The Podcasters Studio » Podcasts

PQT – Recording with the Zoom H4n

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Fri, 11 May 2012 02:15:41 +0000

Looking around my studio, I counted almost ten different ways to record a podcast. Over the next few episode of Podcast Quick Tips, I’m going to be using each of these methods to demonstrate how you can produce a quality sounding podcast many different ways.

Recording with the H4n on-board mics about 7-10 inches from my mouth

First up is the Zoom H4n. This digital audio recorder is an amazing little piece of technology and really the only thing you need to record a podcast. You’ll hear how I use the on-board condenser microphones of the H4n to record this episode.

Coupled together with some post production, you can create some fantastic sounding audio. A little compression, a limiter, some EQ and a touch of noise removal can really improve the audio that comes off the Zoom. However, this device is powerful enough to produce a show without using any post production. It can even compress your raw audio file into the mp3 format for you.

I also talk about BlogWorld NYC 2012. I’ll be speaking on two different panels and co-teaching a two part class titled “Podcasting 101″ along with Daniel from The Audacity to Podcast, Dave from The School of Podcasting’s Morning Announcements and Dan from Podcast Like a Radio DJ.

If you’re considering attending this year’s BlogWorld, which will have an incredible podcasting track, make sure to use my promo code: PodRay10 on checkout to save 10% off the price of your ticket. And, if you purchase by May 15, 2012 you’ll save an additional $100 off the price of a ticket.

If you’re going, make sure you let me know so we can meet in person!

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TPS Ep. 057 – The Benefits of Using a Mixer

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 19:53:04 +0000

Adding a mixer to your podcast studio will allow your productions to grow along with your show.

As you get further along in your podcasting venture, you’ll likely want to add in more capabilities such as Skype hosts and guests, more in-studio microphones, and built in capabilities for backing up recordings to avoid loss of your audio. Having a mixer in your studio allows you to easily add in these and many more features as your skills and productions progress over time.

On this episode I explain the many ways a mixer allows you to easily expand your studio’s capabilities and what features you might want to look for when choosing your first mixer or upgrading your old one.

TPS Ep. 056 – SXSW, Archiving Your Podcast, and Powerpress 3.0

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 03:17:09 +0000

Fresh off my return from SXSW, I share my experiences from the conference and a couple panels I saw that led me to bigger ideas about my podcast, sharing and your show’s legacy.

One of the speakers I sat in on was Jason Scott from the Internet Archive. He talked about curating the culture of the web and capturing it for future generations. So what happens to your podcast when you’re gone? I discuss this and suggest that you might want to backup your episodes to Archive.org. You’re creating great content that when viewed from a far in context with other shows produced during the same time, can lead to a bigger picture of what was happening in a particular time in our history. Save it.

I discuss a new episode of Podcast Quick Tips where I take a look at Skype’s new release which includes an option (for Mac users) to disable auto gain control. Windows users already have this in their version of Skype. Don’t let Skype control your microphone. Now you can easily disable this setting for times when you are using Skype to record a podcast.

Check out ThePodcastersStudio.Tumblr.com. Yet another way I’m using the content I create here to generate small amounts of income. The site is a collection of mobile photography of podcasting gear that I come into contact with, connected to affiliate links. This might be another revenue stream for your podcast. Anytime you are creating content that promotes other’s products, try and incorporate affiliate links. It adds no extra cost to your audience and it could help you offset the costs of producing your show.

Custom title tags are a way to help you write blog posts for humans and robots. I discuss how you can create catchy titles while still maintaining good SEO for the likes of Google, Bing, etc.

Finally, I take a look at PowerPress 3.0, the podcasting plugin for WordPress created by Blubrry.com. Once again they have added some great features that you are likely able to add into your podcasting site’s backend to help improve how your show is delivered to your community. Don’t miss the great resources I list for helping you work your way through the newest version of the plugin.

Links mention in this episode:
Jonathan Stark – The guy who gave the Internet free coffee
Archive.org – for free podcast hosting or archiving
How to disable Skype’s AGC and EC with HTML code
All in one SEO pack – plugin for WordPress
The School of Podcasting’s Morning Announcements – Feedburner Vs PowerPress – An interview with Mike Dell, part of the PowerPress tech support team
The Audacity to Podcast Episode 72 – How to Setup PowerPress 3.0 with video walkthrough

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PQT – Disable Skype’s Auto Gain Control

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 20:35:33 +0000

If you weren’t already aware, Skype is likely controlling your audio levels. As podcasters, we want to make sure we are in control of all our settings all of the time. This is how you can make sure Skype isn’t changing your audio quality.

Skype just released (03/06/12) a new version of it’s software for the Mac (version 5.6.0.143). In this release they placed a check-box (already found in the Windows version) for controlling Skype’s auto gain control (AGC). What AGC does is listen to the proximity of your voice to the microphone and adjust the volume as necessary so that the person on the other end can always hear you at a decent level. However, as podcasters, we don’t want anyone besides us deciding what our gain level should be and we certainly don’t want it to change during recording.

Now you can simply go into your preferences audio/video settings and uncheck the “Automatically Adjust Microphone Settings” box. Then go into your computer’s settings and set the level you want your mic to be.

When enabled, AGC will constantly adjust the level of your audio based on your relationship to the mic and whether or not you are speaking into it. During times of silence or if you move too far away from the mic, this can cause the “noise floor” to be raised higher thus producing an audible hiss. Disabling AGC will help to prevent unwanted noise.

Links mentioned in this episode
How to disable Skype’s AGC and EC with HTML code

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TPS Ep. 055 – Podcast Currency: How Your Podcast Pays You Back

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 22:59:07 +0000

You produce a podcast that you make available for free and in fact spend lots of your own money on (if you’re truly invested). So how does your podcast pay you back?

A podcast pays in both tangible and non-tangible ways. In this episode I cover all of the ways I’ve found to make money from your podcast as well as how to see value in your show when you aren’t seeing cash. In a lot of cases, money is not the goal of the podcast producer and even those that have an interest in making money from their show need to understand all of the ways a podcast pays back.

Affiliate Accounts: Quite possibly the easiest way for your podcast to earn real income is to make sure you sign up for affiliate accounts with sites such as Amazon or any other retailer who has products that you are promoting on your show.
Donations: Don’t be embarrassed to ask for donations. It can help offset the cost of producing a podcast and often times you have people in your audience who understand all the hard work you put into producing your podcast. Let them donate.
Ads: There are a hundred different ways to approach getting sponsors. There are network sites like Blubrry.com who will find the sponsors for you or you can go out and get your own. This is often the most difficult way to get income from your show but it can also be the most lucrative.
Premium Content: It’s possible to make your back catalog or even your entire show pay-for-content. Libsyn.com now offers a service that will allow you to determine how much of your feed is premium.

Non-tangible Returns on Your Podcast

Subscribers: Every new subscriber is cash in the bank for a podcast. In podcasting, it’s all about the audience.
Email List: If someone is willing to give you their email, consider that as good or better than a donation. Email’s can be used to reach your audience from now until they unsubscribe so it’s a pretty big return when your audience likes you enough to give you access to their email inbox. Treat it wisely. This could be your only link to your audience should something go wrong with your hosting, podcatcher, etc.
Reviews, Comments, Social Sharing: Anytime someone gives you a review on iTunes, a comment on your site, a Like on Facebook or any other feedback, you’ve been paid. These help increase your visibility in search engines be it Google or iTunes or wherever else people can find your show.
Emails and Voice Feedback: When people leave you feedback or ask questions, this is content you can use to power your show. Including your listeners in the content of your episodes increases their investment in your podcast as well as helps you create content which can be a challenge after producing a lot of episodes.
Word Of Mouth: Just as it reads. When people tell their peers, you win. More subscribers leads to more podcast currency.

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TPS Ep. 054 – Free Audio Hosting Woes

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 01:20:16 +0000

Blip.tv announces they will no longer accept audio only uploads. For the past six years or so, Blip.tv has been kindly hosting audio only files for free. Blip.tv is primarily a video site and now they’re cementing that with the discontinuation of audio only uploads. Here’s the official announcement:

At blip.tv we’re focused on being the best home for high quality, original, episodic, video web series. To that end, we have focused on making our upload process as easy and fool-proof as possible. For a number of years we’ve permitted the upload of non-video formats, but beginning December 13th, 2011 we will be turning off the ability to upload all audio-only formats, including MP3.

Pro accounts will still have the ability to create MP3 conversions from their source video files, but direct MP3 uploads will no longer be allowed. If you are uploading an audio only podcast, we strongly recommend using a more appropriate platform such as Libsyn or Podbean. By next week at the latest, we will begin offering an option in your Dashboard to re-direct your current feed to a new location. This will allow iTunes to move your subscribers over to your new feed and host automatically.

Thank you,
blip.tv

As of December 13th, 2011 Blip.tv no longer allows you to place your .mp3 files on their servers. This means if you hosted an audio only podcast on Blip.tv, you need to look for a new host for your show. Blip will be deleting any remaining audio only files that are hosted on their servers in July 2012. This means you must get your episodes off of Blip if that is the only place they live. Download them now and save them to your desktop.

Also, if you are using Blip’s feed features to deliver your podcast RSS feed (i.e. to iTunes), you will have to use their redirect tool to ensure that your listeners are not lost in the transfer.

