The Management Consulting Group

One of the problems many podcast producers fall into is how to record a podcast when your co-host or interview subject lives in another state or province.

Since having that person fly or drive to your location is silly, there are many cost-effective ways to record individuals for your podcast and still get a broadcast quality sound.

Since I’m the only host for my podcast called Cubicle Divas, when I need to record an interview to include in my podcast, I use a service called Audio Acrobat. For a small monthly fee, I call the person I need to interivew, and then call the Audio Acrobat number using my three-way calling feature on my phone.

If you’re looking for a no-fee option, Jason Van Orden has a solution for the more frugally-minded podcaster. Van Orden co-hosts a podcast called Internet Business Mastery with another person in another state. He has a simple strategy for recording both of their voices at the same time that doesn’t cost a dime.

“We call each other on Skype or Google Talk so we can hear each other. We each have the same outline in front of us, which clearly indicates who is doing what. We each have a recording software open on our computers and press record at the same time (someone counts off),” says Van Orden.

“My co-host uploads the audio file to his site and I download it. Then I put the two audio files together and sync them. It sounds like we’re in the same room. This technique is often called a ‘double-ender’,” says Van Orden.

Paige Eissinger, who co-hosts a podcast called Views from the Coop, also uses Skype, but she uses a different technique than that of Van Orden.

“I use Skype and HotRecorder to create the podcasts I do with my co-host who lives in another state. HotRecorder is a very inexpensive program available online for download. Either party (or both) can record the conversation directly to their own computers with HotRecorder,” says Eissinger.

According to Eissinger, there is an additional benefit to using Hot Recorder to record your interviews.

“HotRecorder saves the file in the HotRecorder format, but a companion program called HotConverter comes with it that allows you to convert to a wav or ogg vorbis format. Once you’ve converted the file, you can open your conversation in your favorite audio editing program and edit away. The cool thing about it is that it records each voice of the conversation on a different track so you can edit them individually,” says Eissinger.

Podcating guru Penny Haynes, who produces 3 podcasts and is also the founder of the International Podcasting Expo, shares her own technique for recording interviews so she can get a broadcast quality sounding audio.

“I have interviewees download a free version of a program called RecordPad and give them my FTP information to insert into the Options section,” says Haynes.

“When they finish recording, the mp3 file is automatically uploaded to my server, so I can mix the two files as if they were with me when I recorded.”

For less technical interviewees and co-hosts who may be all thumbs when it comes to FTP programs and recording software, Donna Papacosta, who produces a podcast called Trafcom News Podcast, suggests getting recording equipment that connects into your phone.

“For remote guests, I use a Telecom Audio VoicePort hooked up to my phone and my Edirol R-1. The person on the other end doesn’t have to do anything other than talk,” says Papacosta.

As a first-time podcast producer, Danielle Culter used a tool called Gizmo Project to record her first podcast with her co-host who lives in another state.

“Quality isn’t too bad, and can be fixed up when you edit. My co-host spoke rather softly, so you can notice a difference in the levels there (or maybe I’m just a loudmouth), but overall I was pretty happy with the results,” says Culter.

Warren Contreras, a podcast enthusiast, agrees that the Gizmo Project tool can be effective at recording multiple voices in multiple locations.

“For multiple remote participants you might have a look at Gizmo Project. Conference calling is included as well as a one click record button,” says Contreras.

Quotes for this article were collected from the Podcaster Central network on Ryze.com.

(c)2006 Leesa R. Barnes. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

Leesa Barnes, Chief Divapreneur, helps consultants, virtual assistants, professional organizers and coaches pull clients to them using a podcast. Leesa’s advice is based on her experience producing and hosting a podcast where she saw a spike in subscribers to her ezine list and signed up a few new coaching clients, all without scheduling any complimentary sessions. Go to http://www.internationalpodcastingexpo.com and join the podcasters mentioned in this article for a 3-day expo exploring tips on how to produce, publish, promote & profit from a podcast.

1. The first step in promoting your podcast actually comes down to the description of the podcast itself. Your podcast description should be clear and give an accurate representation of the contents of your podcast. Podcast episodes generally have a common theme, such as how to podcasts, podsafe music podcasts etc.

Your description should accurately describe this theme. Remember, not everybody is going to want to listen to your podcast. What you ultimately want is a core following from those that are particularly interested in your genre. This is known as a niche. An example of a niche is all people that want to train their cat to speak. Wacky I know, but my research indicates that this is indeed possible and I’m trying it on my cat.

Now this is a very specific podcast niche.

Another broader example would be unsigned heavy metal band music. This would attract listeners who are perhaps looking for the latest music that has not hit the mainstream and maybe even music agents looking to sign up the next big act. Another good idea is to have an attractive image included in your podcast. This can give a pictorial description of your theme and attract your niche podcast audience.

2. The next step in promoting your podcast is to get it in front of the podcast world. Now there are a plethora of sites that list podcasts. There are podcast directories, there are forums that discuss podcasts and then there is the search engines themselves.

