Podcasting Experiments

After a break, we are finally opening up the second semester of the Creative Studio Academy! I will be talking about the platform for your website and some of the basic settings that are often overlooked. Before that, though...

At the end of last semester, I hinted at some of the changes that would be coming. If you are new to the Academy, please go back and check out the first semester sessions. From the things I mentioned before, here is what we are looking at moving forward:

Narrowing the focus for the semester. This semester, we will focus more on blogging. We will also touch on writing e-books and improving your website (especially in light of blogging).
Regular blog posts. Especially since we will focus more on blogging, I will be dedicating myself to writing at least one blog post a week in addition to the podcast sessions. There may be additional posts, but nothing that I can promise now.
Improved newsletter. I was thinking about going to a bi-weekly newsletter, which will include an article (not found on the website), some tips, and links to previous blog posts/podcast sessions. I will also have an e-book available that covers things that you need to get started with your website. I also hope to have another e-book that will cover how to take your website to the next level.
I really want to increase the engagement that we have. I have received a few comments and several iTunes reviews, but I really want to have regular interaction. I started this site by stating that I am not the expert, but I do have experience and knowledge I can share. And so do you! Even if you don't think you have done much, there is still someone that you can help influence. I want to hear from you in the comment section, via e-mail, and now I have a voice mail number you can call right from your phone. I'd also like to schedule time to talk with  you one on one.

The 2015 Winter Semester

Even though we are technically starting in 2014, most of this semester will fall in 2015. With our focus on blogging, I have created a mindmap of the topics that we will be trying to cover. We may not get to all of them, or we may not get deep into some of them. If you would like to download the PDF of this mindmap, you can do that here or click the image of it.
Your Platform
The platform for your website is important. Whether you are looking at a platform for a blog or a full-purpose website, my recommendation is a self-hosted WordPress site. We talked about WordPress several times last semester, and we were able to get some great information about it. I honestly have not used some of the others, like Joomla, Drupal, and Square Space, but based on many reviews I heard and read, WordPress brings both simplicity and power to the user.

Note: While WordPress can be simple, there is still a learning curve, but much of it can be grasped in a short amount of time. Dave Jackson (School of Podcasting and Weekly Web Tools host) says that if you can use Microsoft Word, you can create a post on WordPress. This is true. But to take this analogy a little further, most people that create simple documents in Word barely scratch the surface of what the software is capable of, and it takes a little bit to learn them. Same with WordPress.

When it comes to WordPress, there are two options: WordPress.com and self-hosted WordPress. While these are basically the same at the core, there are some differences. I will try to have a blog post up in the near future to show these.
Settings
When you get WordPress installed, you get so excited about creating the content, that there are several settings that can easily get overlooked (check out this simple tutorial if you need help installing WordPress).

General Settings

Site title
Tagline
Timezone

Permalinks

Choose "Post Name"

The post

After a break, we are finally opening up the second semester of the Creative Studio Academy! I will be talking about the platform for your website and some of the basic settings that are often overlooked. Before that, though...

At the end of last semester, I hinted at some of the changes that would be coming. If you are new to the Academy, please go back and check out the first semester sessions. From the things I mentioned before, here is what we are looking at moving forward:

Narrowing the focus for the semester. This semester, we will focus more on blogging. We will also touch on writing e-books and improving your website (especially in light of blogging).
Regular blog posts. Especially since we will focus more on blogging, I will be dedicating myself to writing at least one blog post a week in addition to the podcast sessions. There may be additional posts, but nothing that I can promise now.
Improved newsletter. I was thinking about going to a bi-weekly newsletter, which will include an article (not found on the website), some tips, and links to previous blog posts/podcast sessions. I will also have an e-book available that covers things that you need to get started with your website. I also hope to have another e-book that will cover how to take your website to the next level.
I really want to increase the engagement that we have. I have received a few comments and several iTunes reviews, but I really want to have regular interaction. I started this site by stating that I am not the expert, but I do have experience and knowledge I can share. And so do you! Even if you don't think you have done much, there is still someone that you can help influence. I want to hear from you in the comment section, via e-mail, and now I have a voice mail number you can call right from your phone. I'd also like to schedule time to talk with  you one on one.