Hear my opinions on the the Blip move as well as learn what to do if you need a new host. I also talk about my newest resource for podcasters, www.PodcastingQandA.com. A great place to get your podcasting questions answered or explore the catalog of questions and answers to learn a lot about producing podcasts.

Links mentioned in this episode
Podcasting Q & A (Learn about podcasting while getting your questions answered)
Vimeo.com/RayOrtega (Learn about HDDSLR filmmaking and browse my videos)
Auralex 1′x 1′ acoustic foam treatment kit – 24 pieces (Follow along as I treat my studio for better sound).
Blip.tv RSS feed redirect (use this to redirect your Blip.tv RSS feed to a new feed).
Zoom audio recorders

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TPS Ep. 053 – Podcasting Controversies – Part 2 of my Interview with Dave Jackson

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 22:58:40 +0000

We continue where we left off talking to Dave Jackson from the School of Podcasting.

On this episode Dave and I chat about podcasting software and how using old gear can be just as effective as buying brand new. I ask Dave what he thinks about having to have the “radio voice” sound for your podcast and how he defines success when it comes to his shows.

We touch on ideas about investing in your show and how to produce a podcast on a budget. Dave gives us some great insight about some of his attempts to monetize his podcasts and opens up the pages of his podcasting ebook to share some tips.

We wrap up by approaching some of the more controversial podcasting topics such as people who say “podcasting is dead.” And you hear why I might agree. Listen in for some great conversation about all things podcasting as I wrap up my interview with Dave.

Links mentioned on this episode

School of Podcasting

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PQT – Increase Your Podcast’s Credibility by Using Other Voices

Ray Ortega — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 00:10:47 +0000

Sean Allen sent in a guest Quick Tip detailing how he increases the credibility of his podcast by using voice overs.

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TPS Ep. 052 – An Interview with Dave Jackson from the School of Podcasting (Part 1)

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 17:41:06 +0000

An interview with Dave Jackson from The School of Podcasting’s Morning Announcements. A “podcast that talks about all things Podcasting. From planning planning, producing, and promoting your podcast along with all the tools and techniques.”

With over 250 episodes published, Dave is one of the original podcasters. He was an early digital mentor for me when I was entering podcasting and has since become a peer and friend.

We talk about Dave’s podcasting career, take a peek inside his studio and approach some of podcasting’s more controversial topics.

This is part one of two because when you get a chance to talk to someone you have been listening to for years, you take the opportunity to get as much conversation in as possible.

Links mentioned on this episode
School of Podcasting

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PQT – Edit Facebook Audio Player Information

Ray Ortega — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 02:10:16 +0000

When you insert a link to a hosted audio file into Facebook’s link section above the status box, Facebook will automatically create an audio player.

Below this audio player is a couple areas of information about any particular audio file you link to. They don’t make it obvious that you can actually edit the information that is contained in these fields (title, artist, album) but it’s an easy process once you know how.

Once your file is linked, you see that the fields display “unknown artist” and “unknown album.”

Simply place your mouse over each section and the field to be edited will be highlighted. Click and place whatever text you like into this section. It’s that simple. This also applies for the title of the file seen in bold lettering.

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TPS Ep. 051 – Back to Podcasting Basics (Part 2 of 2)

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 21:34:21 +0000

Continuing where I left off in part one of this two part series, I wrap things up with a discussion about the remaining basic pieces you’ll need to start a successful podcast. I’m defining a successful podcast here as a podcast that starts off with all the core elements in place so that you don’t have to go back and fix the foundation of your show in the future. Often times, mistakes are made when setting up a podcast (understandably due to excitement and the rush to get started) that will often require an entire rework of the core elements of your podcast.

In this episode I guide you through creating artwork for your podcast, establishing an RSS feed, getting your show on various podcasting directories such as iTunes, marketing and promoting your podcast and a few extra elements to add to your show as you grow.

Most important of these factors is the proper setup of your RSS feed. The best way to ensure that you don’t run into major problems in the future is to use Feedburner to enhance your originating feed. This will not only help create a valid feed, add extras to your feed while allowing you to easily control its appearance but most importantly it will give you the ability to move your audio and/or video file host anytime you want without affecting your audience.

This episode, in combination with episode 050 (part 1), provides a solid foundation on which to build your show. You’ve learned how to produce a podcast and with this episode you learn how to enhance, deliver, and promote your show. All of these factors will set you up for a long lasting show that can be built upon as your grow your podcasting skills, knowledge and library.

Links mentioned on this episode
TPS050 – Part 1 of 2 – Podcasting Basics
Show Artwork – TPS036 and Podcast Quick Tips
Feedburner – TPS005 (Feedburner for Podcasters) & TPS030 (Feedburner Refresher)
Creating a Feed – Feed for All, Posterous, Feeder
ID3 Editors – mp3Tag (windows, free), ID3 Editor (Mac, $)
Podcast411.com – Directory of Directories
Tubemogul.com – Mass Video Distribution
Quora.com – User generated, question and answer social network
Podcast Marketing and Promotion (category) – TPS007 – Marketing Your Podcast

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TPS Ep. 050 – Back to Podcasting Basics (Part 1 of 2)

Ray Ortega — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 23:55:08 +0000

Learn the basics of podcasting from how to decide on a topic to choosing gear, software and hosting for your website and media.

You’ve decided you want to start your own podcast and now you need to know how to proceed. In this episode we go back to the beginning and walk you through the basic elements needed to create a podcast.

Your first step is to decide on a topic. Pick something you know well and love to talk about to no end. This will help to keep you motivated over the period of many episodes.

Are you going to produce an audio only show or a video podcast? In both cases you’ll need gear that allows you to capture, edit and compress your digital media into a podcast friendly format. The basic gear for an audio podcast is a microphone (I recommend a dynamic mic), a mixer and some headphones. I’ve made the basic assumption that you already have a computer.

For video, at a minimum, you’ll need a video camera and some editing software. However I highly recommend including an external microphone that plugs into your camera. Good audio, even in video podcasting, is as or more important than the image you are capturing.

Finally you’ll want to purchase some basic hosting for a website and your media files.

Make sure to listen to part two of the basics of podcasting (episode 52) where you’ll learn about creating a graphic identity that represent your show, creating a future proofed RSS feed for submitting across the web, and how to get your podcast listed in podcast directories such as iTunes.

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PQT – Free Video Converters

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 02:48:21 +0000

There are any number of reasons why you might need to convert a video from one format to another. In the case of video podcasting perhaps you need to make your file compatible to work on Apple devices or you need to take your original file created specifically for iTunes and make it more compatible with any type of media player. These are just two of the reasons why a video converter can be an important piece of software in your podcast production tool box.

In many cases, because the web often deals in flash (flv) files, you may need to convert them to another format which works better for your particular needs. In this episode I give you a brief introduction to some of the free, cross platform (Windows and Mac) tools I use for converting video file formats.

Free video converters:
Any-Video-Converter
Miro video Converter
Handbrake
Mpeg Streamclip
Real Player
VLC Media Player/Converter

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PQT – Mixlr.com. Audio Only Live Streaming

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 00:52:44 +0000

An introduction to mixlr.com, a new live streaming dedicated to the audio only podcaster. With mixlr’s easy to use app, available for both Windows and Mac, you can easily stream your show live to the web while you record it in your studio.

The advantages to live streaming audio only are many in the case of mixlr. Of primary interest to every podcaster should be mixlr’s ability to put your show live into the hands of anyone, anywhere. Mixlr’s live streams can be played on any mobile device with a browser effectively allowing your audience to listen live in the car, at the gym, or just waiting in line. Essentially anywhere your audience is, your show can be too.

Also, streaming audio only allows for your computer to use much less computing power and is much easier on your bandwidth.

For a much more in depth review of mixlr and it’s features which include great embed players for your website and facebook page, check out The Podcasters Studio Episode 048.

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TPS Ep. 049 – Noisy Headphones, Free Graphics Editor, and Creating Supplemental Video

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 19:53:22 +0000

On this episode I talk about the effect that bad headphones can have on your podcast’s audio. Headphones that don’t fit properly, are not well built or are simply turned up too loud can affect that amount of feedback that your mic hears. If the audio going into your headphones leaks out and into your mic

you could hear some weird results in your final audio or be unable to properly edit your audio in post production. I talk about how to make sure you headphones are not the cause for problems with your final audio.

Creating great looking graphics for your podcast can be a challenge if you can’t afford to

purchase quality image editing software programs. Now there is an incredible, free option available via your browser called Sumo Paint. This free web service works and looks much the same as Photoshop Elements which I enjoy using for creating my own podcast graphics. Give it a shot and enjoy the power of free, quality graphics creation.

If you have an audio podcast you can benefit greatly by adding video. Creating a YouTube channel to supplement your audio content can attract many new listeners that you would have otherwise never reached. Can you think of some quick, valuable content that is related to your show and would benefit by being seen as well as heard? I recommend creating your own channel and try adding video to your multimedia arsenal. You might be surprised by the results and feedback.

Links mentioned in this episode:
Sumo Paint – Free browser based graphics editor
Phandroid Podcast Video – Hosts talk about Google Plus Hangouts
Zoom H4N audio recorder
Struggling Entrepreneur Podcast – I was interviewed for the Struggling Entrepreneur podcast.

