Mike Murphy Unplugged

Episode Summary: A behind-the-scenes look at the full 10-step podcast production workflow — from verifying an episode went live through newsletter curation for the next one.

What You'll Learn

• The full 10-step production workflow, start to finish, for every episode
• Why exercise and breakfast made the list as a real workflow step
• The tools used at each stage: writing, recording, tagging, and scheduling
• How social media promotion gets batched around the recording day

The 10-Step Workflow

1. Verify. Confirm the new episode is live in iTunes and in the Podcasts app. Tip: subscribe to your own show — it makes it easy to catch typos or swap a bad audio file quickly.
2. Organize & set up the framework. Set up the WordPress blog post, create episode artwork in InDesign, and replicate the newsletter template in Mailchimp.
3. Social media marketing. Use Buffer in Chrome to queue posts across Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.
4. Exercise & breakfast. A genuinely important part of the workflow — not a throwaway step.
5. Script writing. See Episode 40 for the full scripting process. The Pomodoro Timer App ($2.99) helps keep writing sessions focused.
6. Social media maintenance & correspondence. Re-buffer the morning's posts and respond to comments, replies, and likes.
7. Recording & editing. Done in Adobe Audition.
8. Tagging & uploading. Tag the MP3 with ID3 Editor and upload to Libsyn.
9. Show notes & WordPress scheduling. Show notes get drafted partly in Scrivener, mostly in Byword, a multi-markdown writing app.
10. Newsletter & topic curation. Handled in Mailchimp.

Show Notes & Links

• Buffer
• Episode 40: The Script Show
• Pomodoro Timer App
• Adobe Audition
• ID3 Editor
• Libsyn
• Scrivener
• Byword
• Mailchimp

Related Episodes

• Episode 40: The Script Show

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Episode Summary: What equipment and gear power this podcast — a full breakdown of the audio chain, microphone terminology, and a tiered shopping list for one-man-band content creators planning their setup.

What You'll Learn

• The full audio chain: microphone, XLR cables, gain booster, interface, DAW
• Dynamic vs. condenser microphones, and why dynamic wins for podcasting
• A tiered microphone shopping list, from under $100 to $300+
• The exact hardware setup used to record every episode of this show

Ask Mike Anything: Green Screens with a Webcam

Question: Can a Logitech C920 webcam be used with a green screen for screencast tutorials?

Answer: Yes. The basics of green screening (chroma keying) are covered well in this B&H Video tutorial: How to Use a Green Screen. Screencasting software: Screenflow and Camtasia.

The Basics: Audio Chain

Microphone → XLR cables → Cloudlifter or FetHead (gain booster) → audio interface (mixer or standalone interface) → DAW (digital audio workstation).

Microphone Terminology

Dynamic microphones (recommended for podcasting) are widely used in broadcasting because they pick up sound right in front of them and reject unwanted room noise. They don't require phantom power, but tend to be "gain hungry."

Condenser microphones are more sensitive and pick up more ambient/room noise, and do require phantom power.

Update: the Audio-Technica ATR2100 jumped to $79.99 on Amazon after previously selling for $35-50 — its popularity with new podcasters drove the price up fast.

Dynamic mic examples: ATR2100, Shure SM58, Shure Beta 58A, Rode Podcaster, Rode Procaster, Electro-Voice RE-320, Shure SM7B, Heil PR-40, Electro-Voice RE-20.

Condenser mic examples: most USB and shotgun microphones, including the Blue Yeti, plus the newer Shure MOTIV Mics.

Mike's Hardware

Microphone: Shure SM7B Boom arm: Rode PSA-1 Gain booster: Cloudlifter / Triton FetHead XLR cables: Canare XLR Cables Mixer: Allen & Heath ZED 10 USB (main interface) Audio interface (backup): Scarlett 6i6 Headphones: Sony MDR-7506 Computer: MacBook Pro Retina (13") DAW: Adobe Audition

Read the complete show notes and resources on mikemurphy.ai.

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Episode Summary: Why write a full script before recording? The 5 real benefits of scripting a podcast episode, plus the exact tools used to write and format every one.

