This is one of the most common questions I hear from novice podcasters. My answer: Sure, script your intro and outro, but don’t write down your whole podcast word for word, unless you are 100% confident in your skills as a voice performer. Think first of the most effective way to tell your story. Should it be conversational or highly polished?
I’ve written and spoken more extensively on this topic in these posts:
Social media updates are converging. Now you can easily use such tools as TweetDeck and Hootsuite (and others) to post your status on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter at the same time, or just LinkedIn and Twitter, or… You get the idea.
Speed and simplicity are wonderful, but what about communication? When I teach business writing, one of the first points I discuss with the class is the concept of knowing your audience and your goal. So I think of my online audience's needs and my own goals before I publish any status update anywhere.
In my world, LinkedIn relationships are the most formal; this place is strictly for business. Facebook is more social; many of my “friends” are actually family members and old schoolmates. That's the place where I might write about my aunt’s birthday party or comment on someone’s new baby pictures.
Twitter is my online water cooler, research department and referral engine, all in one. Most of my Twitter updates are business-oriented (such as an invitation to my upcoming Webinar: "Take your podcast to the next level"), but some are more personal, showing my authentic self, as they say. (I heard a great quote last year, and I wish I knew the author: Facebook represents the people you used to know; Twitter represents the people you’d like to get to know.)
If I posted the typical Twitter update on Facebook, most people would be flummoxed. The hashtags, RTs and @ signs don’t contribute much to readability when you’re not accustomed to them.
Each of us uses these social networks slightly differently, but I doubt that many of us are speaking to the same audience in each arena. At least for the foreseeable future, I’ll continue to update each site manually, with rare exception. What about you?
IMPORTANT: PLEASE SEE THE UPDATE AT THE END OF THIS POST!
How’s your podcast? If you’re already podcasting, then we probably agree that podcasting can be a powerful way to communicate with prospects, employees and customers, by telling stories with the warmth of the human voice. But perhaps you know in your heart that your podcast could be better.
I’ve been using audio on the Web for about seven years, and podcasting since 2005. Along the way, I’ve managed to learn many techniques that have been helpful to me in my own podcasts and in the hundreds of podcasts I have produced for clients. And I’d like to help you too.
That’s why I’m offering a free webinar called “Take Your Podcast to the Next Level.” During this 30-minute Web-based seminar, we’ll talk about simple, practical things you can do to improve your podcast – from content to audio quality to search engine optimization (SEO). This free webinar will take place on Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at 2 p.m. Eastern time.
Please reserve your spot today. Send an email right now to register. Attendance is limited. By the way, all you need to attend is a computer (with speakers) and an Internet connection. And perhaps a comfy chair.
Bonus: All attendees get a copy of the newly revised Podcaster’s Checklist, a three-page document filled with tips to improve your podcast.
UPDATE
The timing and format of this event have changed. Please note:
The webinar will not be held on June 1 as originally scheduled.
In late June, I will release a video that you can watch at your convenience. This video will show you some of the top ways you can improve your podcast.
On July 14 at 2 p.m. Eastern, I will host a free 30-minute teleseminar, where you can ask questions about the video and get answers to your own podcasting questions.
Please mark your calendar for July 14 at 2 p.m. Eastern time.
Watch your inbox in late June for a link to the video.
To take advantage of all this podcasting goodness, YOU MUST REGISTER. Kindly use the link in the original post, above. Thanks!
There’s even a group online attempting to Save the Flip.
But let’s assume that they’re closing it, and not looking for a buyer. What do you do?
If you already own a Flip, you keep using it until it croaks. If you don’t own a Flip and you want to do simple and quick videos, you have plenty of options.
If you have an iPhone 4, you already own an HD video camera.
Purists will tell you that the problem with many consumer video “solutions” is the audio. And that’s true. With a unit like the Flip, you may capture fairly decent video images, but the audio will be pretty terrible. There are remedies for this.
Most of us are not buying professional video cameras that allow you to hook up an XLR microphone. But even consumer cameras and some smartphones will let you capture good audio.
With my two-year-old Canon FS100 camera, I can hook up a dynamic mic on its audio input port. On my iPhone 4, I can feed in audio via the iRig mic.
In the worst case (and I have done this), I can record the video on whatever I have, and then capture the audio on a dynamic mic and my Samson Zoom H4, then marry them in post-production. It can be done.
What about a tripod? I’m a huge fan of tripods, since I’m easily nauseated by shaky video. If you buy a handy gadget from iStabilizer, you can attach your iPhone 4 to your existing tripod mount.
So, the bottom line is that there are numerous solutions that can fill the void left by the Flip. Let’s thank the Flip for making video more popular, particularly within organizations, and then bid it adieu. OK?
If you’re an indie, you might be interested in a few of their upcoming events:
IABC/Toronto Professional Independent Communicators: Taking the fear out of cold calling Most indies probably want to run screaming from the room at the mention of cold calling, but they will change their minds after meeting Tom Kaufmann. At the May 4 PIC meeting, Tom will demonstrate the value of cold calling as a business development tool, and he’ll also show us how we can craft elevator speeches and infomercials that make a great impression in those all-important first five to seven seconds. For a sneak preview of Tom’s presentation, you can listen to this 11-minute podcast.
May 4, 2011, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Location TBD; downtown Toronto You must register in advance; payment cannot be accepted at the door. For more info, or to register, visit the IABC/Toronto site.
Halton Peel Communications Association: Brand impacts business Learn how brand impacts business with Rhonda Page. Understand what branding is all about (a brand is not a logo) and why it’s important for business growth. According to Rhonda, this talk is for you if you find standing out from the crowd a challenge; have clients who are unsure of their message or differentiation; or are experiencing a slow sales process with less-than-optimal results. Rhonda recently launched her first published book, which takes readers through her insightful and inspiring process.
IABC/Toronto Professional Independent Communicators: Step into the spotlight This event is not yet on the IABC/Toronto website, but you’ll want to mark your calendar now.
In a fast-paced, hilarious presentation, Tsufit, a former comedienne, will share her “secrets of stardom” – provocative tips on getting seen, getting heard and getting yourself and your business noticed. In her powerful talk, you’ll learn how to attract clients in just 30 seconds, the three biggest mistakes most entrepreneurs make and how to avoid them, and much more. Read more on Tsufit at her website.
June 1, 2011, 6 to 9 p.m. Location TBD; downtown Toronto
Highlights of the April PIC meeting If you weren’t at the April 6 PIC meeting to hear Paul Chato, that’s too bad. He shared some valuable insights into what makes a successful website by conducting “interviews” with sites. You had to be there! But if you weren’t, please read Amy Sept’s blog post and take a look at this quick video.
