Trafcom News Podcast

Show #47: Podcasting wisdom from Tom Russell of Superwisdom.com

This 20-minute podcast features an interview with Tom Russell of the non-profit foundation, Superwisdom.com. Tom and Fred Lacy produce the Time Out for Truth Podcast, which has helped them to increase their reach and even further build their community. Hear how Tom has become a passionate advocate of podcasting, more so than he ever expected.

You can download the show right here or subscribe through iTunes.

Here are the show notes:
00:01 Welcome
01:00 Introducing Tom Russell of Superwisdom.com and the Time Out for Truth Podcast
01:55 Tom explains why they started producing the podcast “where wisdom meets daily life”
02:50 The podcast creates an emotional connection with the audience and a sense of community that you just don’t get with the written word
04:30 Donna had validated Tom and Fred’s idea of a conversation between the two co-hosts; comments from listeners contribute to the dialogue
06:35 They prepare for the podcast but leave it open to spontaneity; ideas spring forth from their conversation
07:00 Learning to edit is an art
07:54 Tom didn’t expect to enjoy the production process as much as he does; now he thoroughly enjoys editing because it lifts the level of communication of the podcast; Tom has fallen in love with the whole process of podcasting
08:31 Podcasting nourishes your passion; Tom encourages others to take the plunge
09:55 How Tom and Fred record their double-ender using You Send It to transfer files; they sometimes do three takes then use the best parts
10:58 It takes time, but after three or four months, Tom can feel momentum building
11:24 How they promote the podcast, starting with their existing base of 3,500 subscribers; keyword ads; building their list; media interviews
14:50 Emotional connection of the human voice
15:15 The podcast has been a success and it’s also a lot of fun; Tom encourages passionate people to podcast
15:50 Where to send comments: email to trafcom AT gmail.com, call the comment line at 206-338-4200 or post a message to the Trafcom News Podcast blog
16:10 Comments on the preview show, the interview with voiceover master Joe Cipriano; Donna says Joe liked the show
17:21 Dave Williams of Conference Village comments and asks questions about the importance of vocal quality in a podcaster
18:11 Mitch Joel of Twist Image and the Six Degrees of Separation Podcast says he will be more conscious of vocal technique after listening to Joe
18:40 Anna Farmery of the Engaging Brand Podcast enjoyed the interview with Joe and wants to hear Donna do a show about podcast promotion; Donna says this is in the works for 2007
19:20 Donna reveals that the next edition of Trafcom News (in January) will be a featured Feedburner podcast
19:35 How to subscribe to the Trafcom News Podcast

Look for the Trafcom News Podcast on Blubrry.com
Theme music is “Beneath Your Surface” by the Elisabeth Lohninger Quartet from the Podsafe Music Network

Show #46: How to make the most of the voice you have: Podcasting and voiceover tips from Joe Cipriano

This 23-minute podcast features an interview with renowned voiceover (VO) artist Joe Cipriano. In our discussion, he shares some of his tips for using a microphone properly, for keeping the vocal cords healthy, and for being a success in the VO business (it’s all about relationships, says Joe).

You may not know Joe’s name or face but you know his voice, because he is heard on TV and radio every day -- doing promos for Fox, NBC, CBS and other networks, and as the live announcer for the Emmys and Grammys.

You can download the show right here or subscribe through iTunes.

Here are the show notes:
00:01 Welcome
01:18 Introducing Joe Cipriano, one of the top voiceover artists in the world. Visit Joe’s blog and Web site and watch him in the Apple Podcast Recipe tutorial. Joe has also contributed to the book, Secrets of Voiceover Success
02:15 Joe is having a great time doing VO work
02:41 Joe discusses the biggest mistakes people make when using a microphone: talking too close, pulling too far away; not using a pop filter
04:46 How to gain experience using a microphone; wear headphones while you record and listen to yourself afterward
05:20 Does your voice vary day to day? Or is it your hearing? How the weather can affect your voice; how to protect your instrument
07:00 Techniques Joe uses in the VO booth when recording promos
09:45 The importance of learning about audio technology (EQ, compression and so on)
10:30 The Apple Podcast Recipe tutorial
10:51 Benefits of drinking lots of water
11:58 Quick chat about Joe’s days in St. Mary’s, Ontario
13:00 There’s no such thing as a bad voice
14:44 You don’t need to sound like the “voice of God” to be successful in VO or podcasting
15:10 Most important: the story
15:50 New podcasters often focus on the mic and other technology; you need a message first
16:00 VO hopefuls ask Joe what mic he uses, or what Don LaFontaine owns
16:48 Advice for newcomers: Opportunities for podcasters to be creative are mind-boggling; never have we seen a time like this when you can conceive of an idea and offer it to the world; new careers are being made every day; VO people need a strong foundation and should go to workshops before making a demo
19:40 VO business is about relationships; if you do all your sessions by ISDN, you can’t interact in person; in the promo world, 90% of the job is showing up on time
21:00 Where to send comments: email to trafcom AT gmail.com, call the comment line at 206-338-4200 or post a message to the Trafcom News Podcast blog
Look for the Trafcom News Podcast on Blubrry.com
21:55 Listen to the podcast created by Centennial College students last week during Donna’s presentation on podcasting
Theme music is “Beneath Your Surface” by the Elisabeth Lohninger Quartet from the Podsafe Music Network