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PQT – Fix the Number of Default Items in Your WordPress Feed

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 21:19:09 +0000

If you use WordPress to create your podcasting RSS feed then you may have noticed that only ten or less of your most recent episodes are showing up in podcatchers such as iTunes. There’s a simple fix.

Simply adjust the default syndication setting (10) in the Reading section of your WordPress settings.

Click here to see a screencast tutorial of me walking you through the process. This works for both free sites on WordPress.com and your own installation of WordPress.

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TPS Ep. 048 – Audio Only Live Streaming Via Mixlr And Podcast Myths

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 01:56:30 +0000

Have you ever wanted to live stream your podcast in an audio only player? Finally a solution that caters to audio only podcasters has arrived in the form of mixlr.com. A live streaming, audio only applicationavailable for both PC and Mac.

Live streaming your podcast as you record can be another great way to interact with your audience, allowing them to participate live in chat rooms with you and other audience members.

I have fielded many questions from people who were looking for an audio only live

streaming player to put on their site and now we finally have one. Mixlr.com offers podcasters a simple application that is easy to use, looks great and adds minimal work to your current podcast production setup. You simply point the mixlr app at your audio input source, check your levels and go live.

One of the most powerful features that mixlr brings is the ability to be used with iOS devices (iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, etc). Sites like Ustream.com and other live streaming services which are video based don’t work with iOS devices (the Ustream app only has a fraction of the content available on Ustream). This means that your show can now be live streamed via any device that can browse the web. You can now be in the car with your audience (live) offering your content which is often a much better choice than what’s on traditional radio.

Another great feature is the ability to embed the mixlr player right onto your Facebook Fan Page. Simply put the link to your mixlr page, for any live episode, into the link section and Facebook will embed the mixlr live streaming player right onto the page so that all your “fans” can listen right there on Facebook.

There are many great options that mixlr.com provides to the audio podcaster but the main one is simple, a service designed specifically for audio only and we’ve been waiting for that for a very long time. Browse over and get your account today (before all the good names are taken;)). And don’t forget to friend me when you get there.

Also on this episode I ask my twitter community to share some of their #PodcastMyths. We’ve all heard that “you need an iPod to podcast” or “you can’t get good audio from a USB mic.” These are myths that continue to float around the podcasting community and so we had a little fun and listed some of the most common myths we’re still hearing today and I tell you why they are indeed #PodcastMyths.

Tweet your own podcasting myths to @PodcastHelper and use the hashtag #PodcastMyth.

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PQT – Creating High Resolution Album Art

Ray Ortega — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 00:27:29 +0000

When you create your album artwork the graphic that represents your podcast (also referred to as show art or ID3 image), make sure you use a high enough resolution so that it displays well on large screens.

I recommend making your show logo 600 x 600 pixels. This is a square image that will display well on HD screens as well as .mp3 players such as an iPod. Create a .jpg is still a relatively small size in (usually less than 1mb) and will be compatible across all devices.

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TPS Ep. 047 – Recording a Double-Ender Podcast

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Tue, 24 May 2011 15:45:17 +0000

When you want the absolute best quality recording from your remotely co-hosted podcast, you record a double-ender.

A double-ender is a type of recording where everyone on the podcast episode records their own audio. This allows for the cleanest sound possible, removing the unwanted noise problems you might get from such things as Skype or the telephone.

While this method does create more work for the editor (e.g. lining up clips, transferring files) you do end up with the best recording possible because everyone has recorded their microphones directly into their own software or recording device.

The basic workflow is as follows:
1. Everyone records their own audio (into Audacity or any other recording software or their own digital audio recorder).
2. Each person uploads their audio to a server so that the person doing the post production can gather all the audio files.
3. The editor lines up the audio tracks in an audio editor and does the normal post production (leveling, sweetening, etc.)
4. Export and finish the same way you would any other podcast episode (ID tags, show notes, etc).

In this episode I team up with Steve from NetcastStudio.com to record a double-ender podcast about recording double-ender podcasts. Listen as we describe the steps in detail and pay attention to the great sound quality we get from the process. It’s like we’re sitting in the same studio even though in reality I was on the East Coast and he is on the West.

Links mentioned in this episode
MicToob.com – A YouTube like site (user generated) dedicated to microphones (reviews, unboxings, demos, etc.)

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TPS Ep. 046 – Show Notes and Increasing Audience Participation

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 20:35:56 +0000

As a podcast producer you have likely heard that you need to create good show notes for each episode. But what does this mean and how do you accomplish it? On this episode I talk about the elements that make up good show notes (descriptive, keyword rich, and supplemental links).

I also discuss ways to get your podcast audience to participate more and engage with your show. Receiving comments, retweets, emails, and voicemail are just some of the ways you know that people are listening to and/or watching your podcast. Engagement also allows you to custom tailor your content to fit the desires of your audience and thus increase your feedback with each episode.

Important factors in getting your audience to provide feedback are reaching out to them wherever they are gathering. Find your niche on twitter and start a conversation, offering helpful feedback and pointing them to your show when appropriate for deeper discussion and explanation. Reach out on facebook and create supplemental content that encourages feedback. Both of these methods have a low threshold and can potentially reach hundreds of even thousands of relevant listeners.

Write better show notes and think about enhancing your video and audio content with blogs. The more content you produce, the more likely it is that your audience will engage with your podcast. Make sure that you have the appropriate call-to-action in every episode of your podcast and make sure you have an easy to find contact page on your website.

Both show notes and supplemental content and/or engagement are great ways to get more people interacting with your show. Try to go out and reach the people who would be interested in your podcast instead of just waiting for them to find you.

Links for this episode:
Recording multi-channel with Audacity
Alesis Multimix8 USB 2.0 mixer
Ray’s settings for the Powerpress plugin for wordpress
Canon 60D HDDSLR video setup
How to get started using Custom Fields in wordpress
A podcast studio inside an RV

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PQT – Statistics and Analytics for Your Podcast and Website

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 20:22:54 +0000

Resources for tracking statistics for your podcast and website.

By using some simple resources, you can get a clear picture regarding how many people are listening to your podcast as well visiting your website.

File hosts such as Libsyn, Blubrry, and Blip.tv all keep statistics about the number of people downloading your show as well as the applications they are using to do it (iTunes, Web, apps, etc) and where they are coming from (geo-location).

Other sites such as Facebook, give you deep “insights” into the demographics of your audience within Facebook. And installing Google Analytics on your webpage will further your understanding about how people are using your website.

Finally, Woopra allows you to see visitors to your website in real-time. When can watch the activity taking place on your website at any given time, tracking things like how some navigates your site and how they got there in the first place.

Consider integrating some of these tools into your podcast. Knowing more about your audience is not only fun and rewarding (we all love to know someone is listening) but very useful for growing your show.

links for this episode:

Google Analytics (track statistics for your website)
Woopra (watch visitors to your site in real-time)

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TPS Ep. 045 – Libsyn Launches a New Monetization Model for Podcasters – An Interview with Rob Walch

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 22:19:47 +0000

Wizzard Media recently announced that they are implementing a new program that will allow podcast producers, with any Libsyn.com account, to monetize their content. A basic Libsyn account can be purchased for as little as five dollars a month which would give you access to the subscription service.

Each Libsyn account will have the option to create a subscription based webpage on which a producer can add bonus content (audio, video, etc.), deliver their back catalog, or write premium blog posts. The decision on exactly how to monetize the content is completely up to the individual producer. You also get to decide how much or how little you want to charge for access to your premium content.

Revenue from subscriptions will be split 60-20-20. Sixty percent of the profit will go to the podcast producer with Libsyn and MediaPass getting the additional fourty percent split between them. Partnering with Wizzard/Libsyn to deliver your content in this manner saves you the trouble of setting this up on your own and managing subscriptions.

While this is not paid access to your feed, you can integrate this model with your current podcast corresponding feed by limiting the number of free episodes you keep in your public catalog. For example, if you have 100 episodes, you can make the most recent 50 episodes available for free via iTunes or any other podcatcher. This is done by limiting the number of that show up in your feed.

New subscribers could then access all previous episodes (1-50) by subscribing to your premium page (you set the price) at Libsyn.com. This is just one way to integrate a paid model into your podcast.

This is another great opportunity for podcasters to be able to start seeing profits from their efforts. If you want to get started, contact Rob Walch at Rob@wizzard.tv or Rob@podcast411.com and express your interest in getting started with a subscription model for your podcast.

Links mentioned on this episode
Wizzard press release
Libsyn (Liberated Syndication)
MediaPass
Podcast411.com (Rob’s podcast and resource page for podcasters)

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PQT – Powerpress 2.0 and HTML5

Ray Ortega — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 04:06:56 +0000

With the recent update of the Powerpress plugin for WordPress, your podcast can now be HTML5 and Apple device friendly.

HTML5 player for non-flash devices

This is an important point because of the iPhone’s dominate spot in the mobile market and the rise of the iPad as the primary tablet device of choice (at the time of this post). This translates into many people viewing your podcast on idevices and in order for them to play your episode via a player on your site, it needs to be an HTML5 player.

Powerpress 2.0 now allows you to embed an HTML5 player along with many new features.

To see how I am currently setting up my Powerpress plugin, see the images I posted at the end of this blog post:

Powerpress 2.0 and HTML5

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TPS Ep. 044 – Media Kits and A New Sponsorship Opportunity for Your Podcast

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 03:27:29 +0000

Learn how to start preparing your podcast’s media kit and about a new affiliate sponsorship opportunity from Audible.com.

