didn’t need to be sturdy.

Well the showed up with zero instructions. Luckily there was a video on Udemy (where I have a class) about lighting and I could see how to put it together. The stands are VERY cheap. The lighting is made of plastic (thank goodness as the stands might not support them if they were heavier. The hinge at the bottom of the stand is made of plastic, and its broken. This isn’t from a rough trip. Everything seemed fine, and the boxes didn’t appear to suffer any damage. I think that these are just built as cheap as possible. Once again, you get what you pay for. I’m waiting to hear back from the manufacturer to see if I can get a replacement. In the meantime I would avoid the ePhoto VL9026s 2000 Watt Lighting Studio Portrait Kit.

Nick Seuberling Start Talking and Recording Today

When Nick started Start Talking and Recording Today there were already at least five podcasts about podcasting. This didn’t stop Nick and I’m glad. His show has some of the best interviews of podcasters. I met Nick in Vegas at the New Media Expo, and he is just a great guy. The kind of guy you want to hang out with ya know? I always tell people that your experience and history help make your podcast completely different than other podcasts on the same subject, and Nick is now my poster child for this. He took the experience he had, his love of sports, and combined his influences (ESPN< and others) and combined it into a great interview show about podcasters and podcasting.

Some of Nick’s past episodes include:

Podcast Your Passion
Money is No Excuse
No One is Perfect
File Saving Basics
Pros and Cons of Garageband

Check out his podcast at http://startpodcastingnow.com/

Also Mentioned in this Podcast

The Super Secret Podcast for Young Husbands

Podcast Covers

The post Is Opening Chit Chat Bad? – Spreaker and BTR – Nick Seuberling from Start Talking and Recording Today appeared first on School of Podcasting - Learn "How To Podcast" with Podcast Coach Dave Jackson.

This week we look at some stats from a recent Edison Research where we see that 32 million people listen to 6 podcasts a week (on average). 82 million people listen for 12 hours a week. We also here from Nocturnal from the nocturnal podcast where he explains how he was able to connect with his father (who recently died) because of his podcast.

Priceless Podcast Success

Chris from the Nocturnal Podcast started his podcast looking to connect to his audience. His first subscriber was his Dad. Chris shares how his podcast help build a bridge of understanding between Chris and his Dad. Check out his podcast at

Latest Podcast Statistics From Edison Research

139 Million Americans have Smart Phones

Fewer people who are listening to “traditional” radio listen on a traditional radio.

21% of people are streaming audio in their car.

Audio listening continues to increase each year.

53% of Americans (139 Million) own a smart phone.

For all the stats, click here from Edison Research

How To Link Your Podcast To iTunes

Kenn Blanchard asked about linking to his podcast page in iTunes. Here is a quick video.

The post Pricless Podcast Success – 192 Million Downloads A Week – Linking Your Podcast to iTunes appeared first on School of Podcasting - Learn "How To Podcast" with Podcast Coach Dave Jackson.

Today we hear a great podcast success story of  Nikola Danaylov’ podcast called Singularity 1 on 1, and how he used it to interview experts who later would write recommendation letters that would lead to “Nick” getting into a very prestigious school. Here are some key take aways:

1. He has been podcasting for three years

2. When we first tried to get guests he had a 10% success rate

3. He TRULY believes in his topic, and has a passion and purpose.

4. Eventually it started to get easier to get guests

5. Guests like to talk about themselves, and Nick’s topic. Show them how they will benefit when you ask them to be on your show.

6. Provide a great show that people want to be on (get good graphics, intros, outros).

In the end Nick was able to get the experts he interviewed to write him referral letters that got him into a very prestigious school (there were 2100 applicants for 80 spots) where he got to live on Campus with phenomenal scientists and other great people. He also earned a scholarship. It gets better. When he announced he had been accepted, one of his followers on twitter purchased his plane ticket for him. Check out his podcast at Singularity 1 on 1 Singularity 1 on 1 is a series of podcast interviews with the best scientists, writers, entrepreneurs, film-makers, journalists, philosophers and artists, debating the technological singularity.

Last 5 in 5 from Nikola Danaylov

1. http://entreproducer.com/ – From Brian Clark from Copyblogger

2. Cory Doctorow Craphound Podcast

3. Social Triggers

4. Learning With Leslie

5. Smart Passive Income

Mentioned on this Show

If you are looking to earn some money to either pay off a student loan, or to save for college for your children, check out upromise.com. I’ve earned $8 by buying dog food and a volume pedal (things I would’ve purchased anyway). You can go in and enter your debt cards and when you spend money at places that participate in the program, you earn commissions that are then used to help fund a college plan, or in my case pay off a student loan. I didn’t spend any extra money, and I’m not buying things I don’t need. I just earn a commission for purchasing at certain places (and the prices are the same). It didn’t cost any money to join. Check it out at upromise.com

The post Podcast Success: Nikola Danaylov’s Podcast Paid For School appeared first on School of Podcasting - Learn "How To Podcast" with Podcast Coach Dave Jackson.

Today I share some stats about how audio marketing is growing at an extreme pace. I want to thank traditional radio for being awful and lowering the bar. It’s amazing the stats that are coming out showing how more and more people are driving to work alone, hanging out at the gym, waiting for good content to consume. Dr. Nina answered the call, and 10 weeks after starting her “Win the Diet War” podcast she has had 9,000 downloads.

Audio Marketing Stats

97 million Americans drive to work alone

37 million people have gym memberships

Revenue for digital radio is growing faster than any other category

40% of Americans are consuming audio on their smart phones

Advertising Revenue on Pandora streaming Internet Radio has double in a year from 120 million in 2011 to 240 million in 2012

Slate magazine is getting higher advertising rates for their podcast than the printed version.

Source: Crazyegg

Getting to Know Your Audience

When you first start out your should attack any feedback you receive. Email everyone who emails you. Call everyone who calls you. Comment back to anyone who leaves a comment. If you use a tool such a Google+, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube, be sure to look at the profiles of those people who follow you. This can give you insights into what interests you and your audience share, insights into resources they may be using (that the rest of you audience may enjoy). By having a better understanding of your audience, you can provide content that will move them, and create a stronger relationship.

School of Podcasting History

Podcasting Tips from a Recording Engineer – 2006

Podcast Secrets with Paul Colligan – 2007

Your Podcast Does NOT have to be 20 Minutes – 2009

WordPress Tags Are Google Food – 2010

Wizzard Media Premium Subscription Service For Podcasting – 2011

You Are your audience – Bad Media Hosting – 2012

Mentioned in this Podcast

Slate Magazine

The post Is Audio Marketing Better Than Video? – Getting To Know Your Audience appeared first on School of Podcasting - Learn "How To Podcast" with Podcast Coach Dave Jackson.

