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

OK, today I'm a little loopy. I spent the night in the emergency room (with ym girlfriend -she's fine), and in today's interview with Lessa Barnes I'm loopy as it was the end of Day 3 of the New Media Expo (and we were sleep deprived). We giggle our way through the interview (with some edits due to background noise). The bottom line is this seems like a really good book. The more I read the more I like.

Buy the book at Amazon.com or for more information and to read Leesa's blog about Podcasting (and free samples of the book) check out lessabarnes.com (new window). Her site features free chatpers, as well as links to all her blogs and more.

BIG NEWS School of Podcasting Subscribers will now get a month in the USATDOAY.com's Blogger and Podcaster guide (a $49 savings) for FREE. If you want to stay in the online version (or the printed version that will be published once a week) you can get 20% (online) and 25% off (printed) version of the guide.

Yes you can save $50 by spending $20. Keep in mind that you can sign up and cancel your subscription anytime.

ON TODAY'S SHOWBob Packet from "History According to Bob" (www.hostoryaccordingtobob.com ) who has taken his passion for history, and his now profitting from his podcast by selling his old back catalogue as single episodes, as CDs, as CD sets. He is using a shopping cart www.mals-e.com

For more information go to www.historyaccordingtobob.com

Are you arguing with your significant other about your podcasting habbits? Ever wonder how Dave has 8 podcasts? Is it true that he just has no life? NO. It revolves around careful planning, and involving your family and friends to help plan your podcasting schedule around THEM (not the other way around).

Then you need to take advantage of the time when you can get some time in front of the mic.

SITES and ITEMS Mentioned

Zoom H2 Portable Recorder ($199)

"All things Dave" www.personalpodcastcoach.com Podcast Consultant Service www.podcastfastpass.com

I'm the Media www.imthemedia.com

Today I talk with Fred Castenada of www.strugglingentrepreneur.com and www.gaincontrolofyourday.com about the differences between Podcamp and The New Media Expo (Fred has been to both). We also learn about his two Podcasts and how he is promoting them.

Fred talks about how easy it is to share your information and get great information at Podcamps.

This interview was recorded using a Zoom H2.

Other Items MentionedPersony Meeting Software www.trypersony.com Rob Walch Interviews a Podcast Listener "Show 200" Podcast Secrets"All Things Dave" www.personalpodcastcoach.com

I give me insights into the expo. We give away the Behringer Podcast Studio Podcasting Package to Arthur Vanderbuilt (congrats and thanks for being a member).

Reflections from the ExpoNicest guy I've never met before goes to Dave from www.twoboobsandababy.com

Coolest Piece of Technology (for Schools at least)www.boxpopuli.com (in a booth)Zoom H2 (most popular recorder)

Best Night Out on the Town Fred Castenadawww.strugglingentrepreneur.com/www.gaincontrolofyourday.com

LAST 5 in 5Courtesy of Dan Klass www.thebitterestpill.com 1. The Twisted Pickle www.twistedpickle.com 2. Norm Augistine www.normaugustinus.com3. Coverville www.coverville.com 4. Cush Things I say www.cushrocks.com 5. The Hollywood Podcast http://hollywoodpodcast.com/6. Verge of the Fringe http://vergeofthefringe.blogspot.com/

According to the Podcastjunky UK I am the 9th most recognizable voice in Podcasting. I talk about this in my blog at http://davidjackson.org/2007/10/04/im-the-9th-most-recognized-voice-in-podcasting/

Are you going to the New Media Expo this week? I am. You can meet me outside ballroom A on Friday at 4:30ish.

Here are some Tips for the Expo1.  Have your business cards with you at all times.2.  Have your elevatory pitch ready (www.15secondpitch.com )3.  Pace yourselves. If you come out of the gate too fast, you wil have nothing on Friday.4.  Bring some "instant food" (granola bars, power bars, Pop Tarts). Some of the parties ran out of food, and the cafeteria is expensive and extremley "OK." 5. Don't be afraid to talk to people. Just introduce yourselves, and the conversation wil start to flow. Don't com home with a giant list of regrest. 6. Keep moving. If you've set up a follow up appointment with someone, then move on to a new person. 7. Write on the back of the business card what you talked about, and email them when you get home.

8. Write on the business cards who you have an have not contacted.

BACK TO SCHOOL SPECIAL.

Get 20% off at the School of Podcasting by using the coupon code " bts " when you sign up now through October 8th.

