Podcasting Help

I have heard of Podcasting and have had friends who have made Podcasts for fun. It was until recently that I thought about using a Podcast for business. It is a clear and direct way to community your companies mission and goals. Since I am not an expert on Podcasting I looked towards an expert to help guide how to make a podcast effective. Dave Jackson from School of Podcasting was kind enough to give guidance.

Who should record a Podcast?

"Anyone who wants to reach a world wide audience. Anyone who has information that will move their audience (laugh, cry, think, anger). Anyone who wants to be seen as an expert in their field. Anyone who wants to build a relationship with like minded people.”
Should I broadcast over radio or Podcast?

“Radio may reach more listeners (in some cases), but as Clear Channel owns most of the stations, you are not getting on the radio any time soon. If you did, you also have to make sure not to say anything that might upset sponsors, and be sure to squeeze it into the allotted time frame (between traffic and the weather). Podcasting reaches a niche market with no restrictions on time or language and it can be replayed over and over. Podcasting is able to be listened to over and over (the buzz phrase is “time shifted” material). Radio, if you miss it when it is broadcast there is no way to hear it again. While Radio has quantity, Podcasting has quality.”

What can a Podcast do for my business?

“Podcasting can keep your name in front of the customer. It can update them about new products. Podcasting positions you as a trusted friend. For example Maytag (the washing machine people) do not do a podcast about washing machines. They do a podcast with tips for their market like “How to get your kids to brush their teeth longer.”

“Podcasting can also develop a steady stream of feedback (positive and negative) about your company as well as ideas for the future. Authors are getting instant feedback on their books and getting ideas for future books through feedback from their podcast.”

What are five simple keys to starting to Podcast?

1. Pick a topic that you are passionate about and that will move your audience. Content is KING.
2. Listen to other podcasts that are similar to the one you are creating, and take notes.
3. Buy your microphone ($67-$99).
4. Record a test show, and get someone besides Mom to critique it.
5. Secure hosting for your website and media, and publish (ok I know that’s a couple steps).


I have one week to put a Pod-cast together and fit in between everything else what do I do?

“Some people are actually using portable recorders to record while they drive. One podcast (Marketing Over Coffee) is recorded at 6 in the morning between two friends in a Dunkin Doughnuts (complete with background noise) So you record intro and outro segments with music. Then later you take the audio you recorded in the car and sandwich it between your intro and outro and publish. People will sit through “so-so” production for phenomenal content. Nobody will sit through great production for awful content.”
Where do I broadcast my Podcast?
“If we go back to radio, you talk into a microphone that is transmitted on a specific frequency over the airwaves that is then “translated” into sound by your radio. With podcasting you talk into a microphone and upload your media that is syndicated via an RSS Feed (Really Simple Syndication) and is “translated” by an RSS reader such as iTunes or Google reader. To see this in action go to www.learntosubscribe.com In the same way that you can tune in to a specific station based on their radio frequency, you can subscribe to a podcast using the unique RSS feed on their website (which is typically generated by their blog). In a nutshell, a podcast is audio, video, or a pdf that is tied to your blog. You “broadcast” from your website.”

Is it better to have an interview or just an information session?

“Interviews help build your audience (as the interviewee should have some followers). Interviews allow the listener to listen in on a conversation. If this is useful information, than the listener appreciates the interviewer (host) who brought them the information. If the host(s) just provide information than they are seen as the trusted party (and expert). Either is fine. The key is great content.”

Where can I go for help with my Podcast?

“Well I’m biased on this one, but I’m a big fan of the School of Podcasting (probably because I run it) at schoolofpodcasting.com. It has step by step tutorials that will help explain all the “geek speak” like condenser microphones, RSS feeds, sampling rates, and bitrates. It also has resources like music for your intros and outros, links to software, and tools to help promote and/or sell your podcast. The last thing is I hold live webinars to answer any questions members might have (which sets me apart from a podcasting book). “

What services do you provide?

“Well I have the School of Podcasting at www.schoolofpodcasting.com which is for the “Do it yourself” podcaster. I also have www.podcastmechanic.com for people looking for one on one consulting, podcast reviews, and custom website design. I have www.podcastclicks.com which is a podcast promotion tool, and I am working on a website that will help podcasters find guests for their shows. I also have a podcast with podcasting tips at http://shownotes.schoolofpodcasting.com”

What Podcasts do you follow?

“I’m all over the place. For music I like The Scene Zine (www.thescenezine.com), Cross Driven Radio (www.crossdrivenradios.com) and A1 Blues (www.a1blues.com) , for marketing I like Marketing Over Cofee (www.marketingovercofee.com) , for Fitness I like Fit Life Today (http://www.fcapodcasting.com/fitlife/) for quick financial tips I like “My money Life” (http://crown.org/Media/default.aspx). For politics I like No Agenda at www.noagendashow.com For story telling I love the Bitterest Pill (www.thebitterestpill.com ) and Digital Flotsam (www.digitalflotsam.org)”

Take-Aways: Content is the most important aspect to a Podcast. Make sure to target your audience, and make sure you have a delivery system. Podcasting is a way to brand and market your business providing direct communication with your audience. Thank you to Dave Jackson from School of Podcasting.