The 2015 Winter Semester

Even though we are technically starting in 2014, most of this semester will fall in 2015. With our focus on blogging, I have created a mindmap of the topics that we will be trying to cover. We may not get to all of them, or we may not get deep into some of them. If you would like to download the PDF of this mindmap, you can do that here or click the image of it.
Your Platform
The platform for your website is important. Whether you are looking at a platform for a blog or a full-purpose website, my recommendation is a self-hosted WordPress site. We talked about WordPress several times last semester, and we were able to get some great information about it. I honestly have not used some of the others, like Joomla, Drupal, and Square Space, but based on many reviews I heard and read, WordPress brings both simplicity and power to the user.

Note: While WordPress can be simple, there is still a learning curve, but much of it can be grasped in a short amount of time. Dave Jackson (School of Podcasting and Weekly Web Tools host) says that if you can use Microsoft Word, you can create a post on WordPress. This is true. But to take this analogy a little further, most people that create simple documents in Word barely scratch the surface of what the software is capable of, and it takes a little bit to learn them. Same with WordPress.

When it comes to WordPress, there are two options: WordPress.com and self-hosted WordPress. While these are basically the same at the core, there are some differences. I will try to have a blog post up in the near future to show these.
Settings
When you get WordPress installed, you get so excited about creating the content, that there are several settings that can easily get overlooked (check out this simple tutorial if you need help installing WordPress).

General Settings

Site title
Tagline
Timezone

Permalinks

Choose "Post Name"

The post

Over the past 3 months, we have covered several things regarding content creation. From blogging to podcasting, websites to marketing. Further below, you'll be able see the list of the 20 sessions so far.

With that, we will be having a short break. We'll come back mid-November with the second semester.

There are a couple things I'd like to modify:

Narrowing the focus for the semester
Regular blog posts
Improved newsletter
eBook about website basics (middle of writing it now)
Homework assignments (more engagement)

Homework - What I need from you:

Help spreading the podcast via social media (links below!) and iTunes reviews
Your questions, comments, and other feedback

Please let me know what you would like to see and hear from me. I would love to have a segment where I can answer questions that you may have about content creation. Leave your thoughts below in the comment section.
Semester 1 Podcast Sessions:

1-1 I'm an impostor
1-2 You need more than a quality website; what is content creation?
1-3 Mark Sieverkropp share the benefits and struggles of content creation
1-4 5 key components for your website
1-5 Greg Hickman discusses the importance of a mobile-mindset
1-6 Jared Easley shares his researching and interviewing tips
1-7 Daniel J. Lewis shares how to overcome assumptions
1-8 Matt McWilliams talks about his principles for networking
1-9 Jim Woods talks about his process and tips for creating content
1-10 Doc Kennedy shares his experience creating videos
1-11 Dustin Hartzler help us dive deeper into WordPress
1-12 Leslie Samuel gives practical tips to take your blog to the next level
1-13 10 key things to make your website better
1-14 Online marketing tips from Joel Fortner
1-15 Podcasting tips from Dave Jackson
1-16 Dave Stachowiak shares some online leadership principles
1-17 Collaborative projects with Jim Woods and Erik J. Fisher
1-18 Joel and Dr. Pei talk to entrepreneurs about Relaunching and podcasting
1-19 Diving into eLearning and online training with Jeff Long
1-20 When to quit a creative project with Alex Barker
 

The post Semester 1 Wrap Up (1-21) appeared first on Creative Studio Academy.

Over the past 3 months, we have covered several things regarding content creation. From blogging to podcasting, websites to marketing. Further below, you'll be able see the list of the 20 sessions so far.

With that, we will be having a short break. We'll come back mid-November with the second semester.

