School of Podcasting: Expert Tips for Launching and Growing Your Podcast

Today I talk about some of my reflections from speaking at the Erma Bombeck Writers Workshop. I also play a promo for www.blogsviewsandblues.com 

TOO OLD TO PODCAST?There is no age limit on Podcasting. I know of an 8 year old who has a podcast, and I know someone who is in their 60s who is doing a podcast. So if you are saying to yourself, "I'm too old to podcast" you are robbing yourself of a great way to share your wisdom.

UNDERSTANDING BANDWIDTHTo understand bandwidth think of your kids or grandchildren. They may have a phone plan that covers X amount of text messages. When they go over the limit they are charged for each text message over the limit. When you have a website you are given a set amount of bandwidth measured in either megabytes or gigabytes. If you go over your limit your host will charge your, and in some cases they may shut your site down. This is why I recommend Libsyn.com www.uselibsyn.com or if you need free go to www.podshow.com

UNDERSTANDING STORAGEStorage for your media files is also limited. Think of storage like a filing cabinet. You can stuff more and more files in your cabinet, but eventually it will get full.

PODCAMP OHIOPodcamp Ohio is 6/28/08 for more information go to www.podcampohio.com

WHERE ARE YOUR LISTENERS?I have been talking about podcasting at podcast conventions. This really doesn't make sense if I'm trying to find people who need to learn how to podcast as most of the audience is already podcasting. I need to find people who need publicity. While I can keep up with technology at the New Media Expo, and meet all of my friends, if I want to find people interested in learning how to start  a podcast, then the New Media Expo may not be the most efficient use of my publicity dollars.

Today I explain why you had an episode show up a few days early. I also explain that I'm not going to be speaker at the Expo in Las Vegas (but will be going to Podcamp Ohio www.podcampohio.com ).

I also talk about post dating Podcasts and the easy mistake you can make that will have things going out immediately (oops).

Dave Sholes got a free month at the School of Podcasting by sigining up for the Podcast Secrets preview call at www.secretswithdave.com

I also share some of the tips from out weekley roundtable at the School of Podcasting (www.schoolofpodcasting.com )

Today my friend Paul Colligan from Podcast Secrets is on the show. Paul is a full time podcast consultant and Internet Marketing guru. While we are all at work, Paul is out testing new technologies, new strategies, talking with other successful podcasters, and taking lots and lots of notes. Then once a year he offers a class (available at my partner link at www.secretswithdave.com ) where he reveals what he has learned.

Not sure if this call is for you? Then go to www.secretswithdave.com and find out about the call happening April 2nd (after April 2nd you can find out about the class) that gives you a preview of the information that they will be covering. This way you can decide if this class is for you. You see, Paul doesn't want you if you're not serious. This is for people looking to make a six figure income from Podcasting. He is going to be telling you how people ARE DOING THIS now (not how this might work, or this should be tired, this is how people are doing this in 2008).

So if you're interested sign up for the call at www.secretswithdave.com and send me confirmation and I wil lgive you a free month at the School of Podcasting. If you sign up for the class, I will give you a free year at the School of Podcasting.

Show #129 originating from www.schoolofpodcasting.com

Today we get the answers from last week's poll about USB interfaces and using Audacity.

Thanks to:

Joe from www.onthepodcast.netAnthony from www.diabeticincandyland.com Mike from www.mikeshotdish.com Warren from http://pewpodcast.podomatic.comTerry from http://quiettimepodcast.com/wp and http://oldcootcast.comLarry from http://goinglinux.comSally from http://www.podcastasylum.comDaryl from http://www.poddog.ca/suburbia Jay from www.jayjennings.com creator of Cloak and Tracker

75% use a USB interface75% use Audacity.