I start off by answering a question from Sean who wants to know how he can improve the audio for his screencasts? He is currently using a headset but I talk about some different options that he can upgrade to and I have a surprise option for him that will work for free.

This episode takes a look at two different ways to start guiding your show towards earning income. Mike from Rock’n the Mike Podcast calls in to ask about building a media kit and what to do when approached by sponsors.

I answer his questions and give you some insight into how to start building your own media kit which will enable you to approach sponsors you might be interested in or provide those sponsors interested in you with valuable information about your show.

After that I talk about a new sponsorship opportiunity that is available to any podcaster who applies to and is accepted into the Audible.com affiliate program. This program gives you complete control over how much promotion you want to include in your show and offers a healthy return just for getting your listeners to sign up for a free trial.

Steve from Waves of Tech gets on the mic with me for a interview all about his role in talking Audible into providing this sponsorship opportunity to the independent podcaster and we discuss the plusses and minuses of being part of this program and placing an ad into your show.

Links from this episode
Audible Affiliate program

TPS Ep. 043 – Royalty Free Music and Using Your Basic Web Hosting Plan to Deliver Your Podcast

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 01:18:21 +0000

On this episode I debut my new show intro and talk about how my new podcast music can affect your show’s production value.

I also introduce a few new elements to the show’s introduction including an episode number and a tag-line. Learn how you can improve on your show intro and opening from a great post by Daniel over at The Audacity to Podcast.

I was recently interviewed on Ryan’s Top Shelf about my podcasting story and experience. You can listen to the his new show where he interviews other podcasters and asks them ten core questions related to their own podcasting experience. Check out episode 004 to listen to the questions that Ryan asked during my interview.

In an ever increasing attempt to keep your show evolving and improving, I introduce you to the idea of purchasing your own show music. There are many ways to get music for your podcast including Creative Commons, Garageband, having original music produced for you, etc. I talk about how purchasing affordable Royalty Free music can take your show to the next level.

Finally I talk about whether or not it’s a good idea to use your basic web hosting (typically what you use to host your website) service to host and deliver your podcast. I wrote up an entire blog post including conversations I had with two separate hosts in an attempt answer this question once and for all.

download this episode (44mb | 45.5 min.)

Links mentioned in this episode:
TAP30 – Show Introductions and Openings
Ryan’s Top Shelf Interview with Ray
Shockwave-sound.com (Royalty Free Music)
Neosounds.com (Royalty Free Music)
Bluehost Web Hosting
Lunarpages Web Hosting
Ray’s Blog Post Regarding Podcast Hosting on Basic Web Hosting Plans
Libsyn (Podcast Specific Hosting)

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PQT – Microphones for Video

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 02:25:15 +0000

Learn what options you have when choosing a microphone for your video podcast productions. In most cases audio is as important or even more important than the quality of your video. Find out the different types of microphones that you can use together with whatever video camera you have to get the best quality audio possible out of your video productions.

Types of microphones mentioned in this episode*

Beachtek XLR camera adapter
Juicelink XLR camera adapter
Audio Technica Shotgun Microphone
Dead Cat Windscreen for Shotgun Mics (buy the proper size for your mic)
Sennheiser MD46 ENG microphone
Zoom H4n Audio Recorder
Audio Technica ATR-3350 Lavalier Microphone

*most hyperlinks listed here are affiliate links which help support the show

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TPS Ep. 042 – Microphones for Video and iTunes Metadata

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 04:57:22 +0000

On this episode, Soundcloud.com announces that they will soon be supporting RSS feeds for their audio hosting service. I discuss what I think of the service for use as a podcast audio hosting solution and how you can get into the Soundcloud beta to be a tester for this new feature.

Finally I explain how itunes and various devices (ipods, ipads, iphones, etc) display your ID3 tags (metadata) both in itunes and on Apple devices. Since November of 2005, Apple has been using a combination of both the metadata that you insert into your mp3 files and the information contained in your RSS feed to come up with the information that is displayed on it’s various devices. Learn what tags control this information so that you can have more control of what information people are seeing about your podcast.

Links mentioned in this episode*

Soundcloud Podcast Beta
Beachtek XLR camera adapter
Juicelink XLR camera adapter
Audio Technica Shotgun Microphone
Dead Cat Windscreen for Shotgun Mics (buy the proper size for your mic)
Sennheiser MD46 ENG microphone
Singular Software’s Pluraleyes (for syncing audio to video in post production)
Blog post Regarding ID3 tag formatting and iTunes/Apple Devices via Rob @podcast411

*most hyperlinks listed here are affiliate links

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TPS Ep. 041 – Autopost Your Podcast to Facebook, Archiving Content and Hardware Versus Software FX Processors

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 18:50:31 +0000

On this episode I talk about how to post your podcast feed to facebook automatically including an audio player and how to keep your podcast alive after you stop producing it and paying for hosting.

I also discuss the differences between using a hardware versus software based compressor/limiter/gate. This is a non-essential piece of equipment and all of it’sprocesses can be handled in post production, however there are some benefits to using a real one.
download this episode (43mb | .mp3 | 45 min.)

html5 player for non-flash based devices

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PQT – Promote Your Podcast by Notifying the People and Products You Mention

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 04:20:40 +0000

Promote your podcast by contacting the people and or companies you mention in your show. Many times those people will respond by passing on your content to their community.

Whether it’s through a simple tweet or facebook post, your content gets exposed to infinite amounts of new listeners when it’s passed on by someone else. And typically when you are mentioning someone or something on your podcast, it’s something you are a fan of, use, or plan to buy. Therefore the person who you are most likely speaking kindly about or the product which you use and love is great promotion for them or their company.

In most cases when you let someone know that you are talking highly about them or their product, they have every motivation to pass that on to their community. You see it on the backs of books and website testimonials, people like it when you talk about them and their products.

So let them pay you back with a retweet, a facebook wall post, or maybe even a mention on their own show. Market your show and get your podcast in front of hundreds of new listeners just by making someone else aware that you talked about them.

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TPS Ep. 040 – USB Mixers, Recording Skype Video, and Podcasting Statistics for 2010

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 06:00:38 +0000

When choosing a mixer for your podcast there are some special considerations that I think each podcaster should think about before making their purchase. Some of these include the number of mic inputs your mixer will allow. Can you grow your show with the mixer you are planning to buy? Can it power condenser microphones and will it record multiple channels when connected to your computer? I bring up these questions and more to help you understand the special needs of a podcaster when choosing a mixer. I take a listener question from Gene who called in to find out how to record Skype video and how to take that video and put it on your blog/website. Also I take a look at the new statistics published by Edison Research and their “Current State of Podcasting” report for 2010. Tom Webster presented the information at Blogworld 2010 (see below for the entire talk and slides) and I discuss some of the most important insights that I think podcasters should take away from the talk. Finally, I tie in the information provided by Tom with recent actions I took on my site to upgrade the social sharing features I provide. I explain why I changed wordpress plugins in an attempt to clean up my site while still providing a way for users to pass on my content to their favorite sharing sites. download this episode (48 min. | .mp3 | 47 mb)

The Current State Of Podcasting from Tom Webster on Vimeo.

links mentioned on this episode Call Recorder – for recording Skype video on Mac Pamela – for recording Skype video on a PC ShareThis – WordPress plugin for social sharing buttons (twitter, facebook, digg, etc) The Current State of Podcasting for 2010 PDF” – slides from Tom’s presentation

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PQT – Choosing a Mixer for Podcasting

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 23:17:47 +0000

When you’re deciding on what kind of mixer to get for your podcast there are several things to consider before making your purchase. I run through the most important things I think you should be looking for in a mixer that will be used for producing podcasts.

Some of the things I like to have in a mixer include USB 2.0 or better, insert channels to properly attached effects processors, real faders, mute buttons, and a few more things you’ll hear about on this episode.

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PQT – Submit Your Podcast RSS Feed to iTunes Early

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 03:38:52 +0000

When creating a podcast, before you even publish it live to the internet, itunes or anywhere else, make sure to create a short 15 to 30 second promo for your show.

Creating a short promo will allow your podcast to get into the itunes store early, before your actual show’s launch date which will allow you to go live with your very first podcast without any barriers to being discovered on itunes.

Because you submitted your show early, the approval process will be completed before you publish your first episode. When your first episode is published, your itunes podcast page will have already been approved and your show will be immediately searchable in itunes as well as any other podcast directories you have submitted your show to (e.g. Zune, Miro).

In case you didn’t know, getting your show listed in itunes requires an approval process. Sometimes the process can take as little as half an hour but in most cases it can be days or even weeks before someone listens or watches your show and makes sure it meets requirements (valid feed, appropriate show art, etc) set out by Apple and the itunes store. So get your show submitted early, before you publish your very first episode and when you are ready to go live, your show will be ready to be found on itunes.

download this episode (4.5 mb|mp3|4.5 min.)

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TPS Ep. 039 – Audio Editors, Virtual Cart Machines, and Using Analytics to Track Success

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 04:20:10 +0000

Adobe Audition is now out for the Mac. Find out what I like about it, what I think you could use as an alternative and the effects I use when using Audition to process my audio.

Also discussed on this episode are virtual cart machines (soundbyte, pod producer, etc). These apps and programs allow you to bring other audio clips into your podcast recordings by easily organizing them into a push button display. Easily bring in intros, outros, sound effects and any other audio clips you want to load into the software.