There are a couple things I'd like to modify:

Narrowing the focus for the semester
Regular blog posts
Improved newsletter
eBook about website basics (middle of writing it now)
Homework assignments (more engagement)

Homework - What I need from you:

Help spreading the podcast via social media (links below!) and iTunes reviews
Your questions, comments, and other feedback

Please let me know what you would like to see and hear from me. I would love to have a segment where I can answer questions that you may have about content creation. Leave your thoughts below in the comment section.
Semester 1 Podcast Sessions:

1-1 I'm an impostor
1-2 You need more than a quality website; what is content creation?
1-3 Mark Sieverkropp share the benefits and struggles of content creation
1-4 5 key components for your website
1-5 Greg Hickman discusses the importance of a mobile-mindset
1-6 Jared Easley shares his researching and interviewing tips
1-7 Daniel J. Lewis shares how to overcome assumptions
1-8 Matt McWilliams talks about his principles for networking
1-9 Jim Woods talks about his process and tips for creating content
1-10 Doc Kennedy shares his experience creating videos
1-11 Dustin Hartzler help us dive deeper into WordPress
1-12 Leslie Samuel gives practical tips to take your blog to the next level
1-13 10 key things to make your website better
1-14 Online marketing tips from Joel Fortner
1-15 Podcasting tips from Dave Jackson
1-16 Dave Stachowiak shares some online leadership principles
1-17 Collaborative projects with Jim Woods and Erik J. Fisher
1-18 Joel and Dr. Pei talk to entrepreneurs about Relaunching and podcasting
1-19 Diving into eLearning and online training with Jeff Long
1-20 When to quit a creative project with Alex Barker
 

The post Semester 1 Wrap Up (1-21) appeared first on Creative Studio Academy.

This session features Alex Barker, host of the Leadership Dojo podcast. We first met on 48Days.net (I would highly recommend this great community). A few months ago, Alex made a decision to stop the podcast, despite some of the successes it was achieving. We'll dive in a little deeper into his story and what we can learn from it.

Begin with the end in mind.

- Steven Covey (The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People)
After finishing school to become a pharmacist, Alex began to decide if he really wanted to be a pharmacist the rest of his life. Learning about podcasts and listening to them for 5-6 months, he decided that he wanted to start one himself. Using Pat Flynn's course of starting a podcast, he began preparing for the podcast. He also joined John Lee Dumas' Podcaster's Paradise.
What were your expectations when you launched the podcast?

Alex didn't have a plan or goals, or even what to expect.
If you choose a niche about something you don't know a lot about, it's very hard for you to create products and services for a very  eager audience and for them to buy from you.
He desired to make money from coaching and  mastermind groups.

Did your expectations change along the way? Did your expectations just not work out?

After 5 months, Alex noticed that it became a chore for him to do the podcast. The work he was putting in was exceeding the return he was expecting.
You really need to look at your expectations and what you really need to do to get there.

Exit strategy
If you're about to launch something, you need to have an exit strategy.
When will you evaluate your journey and be willing to pivot. Be specific and set a deadline.

The birth of Alex's second daughter caused him to go through another evaluation.
Know your why
Alex's why is tied to his family, and he was spending so much time away from them.
The future
Alex's idea was to have someone to take over, but he is just putting it on the back burner. He may revisit later.

He has started a new site, Pharmacy School HQ. He is taking the things he learned from launching a website and building a platform and meshing it with his training as a pharmacist.
You can't keep doing something that is not meeting your expectations or that the passion isn't there like it used to be.
Know your expectations.

The post When to quit a creative project with Alex Barker (1-20) appeared first on Creative Studio Academy.

This session features Alex Barker, host of the Leadership Dojo podcast. We first met on 48Days.net (I would highly recommend this great community). A few months ago, Alex made a decision to stop the podcast, despite some of the successes it was achieving. We'll dive in a little deeper into his story and what we can learn from it.

Begin with the end in mind.

- Steven Covey (The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People)
After finishing school to become a pharmacist, Alex began to decide if he really wanted to be a pharmacist the rest of his life. Learning about podcasts and listening to them for 5-6 months, he decided that he wanted to start one himself. Using Pat Flynn's course of starting a podcast, he began preparing for the podcast. He also joined John Lee Dumas' Podcaster's Paradise.
What were your expectations when you launched the podcast?