Today I share with you some of the podcast episodes that stick in my mind. Then I look at them and ask “Why does that one stick and not the others?” By doing this I am hoping to pin point the characteristics of really good content.

The first one that popped in my head was from the Bitterest Pill from Dan Klass. The episode is called “Mass Murder” where Dan talks about what its like to have a family member murdered, and have their funeral be on the local news. On a happier note I also loved the episode where his two year old daughter pooped on the living room floor (I can’t find that episode – would the people at WordPress please improve their search mechanism!).

Another episode that sticks out in my mind is when Carlos Mancia was on the WTF podcast with Marc Maron. Carlos has been accused by numerous people of stealing jokes. This is one of the worst things for a comedian. Carlos came on in episode 75 and said he didn’t steel jokes and people came out of the woodwork to call him a liar. Carlos agreed to come on in episode 76 after Marc had spoken with these people. It took guts, and the whole thing just made you feel awkward.

So What Makes Good Content?

While your content doesn’t have to include all of these, here are the things I’ve noticed that helps you build your audience.

1. It’s real. In the case of Dan Klass, and Marc Maron these were real stories, real people, really awkward. It was real. Not Gene Simmons family Jewels “reality,” I mean REAL.

2. It was personal. When someone shares something personal, it creates an intimacy with the audience. In general you don’t walk up to strangers and say “Hello, I’m depressed and I want to strangle my children.” We don’t share those types of things. You do that type of sharing with friends and family. When you share yourself with people, it builds an intimacy as if you stood naked in front of someone. If you stood naked in front of someone you would really have to trust them to not laugh and go “Daw, isn’t that the cutest little thing!” You are showing a trust. When you reveal part of yourself it can enhance the level of intimacy and trust you have with your audience. That leads to a stronger relati0nship with your audience.

3. It was useful. I had people state that some of the best episode were filled with useful information. When the episode was over, they could take that information and USE IT. It was going to make them faster, stronger, nicer, happier, save them time, money or both.

4. Stays on topic. Do not get this confused with “Short episode.” You can cover topic(s) for two hours and have a great show.  The problem is when you start talking about topics that don’t fit in with your podcast topic. For example, if I am talking about the best podcasting gear, and start talking about a woman who passed out at a bar behind my drummer that is going off topic. Don’t get confused and say “But Dave that’s personal, isn’t that part of good content?” No. Your listener could care less about the drunk woman behind the drummer. If I were to say, I started out using a condenser microphone, and for years used a Sure SM58 that is personal. If I say, “We used a wireless Sure microphone at my church,” that is still on topic (microphones) and how you might use it for video podcasting. I once had an issue where my dog was really sick. Looking back it was personal, but it sure didn’t belong in the podcast, or at least didn’t belong at the beginning of the podcast (on the other hand, many people remember episodes about Dog deaths).

5. Spurs People Emotionally.

I have mentioned before that content that moves people will always work. If you think about your favorite movies or television shows, I think you will find they make you laugh, cry, get mad, think, inspire, feel uncomfortable, entertain, or educate. You you touch people emotionally, you touch them deeply.

6. Builds Community

One of the ways groups grow is by finding the needs of their audience and helping them their needs. Alcoholics anonymous helps people deal with their needs.

7. Like Minded Cheer Leading

When I listened to Dan’s podcast, there was a part of me that was thinking, “You go Dan! Tell em!” A podcast will attract like minded people.

8. The Presentation

Its not always what you say, it’s HOW you say it. Good podcasts are typically not read. They are conversational. They are delivered in a somewhat structured, organized fashion. I’m not sure “flight of ideas” is a good strategy.

Thanks to the contributors

Mark Wade of a1blues.com

Robert Chazz Chute of All That Chazz liked the 40 Year Old Boy and mentioned the Healing Our Marriage podcast Episode 5

Daniel J Lewis of the Audaicty to podcast liked and episode from Cali Lewis from Geekbeat.tv eplained to just start podcasting. It was short, to the point, and inspirational.

Mike Russel from Music Radio Creative. Check out his podcast, and his youtube channel. Mike loved the episode of the social media examiner titled Creating Persuasive Videos: How to Move Viewers to Action with James Wedmore. James is the author of the book ” The YouTube Marketing Book.”

Scott Johnson of the Computer Tutor podcast remembers an episode of the podcast where the host discussed having to put his dog down. This sharing of a personal time created a connection with Scott and the host.

Tim from the Surfing Aliens podcast wants to relate to the person behind the microphone. When a person shares something personal that allows you to connect to that person on a more intimate level.

Tim Wilson from the Christ Centered Podcast liked the White Horse Inn podcast enjoyed where the hosts did a bit of journalism to provide information that you couldn’t get anywhere. The information was amazing, and inspiring. The shock factor of it, really made him stand up and take notice.

Google Reader is Dead Reader Walking

Because Google Reader is going to go away July 1, 2013 I STRONGLY URGE YOU to NOT use Feedburner to create your iTunes Tags.

Podcasting History From the School of Podcasting

In 2006 we were talking about ID3 tags

In 2007 we talked about changing your feed in iTunes

In 2009 we were talking about Getting the audience before you start podcasting

In 2010 we were talking about More Way to Make Money with your podcast

In 2011 we were talking about Podcasting Live and Taking phone calls

In 2012 we talked about Getting Your Media Right and removing noise from a podcast.

The post What is your favorite podcast episode ever, and why? appeared first on School of Podcasting - Learn "How To Podcast" with Podcast Coach Dave Jackson.

Podcasting Helped Leslie Samuel Land His Dream Job

Leslie Samuel of interactive-biology.com and becomeablogger.com shares his story how he used his podcast as a business card to get his foot in the door and become a college professor. How did he do it? By getting a meeting with the right people and showing them what he was doing on his podcast. In the end, he didn’t have all the credentials that they thought they needed, but he had the passion and ability to explain biology to students and he got the job.

12 Reasons NOT to Use Blog Talk Radio

OK, I’ve spoken about this a lot in the past, but its always been a little here, and a little there. This post will be used to send people who want to use Blog Talk Radio, and I can say go to this post and read it. Here are 11 reasons NOT to use Blog Talk Radio.

Note: When I originally recorded this podcast, I had eleven reasons. This podcast has brought people to me who have provided additional reasons.

1. It’s too expensive.

They charge you $40 a month for a website that is sprawling with advertisements (that you may or may not get a piece of). You can host your website at services like Host Gator or Bluehost for less than $10 a month and get a dedicated media host like Libsyn.com or blubrry.com for another $15 (and get RELIABLE stats).