Most feel Audacity is stable, and people using USB microphones seemed to lve them while people using USB interfaces seem to find them a bit of a hassle (especially if this is on your main unit). Items mentioned:

Blue Snowball USB mic $99Samson CO1 USB Mic $90Alesis MultiMix 8 USB Mixer $149Alesis Podcast Mic (comes with mic, heaphones, software) $99Behringer UCA202 USB Interface (connect from your mixers tape out) $30Zoom H2 Portable Recorder $199Behringer USB Podcast Kit (includes mic, headphones, mixer, usb interface, software) $100Rode Dynamic USB Podcaster Mic $230

NEXT WEEKRich Harrington and Mike Weiser authors of the book "Producing Video Podcasts." Buy it at amazon.com

In a recent "Roundtable" at the School of Podcasting where members from the School of Podcasting get together and share tips and insights into all things podcasting we go to talking about using USB interfaces. People loved their USB microphones, but it seemed to be a trend of people getting USB interfaces, and then not use them.

Also, back in 2005 people that used Audacity often had an "Audacity crashed" story. That was a while ago, and Audacity has been upgraded and I'm looking to see if it is indeed more stable (as I haven't heard a story about Audacity in a while).

Please CLICK HERE to take the quick survey (using wufoo.com ) and let us know about your experience with USB devices and Audacity.

Also we are running low on Podcast Promos at www.podcastpromoshow.com

Thanks in advance and next week I'll tell you what I learn.

Sites Mentionedwww.podcastvoicemail.com

www.wufoo.com www.sleddogpodcast.com www.a1artistspotlight.com

This show originates at www.schoolofpodcasting.com

If you want to have a sponsor for your show, you need to be a SALES PERSON. New to sales? Check out Zig Ziglar or Tom Hopkins but you need to have a system in place to PROVE to the advertiser that YOU brought them traffic, and that your listeners bought their products. So you should:

1. Have some sort of stats system. I use Libysn stats, or in the case of some podcasts I use stats from podtrac.com

2. Have them create a "landing page (this could look like their home page, but its' just a different address). So it could be www.theadvertiserssite.com/podcast" now they can go into their stats and see how many visitors came from your show.

3. Have them offer a deal. This could be a coupon, a discount, SOMETHING that ONLY YOUR LISTENERS get.

4. Track the number of links from your site to their site. This is easy with a tool like Jay Jenning's Cloak and Tracker software (and very, VERY, easy to setup).

So now no matter what happens, if a person goes to their site (After hearing it on your podcast), if they purchase something (using the coupon), or if they click on an image from your site (which should be a bargaining tool) to go to their site - you can track the traffic, and hopefully prove the results.

The advantage of sponsors that you find on your own is you get all the money. You don't have to split it with people. The potential bad news is you might feel yourself editing yourself so you do offend any potential sponsors. This is why some people are turning to the Premium Podcast Solution.

I call this the "Chic Fil-A" way to podcast. Chic Fil-A in the states often gives out a sample piece of chicken so that you go buy a whole sandwich. Podcast pioneer Dan Klass of the Bitterest Pill has just adopted this model. After podcasting for two years he will produce one free episode (the sample chicken) and four episodes a month of "premium" content (the whole chicken). He is using Premiumcast.com for this (A great system).

Watch Dave's Video on Carbonite that allows you to back up ALL of your files for $50 a month.

Are you looking for a Podcast Expert? Looking to get into Podcasting on a budget? I've got step by step tutorials that will show you how to podcast at www.schoolofpodcasting.com

This show originates from www.schoolofpodcasting.com

The NEW School of Podcasting site (created with www.wordpresstool.com ) is now live.

Today we talk with Rob Walch from Wizzard Media. (www.wizzard.tv) as well as www.podcast411.com and co-author of Tricks of the Podcasting Masters he also is a co-host of Today in Podcasting www.todayinpodcasting.com

Wizzard has technology to let you GEOGRAPHICALLY target your audience. They also have tools to allow you to get demographic information so in the end an advertiser could ask Wizzard, "I want to put get my product or service in front of males 18-25 years old in the Dallas Texas area." Keep in mind the more detailed they get, the more you can charge. This involves being hosted at Libsyn (www.uselibsyn.com )

If you are looking to learn how to podcast, check out the School of Podcasting at www.schoolofpodcasting.com

Show #124 originating from http://shownotes.schoolofpodcasting.com

Today's show is has a fair amount of news. It does make the show come off like a giant SOP commercial, but you should know how the School of Podcasting can benefit you. If this is not your cup of tea, come back next week when Rob Walch of www.podcast411.com and Wizzard Media will be talking about the technology has available.