Alex didn't have a plan or goals, or even what to expect.
If you choose a niche about something you don't know a lot about, it's very hard for you to create products and services for a very  eager audience and for them to buy from you.
He desired to make money from coaching and  mastermind groups.

Did your expectations change along the way? Did your expectations just not work out?

After 5 months, Alex noticed that it became a chore for him to do the podcast. The work he was putting in was exceeding the return he was expecting.
You really need to look at your expectations and what you really need to do to get there.

Exit strategy
If you're about to launch something, you need to have an exit strategy.
When will you evaluate your journey and be willing to pivot. Be specific and set a deadline.

The birth of Alex's second daughter caused him to go through another evaluation.
Know your why
Alex's why is tied to his family, and he was spending so much time away from them.
The future
Alex's idea was to have someone to take over, but he is just putting it on the back burner. He may revisit later.

He has started a new site, Pharmacy School HQ. He is taking the things he learned from launching a website and building a platform and meshing it with his training as a pharmacist.
You can't keep doing something that is not meeting your expectations or that the passion isn't there like it used to be.
Know your expectations.

The post When to quit a creative project with Alex Barker (1-20) appeared first on Creative Studio Academy.

Jeff Long joins us today to share some things that we can learn to help with eLearning and online training. He provides help with eLearning (as well as video production and web design) at True Focus Media. You can also connect with him on Twitter.
What is eLearning and training?
It's not new - it's as old as the internet. It includes engaging videos and flexible websites.

Many companies haven't even thought of this possibility! Instead of having a trainer come in or having the HR manager do the training, eLearning can benefit companies. Some

Incentvies
Rewards
Gamification

Are there any industries that would benefit more from eLearning?

Software companies
Medical training companies (brainynurses.com is an example)
Non-profit

Styles or formats for eLearning
How you present your material may be determined by your budget.

It may also depend on your audience - what works for them?

Filming a presenter
Power point slides
Quizes and Tests
Webinars
Story-driven/scenario

First steps for eLearning preparation

What do you want to deliver?
What do you want the person to take away?
What are the three or so points to facilitate that?

Keep it simple!

Do your research - make sure you're creating what your client needs!
Resources to get started

ScreenFlow (Mac) or Camptasia Studio (Windows) for screen capture
Udemy
Skillshare
Youtube (use unlisted and embed on a password-protected web page)
eJunkie
Membership plugins for Wordpress
Learning management plugins

Just get started (this theme keeps coming back!). Don't let the technology scare you.
Mark Sieverkropp was a previous guest and has provided several gifts for you as a listener and supporter of this podcast:

"Start a Conversation With Anyone, Anytime" (for sale on Amazon...free to you!)
4 Keys to Great "Reach Out" Emails PDF
Free Sample of my book, Project: Success
Great weekly content on how to grow your network

Get these great resources now!
In the comment section below, please share one of the following:

What is something that you can share with your business/audience in the form of eLearning?
How can I use eLearning to help meet your needs? (I'm planning to put together some tutorials and training soon - I need your input!)

The post Diving into eLearning and online training with Jeff Long (1-19) appeared first on Creative Studio Academy.

Jeff Long joins us today to share some things that we can learn to help with eLearning and online training. He provides help with eLearning (as well as video production and web design) at True Focus Media. You can also connect with him on Twitter.
What is eLearning and training?
It's not new - it's as old as the internet. It includes engaging videos and flexible websites.

Many companies haven't even thought of this possibility! Instead of having a trainer come in or having the HR manager do the training, eLearning can benefit companies. Some

Incentvies
Rewards
Gamification

Are there any industries that would benefit more from eLearning?

Software companies
Medical training companies (brainynurses.com is an example)
Non-profit

Styles or formats for eLearning
How you present your material may be determined by your budget.

It may also depend on your audience - what works for them?

Filming a presenter
Power point slides
Quizes and Tests
Webinars
Story-driven/scenario

First steps for eLearning preparation

What do you want to deliver?
What do you want the person to take away?
What are the three or so points to facilitate that?

Keep it simple!