2. They have bad web design.

When you go to their website advertising videos automatically launch. If you are going to someone’s website while you’re at work, everyone knows that Herb in cubical 13 isn’t really working on the quarterly report. All audio should be put on a website that the visitor has to click on something to hear it. Put the power in THEIR hands.

3. Horrible, HORRIBLE Audio Quality

Most people when they record their audio record at CD quality. In a nutshell they take a picture of their audio 44 thousand times a second. With blog talk radio, their sample rate is 11 thousand. If we use the analogy of painting a house this means you have 75% less paint on your brush.

When you then take the audio that you capture you export it at different levels. 64 kbs is CD quality if your podcast is mono. This is why music podcasts are often 128 kbps (they have a left and right channel both at 64 kbps which makes is 128 kbps). Blog talk radio uses 32. This is 50% the quality of a CD. So you started off with 75% “paint” on your brush, and then painted twice as fast (so very little paint gets on the house).

4. They list Themselves as the Title of Your Podcast and your user name as the author

If you search for your name in iTunes, you may not come up. Why? Because where it typically lists YOUR NAME as the author, it now shows “Blog Talk Radio.com” or Blog Talk Radio Feed

5. You can’t leave without losing a portion of your audience.

If you let blog talk radio submit your podcast to iTunes, there is NO WAY to move to a new service and have ALL of your subscriber automatically updated to your new home. This means you WILL lose subscribers. They will HAVE TO resubscribe. You can beg, you can plead with your audience to follow you, but in the end you will lose at least 10% (more likely 20%) of your audience.

6. They take 65% of the advertising revenue

You can sign up to be a partner on their advertising programs. If you do this  you receive 35%. Why not start your own website, and keep 97% (assuming you have to pay paypal).

7. Part of your monthly fee goes to pay for advertising

You get X amount of impressions on their site. With this in mind, you are paying to advertise on their site. This is not optional. When you sign up, you are going to get promoted on their site (assuming people can find your banner amongst all the other banners).

8. You’re paying for things you don’t use

You pay for enough storage space for 2 hours of recoding a day. Most podcasters publish content on a weekly, bi-weekly basis. If they do a daily show, it’s not 2 hours. I would love it if they gave you a storage allocation and you could decide what quality of audio to use, but they don’t.

9. They boast large guests on their website

This has nothing to do with the platform. Michael Butler is the host of the Rock and Roll Geek show and has TONS of great musicians on his podcast.

10. Their Chat service is flaky

When I recorded an episode to test the system today I couldn’t get their chat system to work.

11. The file naming convention does not signal the end user that this file is about my podcast. For example the file for this podcast is SOP346_031113 (School of Podcasting episode 346 for March 11 2013). The file I got from Blog Talk Radio is show_4523051.mp3

12. You lose control of your content. That’s right, they own your stuff. However, if you pay them $249 a month to get a premium account you can own your own stuff. I didn’t believe this myself until I read it in their support area (http://blogtalkradio.desk.com/customer/portal/articles/837051-are-pro-accounts-different-than-premium-or-premium-plus-packages-).

Skype Now Comes with Office 2013

If you’re business uses Microsoft Office 2013 you will get 60 minutes of premium skype calls a month with your subscription.

Last 5 in 5 from Leslie Samuel

What were the last five podcasts you listened to?

The God Journey

Mixergy

Podcast Answer Man

Smart Passive Income

The Rise to the Top

Mentioned on the Show

The Schollars Room

Passing Places

Coach Jeff

Giant Squid Audio Lavalier Microphones

Podcast Review Show

The post 11 Reasons to NOT Use Blog Talk Radio (again…) appeared first on School of Podcasting - Learn "How To Podcast" with Podcast Coach Dave Jackson.

Tromp Some Trolls

When we first heard about the lawsuits coming against some of the “bigger” podcasters I said, “There isn’t much we can do yet.” Well the lawsuits are now turning into letters asking people to buy a license to use this patent. Most of us call that extortion. The good news is we CAN take action, and make the life of people who start these lawsuits very uncomfortable. How? Because there is a new law that we want to get passed that would have the Troll paying the legal fees for any case they lose. COOL!

Here is what you need to do. Go to http://www.eff.org/shield and enter your zip code it will show who your representatives are. Be sure to send them a letter (which you can do with one click) and more importantly CALL THEM. All you have to say is, “I’m calling you today to urge you to support the  (SHIELD) Act — H.R. 845. ”

 Podcasting Saved Their Marriage – A New Kind of Podcast Success

Today we talk with Trinity and Dave from the Fort Wayne Speaks podcast. Listen how Dave had hit a low point in his life, and Dave and Trinity were going in different directions with their marriage hanging in the balance. Trinity suggest Dave start a podcast, and the good news is this brought the couple together. They have gone on to spotlight their town, and now are recognized in town. They have companies coming to them to be spotlighted in their podcast. How did they do it? They set a deadline, learned what they could about podcasting, and let the podcast go.

Last 5 in 5

Dave and Trinity shared what the last five podcasts that they listened to. These included:

School of Podcasting

Podcast Answer Man

Vickie St Clair

Art of Podcasting

Dog Radio Show

Impact 52

Get More Guests – Get Interviewed Podcasting Resources

Today I have two podcasting resources that you can use to find guests for your show, or that you might be able to “be the expert.” These are:

radioguestlist.com

Help a Reporter Out

These list journalists looking for sources for stories, and radio shows looking for guests.

Mentioned on this Show

Healing Our Marriage Podcast

The post Taking Action Against The Trolls – Podcasting Resources – Podcasting Saved Their Marriage appeared first on School of Podcasting - Learn "How To Podcast" with Podcast Coach Dave Jackson.

Today I talk about how I helped Robert Chazz Chute avoid doubling the cost of his podcast hosting when he decided to start a second podcast. You can have website hosting with the ability to add on domains (its an extra 80 cents).  If you don’t have a website yet be sure to contact me as I can install wordpress for you, add the plugins for podcasting, and give you a free month at the School of Podcasting. Send me an email with “quick start” in the subject line.

Dave Mentioned in the New Book Six Seconds, The UnAuthorized Guide to How to Build Your Business with the Vine App by Robert Chazz Chute. Look for it on the chapter on Citizen Journalism. Thanks  Robert!