I discuss the advantage to using the new “like” button for facebook and how using Google Analytics to set “funnels” can help you to achieve your desired conversion goals for on your website.

Also find out why I think you can stand to profit by giving away all of your knowledge and content for free! The more content you produce and publish in your niche, the more you establish yourself as an expert in your field. The best way to achieve this status is by making sure anyone and everyone interested in your content can consume it. By giving it away for free you are not only inviting everyone to view it, you are drawing people to your expertise and opening up the possibility for anyone to hire you or pay for other products you sell surrounding your content.

download this episode (46 min|mp3|44.5 mb)

Links mentioned in this episode:
Adobe Audition for the mac beta – free (until the beta is over).
Facebook Social Plugins – for installing a facebook like button plugin on your wordpress site
ID3 editor – for putting metadata into your mp3 files
Google Analytics – for website statistics
PodcastHelper (Ray) on facebook
sound byte for ipad – for inserting audio clips into your podcast recordings

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TPS Ep. 038 – Podcasting and the Law – An Interview with Entertainment Attorney Gordon Firemark

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 22:04:33 +0000

On this episode I interview entertainment lawyer and podcaster, Gordon Firemark.

We talk about the many different legal issues surrounding podcasting and podcasters including copyright, fair use, model releases and much more. Do you know your rights if your original content is taken and used without your permission or violates the copyright you have in place? What can you do to make sure you are getting proper credit for your content? Gordon tells how to approach such situations from both a formal (drop some legal forms on ‘em) and informal (ask nicely) perspective.

All the issues we touch on in this interview are explained in much deeper detail in Gordon’s new ebook: The Podcast, Blog and New Media Producer’s Legal Survival Guide. Get a discounted copy of the ebook by visiting: www.podcastlawbook.com and entering the promo code “PodcastHelper” upon checkout.

download this mp3 (57 MB|62 min.)

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PQT – iTunes Store Approval Times for Podcast RSS Feeds

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 00:37:49 +0000

How long does it take before a podcast RSS feed is accepted into the itunes store once you have submitted it?

When you’ve submitted your podcast to itunes and its not showing up in the itunes catalog, many podcasters start to worry that they did something wrong. So what do you do once you have submitted your RSS feed to itunes but it’s not showing up in the itunes store?

The answer is patience. In order to make sure your podcast has been submitted and is in the process of being reviewed, make sure you received the confirmation email that tells you that indeed your podcast RSS feed has been submitted to itunes. You should receive this email shortly after you submit your valid podcast feed.

Wait times for getting your podcast approved can be as long as 3 weeks or as quick as 30 minutes. Once your podcast has been reviewed by someone at apple (yes someone actually looks and/or listens to your podcast) you will receive an email telling you that your podcast has been accepted and the same email will contain very important information about your show such as links that you can use to find your show on the web and on itunes.

Make sure you save this email and archive it somewhere you will remember and access easily because almost certainly you will be looking for it again to use the important information contain within the email about your show.

download this episode’s mp3 (4.3 mbs|4.2 min)

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TPS Ep. 037 – A WordPress Feed Fix, A New Home for your Podcast, and a Great Blogworld Keynote

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 00:25:49 +0000

On this episode I introduce you to a new resource on ThePodcastersStudio.com, the newly redone blog which will be used to share emails that I receive regarding podcasting questions. Now everyone will benefit from the information I exchange with those people who take the time to write into the show.

I also introduce you to and encourage you to get your podcast feed into the Blackberry Podcast Store. This is another great place to feature your show and be discovered by a whole new group of people who might not of known you were producing great content.

The 2010 Blogworld and New Media Expo recently took place and for those of us who were unable to attend there are many great videos from the conference available online. Today I discuss one that I enjoyed most by Scott Stratten aka @unmarketing on twitter. He talks about the necessity to stop getting in the way of people consuming your content. Check out the talk in the video below and gain a bunch of insights into different ways to think of your blog and/or podcast.

right-click to download (31 mbs|32.5 min.)

Links mentioned in this episode:
Facebook page for The Podcasters Studio
Blackberry Podcast Store
Disqus Comment Plugin for WordPress
Intense Debate Comment Plugin for WordPress

ScottStratten from Blogworld on Vimeo.

PQT – Blackberry Podcast Store

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 23:38:53 +0000

Submitting your show to new podcatchers is the best way to grow your audience fast. Make sure to submit your podcast to all the podcasting directories you can find and don’t forget the thousands of people who are consuming, searching, and using the Blackberry Podcast store. Go to the Blackberry Podcast Store to create an account and submit all your podcasts (audio and video) today.
right-click to download (3.5 MB|3.5 min.)

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TPS Ep. 036 – Logo Design for Your Podcast

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 05:07:49 +0000

The importance of having a clean, easy to read, relevant show logo. Learn why your podcast’s show art is so important and how to improve on the one you already have or create one for free.

Also find out how to use Posterous to host your podcast for free but reasons why you might not want to.

download this episode

PQT – A Logo for Your Podcast

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 04:09:46 +0000

Learn why having a logo for your podcast is so important and how to create one for free. Also learn some of the most important elements of show logo design for maximizing the impact it has on your audience.
right-click to download

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PQT – A Powerful Facebook Strategy for Gaining More Listeners

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 17:32:14 +0000

Find out about a powerful facebook strategy I use to potentially gain a large increase in the amount of people listening and subscribing to your podcast.
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TPS Ep. 035 – Phone Calls From Within Your Browser via Gmail

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 04:42:10 +0000

On this episode I talk about making voice calls from within your browser via Gmail, Podcamp Philly 4 and the presentation I’ll be giving, Camtasia for the mac, Gnomedex 10, and I’ll answer a few of your call in questions. Oh and the dynamics of moving your podcast studio!

Yep I’m moving to a new studio and with that comes some challenges that you may or may not expect.

Links for this episode:

Google Voice

Podcamp Philly

Camtasia for mac

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TPS Ep. 034 – How to Avoid Losing Contact with Your Audience

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 04:03:46 +0000

On this episode, Vincent, host of This Week in Virology, calls in to talk about his mix-minus setup. Grant wants to know about slow download speeds from files hosted on blip.tv and I talk about having a plan to stay connected to your audience if one or more of your broadcasting channels goes down or gets shut off.

I also answer a few questions that came in via twitter since the last episode including, wireless mics for video, getting phone call audio into your mixer, and an easy way for getting your podcast into the Zune Marketplace.

right-click to download

Links for this episode:
Knowledge base article on Blip.tv for slow download speeds
This Week in Virology
Submit a Podcast to the Zune Marketplace
Sennheiser Wireless Mic Packages

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photo courtesy flickr user: mister softy

PQT – Remember Playback Position and Proof Listening

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 23:50:08 +0000

Learn the importance of using the "remember playback position" check box when tagging your podcast files with ID3 tags (i.e. metadata). This is one item I always check when filling in my ID3 information and can easily be done using the itunes software.

Also, do you listen to your own show? Do you make sure it's not a damaged file before you release it to the internet? Find out why I think this is important and how, at a minimum, you can make sure you are sending out quality audio and video files to your listeners.

right-click to download

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PQT – Provide Feedback to Podcasts

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 01:58:06 +0000

Today I’m asking the listeners of Podcast Quick Tips to submit their very own Podcast Quick Tip that I can play on the show. If you have a 2 to 4 minute tip about how to podcast that you would like to share on this show, please submit that tip by calling 925-567-3335 or better yet, send in your audio tip via email at Ray@ThePodcastersStudio.com.

This is not only a request for content and a way for me to promote your show, creating valuable content for my own show but also a great tip to podcasters who want to get the word out about their own show. If you have some helpful feedback that you can provide to another podcast that you listen to, whether that podcast is in your niche or not, send in your audio or written feedback and likely you will get the chance to be exposed to that show’s audience.

Not only will the podcaster appreciate your insight and feedback but you could reap the benefits of having another show promote and market your own show.

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PQT – One Click iTunes Subscription Buttons Versus iTunes Show Page URLs

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 21:55:02 +0000

Using an ITPC link to create a one-click subscribe button for your podcast on your website will exclude itunes from knowing you have a new subscriber. Don’t be cheated out of your stats and thus hurting your show’s ranking in the itunes podcast directory. Learn how to use native itunes links to make each subscriber count.

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TPS Ep. 033 – Multiple Feeds via Libsyn, Edit Your YouTube Videos, A Critical Piece of Podcast Gear and More!

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 05:54:30 +0000

Learn how to use your single Libsyn account to create multiple feeds, edit video in the cloud via YouTube, stalk that twitter account that you want but someone else has, and find out one of the most important parts of your podcast studio that you might not have considered.

Right-Click to download

Links mentioned in this episode:

Twittercounter - Track a twitter username you want to get but is currently taken.
Splitfeed: Libsyn’s explanation page for how to split your feeds within one account.
YouTube Remixer: Information about the new cloud based video editor for YouTube videos.
Libsyn3 comparison page to older versions of Libsyn (i.e. whats new?) with screenshots.
Herman Miller Aeron Chair: My newest, maybe most important, piece of studio gear.
Tweetmeme Translate Button: translate retweets from your site into your audience’s native language.

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TPS Ep. 032 – Sponsor Your Own Podcast

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 07:03:24 +0000

On this episode I talk about progress made in my experiments with html5 for audio and video, thoughts about sponsoring your own podcast, and new ideas about how to market your show with the intent of growing your audience.