Do your research - make sure you're creating what your client needs!
Resources to get started

ScreenFlow (Mac) or Camptasia Studio (Windows) for screen capture
Udemy
Skillshare
Youtube (use unlisted and embed on a password-protected web page)
eJunkie
Membership plugins for Wordpress
Learning management plugins

Just get started (this theme keeps coming back!). Don't let the technology scare you.
Mark Sieverkropp was a previous guest and has provided several gifts for you as a listener and supporter of this podcast:

"Start a Conversation With Anyone, Anytime" (for sale on Amazon...free to you!)
4 Keys to Great "Reach Out" Emails PDF
Free Sample of my book, Project: Success
Great weekly content on how to grow your network

Get these great resources now!
In the comment section below, please share one of the following:

What is something that you can share with your business/audience in the form of eLearning?
How can I use eLearning to help meet your needs? (I'm planning to put together some tutorials and training soon - I need your input!)

The post Diving into eLearning and online training with Jeff Long (1-19) appeared first on Creative Studio Academy.

In this session, Joel and Dr. Pei from The Relaunch Show join us to share their experience with radio and podcasting.

Joel has a history with radio and television. Back in  2006, he started a radio show, Finding Your Voice. He also has a book with the same name.  The next step for them was The Relaunch Show.

As they started, they didn't know what they needed to do or have the equipment necessary. They emphasize not to let that stop you from starting. Learn as you go.

"Get it done, then get it right."
What are some tips for people just getting started (specifically for podcasting)?

Learn to respect your listener's time.
Choose the right topic - not just what you know, but something that gets you excited.
The listener has the power, so you need to speak to that listener.

Are there any great lessons that you've gleaned from the many interviews you've had on Relaunch?

Don't second guess yourself. Trust yourself. Move forward anyways.
Fail fast. Fail often.

Final Thoughts
We have a responsibility to take action as it relates to us in our careers, family, and spiritually.
Resources

Finding Your Voice book is a guidebook to help people get in touch with their inner voice.
3 Tips to Find Your Life's Message

In the interview, Joel referenced Indiana Jones. Here's a clip of that scene:

Website consultations
I am looking to expand my website consulting business, Dev By JR. I am offering 15-20 minute consultations for free. So, if you are looking to start or improve your website, go to jrivers.us/schedule to schedule a time to talk to me (either via Skype or phone). If you have a current website, make sure to include the link so I can check it out before we talk. Be prepared to answer at least these two questions:

What is the purpose of your website?
Who is your target audience?

The post Joel and Dr. Pei talk to entrepreneurs about relaunching and podcasting (1-18) appeared first on Creative Studio Academy.

In this session, Joel and Dr. Pei from The Relaunch Show join us to share their experience with radio and podcasting.

Joel has a history with radio and television. Back in  2006, he started a radio show, Finding Your Voice. He also has a book with the same name.  The next step for them was The Relaunch Show.

As they started, they didn't know what they needed to do or have the equipment necessary. They emphasize not to let that stop you from starting. Learn as you go.

"Get it done, then get it right."
What are some tips for people just getting started (specifically for podcasting)?

Learn to respect your listener's time.
Choose the right topic - not just what you know, but something that gets you excited.
The listener has the power, so you need to speak to that listener.

Are there any great lessons that you've gleaned from the many interviews you've had on Relaunch?

Don't second guess yourself. Trust yourself. Move forward anyways.
Fail fast. Fail often.

Final Thoughts
We have a responsibility to take action as it relates to us in our careers, family, and spiritually.
Resources

Finding Your Voice book is a guidebook to help people get in touch with their inner voice.
3 Tips to Find Your Life's Message

In the interview, Joel referenced Indiana Jones. Here's a clip of that scene:

Website consultations
I am looking to expand my website consulting business, Dev By JR. I am offering 15-20 minute consultations for free. So, if you are looking to start or improve your website, go to jrivers.us/schedule to schedule a time to talk to me (either via Skype or phone). If you have a current website, make sure to include the link so I can check it out before we talk. Be prepared to answer at least these two questions:

What is the purpose of your website?
Who is your target audience?

The post Joel and Dr. Pei talk to entrepreneurs about relaunching and podcasting (1-18) appeared first on Creative Studio Academy.