Questions About Starting a Podcast

Thanks to Lou Mongello of the WDW Radio podcast for sending me Jan Mills who had a bunch of questions about starting a podcast. In this episode I talk about:

1. How to Mix Your podcast

2. What kind of podcast microphone is the best?

3. Using background music in your podcast.

4. Legal use of music in your podcast

5. Why you need to have a Web Hosting Company, and a Media Hosting Company

6. How to Record Skype calls.

7. Copy writing your podcast

8. Podcast Audio Editing Software ( I recommend Sony Acid Music Studio

You can hear me interview Lou on the Power of Podcasting

Reviewing Your Podcast

While we all get caught up in making great content, it’s never a bad idea to occasionally sit down, and try to listen to your podcast through the ears of your listeners. As a teacher, I know the approach to creating training classes using the A.D.D.I.E. approach. It stands for:

Analyze

Design

Development

Implementation

Evaluation

Be sure to listen to your podcast where you audience listens (or where you listen). I don’t listen to podcasts in the area I create them (A quiet office). Consequently, much of then noise that I would obsess over I don’t as I know that when I listen to them under “normal” (noisy) situations, I wouldn’t hear half the noise that I am obsessing over.

What is Good Content

A person asks, “How do I grow my audience.” Dave talks about how step one is creating WOW content. He then defines what WOW content is (when you sit in your car to hear the end of a segment instead of going into the house, you’re listening to WOW content).

 Mentioned in this Episode

Auphonic

Last week’s episode

Daniel J Lewis Audacity to podcast Audacity Webinar.

Weekly Web Tools Podcast

Levelator Software and Auphonic software

The post Saving Money on Podcast Hosting, Evaluating Your Podcast, Lots of Questions Answered appeared first on School of Podcasting - Learn "How To Podcast" with Podcast Coach Dave Jackson.

Today we talk about setting up a premium podcast feed, what tools that I’ve used, (Thanks to Andrew for the question), in our interview segment we talk with Scott Eiland who start the baseball experience a little over a year ago. That podcast lead to him creating the “This week in wrestling” podcast. That platform lead him to now getting paid to produce another sports based show. It didn’t happen over night, and there were some lessons learned along the way. Scott Eiland understands the power of podcasting.

Auphonic Web Based Levelator

I’ve talked about the Levelator software before. It’s good for leveling out audio where there are slight differences in volume between a podcast host and guest. It works on both Mac and PC. I learned about Auphonic at the New Media Expo. It’s a pretty cool FREE tool, and that is web based and performs many of the same tasks that the levelator software does (and more). You can process a wav file or an mp3 (or other files) and that goes to output as well. It will add ID3 tags to your files and if you are trying to create chapters in an mp3 file it can do that as well. Check it out at www.auphonic.com

More Podcast Money #3 Book on Podcasting in Amazon

Thanks to everyone who has purchased the book More Podcast Money. I had a blast writing it and I’m glad people are finding it helpful. If you search books for “podcast” it is currently ranked #3. For more information go to www.morepodcastmoney.com

Premium Podcast Tools

Andrew  asked about creating a premium podcast where one part would be free, and the other (deeper) episode would be premium. In regards to protecting the files, I have used Wishlist in the past, but when I wanted to “Drip” content, there is nothing that beats the features and support of Digital Access Pass. It’s not the cheapest tool on the planet, but its always getting better, and has TOP NOTCH support.  I liked the community around wishlist, but for me I wanted the dripping feature. I’ve also used Magic Members which wasn’t bad (dripping) but not as easy as Digital Access Pass.

The other thing to think about is if you are breaking up an interview into parts, make sure each part can stand alone. I use to listen to a podcast that would just fade out the interview in the middle and ask you to subscribe. I found this just frustrated me. Also when you first start out you won’t have an audience. Thus, you may be creating content for an audience that doesn’t exist yet. With a tool like Digital Access Pass you can these in advance and have years worth of content ready to “Drip” when the audience does show up.

Dave on the Interview Circuit

Want to not only hear Dave Jackson but SEE him (with “Saturday hair!” ) check out this interview with Jim Collison on The Average Guy Network.

Dave comes back for a second episode on Music Radio Creative Podcast with Mike Russell where they talk about the future of podcasting.

Last 5 in 5

Smart Passive Income

Start Taking and Recording Today

Jay Mohr “Mohr Stories”

Mark Gungor

Adam Corolla

Mentioned On this Show

Daniel J Lewis of the Audacity to podcast

Nick Suberling of Start Taking and Recording Today

Cable to connect Audio Technica 2100 to your Roland R-05 see it here

Robert Chazz Chute of “All that Chazz“

The post Podcast Success: One Thing Leads To Another – Premium Podcast Tools – Auphonic Web Based Audio Tool appeared first on School of Podcasting - Learn "How To Podcast" with Podcast Coach Dave Jackson.

Today we get some great insights into the effect you can have on your audience courtesy of George Hrab, we get a glimpse of some podcast stats from Terry Lynn, (Terry was on the Multimedia Marketing Show ) and we hear about how your audience WILL go back and download your ENTIRE back catalog courtesy of the gentlemen at the WordPress A to Z podcast. These are all some of the podcast success you can find with your podcast.

Troubleshooting Your iTunes Podcast Feed

Today I use the analogy of radio to understand podcasting and iTunes. iTunes is a radio that receives your RSS feed from your website. You tell iTunes ONCE to listen to your “radio station” (your podcast) and it tunes into you and never changes the channel. Inside the PowerPress plugin you can find the feed to submit to podcast.

If you copy and paste that feed into Firefox, you will see what iTunes is looking at it. If all of the episodes, and links to the

media are there, then you have done your part. So what’s the problem? iTunes. I occasionally have someone where their images doesn’t show up until days after their podcast is originally listed in iTunes. It’s weird, and there is isn’t any explanation. In general, iTunes doesn’t make any money off of your podcast, and consequently they don’t throw resources to supply a ton of customer service. What this means is that you may have to sit and wait. The bottom line is if your feed is showing all of your episodes and they are not showing up in iTunes – wait. Always be sure to check your feed at feedvalidator.org

Dave Jackson Podcast Podcasting Interviews

I was on episode 8 of the Podcaster’s Roundtable where we discuss “What do we owe our audience?” and I was also on the Music Radio Creative Podcast talking about starting a podcast and the future of podcasting.

Mentioned on this Show

Backup Buddy plugin for WordPress to automate your backups.

George Hrab on the Power of Podcasting

The post Troubleshooting Your iTunes Podcast Listing appeared first on School of Podcasting - Learn "How To Podcast" with Podcast Coach Dave Jackson.

In today’s show we talk about the power of podcasting, as I talk about a person who purchased a fitness program after listening to one of my podcasts (and how integrity comes into play). I talk about some cool WordPress themes and some great insights into podcast promotion from Max Flight.

Podcast Success Story

I have been doing the Logical Weight Loss podcast for three years. I did some podcast consulting for David Greenwalt who turned out to be a fitness guru. He was nice enough to let me check out his Lifestyle University and  I liked what he was doing. He just launched his once a year class Lifestyle 180, and I decide to join and have Dave on my show. It wasn’t a giant commercial, but instead we just provided some facts and let the audience decide if they wanted to join me. The good news is a listener heard my podcast, and immediately signed up (and I earned $56 commission).