Firstly I would recommend submitting your podcast to as many podcast directories as possible. What this does is get you some traffic, but more importantly it will get you links back to your site, in the the search engines. These are powerful one way links. There are 50 or more podcast directories around ranging from general ones, categorized into many genres, to niche directories, focusing on one topic, such as educational podcasts. Simply find the ones that are appropriate to your podcast and submit.

Forums are also a good place to find listeners and get links. Simply join the forum and participate. Do not spam. You can usually place a link to your podcast in your signature line. If your podcast is interesting to the forum members you will attract listeners. Use a feedburner link to monitor the number of listeners you have.

3. The final step is what I call managing the growth. If you get to this step. This is where you will have an ever increasing number of listeners and may even attain cult status for your podcast. At this point you will be looking for more macro promotion. You may be needing to look for joint venture partners and may receive offers. Consider these wisely.

Now clearly not all podcasts will reach this level, but if you do you should not diverge too widely from your listener base, since this is what has brought you to this level. At this point you can consider getting professional advice, provided your monetization model permits.

If you are a band you may have already have received offers of work by this stage and the podcast should be maintained, in a normal operation, since this is what got you to this level. These are the basic steps to promoting your podcast.

To promote your podcast please visit Graeme’s Podcast Directory. This directory already contains a number of resources on podcasting itself. But it is by no means limited to that and lists podcasts in many genres. Any one is welcome to submit their podcast for consideration to www.Podcastdir.net and listing is free.

Okay, I’m in love!

I’m in love with the whole idea of Internet radio.

The fact of the matter is Internet radio is one of the most versatile and potentially profitable mediums available to the average person, with average resources. Literally anyone with a computer, an Internet connection and a microphone can have their own radio show with a potential worldwide (web) audience.

When I figured out the awesome potential of Internet radio, I jumped in headfirst. The result?

The Secret Information Revealed Show (see http://www.SecretInformationRevealed.com/)

For many years I have realized that those folks who truly had useful, little known or highly guarded information often had the edge: The knowledge to pull out ahead of the pack in whatever discrete area or niche they knew about. I have become good at developing and utilizing some of this type information myself. But I’m constantly thirsting for more. And that was the key to my show…

The Secret Information Revealed Show is based on developing and sharing this type of useful but not widely known information. Thus, with Secret Information Revealed, I bring on guests in a wide range of fields and disciplines to talk about specific tips, tricks and secrets in their topic areas to help my audience get ahead or get the advantage. It also helps that the show title is provocative and somewhat mysterious.

What does all this have to do with launching you own show?

Plenty, actually.

Let’s examine the lessons you may draw.

First, understand that Internet radio (and/or podcasting) stays live and accessible to the potential audience forever. Compare the one-time shot of traditional electronic media like television and radio. This is truly a wonderful thing because folks can find you and access your content months, even years after the broadcast. If you are a marketer you no doubt see the utility of this set-up. Also, although your audience isn’t as large as with traditional media, it does not matter because the audience you do find will be highly targeted and eager to hear what your show covers. It’s shotgun spray vs. scoped marksmen shell.

Next, make sure that the show you launch marches in lockstep with your passions. If you’re not passionate and enthusiastic about what your show covers, give it up. In other words, only do a show that excites you. That’s the only way it will truly sparkle.

That segue ways into my next point. That is, if you have a number of passions in things you may like to base your show on, choose the one with the widest appeal (or largest market). You do this by checking keyword searches at the various search engines. Check to see how many times your keywords are searched and go with the ones that have more frequent searches.

Last, always be thinking about how your show can be monetized. Here’s some ideas: AdSense revenue, affiliate commissions, sponsorship dollars (yes many podcasts have outside sponsors who pay real money to be featured and/or advertised), setting up your show as a paid membership site.

Lot’s to think about. But these are some basic thoughts to get you going in the right direction.

Oh yea, one other thing. Interested in what’s behind the veil at the Secret Information Revealed Show? You can listen to the current show by visiting the website and signing up to get instant access. No telling what mysteries will be unraveled for you.

Copyright Daniel Hall 2006

Daniel Hall, is the host of the Internet radio show, Secret Information Revealed, where he interviews both well-known gurus and little-known masters and gets them to share their tricks of the trade so audience members can get ahead, make more money and live more abundant, loving lives. You can listen to the current show free by opting-in at http://www.SecretInformationRevealed.com/

Daniel is also author of the hugely popular and critically acclaimed e-book, Speak on Cruise Ships: Eight Easy Steps to a Lifetime of Free Cruises Get details and a free 6-part video e-course at http://www.SpeakersCruiseFree.com/

Daniel’s newest project is the soon to be published, future bestseller, The Ultimate Guide to Second Chances: Legal Ways to Erase or Hide Your Criminal Background Get the full skinny at http://www.UltimateSecondChance.com/