We also have listener feedback sent in by Jerry of My Amateur Radio.com and Steve from Waves of Tech.com, who called in with their thoughts about TPS Ep. 31 where I asked podcasters their thoughts on apologizing to their audience.

right-click to download

Links mentioned in this episode:
Apple Podcast Spec. Page

Apple’s Develepor Site with Html5 Code for Audio and Video

Degradable html5 Plugin for WordPress

Miro Video Converter

7 Most Useful HTML5 Video Integrating Tools

New Media Minute Podcast by Daisy Whitney

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PQT – Publish Your Audio Podcast in the MP3 Format

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Wed, 19 May 2010 01:43:37 +0000

Learn why it’s important to always publish your audio podcast in the mp3 file format.
right-click to download

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TPS Ep. 031 – Mixers, Mix-Minus, and Edirol vs Zoom Comparison

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Mon, 10 May 2010 07:23:40 +0000

On this episode I’m talking about new gear in the studio including a Mackie ProFX12 mixer and the Zoom H4n.

I also discuss how I do a mix-minus setup for recording Skype calls. And I’m curious as a podcaster, do you apologize to your audience when you miss your regular schedule?

Learn about why I chose the Mackie mixer and how I set it up to perform a mix-minus which allows you to record a Skype conversation. I also recently bought a Zoom H4n for my HDDSLR video setup and I explain what I like about it in comparison to my other audio recorder, the Edirol R-09HR.

right-click to download

PQT – Using iMovie to Compress Video for iTunes

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 04:06:45 +0000

Learn an easy way to convert your videos into itunes friendly formats.
right-click to download

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TPS Ep. 030 – A Feedburner Refresher And Video Embed Players

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 06:43:00 +0000

On this episode I give you a Feedburner refresher course. What it’s used for, what it does, and why you might want to use it to add some spice and flexibility to your podcast RSS feed.

I also take a few minutes to discuss some of the issues that can arise when choosing a video embed player for your video podcast website. Do you want to use YouTube because of its great 720p HD player? Well if your video is more than ten minutes long, you may be forced to reconsider. I cover more topics such as this with regards to other video hosting sites such as vimeo and Blip.tv.

Also I share a web tool I’ve been using for quite awhile now but was recently reminded of the very reason I’m using it, Gravatar.

right-click to download

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PQT – Set Hyperlinks on Your Website to Open in a New Window or Tab

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 05:23:02 +0000

When you create a new hyperlink on your website it’s always good to set the link to open in a new window or tab so that the person visiting your site is not taken away from your page prematurely.
right-click to download

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Here’s some bonus video that I’ve placed on this post just as a test for the ipad. This is placed here using html5 code and appears to be working, playing a video on the page when viewed on an ipad.

TPS Ep. 029 – Gmail, Avatars, and Paypal

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:56:09 +0000

Learn about why I like having a gmail account for each show I produce. The importance of having a recognizable avatar across all your online communities, and how to use Paypal for free.

right-click to download

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PQT – Increase Your Search Ranking Through Relevant Episode Titles

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 22:33:24 +0000

Learn how to make your podcast rank higher in search results via google, bing, yahoo, etc.
By titling your episodes using relevant keywords (words that are contained within your episodes content), you are more likely to show up on the first page of search results when someone is looking for your niche focused content.
right-click to download

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TPS Ep. 028 – The Technical Pieces to Making Your Show a Success

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 09:49:04 +0000

If your podcast was up for an award, would it be a winner? On this episode you’ll find out which elements of a podcast are judged for The Podcast Awards. Get an inside look at the voting process and use it to make your show stronger.

Whether or not you are seeking an award winning show, this episode will inform you about all the factors that go into a strong podcast and podcast website. Following the tips here will make your podcast more relevant in search engines such as google and as a result you will receive more listeners to your show.

I also talk about the new spin-off podcast I’ve launched, Podcast Quick Tips and I answer a listener question about itunes and blip.tv.

right-click to download

Links from this show:
State of the Podcast Sphere (report by Todd Cochrane and company from GeekNewsCentral.com)

Some of the elements that Todd Cochrane listed as voting criteria for his annual podcast awards:

good Content
sound Quality
content matches you about page
nominations (count for 40 points max towards deciding score)
show notes
branding
download link
media player
visible RSS feed
valid RSS feed
itunes feed link
contact email

PQT – Make Full Use of Your Resources

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 05:49:58 +0000

Whenever possible ask friends, family to help you out with your show. Podcasting requires many resources most of which is your time and energy. If you have friends or family that are willing to help you produce your show even if just once in awhile, it creates more time for you to create new content instead of focusing too much on marketing, production and whatever else you have to do to grow your show.

This is especially helpful for video podcasters. Having someone to help you monitor audio and other things occurring on set can really help the production values of your video podcast.
right-click to download

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PQT – Make Sure You Have a Download Link

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 06:22:38 +0000

When embedding your audio and/or video file into your blog and/or website, make sure to include a text hyperlink to the raw file. This will allow users on mobile devices such as iphones and ipads to download and listen to your podcast.

This is also how some people prefer to receive your content. Some people would rather go to your webpage and be able to save your file to their computer so that they can migrate the audio or video to whatever player they choose. This is yet another yet to make sure you podcast is available for anyone who wants to play it.

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PQT – Don’t Let Them Leave Your Site Without Knowing You Have A Podcast

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 08:33:08 +0000

Visitors to your podcast’s website may leave within the first few seconds of arriving if they don’t see that you have a podcast that can be played easily. Make sure you place a podcast player on your website and at the top of each individual podcast episode post so that there is no confusion about where they can listen to your show.

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PQT – Using Google Voice as a Listener Feedback Call-in Line

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 08:32:10 +0000

Google voice is a free service that you can use to together with your podcast to allow your listeners to call into your show and leave voice mail feedback. Once someone calls your google voice number and leaves a message, you will be sent an email which will include an mp3 file which you can download and play on your next podcast episode. Sign up and give your viewers an easy to get in touch with your show.
right-click to download

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PQT – The Importance of Your Show’s Introduction Content

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 08:29:40 +0000

You never know how long any listener or viewer of you podcast is actually going to stay tuned in. Because of this is best to get your most important information out to them as soon as possible. Let them know all the things that will be covered on your episode, your email and website where they can go to find out more about your podcast.
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PQT – Options for Live Streaming Your Podcast

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 03:54:02 +0000

I talk about the various different online platforms you can use to produce a live stream of your podcast.

Are you interested in letting people watch you live while you record your show? If so then you can use various different sites to accomplish this. Sites such as Ustream, Livestream and Justin.tv are just a few of the options.

I explain how to accomplish this and which sites I like best and use to live stream my own podcast.
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PQT – Extend Your Content’s Mileage Using Twitter

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 08:23:17 +0000

Use twitter to get more mileage out of your content by tweeting about the various topics covered during an episode. For example, if on your most recent episode you talked about three different topics, you essentially should break up those topics into their own individual tweets. By doing so, you will be able to tweet about the same show, including a link URL three different times, however each tweet will be about a different topic that you covered within your episode.

This is a good way to expose your followers to the various topics you talked about on any one show. Often times we are not able to tell the listener every topic we talked about in our episode within the title of the episode. Doing so would lead to titles that were much too long.

By breaking up your topics into individual tweets, you let your friends on twitter know exactly what was covered on your show in its entirety. Often times someone might not be interested in listening to any given episode because the title of the episode only represents a portion of what you talked about and that portion might not be interesting to every listener. This way however, the listeners get to learn about topics that perhaps are interesting to them but might not have been mentioned in the title of the episode. In this way, you are not spamming your followers so much as you are giving them more detail about each show you produce. Remember to include a link to the episode mentioned.

Also, since tweets have a short shelf life (most followers don’t see each tweet) this gives your friends more chance they’ll actually see that you have a new episode published. Give it a shot and let me know how it works for you. Thanks for listening.
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TPS Ep. 026 – Podcast Statistics

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 05:23:13 +0000

Where do you find statistics about your podcast? I hear this question often and with it usually comes confusion about what exactly is going on with the stats you get from Feedburner. On this episode I talk all about the different places to find stats for your show and why Feedburner may not be your best option.

I also talk about my new piece of podcasting gear, an MDX4600 compressor/limiter/gate, and more info about Feedburner.

We also hear from Corey from the Average Joe Show, who called in some feedback regarding the live streaming episode.

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Links

MDX4600 compressor

Chatango (an embeddable chat for your website)

podtrac (stats tracking)

Libsyn (affordable, best audio and video hosting)

Twaud.io (record audio from your browser and send as a tweet)

TPS Ep. 025 – Learn How to Podcast Like a Pro – A Presentation Given at Podcamp Philly 3

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 04:09:29 +0000

A presentation I gave at Podcamp Philly 2009 about how to get the skills of a professional podcaster.

I talk about everything from audio to video. How to learn the skills needed to produce high quality podcasts on the level of a professional such as better audio, proper compression rates, better video, lighting and many other tools that some of the today’s best podcasters are using to produce successful shows, including the kind that make money.

Since many of the people who come to podcasting don’t have a background in audio and video production (including myself) there has to be a place to learn all of the skills without spending too much money or attending years of schooling.