What You'll Learn

• Why submitting an RSS feed once to each directory is all a podcast ever needs
• 5 real benefits of writing a full script before recording
• How scripting turns into blog posts, tutorials, and eventually a book
• The two tools used to write scripts and format show notes

Ask Mike Anything: Will My Podcast Auto-Distribute to Every Directory?

Question: When I launch my podcast and submit it to iTunes, will my podcast automatically be distributed to all of the other podcast directories?

Answer: No. The RSS feed has to be submitted manually to each directory a show wants to appear in — but only once. Popular directories: iTunes, Stitcher, Spreaker, Google Play. Resource: Podcast Places lists submission links for every major directory. Bottom line: submit the RSS feed once per directory, and every new episode published after that updates each directory automatically.

Benefits of Writing a Podcast Script

1. Preparation. Writing a script forces real homework and research up front — by the time it's done, the material is known inside and out, which makes recording day far less stressful.
2. Recording time. Working off a script (and rehearsing while writing it) makes recording dramatically more efficient — fewer "umms" and "ahhs," less re-taking.
3. Knowledge & authority. The act of writing forces a deeper understanding of the topic than talking through it off the cuff ever would.
4. Writing skill. Podcasting has meant a lot of practice at a completely new, more technical and organized style of writing than college English ever demanded.
5. Repurposing power. A finished script becomes the raw material for blog posts, Medium articles, tutorials, vlogs — and eventually, a book.

Tools Used to Write the Script

Scrivener is the writing tool of choice for the script itself. Byword is the multi-markdown app used to format the show notes afterward.

Show Notes & Links

iTunes Connect Stitcher Spreaker Google Play Podcast Places Scrivener Byword

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Episode Summary: What Google Apps for Work is, what's included, and 4 concrete ways podcasters and online brands can put it to use — from episode tracking sheets to guest collaboration.

What You'll Learn

• What Google Apps for Work is and what it costs per user
• The full suite: communication, storage, and collaboration apps
• How email and domain aliases work for a podcast business
• 4 concrete ways podcasters can use Google Apps day to day

Ask Mike Anything: Do You Need Expensive Headphones?

Question: Are expensive headphones necessary for recording a podcast, or are Apple earbuds good enough?

Answer: Upgrading from Apple earbuds is worth it if possible — dedicated headphones give a flatter, cleaner sound that makes it much easier to catch recording issues. Tip: still keep a pair of Apple earbuds around for quality control, since a lot of listeners hear the show through them — knowing how it sounds on common devices matters.

Headphones used here: Sony MDR-7506. Popular/recommended alternatives: Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, M-Audio Q40, Beyerdynamic DT 770.

What Is Google Apps for Work?

Per Google's own description: an all-in-one suite to communicate, store, and create. Google Apps covers the admin side of a business — email, calendar, word processing, spreadsheets, and more. Not the flashy stuff, but the stuff that keeps a business on track.

What Does It Cost?

$5/user per month for the base plan, or $10/user per month for increased storage and additional features.

What's Included with Google Apps

Communication apps: Gmail, Calendar, Google Hangouts, and Google+. Storage: Google Drive. Collaboration tools: Google Docs, Sheets, Forms, Slides, and Sites — see Google's own collaboration tips.

Tip — email aliases: create unlimited prefixes on one domain — mike@, info@, hello@, feedback@, etc.

Tip — domain aliases: route other owned domains through the same account, so an address like [email protected] works too.

Google Apps Features Used Here

Gmail, Calendar, Google Drive, Google Docs (Docs, Sheets, Forms, Sl…

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Episode Summary: What Adobe Creative Cloud actually is, what it costs, and every Adobe program used across the podcast production workflow — from audio editing to episode artwork to video.

What You'll Learn

• What Adobe Creative Cloud actually is, and what it costs at every tier
• The exact Adobe program used for every part of the production workflow
• A list of the most useful Adobe mobile apps at the time
• Why routine, not motivation, is what actually keeps a publishing schedule consistent

Ask Mike Anything: Staying Consistent with a Busy Lifestyle

Question: How do you keep a consistent publishing schedule with a busy lifestyle?