Cool WordPress Themes (One if Free)

In the past, I’ve used Thesis until they updated to version 2 (and I feel they ruined it). I purchased iThemes Builder (which I used in the past) only to find their “Style Manager” had a problem. So I went in search of a drag and drop WordPress theme and I found Pagelines. This at is a free WordPress theme that is free (do a search in your WordPress install for pagelines). The free version has a ton of easy to customize features. The pro version is $139.

The Builder Theme is $80 and it allows you to customize the colors, fonts, etc in their Style Manager. Then you can drag and drop your layout. It makes it super easy to design your website. Their are TONS of “Child Themes” that you can get access to and add to your website (A Child Theme is a premade layout and style that can save you time).

Max Flight on Podcast Promotion

Max flight produces the Airplane Geeks and Podcasting Passion podcasts. Today we talk about how new podcasters learn that creating the podcast is only part of the process. You need to get the word out about your podcast. Everyone always says, “Great Content” is the best tool for growing your audience. I always have said that you need to figure out who your audience is, figure out where they are, and go there and make friends. Then tell them about your podcast. Today Max provides some tips on how you can get your audience involved with helping to spread the word.

We hear how he is using Facebook, Questions, and regular segments from his audience into his Airplane Geeks. Max also produces the Podcasting Passion podcast

Speaking of podcast promotion, booktourradio.com and refocuspodcast.com to the podcastclicks.com website (a banner exchange program for podcasts only). We had over 14,837,913 impressions last year and we delivered 182,923 clicks to their websites.

The post Podcast Promotion Tips appeared first on School of Podcasting - Learn "How To Podcast" with Podcast Coach Dave Jackson.

Today we talk about malware (a virus on your website). You are going to have a hard time growing your audience if they are afraid of coming to your site. Special thanks to Ms. Ilene of basic blog tips for pointing out that one of my sites had an issue (which has since been fixed).

Here is the advice I got from my web hosting company:

Upon investigation, we removed a set of malicious injections and scripts and traced it to a compromised FTP password.

From our experience with malware of this nature, the user account passwords are compromised though viruses/malware located on your local computer. This malware sniffs out passwords used and stored by FTP programs or e-mail clients. In order to protect against future attack, you will need to run full virus and malware scans on your computers to ensure that they are clean. I recommend using multiple scanners as we have found that some scanners do not detect the malware. Malware Bytes ( http://www.malwarebytes.org/ ) and ComboFix ( http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/combofix/how-to-use-combofix ) have been reported to be able to clean this malware. It is highly suggested that you also do the following:

* Any computers legitimately allowed to access the account must be updated fully (Windows updates, browser updates, application updates, anti-virus updates)
* Any computers legitimately allowed to access the account must be completely scanned for viruses and secured completely

If you are seeing a warning page in your browser (Firefox, Chrome, Safari), please follow the directions on the following page to get rid of the red warning page: http://www.google.com/support/webmasters/bin/answer.py?answer=45432 . If these directions are not followed, this page will continue to show up for quite some time.

Sucuri Can Help Detect and Clean Malware

 According to an article from the Sucuri company (a great service that will detect and clean up malware for you ). Here are some things you can do:

1. Keep EVERYTHING up to date. This means your computer, your virus detection software, your browser, your wordpress, etc. Everything. These are often programs that get your passwords from FTP programs, and then use them to get into your control panel.

2. Don’t forget about those “test sites” you started and left for dead. Those outdated sites can be a crack in the security.

3.  Don’t give someone administrator rights if they are just going to be and editor. Once their job is done, delete their account.

4.  Come up with a better than average password. I use Last Pass to manage my password (and even think them up).

5. Backup your website on a regular basis like Backup Buddy

Podcast Success with Cali Lewis

Cali can be found at geekbeat.tv and she shares how she has been able to:

1. Jump Out of airplane with the US Army Golden Nights

2.  Fly brand new 787 airplanes

3. Play in the GM Win Tunnel

Check out her “Shiny happy tech news at geekbeat.tv

Last 5 in 5 From Nick Suberling

Nick produces a podcast about podcasting, and I got to hang out with him a little at the New Media Expo. You can find him at startpodcastingnow.com

1. School of Podcasting

2. The Audacity to podcast

3. Podcast Answer Man

4. Five Lives Football Daily

5. The 606

Smallest Podcasting Rig

I just bought a cable that allows my to plug my Audio Technica 2100 into my Roland R-05 recorder. If you are a person who is going to be podcasting “On the Road” this is an easy way to get a great inexpensive podcasting microphone connected to a rugged easy to use recorder.

Managing Multiple Websites wit Manage WP

If you have more than one podcast (With each one having its own website), Managewp makes it super easy to do things like upgrade your plugins, your themes, etc on all of your websites from one login. It can monitor to see if you have malware on your website (it doesn’t clean it, but it alerts you so you could alert your website hosting company). If you have multiple sites, its a HUGE time saver. It also can check to see if you have malware on your site (it won’t fix it, but you could contact your hosting company and they will clean it for you).

The post Keeping Your Website Safe appeared first on School of Podcasting - Learn "How To Podcast" with Podcast Coach Dave Jackson.

I received an email from a listener who has a difference of opinion when it comes to God. Apparently me saying “God Bless” at the end of my podcast is offensive. Here is his email:

The post I’ve Got To Be Me – Tales From The Expo 2 appeared first on School of Podcasting - Learn "How To Podcast" with Podcast Coach Dave Jackson.

Today I’m back from New Media Expo in Las Vegas and I’m producing this entire episode with JUST MY PHONE. My interviews were recorded using a Roland R-05, and in some cases a microphone from Giant Squid Audio. I’m using a software for your iphone or your ipad called Boss Jock Studio, and its pretty cool. If you are doing portable recording and want to do the whole podcast (not jsut record interviews) this is a fun tool to let you do it.  The software is written by podcasters (who help launch libsyn.com) for podcasters. Currently the software won’t work with my favorite microphone the Audio Technica 2100 but that’s Apple’s fault (not Boss Jock). There are some microphone that you can plug into your iphone (with a camera kit) that will sound better than the built in microphone of the iphone.

Three Days to Become The Media

Kevin Taylor sent me an email on Friday. By Friday afternoon his basic website was up, and by Saturday he had his first episode done. By Sunday he had his first media pass.

Promote Your Podcast With Pinterest

Dan Hayes of simplelifetogether.com has been putting his album art on pinterest with a quick blurb like “Click to listen to podcast” and he is noticing traffic coming from Pinterest as well as comments like “I’ve never listened to a podcast before,”. This is a channel that will actually grow your audience as they may not be acquainted with podcasting. Thanks for the tip Dan!

