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Creating, Producing, and Managing Podcasts
Content Marketing
The Purpose of this Presentation !
With mobile devices and wireless connectivity available anywhere, there has never been a better time to produce a podcast than right now. !In this presentation, we outline the purpose and benefits of podcasting, and outline the steps for creating, planning, and managing your own.
What is podcasting?
Periodic production of an audio or video show
Episodes are media files: mp3 (audio); mp4 or mov (video)
RSS Feed (XML file) includes episode details, updates
Submit feed to iTunes, other directories, and promote it
People subscribe to feed get notified of each new episode
NOT: live streaming audio or video
Podcast UX (Past & Present)
Past
• Cumbersome download/sync process
• Limited device abilities
Turning Point: June 29, 2007 (iPhone debuts)
Present
• Download/subscribe from anywhere, anytime
• Industry changes make podcasting easier for listeners, creators
Industry Changes = Reasons to Podcast
1. iPhone (+ Androids, iPads, more) = More wireless connectivity + More portable device usage
2. YouTube + Netflix (+ Hulu, more)= More Video Content of various types/forms
3. iTunes Music Store + Spotify (+ mp3 stores + streaming) = More Audio Content of various types/forms
4. More media hosts = More User Generated Content
All benefits for Content Creators!
Podcasting Challenges
Content: constant creation, value vs. existing content channels?
Production: what equipment?, how to record?, how to edit?
File hosting: another channel to connect to, pay for
Making money: limited return on investment, need to prove worth to stakeholders
Content is King
A podcast can be about anything!
…BUT it should be something you’re passionate about
…AND you need to commit to it (weekly, monthly?)
…AND you need to keep it fresh and engaging
Key Questions to Get Started
How often do I want to podcast?Daily, weekly, monthly… whenever I can? Create a schedule.
How long should each episode be?5 minutes? 60? Variable?Hold attention, but provide value. Prepare notes.
What should the format of my podcast be?1 person talking? Chat? Q&A? Research and experiment.
Should I do a video or audio podcast?What’s the purpose of the show? Address audience needs.
• YouYour life, experience, advice, events
• Your companyExpertise, products, help for customers
• Your passionsMovies, music, your kids, politics, drama
• How-to Solutions Tech, cooking, home improvement… and more
• …or a mix of all of the above!
Podcast Topics
Production Needs
Recording equipment (and expertise)
• Webcam, phone, tripod… video camera?
• Your laptop… special lighting, build a set?
• Built-in mic, phone, external mic… multiple mics?
• Record to your laptop, external recorder… mixer?
Editing app (and expertise)
• iMovie, Camtasia… Final Cut Pro?
• Audacity, GarageBand… Pro Tools or Logic Pro?
Production Tips
Test your setup before you record
Silence your phone and find a quiet spot
Use a tripod for video as much as possible
Do multiple takes - you can (and should) edit
Listen while you record
Accessories
Music for Your Podcast
Free
• freemusicarchive.org
• soundcloud.com
• ccmixter.org
Paid/Free
• jamendo.com
• audiojungle.net
Creative Commons: give credit, non-commercial usage, more
When in doubt, ASK the artist for permission
Hosting
Your own site? Understand space/bandwidth limits
Libsyn: unlimited downloads, hosting plans, webpage, RSS feed, easy publishing, stats, support (start at $5/month)
Blubrry: similar features (start at $12/month)
Castmate, Soundcloud, Amazon S3, many other solutions
YouTube: use channels, or your RSS feed
Important: Monitor your stats over time
Submitting to iTunes
Every podcast has an RSS Feed:
• XML file created by your podcast host or blog platform
• <channel> - basic show details
• <item> - details for each episode
• iTunes RSS Tags: https://www.apple.com/itunes/podcasts/specs.html
Submit the RSS Feed in Podcast section of iTunes Store,with title, name, show art, description, category, and URL
Await results… then get your notification
Subscribe to your own show - make sure it’s always working
iTunes Podcasts
Submitting to iTunes
Submit to iTunes, and:
Podcast Alley
Libsyn
Blubrry
Stitcher app
Search for relevant directories (use keywords)
Promotion
iTunes: get ratings and reviews from listeners
Website: produce content, easy to subscribe
Social media: support subscriptions with new posts
Podcast directories: get listed in relevant categories
Online PresenceMaintain consistent branding across all websites and platforms
Making Money
Website advertising? Adwords, or DIY (but you’ll need data)
Paid subscriptions? Content must be worth it
In-podcast advertising? Need analytics, should fit your show
Selling merchandise? Possible, but eats up resources
Get paid to podcast? Who would pay you? Prove your worth!
Equipment Software Hosting
Free/Cheapest Built-in mic/cam Audacity, iMovie Your site,YouTube
Cheap Phone w/ tripod, headset w/ mic
GarageBand, Audio Hijack Pro Libsyn
Mid-range USB mic (Blue) Camtasia Storage, bandwidth
Expensive Video camera,Multiple mics, mixer
Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Premiere, Final Cut Features, app, ads
Pay more to get: Higher quality More options More options
Costs vs. Benefits
To Podcast or Not…
Are you passionate about your show idea and content?
Do you have time, expertise, and ideas to sustain a show?
How can you produce a high-quality show and manage costs?
Who do you want to reach, and can you continually promote?
What are your goals? Exposure, marketing, money… other?
If/when you start podcasting…
Create a schedule, and a plan for bringing value to listeners
Improve your production process/time
Monitor your stats to see what works
Improve and evolve
Have fun - share your passion!
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