Answer: The podcast has to become a priority and part of the routine — no exceptions. Bottom line: it needs to sit on the calendar like any other commitment. If the current format isn't working or the podcast starts controlling you, adapt and change it. This show runs as a one-man-band format because it fits — interviews would likely drive more downloads, but doing what genuinely fits and sticking to a schedule is what actually keeps episodes on time.

What Does Adobe Creative Cloud Cost?

A free 30-day trial is available. Individual subscriptions run $50/month; students and teachers get the full bundle for just $19.99/month. À la carte single programs (like Audition) run $19.99/month. The Photography Bundle (Photoshop + Lightroom) is just $9.99/month.

A Quick Overview of Adobe CC

Adobe Creative Cloud bundles 28 professional-grade programs and roughly 12-15 mobile apps. It also integrates with Behance (online portfolios), Adobe Stock (stock photography), and Typekit (font library). Places to learn Adobe tools: Lynda.com, KelbyOne, Skillshare.

The Adobe Tools Actually Used

Podcast audio editing: Adobe Audition. Photography and general workflow: Photoshop, Lightroom, Bridge. Episode artwork and publishing work (PDF guides, etc.): InDesign. Logo and vector work: Illustrator. Video work: Premiere Pro, After Effects, Adobe Media Encoder, and Speedgrade. Other tools: Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Muse.

Show Notes & Links

Read the complete show notes and resources on mikemurphy.ai.

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Episode Summary: What Instagram is, how it fits into a real photo and editing workflow, and 9 concrete tips for podcasters looking to promote their show through it.

What You'll Learn

• Quick Instagram FAQ: history, user base, and photo/video specs
• The full photo and photo-editing workflow used for Instagram
• A go-to hashtag set and how to compile your own
• 9 concrete Instagram tips built specifically for podcasters

Ask Mike Anything: Voice & Audio Apps for Promotion

Today's question came via email from Vivian Carrasco of The Turning Inward podcast: Question: what's the difference between all the voice apps like Anchor and Clammr, and which ones are worth using?

Answer: Two favorites for podcast marketing and promotion: Clammr (24-second soundbites) and Adobe Voice — since renamed Adobe Spark Video (as of May 2016), which mixes in photos and video.

Instagram FAQ

• Started in 2010
• A photo and video social media app for iOS and Android
• 400 million active users, up from 90 million just 3 years earlier
• Bought by Facebook for $1 billion in 2012
• 29% of the US population over 12 uses Instagram
• More than 80 million photos uploaded daily
• 3.5 billion daily likes
• Photos no longer have to be square — any aspect ratio is permitted
• Videos up to 1 minute long

Why Instagram Gets Used Here

Marketing, personal creativity and development, networking, and simply a love of photography.

How Instagram Gets Used

Workflow: shoot on a Canon T5i, edit in Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop, and use AirDrop to move photos to an iPhone for final posting.

Related iOS apps: Adobe Post — since renamed Adobe Spark Post — plus Over, Boomerang and Hyperlapse (both by Instagram), VSCO (popular), Snapseed (a great photo editor), and PicsArt.

Photo tip 1: export photos to Instagram at 2048x2048px. Photo tip 2: the Dehaze filter in Lightroom and Camera Raw is the secret sauce. Done is better than perfect: don't obsess over editing every Instagram photo.

Hashtags

Look at what others in the niche use and compile a personal set. This text-replacement shortcut…

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Episode Summary: The art of making tutorials — how to find topics worth teaching, a real 3-step production process, and a genuine outreach script for landing influencers and high-profile guests.

What You'll Learn

• A real script for reaching out to influencers and high-profile guest candidates
• Where to find genuinely good tutorial topic ideas
• The 3-step process: script, record, edit
• Why making tutorials is worth the time, beyond just the content itself

Ask Mike Anything: Landing Influencers and High-Profile Guests

Question: How do you get influencers and high-profile guests on your show?

