Trafcom News Podcast

Trafcom News 74: The secrets of show notes

If you're a podcaster, or thinking of becoming one, please consider the role of show notes as a marketing tool and a service to your audience. As you'll learn by listening to this 22-minute podcast, Google hates you if you're a podcaster who doesn't take the time to write  show notes. In this podcast, you'll hear advice from experienced podcasters: Nicole Simon, Christopher S. Penn, Dave Jones, Wayne MacPhail and Aaron Strout.

Please tune in and let me know what you think! You can download the MP3 file right here or subscribe through iTunes. You can also listen on the Trafcom News blog by clicking on the player on the upper right part of the screen.

Comment line: 212-624-0209

Here are the show notes:

00:01 Intro and welcome
00:45 Definition of show notes: text that accompanies a podcast
01:15 Good reasons to take the time: listeners love them, and so does Google
01:27 Podcasters love to complain about the time it takes to write show notes [I am kvetching right now; can you hear me?]
01:40 Some podcasters produce a bare-bones outline; others do show notes with time codes [like these] and still others go for a full-blown transcript
02:01 Guests today: Nicole Simon, Christopher S. Penn, Dave Jones, Wayne MacPhail, Aaron Strout
02:33 Nicole Simon, who produces Useful Sounds, Bloxpert and Cruel to be Kind, talks about the general value of show notes: link out to get others interested in your podcast; provide navigation to listeners.
03:55 The more knowledge-intensive your podcast, the greater the value of your text
05:00 And what about non-native-language listeners?
05:18 Outsourcing your show note production
06:18 Wayne MacPhail of W8NC and the Rabble Podcast Network explains why the Talk for Memories podcast he produced for the Alzheimer's Society of Ontario, uses transcripts; knowing your audience demographic; being aware of high-speed Internet access
08:29 Wayne used a company in India to do the transcripts
08:56 Wayne doesn't do transcripts for every podcast he creates; here's his general view on show notes; time codes will become increasingly important as we move towards modular content for podcasts
10:21 Dave Jones, a VP at Hill and Knowlton, produces Inside PR and Shill, two very different podcasts
10:52 General goal of show notes is to help listeners navigate through podcast; provide links; tone of show affects tone of notes
11:25 Dave and co-host Doug Walker take a more light-hearted approach with their Shill show notes; they're part of the entertainment
12:28 Aaron Strout, VP of New Media at Mzinga and community manager and podcaster at We Are Smarter, shares his process for producing shown notes
13:39 How including interviewee names (such as Guy Kawasaki, Shel Israel, Tim O'Reilly and Mike Arrington) increases traffic
14:44 Christopher S. Penn of the Financial Aid Podcast and Marketing Over Coffee (co-hosted with John Wall) quotes Julien Smith on why Google "hates you" if you're a podcaster without show notes because it can only scan text; use important key words
15:54 Chris talks about his approach to show notes at the Financial Aid Podcast; use of key words; cross-promotion across different media; how he deploys show notes; use of the lyrics tab; show notes are metadata; must write show notes with both Google and humans in mind
18:38 Chris shares his secret for having his show notes picked up as a legitimate item in the Google News feed
19:17 My own take on show notes; can be  a pain; I write an outline and flesh it out as I listen to my podcast after mixing; listeners like the show notes because they can skim, go back, blog easily about the content; and I like the Google juice
20:58 Where to send comments: email to Donna AT Trafcom DOT com, call the comment line at 212-624-0209 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.

Trafcom News 73: How to give good audio

Have you been invited as a guest on a podcast or radio show? Listen to these tips for giving good audio so that you’ll be asked back. At the same time, you’ll be making the most of the investment of your own time.

Please tune in to this 14-minute podcast and let me know what you think! You can download the MP3 file right here or  subscribe through iTunes. You can also listen on the Trafcom News blog by clicking on the player on the upper right part of the screen.