Interview with Tony DiLorenzo of the One Extraordinary Marriage Podcast

One way you can promote your podcast is to network with other podcasters who are doing similar shows. Most (but not all) will cross-promote. Some will be afraid that you will “Steal” their audience. In talking with Tony he and his wife have an AMAZING story and they are an open book. For me it shows that God can take any negative and turn it into a positive. Check them out at http://www.oneextraordinarymarriage.com/ 

Tony and his wife now have authored two books The 7 Day Sex Challenge and Stripped Down: 13 Keys to Unlocking Intimacy in Your Marriage  Available at Amazon.com and hope to syndicate their podcast.

Last 5 in 5 from Jim Federoff of Quilt Caster

Jim produces the Quiltcaster podcast (a podcast about custom designed musical instruments). Jim has been a big fan of podcasting for years and finally started one of his own. I caught up with Jim and the New Media Expo and here are the last five podcasts he listened to:

Pat Flynn’s Smart Passive Income
Seth Godin
Radio Lab – Great production values and stories
Social Triggers – Marketing from a psychological aspect
HIMMS- mhealth podcast

Vegas Was a Blast!

Thanks to everyone who came up to me at Vegas and to all the people I met. Podcasting is a time shifted conversation and it was nice to have some immediate conversations for a change.

The post 3 Days To Becoming One of the Media appeared first on School of Podcasting - Learn "How To Podcast" with Podcast Coach Dave Jackson.

Today I provide 20+ reasons why you should be podcasting. We play with a free podcasting software that allows you to have sounds play with a click of a button, we talk about cleaning up noisy files, and we have a list 5 in 5.

Why You Should Be Podcasting

Below is just the list, this list with more details is at http://davidjackson.org/2012/12/10-reasons-why-you-should-start-podcasting-in-2013/

1. Be seen as an expert.

2. You will be seen as reliable when your produce on a regular basis.

3. Loyal Audiences.

4. More Sales – More Leads

5. Bigger Audience

6. Better Understanding of Your Customer

Global Audience7. Reach a Global Audience

8. Extra Income

9. Make Friends

10. Become the Media

11. There is no spam in Podcasting

12. Consuming Podcasts Is Getting Easier

13. Radio Is Horrible

14. Time Shifted Material

15. Everything is Going Digital

16. Audio Podcasts Allow People To Multitask

17. Podcasting is Intimate

18. Podcasting is Inexpensive to Start Up

19. Big Fish in Small Pond

20. Your Audience Awaits

Jingle Palette Review

This is a free software for the PC that allows you to assign sounds to any number of buttons. You can set the volume level for each file. There is no “fade out” option. I faded out items in this podcast as I was sending the sounds into my mixer. At one point, the software had a bit of a crash, and it didnt’ save the palette I was using. I was not a huge fan, but you can’t beat the price.

Cleaning Up Noisy Audio Files

In this segment I play a voicemail that came in that had a fair amount of hiss. I use the noise removal feature in Adobe Audition (and is also available in Audacity). You have the software “listen” to your noise, and then have it remove it. If you apple too much of this feature, it can make the sound have a weird “under water” effect. A little goes a long way. I then took this file and applied a noise gate which blocked any left over hiss from coming to your ears.

Podcasting is for Everyone

In this episode we get feedback from a 6th grader, and someone who has retired early (in his 60′s) who are both enjoying the creativity and power of podcasting. Are you looking for Podcasting 101 tips? Check out free podcasting tips at School of Podcasting Radio at schoolofpodcasting.fm

Last 5 in 5

School of Podcasting’s Morning Announcement (this podcast)
More Podcast Money (about making oney with your podcast)
Weekly Web Tools (tools for people who handle their own website)
Power of Podcasting (answering the question, why should I podcast)
WordPress Plugins A to Z

You Can Change Your Podcast

Today we spotlight the Podcast Goddess podcast and Internet Business Mastery who have decided to change the format of their shows. The beautiful thing about a podcast is YOU are in control. So if you start out going in one direction, you can change it later.

Mentioned in This Episode

Creative Penn Podcast
Logical Weight Loss
Healing Our Marriage Podcast
Survey Monkey
Scott Sigler’s Book in Amazon (Watch video)

For more links see the original blog post

The post Why You Should Be Podcasting in 2013 appeared first on School of Podcasting - Learn "How To Podcast" with Podcast Coach Dave Jackson.

In today’s show we answer questions about YouTube and RSS, we talk about Podcasting Stats, and I review the Broadcasting Studio Microphone Boom Scissor Arm Suspension Stand Desk Table Universal Mic Mount DJ Radio Griffin 

I also talk about the latest episode of the Podcasters Roundtable where we talk about Podcast “Competition.”

Because of my Podcast Featuring Max Flight

This segment can be heard at 6:20 mark
Find max at:

See my Thirty Thousand Feet aviation directory: http://www.ThirtyThousandFeet.com/
Listen to me on the Airplane Geeks Podcast: http://www.airplanegeeks.com/

YouTube and Podcasting

I have a question for you.  I am starting up the Theme Review Show podcast in January.  I was going to start it over the summer but I realized that it was kind of weird to do an audio podcast about something inately visual.

What I decided to do was to produce an audio review like I was initially planning, but I am also going to do a supplemental video tour of the given theme that would basically be a screen share showing the theme and talking about what I like/dislike, and how to build a site using the given theme.  I am creating a specific youtube channel for these videos and will point back to my site.

My question is:  If I embed a youtube video into my shownotes, would that end up in the podcast RSS feed?  I don’t want to do that because the idea of the videos is to drive traffic to my blog from the podcast.. and youtube.  How would you organize something like this?

Answer: I have done this on Weekly Web Tools where I put a youtube video and an audio file. I place my url to the media in the box provided by the PowerPress plugin. It has never caused an issue. Some tools yo may look into to monetize the videos is Viewbix or Leadplayer

Sound Boards for Android Phone

Adam from the Laptcast wanted to know if there are any Soundboard for Android. I was unaware of any so until Mark in Russia clued me in. He likes this one https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ix.com.android.CustomSoundboard&feature=related_apps Read his full review of this one and two others here

Podcast Stat Packages – Podbean Advertising

Bill Hutchinson wanted to know if Blubrry stats are better than Libsyn stats. I had previously mentioned podtrac.com and blubrry.com for free stats. When you compare blubrry.com and Libsyn.com stats they are simliar. You can see them in a video I did about how awful podbean is.

I mention how podbean places a preroll in your show when you sign up for their advertising program. The pre-roll stated that you could get 1000 downloads for $1.

