Defining Podcast Success

My last episode had 515 downloads in two weeks. If I compare myself to Leo Laporte who has THOUSANDS of listeners I will feel awful. However, if I got in a room of 515 people that would be a lot of people. There are podcast pioneers (starting in 2004) that have huge audiences. They were kind of luck in that they got the “Milton Berle” effect (having no competition). However, people like Michael Butler, Keith and the Girl, and Dawn and Drew have talent.

Promotion is Queen

I have a podcast that is in iTunes that I have not promoted AT ALL. I have about 10 downloads per episode. So listing your podcast in iTunes will not get you tons of listeners. You will need to promote your show to grow your audience. Someone asked “How many episodes do I need to get an audience?” it takes more than putting out a podcast.

You need to let people know about your podcast. I use business cards from places like Vista Print, and PSP Print and Over Night Prints

NO EXPO FOR ME

Unfortunately due to personal issues, I will not be attending the Blog World New Media Expo. You can still go (great pricing on hotels is still available) at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/expo

To get a decent sounding recording the first step is get a decent microphone. I recommend the Sure SM58 if your room is somewhat noisy, and the Audio technica 2020 if you room is very quiet. Then I typically recommend using a mixer just so you can (if nothing else) add treble and bass to your voice. There are lights that show your level at the mixer and you want these to be green and yellow, if it occasionally blinks red that should be ok. Be sure to be listening through headphones so you can hear yourself.

I typically send the tape out of the mixer into the line in of my computer. Now whatever computer software you are using SHOULD have some sort of meter. Again you should have green lights, yellow lights, and red lights. To get technical, at the top of the meter is a zero. When you go over zero the lights turn red. You do NOT want to go over 0. You do NOT want it to go in the red. If you go into the red the sound is distorted. I found a podcast called church leader insights and this was my first impression.

There is a master volume which adjust the levels of all the microphones you have plugged into the mixer. Then each microphone has a volume knob. This is called the channel volume. If the master volume is set to 10 o click, you would not want the channel volume to be 1 o clock (or higher than the master volume). This can cause distortion.

WordPress.com as A Podcast Solution

I am working with a consulting client, and they had just started a podcast so they decided to use WordPress.com. This version of wordpress is already installed and you can purchase additional space for your media files. However, all of the cool plugins that you hear about are limited to the plugins that wordpress.com allows people to use. The alternative is to host your Website on a website like coolerwebsites or host gator and install WordPress on your own (it takes about 3 minutes and 7 mouse clicks – easy). I prefer and recommend people to use this method in the past so you have complete flexibility. However, after working with this client I can say I’m not impressed with WordPress.com as a media host as well. Their reliability seemed suspect as files would sometime stream, and some time not. My client uploaded a file only to have it appear blank when I downloaded that site (I checked the original file, it’s not). The bottom line was there were strange things happening at wordpress.com

Some people ask, “should I start here?” After all its very inexpensive, and its easier (as there are less options). The idea being that you can move once you decide to “stick” with podcasting. Well much like real life, moving is never fun. NEVER. It’s not hard, but it’s a pain in the butt. So let’s look at the “Hassle” of going with yoru own hosted version of WordPress. If you don’t want to purchase a longer contract, Host Gator is 10 bucks a month. Let’s say you use Libsyn for your media, that’s 12 a month. So as you start you spend 22 bucks. IF you go with the WordPress.com version you put out 20 a year. Well in theory you’re going to know if you want to stick with podcasting within the first month. If you are you’re going to want to have your own hosted version anyway, so why not start there if spend the extra two bucks. If you stick with it, sure it will be another 22 bucks next month, but the good news is IT WORKS. Then you can call Host Gator, and change your account and only pay 5 bucks a month.

2 Buck Themes – Great Segway Royalty Free Music

In this episode I show how you can use music to transition between topics. By having the music come in towards the end of a segment a person listening knows that when the music comes up that segments is also over (and they can stop fast forwarding if they were not interested in that segment). I’ve been using Mike Stewart’s Two Buck Themes which gives you 5 different themes each month for $10 (hence 2 bucks each).