Here are the show notes:
Comment line: 212-624-0209

00:01 Intro and welcome
01:30 Prepare, but don’t expect precise questions in advance; jot down notes but don’t read them!
03:00 Keep facts and figures at your fingertips
03:40 Know your key messages
05:00 Use metaphors; tell a story
05:45 Slow down
06:05 Keep it short; don’t pontificate; think of sound bites
06:30 Example of Paull Young on FOX News talking about social media
07:00 The whole time you’re talking, think of your audience
07:25 Quick recap: prepare, jot down notes, have facts and figures ready, know your key messages, use metaphors, slow down, remember your audience
08:01 Comment from Joe Thornley of Thornley Fallis
10:48 Comment from Chris, Amateur Traveler
11:08 Comment from Steve Sergeant
11:33 Comment from Elisabeth (Podcastmama) at Podcastingnews
12:21 Comment from George Motoc
12:56 Comment from Podcastmatters 
13:36 Where to send comments: email to Donna AT Trafcom DOT com, call the comment line at 212-624-0209 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

Show# 72: Big Ideas, Small Budget

If you work for a charity or other nonprofit, you’ll be especially interested in today’s show, which is based on a conference call where a group of us talked about communications ideas for nonprofits. The discussion ranges from  finding skilled yet inexpensive voice talent, recruiting volunteers, communicating with donors and the public,  and the reluctance of some colleagues to adopt new technology.

To keep the discussion going, I’ve created a wiki to accompany this podcast. If you work in the nonprofit sector and you want to share ideas or resources, please contribute to the wiki (email me for the password). Of course if you were a participant in the conference call, I really hope you’ll add your thoughts to the wiki. A big thank-you to the participants:

Kevin Daoust
Christie Goodman
Tina Hansen -- tinah AT peak DOT org
Karen Majerly
Scott Sherrin -- scott.sherrin AT maar DOT org
Tom Russell
Corey Taratuta
Joan Vinall-Cox

Please listen and let me know what you think! You can  download the show right here or  subscribe through iTunes. You can also listen on the Trafcom News blog by clicking on the player on the upper right part of the screen.

Comment line: 212-624-0209

Other resources cited (see the wiki for more information)
Beth's Blog: How NonProfits Can Use Social Media 
Hobson & Holtz interview with Connie Reece
Christopher Penn blog post on nonprofit strategies for recession
Podcamp Toronto Media Archive for Wayne MacPhail’s presentation on the Alzheimer’s Society of Ontario
General info on social media on the Social Media Training Wiki

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 #71: Five ways to kill your podcast

I get questions, many questions. And from these questions come some thoughts about the top five ways you can kill your podcast. (Maybe I’m watching too much CSI?)

You don’t want to ruin your podcast, right? So listen to this 9-minute episode, which serves up five easy pieces of podcasting advice you can use.

Please listen and let me know what you think! You can  download the show  here, or  subscribe through iTunes. You can also listen on the Trafcom News blog by clicking on the player on the upper right part of the screen.

Here are the show notes:
Comment line: 212-624-0209

00:01 Intro and welcome
00:50 Thanks to all who participated in Big Ideas, Small Budget conference call last week; this show is coming soon
01:25 Five ways to kill your podcast
01:45 1. Focus on technology
02:25 2. Don’t bother learning to use a microphone; refer to Apple Podcast Recipe for tips
03:30 3. Don’t consider your listeners’ needs; the Levelator
04:50 4. Email the MP3 file to everyone you know
05:50 5. Forget about shownotes
07:00 Recap: focus on content, not tech; learn to use your mic; think of your listeners’ needs; figure out the best way to distribute your podcast; make time for shownotes
07:40 See you at Podcamp Toronto February 23-24 at Ryerson University
07:55 My next free Webinar: Podcasting 101 for Communicators and Marketers, February 21, 2 p.m. Eastern. It's free but you need to register. Send an email to Donna AT Trafcom DOT Com
08:28 Where to send comments: email to Donna AT Trafcom DOT com, call the comment line at 212-624-0209 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

Show #70: Taming the email beast

Can you remember when you first started using email?  You were probably delighted to receive a message. Buts soon enough, you felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume of mail. Short of clearing out your inbox and starting from scratch (which is admittedly a very tempting but short-term fix), is there a solution to this dilemma?

In this 11-minute podcast, I describe a few tactics for taking back control of your email. I hope you’ll share your own best practices too.

Please listen and let me know what you think! You can download the show right here or subscribe  for free through iTunes.  You can also listen on the Trafcom News Podcast  blog by clicking on the player on the upper right part of the screen.

