Show #67: The CEO Podcast

Has the CEO of your organization considered using audio to communicate with employees? In this 23-minute podcast, I share some recent experiences producing audio messages from corporate leaders.

Please listen and let me know what you think! You can download the show right here  or subscribe through iTunes.

Here are the show notes:
Comment line: 206-338-4200

00:01 Intro and welcome
01:45 Enthusiasm for CEO podcasts seems to be growing
02:45 First example: directing the recording of a podcast with a client in California
03:55 Recommendation for YouSendIt.com for transmitting and receiving large WAV files
05:10 Second example: Recording an audio message in the CEO’s boardroom in Toronto
06:50 Third example: Recording audio over Skype
08:00 Is it a podcast without RSS? Each organization does what’s best for their situation
08:19 Suggestions: Focus on message, not technology; be aware of tone; consider how you want employees to feel after listening; remember your role as an advisor
10:15 Think about how you will distribute the message
10:45 Please don’t let the CEO read!
11:20 Standing is better than sitting
12:00 Please share your own experiences with CEO podcasts
12:45 Comment from Dave Jones of InsidePR
13:00 Comment from Tony Molloy
13:25 Comment from Joe Thornley of ProPR
13:53 Question from Max Hansen
15:25 Comment from Sam Deeks
17:00 Recommendation of Levelator for evening out your audio
17:55 Comment from Mike O’Laughlin
18:20 Comment from Tina Hansen
21:00 An upcoming Trafcom News Podcast will be on Blog Talk Radio; topic is “Big Ideas on a Small Budget” – communications for nonprofit organizations
22:00 Where to send comments: email to donna@trafcom.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
Theme music is "Beneath Your Surface" by the Elisabeth Lohninger Quartet from the Podsafe Music Network

Comments

[Mark Blevis]

I have long contested that noise filters are to be avoided at all costs. Sam's audio submission demonstrates how noise filters can suck the life out of the recording when the host stops talking and then reintroduces the noise when the host resumes talking. In a short segment it may be acceptable. In a 20-30 minute podcast, it is very distracting for the listener and can be hard on the ears depending on how strong the noise floor is.

It's far better to work with a source recording that has a low noise floor and then live with it -- equalizing out the frequencies that interfere the most with the foreground of the recording -- than using noise filters to do the work for you.

[Corey Taratuta]

Glad you're back in action. I was missing my Trafcom News Podcast Fix.

Thanks for the info on recording at a distance...I've got some phone interviews in the works.

[Donna Papacosta]

Very good point, Mark. You have good ears. I agree that noise filters are very tricky; I've had limited success with them and always try, like you, to start with a solid recording.

Corey, thanks for listening and commenting. Glad you found the info useful.