This episode is an overview of all the elements needed to produce top quality podcasts without having a “studio” budget. Learn where and how I learned to podcast and why producing quality content is just as important as engaging content.

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Accompanying Powerpoint from the presentation

TPS Ep. 024 – Live Streaming Your Podcast

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 23:07:45 +0000

Going live to the internet is as easy as turning on your camera and connecting to any number of great free services. Broadcasting your podcast live adds a good deal of value to your show including live interaction with viewers, instant feedback, audience building, and an overall additional to your new media arsenal.

As long as you’re podcasting why not sign into Ustream.tv, Livestream.com, Justin.tv or any of the many free services that allow you to have a live broadcast studio right inside your own home. It’s a great way to let your viewers/listeners get an intimate look inside your production and ask you questions in real time. As well your audience gets the chance to interact with each other via chat.

On this episode I talk all about my personal favorites when it comes to live streaming web sites, how I use them and why.

If you enjoy the show and its content please take a moment to press the subscribe button and make sure you never miss any of the content released here at The Podcasters Studio.

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Other Links of Items mentioned in this Episode:
Virtual Video Switchers (allows you to add FX and mutlicam to your live stream productions)
CamTwist
WebcamMax
VidBlaster

TPS Ep. 023 – Video Podcasting

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 23:01:44 +0000

Learn how to get started in video podcasting and some fun YouTube hacks.

I talk about what cameras you need as well as other gear needed to start a video podcast. Also discussed are hosting options for you video, audio for video, and editing software options for both the Mac and PC.

Once you have created a video then what do you do with it? Distributing video is as important as creating it since you want the largest amount of exposure possible. Learn the best places to put your video on the web including iTunes and YouTube and the tools for doing so.

Also I talk about compression options, flash and embeddable players as well as various video formats.

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Links for this episode:
10 Useful YouTube Hacks via Makeuseof.com
Free Flash Player for your Website via LongTailVideo.com
TubeMogul (for mass video distribution)

TPS Ep. 022 – Video Interview with Indie Artist Matthew Ebel

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 04:46:50 +0000

An interview with independent music artist, Matthew Ebel who generates all his income solely through premium membership based podcasting.

Matthew is a well know musician in podcasting circles and you can hear his music being played on various shows across the intertubes.

On this episode learn more about Matthew and how he makes a living from producing his own music and how he integrates podcasting into his revenue stream.

You can out find out more about Matthew by visiting MatthewEbel.com or sign up for his music at MatthewEbel.net.

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TPS Ep. 021 – All About iTunes

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 07:23:59 +0000

iTunes is one of the most important tools for a podcaster. Regardless of how you feel about Apple, the iTunes software and store is something that every podcaster should be familiar with inside and out.

On this episode I cover some of the basics of iTunes such as how to get your show listed in the iTunes directory (submitting your feed) and some of the reasons why this is the first place you want your show to be listed.

Also discussed are some more advanced topics such as how to have a better shot at getting your show featured within iTunes and how you can use iTunes as a tool for adding ID3 tags and converting file formats.

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Links Discussed in this episode:

iTunes podcast spec page: http://www.apple.com/itunes/podcasts/specs.html

HTML code for creating your own clickable URL:

TPS Ep. 020 – VIDEO Interview with Steve Cherubino (from Podcamp Philly ’09)

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 03:20:32 +0000

Steve Cherubino interviewed at Podcamp Philly 2009 about his show the Podnutz Podcast.

Steve gives us a tip from his presentation on podcasting about how to dramitcailly increase the number of viewers for your podcast with one, easy to follow method.

Steve also shares his favorite piece of podcasting software.

TPS Ep. 019 – Deciding on a Show Topic and Developing Show Ideas – (GV Expo 2009 Podcasting Presentation)

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 08:24:52 +0000

A presentation given at the 2009 GV Expo on strategies for deciding on a podcast show topic and developing ideas for show content. Above is the powerpoint slides I used in the presentation.

Other things to take note of during this presentation and before in the introduction is the use of new podcast gear. The presentation was recorded using an Edirol R-09HR connected to the lapel mic from Sennheiser eW 100 G2 wireless mic system.

The microphone used in the introduction to this episode is the Heil PR40 connected to the Heil boom and an after market pop filter. For the introduction of this episode the Heil PR40 was connected to an Alesis MulitMix 8 firewire mixer (discontinued) which then took the audio out and into the Edirol.

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TPS Ep. 018 – Video interview at Podcamp Philly 2009 with the Mike Tech Show

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 06:29:31 +0000

A video interview (6 min.) with Mike from the Mike Tech Show. I recorded live to file, a few video interviews from Podcamp Philly 2009 at Temple University and I’m bringing them to you as bonus content to the normal audio show.

This was my first time with this new microphone and as you can hear I had it too close to my mouth so please excuse that. However you can tell that the mic sounds great when talking to Mike and held at least 6 inches away from the mouth.

Mike talks about his entry into podcasting and offers up some great tips for fellow podcasters.

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TPS Ep. 017 – Part 2 of my Interview with Jeff Roney

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 05:37:03 +0000

Jeff’s back in the studio, virtually via Skype, with part two of our interview.

On this episode we talk about twitter strategies, connecting with your audience, SEO, being a more efficient podcaster, content ideas for your show, and we take a look inside Jeff’s studio including what hardware and software he uses to produce his shows.

Take a listen and make sure to email your questions to me here at ThePodcastersStudio [at ] gmail.com or call in via our in studio phone line at 925.567.3335.

Also if you are in need of podcast consulting, you want to build your own show or improve the one you already have, please visit the consulting page and contact me for one-on-one training and development.

Thanks for listening, now go start a podcast….or two!

All music on this podcast are licensed via Creative Commons and available at www.MusicAlley.com

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TPS Ep. 016 – Podcast Freebies, Skype Tune Up, Mic Review, and Much More

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:32:16 +0000

This episode of The Podcasters Studio takes a look at a variety of podcasting options such as how to record Skype calls for free (if you’re on a mac), how to make your Skype better suited for recording interviews, a great review by Neil aka @GeekwithGlasses covering the Audio Technica ATR3350 wired lavalier mic for video cameras, a great way to make easy money from your show, and much more!

Below are the links to all the items talked about in this episode.

The Levelator: a free piece of software for either Mac or Windows that evens out your finished audio file.
Conversation Network’s SlideShow for improving your Skype connection.
List of various software programs for recording Skype.
How to record Skype using Garageband via 360east.com.
Neil’s review of the AT3350 wired lavalier microphone for video cameras.
Amazon’s Associates program. Get paid for the stuff you promote on your show or anything at all!

Podsafe Music Network Artists featured on this episode of The Podcasters Studio. (listed in order of appearance)

Al Phlipp & The Woo Team – A man Reborn (open)
Adam Woodall Band – Runaway (intro)
Bodybag – Tears Garden (featured as a transition)
cshc – e-cock (transition)
Aron Bass – lma (transition)
Anonymous American – Sleep Tight (outro)

All artists and songs are made available via Creative Commons License at www.MusicAlley.com

TPS Ep. 015 – An Interview with Podcaster Jeff Roney from Roneyzone Productions (part I)

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:45:08 +0000

On this episode of The Podcasters Studio I talk with Jeff Roney from Roneyzone Productions. Jeff also produces several other podcasts and incorporates a whole host of voice actors in his original work, New World Army Podcast.

In part one of this interview we learn a little about Jeff and his long life (141 episode of Roneyzone Radio alone) as a podcaster. Jeff tells us how to land big interviews with “celebrities” of which he has interviewed several.

You’ll learn about great resources for monitoring what’s being said about you and your show on the web and great tips for getting the word out about your podcast. Jeff has built an awesome social media device for promoting podcasters, Show a Podcaster Some Love #SAPSL! Find out more about it in this episode.

Jeff also talks about making money with podcasting and the future of not only his own shows but podcasting in general. This episode is filled with great tips and conversation. So much so that we split the interview into two parts based on Jeff’s tips for getting more content for your time.

Take a listen and make sure to email your questions to me here at ThePodcastersStudio [at] gmail.com or call in via our in studio phone line at 925.567.3335.

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TPS Ep. 014 – Getting Audio into your Computer

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 22:33:31 +0000

On this episode of The Podcasters Studio (TPS) I talk about the TPS website redesign, the importance of getting a business card made for your podcast, and some thoughts about mics, mixers, and audio interfaces.

The TPS website now has a cleaner look and incorporates a tumblr blog. If you don’t know about tumblr.com, go to the site and consider starting a tumblr blog for your show. It can also be used as a homepage for your podcast if you are looking for a really simple solution.

Business cards make your brand look more professional. As well they give you an easy way to pass the word about your show. Leave them in random places where people who you might think would be interested in your content will see them. Give them out to everyone you come into contact with and get the message out about your show. Learn some great resources for getting your own affordable business cards for your show on this episode.

Getting audio into your computer is not always a simple process. Learn about different ways for doing this specifically if you are interested in getting a mixer or an audio interface for your professional microphones.

Follow the show and ask your questions via twitter.com/podcasthelper.

TPS Ep. 013 – Free Audio Editing Solutions

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:22:59 +0000

There are many ways to record and edit your podcast.

In this episode I cover some of the best free solutions out there available to podcasters.

I talk about products such as Audacity, Garageband, and host of great web based solutions presented by Aviary.

I also talk a little about audio compression/encoding including a very useful tip for using itunes to spice up your podcast audio file.

