Category Archives: Production

The Business of Small Business Podcasting

With anything, including a podcast, it truly benefits you to be prepared.

Whether you are in podcasting for leisure or business you will need a plan. Planning topics to discuss, possible guest interviews,

and monetization, and the duration of your show in advance will go a long way when producing a professional sounding podcast.

Since you’ll be recording your podcast in an almost live fashion, you will have the flexibility of going back and re-editing sections before committing your show as “podcast-ready”.

Before you started, you’ll need:

* A web publishing tool ( Try Blogger, TypePad, WordPress or MoveableType )

* A file hosting service ( Try LibSyn for free, AudioBlogger is also a good choice )

* Recording software ( Try Audacity for Window-based PCs or Garageband on Mac – both are free )

* Microphone ( Try a good headset microphone or better yet the Marshall Electronics MXL 006 Condenser USB Microphone for only $129)

Identifying The Theme – The Nucleus of Your Podcast

Developing your podcast description is a necessary step in the branding process. When you are brainstorming your podcast description, make sure that it explains the purpose of your show and accentuates the theme of your podcast. This description should be no more than two to three sentences in length.

Selecting a Name – Personify Your Podcast

When selecting a name, be sure that the name of your podcast reflects the content that you are recording. For example, if your subject matter is about travel, your podcast name should be branded to complement your show. To illustrate, a podcast about travel might be called Globetrotter, Passport Podcast, The Travel Guide, and so on. Make sure that the name you choose is also available as a domain name online. Try to make your name unique but easily understood and recognizable.

Acquiring a Domain Name and Blog Name

Once you have picked a name for your podcast, purchase the domain name for your podcast. This is extremely important because interested listeners and inquisitive searchers will be able to find your podcast in Search engines such as Google, Yahoo!, MSN and others. As a reward for consistently branding your podcast, search results will display your website and podcast accordingly.

The Perfect DIY Podcast Recording Studio

Avoid The Cheap Route

Experimenting with recording your podcast can be done with your existing computer, some free software and online tools. Experimental is the key word here, as you do get what you pay for. Bear in mind that this set-up won’t give you or your audience a good indication of your vocal quality and may reflect poorly on your business.

Yikes! For this reason, I’d strongly recommend investing a modest amount ( less than $500.00 ) in some basic recording equipment, specifically a microphone and a book about audio recording.

Doing It Right

rssheadphones One of the biggest trends in recent audio production involves merging digital recording with computer technology. The recording of audio onto a computers’ hard drive allows you to edit and manipulate your sound files. This data can be stored as a sound file such as .wav or .aiff. There are multiple advantages to recording and editing your voice-overs using your personal computer.

•The ability to record long and uninterrupted narration.

•Digital editing. Quickly and easily remove unwanted background noise or embellish the audio track with music and sound effects.

•Digital Processing. Add effects to your voice, such as reverb, or echo, and master your entire demo for sonic clarity.

Minimum Voice-over Requirements for PC

According to Gartner Research, Windows-based PC’s account for 90% of all computers world- wide. If you have purchased your personal computer in the last three years and you’re running Windows XP, your system should be more than adequate to record an audio file with a micro- phone, and then save the recording as an MP3 file.

•Personal Computer

•Intel Pentium 4 or equivalent Processor

•Windows 2000 / Windows XP

•iTunes for PC

•1 GB of available disk space

•512 MB of RAM

•Audio Line In and Audio Line Out

Minimum Voice-over Requirements for Mac

Recently with the launch of Apple’s iTunes, it shows that Apple is committed to the digital revo- lution. Since most iPod owners are also Mac owners there is also a lot of great software avail- able for the Mac platform. The misconception that the Mac is simply too expensive or that they are only for students and artists is quickly being proven wrong. Apple has also offers the Mac Mini, a scaled down ver- sion of the Mac that allows previous PC owners to make the switch but still keep their monitor, keyboard and mouse – all for just $499.

•Mac G3 or better

•Mac OS X

•iTunes for Mac

•1 GB of available disk space

•512 MB of RAM

•Audio Line In and Audio Line Out

Microphones – Amplify Your Voice

Whether you are using a Mac or PC, you will need a microphone to record your voice into your computer. One option is to purchase a microphone ( or you may already have one ) with a 1/ 8th inch jack. This is the size of the jack or audio line in port on your personal computer. The other option is to purchase a USB microphone, which have made significant advancements in their quality over the past few years.