Answer: Build a real relationship and connection with anyone worth having as a guest first. Start small, stay respectful — this is planting a seed, not screaming for attention or stalking someone's feed. Comment thoughtfully on a blog post or Medium article, then another, adding genuine value. Retweet a few of their tweets. Treat the potential guest like any other person worth building a relationship with. Then send an email along these lines: "Hey [Name], I'm finding a lot of value in your content. I particularly liked your article on X, and your podcast episode about Y was spot on. I have a weekly podcast where I interview leading entrepreneurs like yourself, and I'd love to introduce you to my listeners and promote your new book. Would you be available for a 20-minute interview sometime in the next 2 months?"

What Is a Tutorial?

Simply an educational or informational lesson about a topic — think of it like a mini lesson plan from school. Bundles of tutorials can make up a full course or class. They can be audio, video, or text, and the goal is always to teach.

How to Find Topics to Teach

Look for topics that help people save time or do something better or faster. This can span a wide range, but only topics genuinely known well and relevant to content creation and podcasting make the cut. Places to find topics: questions people ask in emails, questions from listeners or online, the everyday process of running the business (share it), the applications folder on a Mac or PC (any software worth explaining?), the apps on an iPhone (any useful tips?), and inspiration from Lynda.com, Skillshare.com, and Udemy.com.

Resource tip: Trello for organizing tutorial ideas and workflow.

How to Make Tutorials

Step 1: write a script or outline. Always. Start with the end goal in mind — "In this tutorial, I'm going to show you how to…" What benefit will the viewer get from watching? Recap and summarize. End with a call to action (visit the website, etc.). Pre-production tip: organize project folders ahead of time. Resource tip: Post-Haste.

Step 2: recording & production.

Live video — teaching directly in front of a camera Screencasting — using something like Screenflow or Camtasia to record a computer or i…

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Episode Summary: Part 2 of the Snapchat series — why Snapchat got adopted as a marketing platform, 5 real strategies for using it as a podcaster, and the results seen so far.

What You'll Learn

• Why Snapchat got adopted early as a marketing platform
• 5 real strategies for using Snapchat as a podcaster
• The measurable benefits seen after using it for a while
• 3 favorite iPhone accessories for shooting better Snaps

Part 1 covered what Snapchat is, how to use it, and how to add followers. This episode covers why it's used here, 5 strategies for getting started, and the results so far.

Ask Mike Anything: Stands & Cases for Easier Snapchatting

Question: Any recommendations for stands or cases that make using Snapchat easier?

Answer: Three favorite iPhone accessories: Olloclip Studio, MeFoto Sidekick, and the Manfrotto Desk Tripod.

Why Snapchat Is Being Used Here

Update: 10 billion videos are viewed per day on Snapchat. The platform was still young at the time, and the marketing potential — promoting a personal brand by teaching and sharing behind-the-scenes footage of the workflow and process — was clear early on.

People mentioned: Gary Vaynerchuk, John Lee Dumas, and Cliff Ravenscraft.

5 Strategies for Using Snapchat

1. Ghost Codes — a directory of Snapchat users searchable by interest tag.

2. Teaching. Share what's known, build authority, give tutorials or teach a niche topic directly on Snapchat.

3. Repurpose content. Cross-post Snaps to YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

4. Audience engagement. Give the audience direct access to you and your story.

5. Behind the scenes. Show off the workspace and how the work actually gets done.

Benefits of Using Snapchat (So Far)

Genuinely enjoyable, increased confidence on camera, improved teaching style, a growing network of new connections, new podcast listeners, establishing authority, a boost in creativity, and better productivity/accountability.

Show Notes & Links

Olloclip Studio MeFoto Sidekick Manfrotto Desk Tripod Gary Vaynerchuk John Lee Dumas / EOFire Cliff Ravenscraft / The Podcast Answerman Ghost Codes

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Episode Summary: Part 1 of a 2-part Snapchat series — what it is, how to use it, and how to start building an audience there. Part 2 covers why and how Snapchat gets used specifically for this podcast.