TPS Ep. 012 – An Interview with Cliff Ravenscraft of GSPN.TV

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 22:47:15 +0000

On this episode of The Podcasters Studio I interview Cliff Ravenscraft of GSPN.tv. Cliff is a full time podcaster meaning he makes his living, all of his income from podcasting.

Listen as Cliff explains his life before deciding to turn podcasting into his career and his life after. Cliff hosts and/or produces more than 22 different shows under his network called Generally Speaking Production Network (GSPN).

In this, our longest show ever, we hear how Cliff is able to make his money from podcasting as well as the gear he uses and excellent advice about some of the things to think about when trying to obtain a sponsor for your own show.

Find out more about Cliff and his shows at http://www.gspn.tv and you can follow him on twitter by going to twitter.com/gspn.

Remember to follow this show at twitter.com/podcasthelper where you can get real time answers to your podcasting questions.

Subscribe to this show via iTunes and if you enjoy the content please give the show a review when you visit the iTunes page.

TPS Ep. 011 – Successful Twitter Strategies for Podcasters

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 06:30:37 +0000

Successful Twitter Strategies for Podcasters – How to Find, Engage, and Build Your Audience via Twitter

Learn how to find the exact people your show is targeting. Get quality followers and build your shows audience with my method for using Twitter effectively.

Also Check out Bit.ly for a url shortener that allows you to track stats for your links.

TPS Ep. 010 – Plugins and Widgets for Your Podcast’s WordPress Blog

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 08:07:32 +0000

courtesy Flickr user Darren Hester

On this episode I take a look at increasing the value of your blog through plugins and widgets. These are some of the plugins and widgets that I use here at The Podcasters Studio dot com and the ones I feel will benefit you the most as a podcaster. If you start a blog to support your podcast, take a look at each of these plugins and/or widgets listed below and integrate the ones that you feel will work best for your blog and podcasting needs.

Links to Plugins and Widgets Mentioned in this Episode:
1 Pixel Out Audio Player – a clean looking flash player for your visitors to play your podcast mp3′s on your site
Tweetmeme – an easy way to let your viewers retweet your blog post and it shows how many times this has occurred
Lijit – a better search for your site
Feedjit – a live view of who visited your site, how they got there, and where they came from

music used for this episode: 37hz “Spiral Song”, Adam Woodall Band “Runaway”, 3ce “Outside-Inside” – All songs are licensed via CC license and found at music.podshow.com.

TPS Ep. 009 – Creative Commons and Podcast Production Resources

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 03:55:28 +0000

pic courtesy Flickr user: TilarX

On this episode of The Podcasters Studio I talk about Creative Commons Licensing, what it is, why you want to use it as a podcaster, and how to use it.

Also I talk about some of my favorite free resources that I use to produce my podcast and as a result of Creative Commons you’ll benefit from these resources as well.

music used for this episode: 37hz “Spiral Song”, Adam Woodall Band “Runaway”, 3ce “Outside-Inside” – All songs are licensed via CC license and found at music.podshow.com.

TPS Ep. 008 – An Interview with Susan Bratton of the Personal Life Media Podcasting Network

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:48:28 +0000

Susan Bratton, CEO of Personal Life Media

Susan Bratton is co-founder and CEO of Personal Life Media. She also hosts her own wildly successful podcast called DishyMix.

Personal Life Media is a podcast network consisting of 40 different podcasts. Each podcast is unique but all are tied into a common theme, your personal life. As well, the network produces information products that can expand and help you produce your best podcast episodes.

Susan is a super star in new media culture and has many years of experience interacting with the people who move media in the internet age.

Find out all about Susan and Personal Life Media in this interview. Learn how her newest information product, Talk Show Tips, can help you become a better interviewer.

Learn what it takes to run a 40 show podcasting network, be the vice-chairman of the Association for Downloadable Media (an organization focused on podcasters) and hear all about how she handles a career in new media.

Susan also provides a powerful tip to podcasters who want to ask unique and interesting questions to their interviewees. All this and more on this episode of The Podcasters Studio.

TPS Ep. 007 – Marketing Your Podcast

@podcasthelper — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 03:36:29 +0000

Promoting your podcast can take just as much time as it takes to produce a single episode and really it’s a never ending process. However, this is an essential part of growing your community.

On this episode learn the various techniques that have worked for me over the years of producing several different podcasts.

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TPS Ep. 006 – Podcast Hosting Solutions

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 22:41:07 +0000

On this episode of The Podcasters Studio I talk about where to host your podcast files. It’s important before you officially launch your podcast that you have a hosting solution. You need to have a place where your mp3 or video files live.

Because you never know how popular your show will become, you want to host your files at a site that allows your show to grow without charging you for extra bandwidth. If your show gets linked to from another blog that has heavy traffic and you are not aware of this and you are hosting the files yourself, you could end up with one hefty bandwidth bill that you were not expecting.

In order to avoid this I present several options for storing your files online, including what I have used over the last few years and what I think are the best options for podcasters. Check out this episode for this important information that is a must know/decide before your show launches.

Remember to follow the show and ask questions anytime as well as recieve real time answers at twitter.com/podcasthelper.

TPS Ep. 005 – Feedburner for the Podcaster

@podcasthelper — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 03:00:47 +0000

On this edition of The Podcasters Studio Ray talks about the importance of using Feedburner if you are a podcaster.

Feedburner.com, recently purchased by Google, is service that allows you to customize your feed. Once you have a feed for your show, head on over to Feedburner.com and burn your feed. Doing so will allow you to create a valid feed that is recognize across all platforms as well as providing you the necessary enclosures for itunes submission.

Along with a valid feed and itunes compatibility, feedburner allows you to dress up your feed and include graphics, links to various sites like Digg.com, twitter, and much more. Maybe one of the most important features is allowing your viewers the ability to subscribe to your podcast via email.

Tune in and listen to what feedburner can do for you and why it’s a must have if you are a podcaster. Don’t delay because this step should be taken before you launch your very first episode!

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TPS Ep. 004 – Blogging for the Podcaster

Ray aka @podcasthelper — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 02:08:39 +0000

On this edition of The Podcasters Studio I talk about the importance of having a blog site for your podcast.

Having a podcast is not enough. Sure you can let your show live only in places like iTunes or Youtube but what about those times when you want to send a viewer or a potential viewer to one site to get all the information about your show? That’s what a blog is for.

On a blog you can post each episode of your show along with show notes which outline some of the most important topics you talked about in your episode. These notes (i.e. text) also make your show more search engine friendly so that when people on the internet are searching for the type of content you are producing, you are most likely to show up in their results.

These are just a couple reasons why each podcaster should have a blog site to supplement their podcast and it doesn’t have to cost anything but a little of your time. Find out all about your options, including free suggestions, for your blog, on this episode of The Podcasters Studio.

TPS Ep. 003 – Skype for the Podcaster

@podcasthelper — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 06:02:35 +0000

On this episode of The Podcasters Studio I talk about Skype. What it is and the different ways it can be used.

Special focus is placed on the benefits of using Skype for podcasters. Learn what you will need to start conducting interviews with Skype including gear, software, and additional tips.

Have you ever wanted to record an interview where you and the interviewee were not in the studio together? I will let you know what you need to accomplish this whether you are on a PC or Mac.

Find out all about Skype in this edition of The Podcasters Studio.

Follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/podcasthelper and feel free to ask questions anytime, I love to help.

-Ray

TPS Ep. 002 – How to Start a Podcast – The Gear and Software Needed to Produce Your Own Podcast

@podcasthelper — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 05:59:58 +0000

On this episode of The Podcaster’s Studio I talk about the tools (hardware, software, and tips) you’ll need to start your very own podcast.

Learn about the different levels of production quality and decide where what category you fall into (on the cheap, mid-level, or all out production).

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For live updates make sure to follow me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/podcasthelper

TPS Ep. 001 – A Welcome to The Podcasters Studio

@podcasthelper — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 14:44:36 +0000

Hello Podcasters or anyone simply with an interest in podcasting!

This is the first post on this blog site and I just wanted to take a moment to tell you what this site is all about.

The Podcasters Studio primary goal is to take you behind the scenes of podcasting. What gear do podcasters use? Where do they record or film their shows? How do they get their show from the studio, which could be as simple as a spare bedroom or as complex as a professional studio, to the web?

This inside look will be accomplished in many ways. There will be blog posts with pictures and diagrams as well as audio and even video! I’ll have video interviews with podcasters and get an inside look at their studios, their lives, and their techniques.

I developed this site because I like to help people learn about my passion, podcasting. I also enjoy producing podcasts and as a result this will also serve as a place to not only read about The Podcasters Studio but to watch as well. The podcast that will compliment this site will be of the same name.

The secondary goal of this site is to share everything that I learn about podcasting with you, the viewer or fellow podcaster. I spend countless hours on the web learning techniques, tips, and tricks about how to produce a podcast and all the elements that surround this emerging media.

The plan is to populate this site with any and all podcasting related material. As I learn something new, I will post it here. When I find a new great tutorial, I’ll make it a new blog post. I’ve also had lots of experience producing podcasts and often gives talks regarding all the techniques you will find here.

I currently work on four different web shows including this one as well as occasionally helping others with their own shows. You can check out all these shows by visiting the “My Web Shows” section located on the right. Enjoy, explore, and contribute!

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