Understanding Podcast Subscriptions

If there weren’t tools like iTunes and the new Podcasts app from Apple, I would have to visit 71 different web pages to see if there were any new episodes. This is one of the most powerful features of podcasting. Now when I fire up whatever software you are using (iTunes, Pocket Casts) it checks all of those websites for me.

Podcast Gear View

I just got a new boom arm for my wife to use. There are mic boom arms that cost over $100

This package includes:

The arm
A mic cable
A shock mount

for $65. I love it and it seems very durable.

Mentioned on the Show

Bill Hutchinson’s Accidental Missionary

Podcasters Roundtable Episode 6 on Podcast Competition

Building Better Dave

The post Podcast Gear – Soundboard Software – Podbean Stats – Podcast Competition appeared first on School of Podcasting - Learn "How To Podcast" with Podcast Coach Dave Jackson.

Today I answer some questions about going to the New Media Expo from Charles from the Other Side of Live

1. Yes you need business cards
2. You need the courage to pass them out
3. You need to be able to talk to strangers
4. You need to be able to listen
5. Remember its not always about how people can help you, but how you can help them.
6. Have a target – “I will call the expo a success when ____”
7. Make sure your actions are in line with #6

There are two ends of the spectrum with business cards. One end is just litter them all over, and the other is when you over-think who is “worthy” of  a card. Try to find a happy medium.

These concepts are the same even if you don’t have a podcast. You need the courage to talk about your subject in front of people. You need to have a target for your podcast. How will you know its a success? Are your actions in line with making it a success?

Podcast Promotion Tips

Recently I’ve been making serious connections with my audience. These people then go and tell other people about your podcast. Why? Sure you have great content, but also because you connected with your audience. For me its about taking the time to send a unique email, video, skype call, etc (whatever it takes) to help people.

In my travels the things that separate great service, or great connections are boosted not by doing GIANT things that blow people away, but instead if you simply do what you say, and say what you mean, and do the little things that other people are too busy, or don’t think it matters, you will find that those little things lead to “wows” from your customers. Growing your podcast can use these same concepts.

 You Don’t Need to Spend Two Thousand Dollars To Start a Podcast

Andrew had some questions about the Heil PR40 and it seems you really have to turn up the gain to get a good signal. Is this normal? (short answer yes). Make sure your volume on your portable recorder is turned up enough (some times when you turn up your mixer it introduces hiss). The point is you don’t need to spend $600 on a microphone. You can see what I recommend at schoolofpodcasting.com/equipment

Podcasting And Your Business

I spoke with a magazine who is looking to boost subscriptions with a podcast. However, they are looking to sell the digital files. I explained how they have a TON of back issues,

Mentioned On the Podcast

No Agenda Show

Wedding Podcast

The post Convention Tips – Personal Podcast Promotion – Podcast Equipment Questions appeared first on School of Podcasting - Learn "How To Podcast" with Podcast Coach Dave Jackson.

We all want to grow our audience. One way to do that is to bring people to your website, let them click the play button (you do have a play button right) and get them hooked by your awesome content. This sounds great. Now lets go back to that first step of bringing people to your website. SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization and today Marcus Couch walks us through some strategies that will get you more traffic without “tricking” the search engines.

Marcus Couch was one of the original music podcasters and has been recognized as one of the top experts in regards to earning money with your podcast by getting more traffic. Back in the days of Podshow (now Mevio), Marcus was in a contest with Adam Curry, Cali Lewis, Gillian Smith, Dawn and Drew, and he beat them with a considerable margin. Yes he even beat the top rated podcast at the time. He did this through SEO. He later became the of Entrepreneur.com

Marcus’s is a co-host at WordPress Plugin A to Z had a very successful run with his Hard Rock podcast The Scene Zine and is about to launch a new video podcast about WordPress Plugins call The Daily Plugin.

Marcus explains how he grew his audience, and more importantly his influence by “getting in the trenches” with his target audience, networking with them, helping them, and becoming a resource for his community. He explains how Google looks at how long your audience stays on your page. This is one of the reasons you want to have good show notes, but more importantly why you want a player so people can click and listen (thus keeping them on your page).

Always have a goal when writing a blog post, and realize that trying to “trick” the search engines takes just as much time as doing it correctly. With this in mind, why not do things correctly and avoid the potential of being blocked by Google.

For more information, or to work with Marcus go to www.marcuscouch.com

Favorite Sites and Tools

Builder Theme

Artisteer

Search Engine Land

Marketing Land

Social Media Examiner

Here are some topics covered:
What SEO Plugin should you use?
What about permalinks?
Having a long term plan for your podcast
Positioning yourself as an expert.

Mentioned in this Podcast

Daily Source Code Podcast

Best of the Worst Podcast

One last thing about this podcast, it was slated to come out a few weeks ago (so the good news is my wife DID get the job).

The post Get More Traffic to Your Podcast with SEO Expert Marcus Couch appeared first on School of Podcasting - Learn "How To Podcast" with Podcast Coach Dave Jackson.

Today I want to answer an email that asked, “Do you have a checklist that you use when you record an episode?.’ Here are some tips that can help you when it comes to recording your podcast.

1. Play, tweak, and get your sound like you want it, then write down (or take a picture) of your settings and leave them there.
2. Shut windows and doors. Put a tie on the outside knob to notify the family that you are “on the air.”
3. Turn off any cooling or heating devices, as well as phones should be silenced.
4. Turn off any notification software (like email, skype, etc)
5. Get some notes either on paper, or on computer to help keep you on track.
6. Make sure your mouth is hydrated but not that hydrated.
7. Check your recording levels
8. Send an email to any guest that will be appearing at the beginning of the day to remind them of your time, skype name, etc)
9. Make sure you have a set of questions to use as a guideline, and make sure you are on the same page with the guest in regards to their website and what they may want to plug.
10. If you are streaming video, clean your room and brush your hair.
11. Check the battery life in your recorder and make sure you have enough disk space
12. Make sure you press record.

In the End YOU Decide How To Do Your Podcast

Last week I talked about how I hated people who repeat things over and over. My friend Daniel j Lewis of the Audacity to Podcast occasionally does this and provided his insights into this:

The post Before You Hit Record – Podcast Cross Promotion – Have One in the Can appeared first on School of Podcasting - Learn "How To Podcast" with Podcast Coach Dave Jackson.

My friend Ray Ortega hosted another “Podcasters Roundtable” and this episodes theme was “Podcast Pet Peeves.” I was soooo bummed that I couldn’t attend ( I did send in some ideas via e-mail and thanks to Ray for reading that).