If you need one on one Podcast Consulting, or if you’re ready to learn to podcast using our Step By Step Podcasting Tutorials, then Dave Jackson can be your personal podcast coach. Start podcasting today, cause if you don’t your competition will.

Podato

The Jeff Outlaw Show

Turtlecast

Can you tell these shows are about online dating? me neither.

To start your own podcast go to http://start.shoolofpodcasting.com

The key is to plug the output from one piece of equipment into the input of the next piece in line. Typically its microphone, mixer, and then into the unit that you are using to record the show. If you are using a computer to record, I used the tape out of the mixer and put it into the line input of the computer. If you are using the portable recorder, you can use the main outputs of the mixer and send them into the main inputs.

Watch the video to see more details.

You can get a remote control that turns the power on/off at the outlet. Then you can plug a lamp into that outlet. Place this outside the room you record in, and when the family sees the light they know not to come inside. If the light is off, then they are free to come on in. The classic “ON AIR” lights are a bit expensive.  I’ve found some on ebay.com for about 30 bucks

Troubleshooting Wordpdress

When I troubleshoot my Podcast Fast Pass client’s websites a majority of the time it is a conflict with one of the plugins. You can go in and turn off all the plugins, and then see if the problem goes away. If it does, then go in and turn on ONE plugin and test the site. Keep repeating until you find the plugin that is causing the issue.

If you can’t even login, then go into your website via FTP and delete the plugins in the plugins folder. You can install them later.

Save 20% off Your Registration

You can save 20% off your registration now through June 20th (my wedding day) using the coupon code wedding.

There is no catch. The tutorials, the resources, the coaching, everything from now through June 20th 20 percent off by using the coupon code WEDDING when you sign up at school of podcasting.com

Don’t let your competition be the first to start a podcast. Start today at schoolofpodcasitng.com

My problem is I created a podcast called, “Dates From Hell Show.” The idea was the entertaining stories of meeting people online who you wish that, well, you never met online. The purpose of the show is to encourage people to try online dating. Looking back I wonder what we were thinking. This is why its always good to have someone how is not your mom listen to the show (A step I skipped).

All is not lost. You can always buy a new domain, change the banner on your website and keep going.

Logical Weight Loss Podcast 12 Week Challenge

I mentioned this was $12 last week, I’ve changed my mind and now it’s free. Go to www.logicalloss.com/12weeks

Using Amazon S3 as Your Podcast Host Webinar This Thursday

Sign up at http://www.schoolofpodcasting.com/webinars

I also talk about the new OPEN PODCASTING webinars at the School of Podcasting. You can see the schedule at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/webinars

SITES MENTIONED
Logical Weight Loss Podcast at www.logicalloss.com
You can get $5 off the Diet Power software at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/dietpower

Ready To Start Your Own Podcast?
Come get your very own Personal Podcast Coach by going to start.schoolofpodcasting.com

Key Ingredients of a Podcast

1. It will help the audience, or teach them (like this podcast)
2. It will entertain the audience (laughter, music, etc).
3. A unique perspective (like a stay at home Dad, a solder in Iraq).
4. The ability to move the audience (taps in to the emotions of the audience).

How Many Downloads Can You Expect on Your First Show?

I’ve released the first episode of the Dates From Hell Show. We are not listed anywhere (iTunes, Podcast Alley, etc). We had a whole 19 downloads. This may seem poor, but you have to keep in mind that I’ve done very little publicity for this show (so don’t get discouraged).

A New Kind of Business Card

As the Dates From Hell Show may have a wider appeal than many of my podcasts I wanted a different type of business card that was geared more toward driving traffic to my website instead of contacting me. It explains its an “Internet Radio Show.” It explains that you can listen online. The great thing is if you order 500 cards, they are only 6 cents each.

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