Here are the show notes:
Comment line: 212-624-0209

00:01 Intro and welcome
00:55 The business person’s lament: “Too much email too often!”
02:18 Tip #1: Turn off the notification
03:00 Tip #2: Use filters
04:20 Tip #3: Don’t create unrealistic expectations
05:00 Tip #4: Pick up the phone
05:28 In The Four-Hour Workweek, Tim Ferriss explains his extreme productivity tips, including not answering email, using autoresponders and relying on virtual assistants. Let me know if you’ve tried this.
06:29 Tip #5: Discourage CCs
07:25 Recap
07:55 Many of these tips apply equally to our use of the phone; you don’t have to answer it!
08:45 Big Ideas, Small Budget conference call February 15, 12 noon Eastern. Dial 1-605-772-3285, then key in the access code 877696#. Remember the pound key (number sign) at the end.
09:40 Podcamp Toronto February 23-24 at Ryerson University
10:00 My next free Webinar: Podcasting 101 for Communicators and Marketers, February 21, 2 p.m. Eastern. It’s free but you need to register. Send an email to Donna AT Trafcom DOT Com
10:36 Where to send comments: email to Donna AT Trafcom DOT com, call the comment line at 212-624-0209 or post a message to the Trafcom News Podcast blog

Look for the Trafcom News Podcast on Blubrry.com. Main theme music is "Beneath Your Surface" by the Elisabeth Lohninger Quartet from the Podsafe Music Network.

Show #69: Third Tuesday Toronto - ChickAdvisor.com

Welcome to the inaugural podcast for Third Tuesday Toronto, a social media meetup. This audio was recorded at the meeting on January 23, 2008 and features a short interview with Ali deBold, co-founder of ChickAdvisor.com as well as announcements about Podcamp Toronto and PRin Canada. It's only 10 minutes, so listen, eh?

Please let me know what you think! You can download the show right here or click on the player on the right side of the Web page or <a href=">subscribe through iTunes

Here are the show notes:

NEW comment line: 212-624-0209

00:01 Intro and welcome
00:45 All about Third Tuesday; founded and led by Joe Thornley of Thornley Fallis; sponsored by CNW Group
01:55 About ChickAdvisor.com, a social shopping site started by Alex and Ali deBold; Ali and Alex spoke at Third Tuesday in a Q&A facilitated by emcee Eden Spodek of Bargainista
03:00 Interview with Ali deBold; how and why they started ChickAdvisor.com; the deal with Slice
07:00 Interview with Dave Fleet of Fleet Street PR and Toronto Runner about Podcamp Toronto; check out the Podcamp Toronto wiki and blog
08:45 Interview with Dave Forde of Profectio Marketing about PRinCanada
09:43 Where to send comments: email to Donna AT Trafcom DOT com, call the comment line at 212-624-0209or 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

Show #68: The Podcaster's Checklist

Last year I published on my Trafcom News blog the Podcaster's Checklist, handy sheets of tips for any podcaster who needs to get organized around

• Planning
• Publishing
• Content
• Production
• Promotion and measurement

It's also available as a PDF.

In this 19-minute podcast, I flesh out a few points from the Podcaster's Checklist and share my plans for a special podcast called Big Ideas, Small Budget. Please spread the word!

Please listen and let me know what you think! You can download the show right here or listen with the player at the right (please go to the main page if you're reading this in a feed reader) or subscribe through iTunes.

Here are the show notes:
NEW comment line: 212-624-0209

00:01 Intro and welcome
01:27 The Podcaster's Checklist
02:30 New comment line is 212-624-0209
03:00 Sections of Podcaster's Checklist are planning, publishing, on recording day, content, promotion and measurement
03:25 Podcasters should read How to do Everything with Podcasting by Shel Holtz with Neville Hobson
03:40 Planning: first check out the competition; choose a name for your podcast
06:49 Podcasting can seem overwhelming; what can you outsource?
07:45 Singing the praises of audio producer Victoria Fenner
08:20 Publishing: integrating the podcast into an existing Web presence or building something new?
08:45 Audio signature or musical brand
10:00 Different ways to produce; planning is essential
11:22 On recording day: dealing with ambient noise; uncompressed files best
13:00 Big Ideas, Small Budget: A special podcast about helping nonprofit organizations to communicate with their audiences without spending big bucks. Please participate in the conference call on Friday, February 15, 2008 at 12 noon Eastern. Dial in to 1-605-772-3285 then key in the access code 877696#.
15:45 Promo for Podcamp Toronto by Peter O'Connell of Audio'connell
17:45 Please register for my free Webinar, Podcasting 101 for Communicators, February 21, 2 p.m. Eastern. Send an email to Donna AT trafcom.com.
18:30 Where to send comments: email Donna AT Trafcom DOT com, call the comment line at 212-624-0209 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.