1. Wildly varying volume levels. (use a free program called Levelator)
2. Horrible audio quality – Blog Talk Radio & Talkshoe (use tools like Mixlr or Spreaker to broadcast live)
3. Excessive mouth noise (which can be remedied by staying hydrated)
4. Overuse and misuse of profanity, and not labeling your podcast explicit
5. Not make it simple for your audience, and being vague (i.e. “Find us in iTunes instead of giving a direct link). There is a free tool called “Pretty Link” that makes this simple.
6. Get to the point. Don’t throw away your first 5 minutes. Don’t record an hour long podcast if you have 38 minutes of space
7. No way to easily contact the podcaster. If you’re worried about spam emails, use the cryptx plugin. There is also speakpipe.com, and voicemail systems.
8. Super long sponsor plugs. At least make them live so you don’t have to listen to the exact same promo over and over
9. People who put on a “podcast voice.”  Don’t use a persona. You need to instead be yourself.
10. Apologizing for missing episodes. There is no need to apologize.
11. If you’re going to have a guest on your show, be sure to let your guest know how long they will need to set aside to be on the podcast.
12. Discussing items that are visual in an audio podcast, or items that distract the audience from the content.
13. Your podcast description in iTunes tells you noting about the podcast. (i.e. We’re just two dudes talking about nothing..”). Tell people what to expect, and if it applies how people will benefit.
14. When your guests do not help promote your show.
15. Your website has an iTunes link, but has no RSS feed on your website
16. Excessive ums due to lack of preparation. Having bullet points can keep you on track.
17. People who don’t treat podcasting like other forms of media (TV, Radio).
18. People who obsess on the lack of feedback and beg.
19. People who state they are number 1.
20. People who call audio on a website a “podcast” (i.e. a Sound cloud player) WATCH VIDEO
21. Put names to your episodes – not numbers
22. Using favorite words over and over. We need to listen to your podcast and listen for over used words.

Dave’s Podcast  Pet Peeves

1. The hey I’m Back (letting your audience know you pressed pause button). Who cares?
2. Masterbation references – Some information I don’t need to know Greg Fitzsimmons
3. Review of the Review – It’s a podcast, if we didn’t get it, or need to hear it again we can rewind.
4. The 12 Days of Christmas Syndrome – When someone goes over a list that was just gone over. Again, there is a rewind button.
5. Mixing Video in a podcast feed.

New School of Podcasting FM

If you are brand new to podcasting, I have created a special streaming channel at www.schoolofpodcasting.fm where you can listen to quick blurbs of podcasting advice on: Podcasting Gear
Planning Your Podcast
Understanding RSS
Understanding iTunes
Podcast Success Stories
Podcasting Gear

You can stream this information using Windows Media Player, iTunes, Quick Time and more.

Check it out at www.schooolofpodcasting.fm

Podcasting Success Story

Jason from the Creeper cast explains how he is getting to meet and interview some of his favrotie actors and directors. He is also being per sued by movies creators who want his opinion on new movies. He is seen as an influencer. It is another example of the power of the niche. Jason doesn’t just do movies. He does horror movies. Not just horror movies, independent horror movies. Check him out at creepercast.com

Mentioned in this Podcast

The Audacity to Podcast

Podcaster’s Roundtable

Podcaster’s Studio

Podcasting Passion

Dave Lee Roth RSS Website

David Lee Roth official Website

Jillian Michaels Podcast

More Podcast Money (Dave’s Book)

Carey Green of the Christian Home and Family Podcast

The post Making Your Podcast Better appeared first on School of Podcasting - Learn "How To Podcast" with Podcast Coach Dave Jackson.

Why You Should Never Worry About Your “Competition”

I was thinking twice about recording an episode about the stats from the Podcast Awards. My friend Daniel J Lewis of the Audacity to Podcast had done an episode, and some other podcasts about podcasting had also covered this topic. I decided to give my side of the story, and I’m glad I did. After all, just because I listen to every podcast about podcasting – doesn’t mean my audience does. Judi from farmnwife.com had this to say

“Dave, you mentioned in this podcast about talking on the same topics as other podcasters. Thank you for continuing on to cover those topics because I don’t listen to -another podcast -. His voice and humor annoys me. Although I am sure he is very intelligent on his niche, I choose not to subscribe.
You have a different style and take on things which is very vocally “animated” and this keeps it interesting. However, (other podcaster #2) goes over too many intricate details and loses my attention.
So I wanted to say that I appreciate that you tell us just what we need to know without going over our heads.”

Keep in mind every night people on the news deliver the same stories and yet people have their favorites. This can be tough to swallow as you may not be someone’s favorite. I’m sure some people don’t like me. Maybe I’m to spastic, and I occasionally bounce from idea to idea. That’s fine, because my style will be what other people are looking for. Just remember you can’t please everyone. Just be yourself.

A Google Hangout is an online meeting that can have up to 10 people participating at a time. A Google event is a notice of something (meeting, etc) at a certain date and time. Hangouts that are “On Air” are streamed live to whoever wants to watch. The best thing is they are free to use.

Transcribing Your Podcast? Here is a Way to “Hide” Some of that Content

David Peach has a tip on a great WordPress plugin that allows you to include content on your site so Google can find it, but hide some of the text unless someone clicks on it to view it. Dave is using the WP Spoiler plugin.If you want to learn sign language, check out Dave’s podcast at www.learnsigns.com

Getting Rid of Mouth Noises When You Podcast

Mike Russel from Music Radio Creative has a tip on losing those mouth noises. These include:

1. Stay hydrated
2. Avoid fizzy soda.
3. Eat a Green Apple (Green, not Red, Yellow, etc)
4. Use a Pop Filter and don’t talk directly into the microphone.

Using Google Hangouts as a Podcast Creation Tool

Today we talk with Ray Ortega who does the Podcasters Roundtable along with the Podcaster’s Studio. Ray provided some tips on the “behind the scenes of the Podcasters Roundtable.”

1. Google Hangout is an online meeting between (up to) 10 people. When these are “On Air” they can be seen by everyone as they are streamed live.
2. You want to go into your settings and change the audio setting from “Voice” to “Studio” which will improve the audio quality.
3. The invitation to the event is an invitation to watch.
4. The invitation to the Hangout is an invitation to participate in the Hang Out
5. When a Hangout is happening, it’s not streaming until you click on “Broadcasting” button.
6. When its over the recording of your hangout is available for download. You can download that video and extract the audio out of the video.

If you are looking for step by step you can watch Google Hangout Videos Here.

Is this Podcast Too Long?

Recently I started making these episodes longer (from around 20 minutes to around 45 minutes). I wanted to check with my audience. Would you prefer the original 20 minute podcast?

The post Google Hangouts as a Podcasting Solution – Ray Ortega appeared first on School of Podcasting - Learn "How To Podcast" with Podcast Coach Dave Jackson.