Podcasting - Some Advice and Tips

siradio · 08-15-2006, 09:15 AM

I'm not sure how much use this will be, but I have noticed an increase in websites using podcasts as a way to reach their visitors and offer an enhanced service.

Hopefully a few pointers i've picked up may come in handy for anyone considering doing it.

Firstly, make sure you actually have a concept, and that its one worth setting up regular podcasts about. Try not to limit yourself to just one topic, but rather go for a certain theme - then you can take on different topics on a regular basis.

Rehearse, and script what you're going to discuss. Yes, I know it can be appealing to have a completely unscripted program, to try and achieve a more "raw" product, and that make work every now and then - but people don't want to listen to someone every week who wings it as they go along.

If you're co-hosting, make sure its with someone reliable. If you're trying to launch a regular podcast series, it doesn't look good if you have constant delays because some guy who was supposed to be co-hosting never bothered to show up.

Get a good recording program, and a good VOIP program if you're co-hosting. If you're flying solo, try WavePad - its completely free and will provide more than enough tools to record and edit yourself. If you're going to have a co-host, try Skype. To record from Skype, you'll probably need a little program called HotRecorder - the basic version is free, but you'll need to pay around $20 to upgrade and be able to convert recorded files to Wav.
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/webmaster-tutorials/227967-podcasting-some-advice-and-tips.html

Save your recordings often - possibly even have more than one person recording it. We do several pre-recorded podcast-style shows on SIRadio, and I can't count how many times we've had to start over because the guy who was recording had their PC crap out on them.

If you're going for a more "raw" product, give some thought to pitching it as "uncensored" rather than "unedited" - as you'll probably find yourself wanting to do a tiny bit of tweaking to the raw product - getting rid of those horrible lengthy silences, interuptions etc. Again, Wavepad is a great program for this, or if you have a few hundred dollars to shell out, try Adobe Audition.

Also, try not to stray too far over one hour in length. If you do excessivly... maybe 1hr 30-2hrs, look at possibly splitting the file into two parts.

Last piece of advice, do not include any music or exerts from music in your podcast. There are strict licensing laws against any unauthorized individual/group making any copyrighted tunes available for download in any form, and that includes as a backing track (or carpet) for your podcast and any jingles etc.

While a lot of people may think that if their operation is small, the licensing companies won't bother them, they're wrong - i've known far too many decent stations that were small and low-profile be shut down and ordered to pay post-dated royalties because they weren't registered.
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=227967

The big problem with this is that having a carpet track, or spruced up into can greatly enhance the quality of the podcast. In this case, i'd look for websites and services which offer original music composition. There are a lot of pricey ones out there, but theres also some at a decent price - so if you're serious about making this a key feature of your site, it could be worth looking into.

If you're wanting a professional voice-over for the intro's to your podcast, you may want to check out Jeff Radio - this guy produces really great quality soundbytes fairly cheap. Also be sure to check out his links section for alternatives, as well as places to get the afforementioned royalty-free "carpet" tracks.

---

Hope that is of some help to anyone considering going into podcasting - if not, then you probably won't have read this far anyway, so

mknapper1 · 10-18-2006, 11:14 AM

yea podcasting isn't really my thing

namebug · 10-18-2006, 12:45 PM

Thanks for the advice, the link for jeffradio goes to jeffaudio.com,btw. I was wondering about the bumper music many people use on their podcasts, seems like there could be copyright trouble, but i never heard of anybody getting sued for it-yet.

ToyBoy3 · 12-28-2006, 10:02 PM

thnx for such a good article. well, few sites offers Pocasting at cheaper rates. they host your podcasts too!

AbsoluteKC · 12-29-2006, 06:22 AM

Thanks for sharing these nice information

siradio · 01-12-2007, 08:16 AM

Quote:

the link for jeffradio goes to jeffaudio.com,btw

Sorry, my mistake, its fixed now. When it comes to unlicensed tunes, I haven't heard of people being sued, but I do know people who have been threatened with court action if they don't remove the samples.

iNod · 01-12-2007, 11:04 PM

How do you guys go about getting licenses for music? Do you have to contact somebody?

- Steve

YesBrilliant · 02-15-2007, 02:12 PM

Podcasts can really differentiate your web site.

Just remember to be at the right side of the law by getting the respective licenses (by contacting the owner/producer or seller) but why not produce your own in case you just need something simple?

Thanks for sharing!