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

Show #66: Sound check

Podcasters and prospective podcasters often ask me about microphones and recorders. In this 17-minute podcast, I play audio samples so that you can hear the difference between a condenser microphone, a built-in microphone, a recorded phone call and everything in between. We also continue the conversation about presentations that started in the previous episode.

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
01:00 Sound check!
02:12 Thank you to Luke Armour of Blog Talk Radio, unwitting volunteer for my recorded Skype call; check out Luke's Observations of Public Relations blog
02:48 Recording on a MacBook using the built-in microphone
03:17 Recording of a phone call captured with a Telecom Audio VoicePort
03:39 Recording on an Edirol R1 with built-in microphone
04:04 Recording on an Edirol R1 using an Audio Technica microphone
04:40 Recording on a Samsung Zoom H4 with built-in microphone
05:05 Recording on a Samsung Zoom H4 with Electrovoice ND367s microphone
05:25 Recording using Logitech headset
06:06 Recording of Skype call; Logitech headset (NOTE: When I record Skype calls for my podcast, I usually hook up my condenser mic)
07:14 Recording with Apex condenser microphone and Art pre-amp; this is how the Trafcom News Podcast is usually recorded
07:38 Reminder to listen to interview with Joe Cipriano in the Trafcom News Podcast from December 2006; Joe is voiceover pro who talked with me about microphones and getting the most from your voice
07:55 Talk is Cheap recap
08:50 My Podcasting Inside the Organization presentation from Talk is Cheap will be on Slideshare SOON
09:11 Using mostly visuals in my presentation; I had to, after the topic of conversation in Trafcom News Podcast 65!
09:45 Comment from speechwriter John Watkis
11:43 Comment from Bryan Person of NewComm Road
12:10 Comment from Dave Williams of vLinkLive and Webinar Wisdom
15:45 Answer to from Andrea Vascellari, who commented last time
16:42 Where to send comments: email to  donna AT trafcom DOT 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

Show #65: Stop! Do you really need those slides?

These days I've been immersed in a project with a client, helping them to change their boring PowerPoint deck into a compelling presentation. In this 14-minute podcast, with a little help from some experts, I share some tips for making your next presentation memorable.

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
01:00 Is your PowerPoint presentation getting your message across?
02:10 Example of a current project, where the "deck" does not appear to be the best way to communicate
02:40 Typical problems include too much small type on too many slides; ugly visuals; details that should probably be put into collateral material; confusing diagrams
03:05 What if your presentation bores people or doesn't differentiate you?
04:30 Always ask: "Do we really NEED a PowerPoint presentation deck?"
05:00 Think about the best presenters you've seen lately. Here's my list: Mitch Joel, Shel Holtz, Tod Maffin, Darren Barefoot
05:30 The best presenters tell a story
06:10 Common pitfall of using PowerPoint slides as a crutch
06:50 If the whole presentation is not on the slides, the presenter has to rehearse more and work a little harder
07:14 The Apple product, Keynote '08, is a beautiful tool for creating presentations

Some resources for you
07:30 Presentation Zen is a blog that offers many useful tips, advice and examples, such as: keep it simple, surprise people; use natural speech and concrete examples; give meaning to statistics; make people feel something.
09:15 Also check out Great Presentations Mean Business blog
09:27 Beyond Bullets by Cliff Atkinson

09:43 Recap: ditch the small type; get rid of bullet points wherever possible; think BENEFITS; tell a story; don't use your slides as a crutch; try interesting visuals
10:10 Where to send comments: email to Donna AT trafcom DOT com, call the comment line at 206-338-4200 or post a message to the Trafcom News Podcast blog
10:30 Promo from Gary Schlee for Talk is Cheap, November 15, Centennial College, Toronto
11:55 If you like this podcast, please subscribe through iTunes; tell your friends
12:15 Look for the Trafcom News Podcast on Blubrry.com
12:40 Comment from Andrea Vascellari  
Theme music is "Beneath Your Surface" by the Elisabeth Lohninger Quartet from the Podsafe Music Network