Sites Mentioned:http://www.15secondpitch.com/new/

Support This Showwww.supporthisshow.com

Get 20% off your membership at the School of Podcasting using the coupon code bts when you sign up at www.schoolofpodcasting.com

Today we interview George Hrab from www.geologicpodcast.com a very creative podcast. George produces 15 different types of segments that he then uses to assemble his podcast. While you may not be able to pull off as many voices as George, this "pieces parts" approach to podcasting may make creating your podcast easier.

Meet me at the Expo at Friday at 4:15ish in front of Ballroom A

We are giving away a Podcast Studio USB from Behringer to a member in October.

Sites Mentioned:Geologic Podcast www.geologicpodcast.com George's Book "Non Coloring Book" www.lulu.com/georgehrab Podcast Fast Pass www.podcastfastpass.com New Media Expo http://www.newmediaexpo.com/incoming.php?linkid=1759

It's Back to School of and you can save 20% off your membership at the School of Podcasting (thorugh 10/1) when you use the coupon " bts " (short for back to school). Membership has its privledges as we will give away a Podcast Studio USB from Behringer to a member in October.

Special thanks for Dave Gardner of www.ratcastradio.com and www.inlinehockeypodcast.com for the review of the Zoom H2 ($199 at Same Day Music and no TAX). Dave gives it 5 hockey pucks out of 5.

Also Members of the School of Podcasting we are having some great times at our roundtables. Recently Fred from www.strugglingentrepreneur.com interviewed Tim from www.sleddogpodcast.com so we are doing more than just Q&A.

In today's show I play around a bit with the Zoom H4 recorder. I mention that there are 3 setting for volume. You can adjust many increments in addition to those three. I mention that if you have an issue with finding a quiet area, you already do. It's called YOUR CAR.

I like the Zoom H4, I like its size, its battery, and the ability to record from XLR and 1/4." It has built in compressors and automatic recording level. I compare it to the Marantz MD660. The Zoom H4 doubles as a portable recorder AND a USB interface for recording. It also has a built in 4track recorder (great for musicians working on songs).

The Zoom H4 is roughly $300. The Marantz MD660 is closer to $600

Last 5 in 5 From Brian and www.dimacast.com

Blowing Smoke (google could not find this pdcast)

Accidental Creativehttp://www.samedaymusic.com/mc--518373

Today in iPhonewww.todayiniphone.com

The Rogues Galleryhttp://www.thedividingline.com/rg

Podholes http://www.podholes.com/

Intro from Big Al Wagner of www.projectstudionetwork.com one of my favroite podcasts.

Other sites MentionedQuiet Study Area www.quietstudyarea.com

Today I am looking at the Behringer USB Podcast Studio. This retails for $100 and it comes with everything you need to start podcasting (cables, mic, software, etc).

This is geared towards the (in my opinion) single podcaster. You can connect more than one microphone to this, but there is only one XLR input (so you will need quarter inch cable converters, etc for mic number 2 - if you have more than one person "in studio").

Here is what I liked about it:The box comes with a handle making it every easy and convienient to take with you. It's small and doesn't take up your entire desk. The USB interface connected to both my computers without a hitch. I didn't even need to touch the driver CD. The manual is in a bunch of languages.The Price. If you purchased these separately you would be put out $158.

What I wish would change about the product.Add an ON/OFF switch.

Other Things to Consider:If you want to use a condensor microphone late, you will need to purchase a separate phantom powerWith ANY USB device you may need to switch back and forth in the control panel to set the input to USB. (However if this is the only itme you use as an input, you won't have to change this).

Bottom Line on Unit:As expected, a dynamic microphone is not quiet as clear as a condensor microphone (but it still osudns fine). However, the slight lack of high end could be compensated with a tweak of the EQ. If you're in a hurry, these items produce audio that is just as good (if not better) than many of the podcasts out there.

Check out the Podcaststudio an SAME DAY MUSIC or they have a Firewire version (built a bit more for two people, and has a condensor microphone).

If you are interested in what I'm using check out www.schoolofpodcasting.com/tools

Brian Mundy from www.dimacast.com asked if Dave is rady for the Expo. (I'm not, but I do have my business cards ready). He mentioned how people "Podpause" and this can annoy listeners. Why not make a show that says "I'm working on it" to keep people involved. I've sent an email to Geoff Smith saying he should write a song saying "I'll be back" and we all could play it when we need to podpause. If you're involved with marketing and/or digital imaging check out www.dimacast.com