08-15-2006, 09:15 AM	THREAD STARTER #1 (permalink)
siradio Online Broadcaster Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 515	Podcasting - Some Advice and Tips I'm not sure how much use this will be, but I have noticed an increase in websites using podcasts as a way to reach their visitors and offer an enhanced service. Hopefully a few pointers i've picked up may come in handy for anyone considering doing it. Firstly, make sure you actually have a concept, and that its one worth setting up regular podcasts about. Try not to limit yourself to just one topic, but rather go for a certain theme - then you can take on different topics on a regular basis. Rehearse, and script what you're going to discuss. Yes, I know it can be appealing to have a completely unscripted program, to try and achieve a more "raw" product, and that make work every now and then - but people don't want to listen to someone every week who wings it as they go along. If you're co-hosting, make sure its with someone reliable. If you're trying to launch a regular podcast series, it doesn't look good if you have constant delays because some guy who was supposed to be co-hosting never bothered to show up. Get a good recording program, and a good VOIP program if you're co-hosting. If you're flying solo, try WavePad - its completely free and will provide more than enough tools to record and edit yourself. If you're going to have a co-host, try Skype. To record from Skype, you'll probably need a little program called HotRecorder - the basic version is free, but you'll need to pay around $20 to upgrade and be able to convert recorded files to Wav. ????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/webmaster-tutorials/227967-podcasting-some-advice-and-tips.html Save your recordings often - possibly even have more than one person recording it. We do several pre-recorded podcast-style shows on SIRadio, and I can't count how many times we've had to start over because the guy who was recording had their PC crap out on them. If you're going for a more "raw" product, give some thought to pitching it as "uncensored" rather than "unedited" - as you'll probably find yourself wanting to do a tiny bit of tweaking to the raw product - getting rid of those horrible lengthy silences, interuptions etc. Again, Wavepad is a great program for this, or if you have a few hundred dollars to shell out, try Adobe Audition. Also, try not to stray too far over one hour in length. If you do excessivly... maybe 1hr 30-2hrs, look at possibly splitting the file into two parts. Last piece of advice, do not include any music or exerts from music in your podcast. There are strict licensing laws against any unauthorized individual/group making any copyrighted tunes available for download in any form, and that includes as a backing track (or carpet) for your podcast and any jingles etc. While a lot of people may think that if their operation is small, the licensing companies won't bother them, they're wrong - i've known far too many decent stations that were small and low-profile be shut down and ordered to pay post-dated royalties because they weren't registered. ????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=227967 The big problem with this is that having a carpet track, or spruced up into can greatly enhance the quality of the podcast. In this case, i'd look for websites and services which offer original music composition. There are a lot of pricey ones out there, but theres also some at a decent price - so if you're serious about making this a key feature of your site, it could be worth looking into. If you're wanting a professional voice-over for the intro's to your podcast, you may want to check out Jeff Radio - this guy produces really great quality soundbytes fairly cheap. Also be sure to check out his links section for alternatives, as well as places to get the afforementioned royalty-free "carpet" tracks. --- Hope that is of some help to anyone considering going into podcasting - if not, then you probably won't have read this far anyway, so Last edited by siradio; 01-12-2007 at 08:15 AM.

10-18-2006, 11:14 AM	#2 (permalink)
mknapper1 NamePros Regular Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: SouthWest Michigan Posts: 323 Follow @Mknapper1	yea podcasting isn't really my thing __________________ PM me if you want your links in my signature : )

12-28-2006, 10:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
ToyBoy3 NamePros Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 44	thnx for such a good article. well, few sites offers Pocasting at cheaper rates. they host your podcasts too! __________________ Domain Registration - Register a domain for $8.95/yr includes Free $25 Yahoo search marketing coupon plus Free $25 Enhance Interactive Coupon and free web hosting. Web Hosting - 200 GB space, 2000 GB Bandwidth, starting $4.99/mo. Get Free $25 Google Adwords Credit, plus Free $25 Yahoo search marketing coupon plus Free $25 Enhance Interactive Coupon

12-29-2006, 06:22 AM	#5 (permalink)
AbsoluteKC NamePros Regular Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 980	Thanks for sharing these nice information __________________ SEO Tips \| One Day, One Card \| KC Tan Logo Design \| WordPress Coach Profit Blogging Workshop

01-12-2007, 11:04 PM	#7 (permalink)
iNod Eating Pie Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 2,267	How do you guys go about getting licenses for music? Do you have to contact somebody? - Steve __________________ I feel old.

10-18-2006, 12:45 PM	#3 (permalink)
namebug NamePros Regular Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 361	Thanks for the advice, the link for jeffradio goes to jeffaudio.com,btw. I was wondering about the bumper music many people use on their podcasts, seems like there could be copyright trouble, but i never heard of anybody getting sued for it-yet.

02-15-2007, 02:12 PM	#8 (permalink)
YesBrilliant Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,059	Podcasts can really differentiate your web site. Just remember to be at the right side of the law by getting the respective licenses (by contacting the owner/producer or seller) but why not produce your own in case you just need something simple? Thanks for sharing!

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