Is Podcast Promo Swapping Dead? We asked and the following podcasters respondedAnthony from www.BetterGolfwithFitnessPodcast.com  and www.strengthcoachpodcast.com who said its not quantity but QUALITY of promo swapping. Mike from www.mikeshotdish.com is discouraged when other pdocasters won't play his promo.

NEW REWARDS AT SCHOOL OF PODCASTING MEMBERS25% off from Mad Town Aces Audio Production www.madtownaces.com

REWARDS FOR THE MORNING ANNOUNCEMENTS LISTENERSGain Control of your Day Course only $129 using the coupon code SOPURDAY (normally $249)

LAST 5 in 5

Our last 5 in 5 comes from Ray the Produce Picker (www.producepicker.com )

He listened towww.TotallyRadShow.com (fun show)www.diggnation.com (lasted news from Digg.com )http://www.vidpodcaster.com/ (Producing a Video Podcast)www.geekbrief.tv (Happy Shiny Tech News)www.StugglingEntrepreneur.com (Starting your own business?)

Don't forget that www.Podcastclicks.com is holding their grand reopening with some videos to help prove its effective. Only $10 a year (going up to $20 soon).

Dave Jackson

www.schoolofpodcasting.com

Show #123 Originating at http://shownotes.schoolofpodcasting.com

Today we talk about Promo Swapping. Is it dead? Is it useful? We also talk about making a great promo. We play some promos and ask, "Does this make you want to know more about this show?"

We also get some listener voicemail from Alex the Podcast junky UK www.podcastjunky.co.uk and I'm sorry Alex. You are a DUDE. Check out his blog (some great insights from an avid Podcast Listener).

Promos www.KidsCast.co.uk www.podcastpromoshow.com

15 Tips for Better Podcast Promos

1. Get a domain name (no blogspot, no typepad, etc). Use the Godaddy promotional code cooelr3 and get it for 6.95  at www.godaddy.com2. Put on your marketing hat3. What is it?4. Don't Get too Cute5. Make the First Sentence Count6. Repeat your pdocast name in a natural tone.7. Make it Sound Great8. Let Somone else Hear it9. Include a Call to Action10. The Last Impression Shold Be Your Website11. Save your promo in a quality format12. Name the File so Podcasters Know What It Is13.  Test Your Link14. Pos it On Your Blog15. Ask

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#122 This podcast originates at http://shownotes.schoolofpodcasting.com

Today we have an interview with Evo Terra who is the Author of Expert Podcasting for Dummies (as well as Podcasting For Dummies) and one of the master minds behind Podiobooks.com (Please note a new updated version of Podcasting for Dummies is coming out this fall).

In today's show we talk about what to expect from Expert Podcasting For Dummies (you are read the Table of Contents at Amazon.com ).

We also hear how Authors are giving away their ENTIRE book and still making money. (some very interesting numbers on the number of books sold, and how podcasting is leading to being publsihed).

Find out "All things Evo" at his site www.funanymore.com

Evo mentioned buying a domain. You can buy a .com domain name for $6.95 a year using the Godaddy Promotional Code "cooler3" at www.godaddy.com

I first heard a great interview with Evo and Fred Castenda at The Struggling Entrepreneur at http://strugglingentrepreneur.com/2008/01/19/evo-terra-author-and-wwwpodiobookscom/

Have a show promo? Submit your podcast to the Podcast Promo Show coming 2/14/08 at www.podcastpromoshow.com I also have an article "15 Tips For Better Podcast Promos" avaial at the Podcast Promo Show Website

If you are looking to start a podcast, or take your podcast ot the next level in record time check out our website www.schoolofpodcasitng.com