What You'll Learn

• What Snapchat is, how it works, and the Story feature that anchors it
• The full Snapchat creative toolkit: drawing, stickers, filters, geofilters, lenses
• 4 ways to add friends, including the etiquette around Snapcode screenshots
• A tiered camera and mic recommendation for vlogging

Follow along on Snapchat: MikeMurphyBTS.

Ask Mike Anything: A Good Vlogging Camera

Question: Any recommendation for a good video or vlogging camera?

Answer: 1) The Canon G7X Mark II — Casey Neistat's small camera of choice, around $700. 2) The Sony RX100 Mark IV.

Microphones: Rode VideoMicro, Rode VideoMic Pro, Rode SmartLav+.

Vloggers mentioned: Casey Neistat, Fun For Louis, Mr. Ben Brown.

The Snapchat 101 Overview

What is Snapchat? How is it used? How do you build an audience on it?

Quick facts: a social media platform and image-messaging app, launched in 2011 by 3 Stanford students. The company is valued around $20 billion. Snapchat sees 7 billion video plays per day, versus Facebook's 8 billion — a genuinely big player in social media. Gary Vaynerchuk is a vocal fan. The logo's name is "Ghostface Chillah" — a Wu-Tang reference.

1. How Do You Use Snapchat?

Available on iOS and Android. Every photo or video message sent is called a Snap, running 1-10 seconds long. Snaps disappear once viewed, though they can also be saved.

The Story (Snapchat's foundation): Snaps get sent as private messages or added to a Story. Story content stays visible for 24 hours before disappearing. Viewers of a Story are visible (and vice versa) — treat the Story as a canvas, stay creative, and leave people wanting more.

2. The Creative Toolkit

1. Drawing tools & text overlays. Draw in color or add scalable, colorable text.
2. Stickers. Graphic icons and emoticons that can be scaled, rotated, and repositioned.
3. Filters. Overlay effects — Instagram-style color grades, black & white, clock, speed, temperature overlays.
4. Geofilters. Location-dependent custom graphics, submittable for free or purchasable as ads.
5. Lenses. Face-recognition graphics and overlays for humor and fun.

3. How Do You Add Friends?

Add by username — mine is MikeMurphyBTS ("behind the scenes"). Add from address book — the app searches phone contacts. Add by Snapcode — the yellow graphic with a white ghost (sometimes an animated GIF inside); take a picture of it to add. Note: screenshotting someone's Snapcode notifies them. Add nearby — add friends physically close by, at a coffee shop or event.

Read the complete show notes and resources on mikemurphy.ai.

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Episode Summary: 5 big reasons YouTube should be a central part of a podcaster's marketing strategy — plus clearing up the actual difference between 16:9 and 1080p.

What You'll Learn

• Why YouTube is the second-biggest search engine after Google itself
• The real difference (or lack of one) between 16:9 and 1080p
• The correct upload resolution and aspect ratio for YouTube
• 5 real benefits of leveraging YouTube for a podcast

Quick YouTube Facts

Roughly 500 hours of video get uploaded every minute. Over 1 billion users are on the platform. YouTube is the second-biggest search engine after Google itself.

Ask Mike Anything: 16:9 vs. 1080p

Question: What's the difference between 16:9 and 1080p for video?

Answer: There isn't one, really — they measure different things. 16:9 is the aspect ratio for wide-format video (16 wide, 9 tall). 1080p refers to resolution, widely known as full HD — 1920x1080 pixels. For comparison, 720p (standard HD) is 1280x720 pixels, and 4K (the successor to 1080p) is 3840x2160 pixels.

Correct upload size for YouTube: 1920x1080 pixels at 1080p, aspect ratio 16:9.

5 Benefits of Leveraging Video and YouTube

1. Website traffic & building an email list
2. Promoting the podcast directly
3. Monetization & making money
4. Establishing authority
5. Creativity & personal development — it genuinely matters

YouTube Resources

YouTube Creator Academy and Tim Schmoyer of Video Creators TV.

Show Notes & Links

• YouTube Creator Academy
• Tim Schmoyer / Video Creators TV

Read the complete show notes and resources on mikemurphy.ai.

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