PODCASTING 101Stephanie Murphy, PhD

Triple Podcast Host:Let’s Talk Bitcoin

Free Talk LivePorc Therapy

Libertopia 2013

1.Get a microphone2.Plug it in3.????4.PROFIT

GOALS FOR THIS WORKSHOP Explore the possibility of becoming a

podcaster Refine your goals as a current

podcaster Understand what podcasters do

WHAT IS A PODCAST? Audio (sometimes video) content

conveniently made available to the listener, updated on some regular basis.

WHY BE A PODCASTER? What will you get out of it?

ConnectionCommunityBeing heardRecognitionFunGiving to/sharing with others Income (maybe)

Something has to keep you going!

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR PODCASTING?Any answers are acceptable, but it’s important to ask the

question! Examples:

I want to be known as an expert on history. I want to share my gluten-free cooking tips with the world. I want people to listen to me talk. I want to promote my freelance technical writing services by letting people know I’m an

expert on the subject. I want to be invited to speak at computer security conferences. I want to meet other poodle enthusiasts. I want to help people lose weight. I want to sell my e-book about online marketing. I want to meet people to date who share my interest. I want to interview and learn from experts in the field of neuroscience. I want to make a hilarious podcast that will brighten people’s commute. I want to create a freer world by sharing liberty ideas. Etc etc…

LEARN FROM THE BEST… Think of as many of your favorite podcasts as you can.

If you’re not already – become a podcast connoisseur!

What do you like best about each one?

What distinguishes your favorite podcasts from all of the other podcasts out there?

What keeps you listening?

FORMAT Talent Frequency Length Show Layout Scope Content

TALENT Who is/are the host(s)?

Anyone can podcast, but expertise/credibility helps! Credibility can be built through podcasting too.

Do they have a pleasant – or at least distinctive – voice? Are they articulate? Confident behind a microphone? Concise? Funny? Technically competent? Personality Very important – do they like podcasting?

How many hosts? Solo show Two hosts Three hosts More than a threesome Rotating cast with one or more consistent voices Interview guests? Callers?

FREQUENCY Weekly

Most common (for a reason) Weekly plus Daily

Ambitious! Less than weekly Whenever, man…

Consistency helps Frequency might be affected by how “newsy” your show

content is

LENGTH Can be anything! Variable length

Many Under 2 mins

VO minute 90 Seconds on Sex

10 mins Get it Done Guy Grammar Girl

30 mins

1 hour Savage Love

2 hours Complete Liberty Freedomain Radio Call-in Show Free Talk Live Sovryn Tech

SHOW LAYOUT Wide open! No format Do you have theme music, intros, bumpers, or other

sound effects? Is there a host who “takes the lead” in introducing the

show and laying out the agenda/format? Are there breaks or commercials at certain times during

the show? “Hard breaks” or soft breaks?

Are there segments devoted to specific content? Is content arranged in a certain way or order?

SCOPE What will you cover on your podcast? Do you have a niche or angle? How will you stay within that niche and/or how much

will you deviate from it?

CONTENT Wide open! You can podcast about anything – do you want to? Use your goals for podcasting to determine the content of your

show. Is the content consistent with one or more of your goals? How will you curate content for your show? How will you organize show prep/show planning?

Google docs Trello Project management software Reddit Playing calls/voicemails Reading listener emails Listener suggested or mostly host driven?

RECORDING Ideally – relaxed, prepared, calm

That doesn’t always happen with a live show The more hosts the more difficult to coordinate

Location – quiet, insulated from background noise, ergonomic If multiple hosts, need multiple locations

Will you edit? This will affect the flow of recording. For multiple hosts – how will you connect?

Skype Pamela, Call Recorder, Audio Hijack for recording directly from Skype convos

Mumble Free, open source, low latency and high quality – but need a server

Google+ Free and easy for video, direct to YouTube

Audio Compass Very professional, radio quality for remote hosts

SOFTWARE Audacity Garage Band Adobe Audition

MICROPHONES The heart of your studio! Worth researching. Don’t skip pop filters/windscreens Mixer (or not?)

For more than one voice, it’s best to have a mixer Can get away not having a board with a solo cast where interviewing guests

on Skype If going with a mixing board, use XLR mics – if not, USB mic direct to computer

Blue Snowball - $65 (USB) Blue Yeti - $109 (USB) AT2020 - $100 (XLR) or $130 (USB)

Pop filter – less than $20 Windscreen – less than $20

EQUIPMENT PC to render audio Archive storage Location – quiet, insulated from background noise,

ergonomic If multiple hosts, need multiple locations

Backup, backup, backup (3 recordings would be better! But get at least 2)

DISTRIBUTION iTunes RSS feed Soundcloud YouTube Stitcher Terrestrial Radio XM Many others…

MARKETING AND PROMOTION Website Social Media Topic-specific forums iTunes Rankings Podcast cross-promotion!!!

MONETIZATION STRATEGIES Donation model “Freemium” model Advertising Affiliate marketing Mixed model Non-profit podcasting

Potential Benefits Potential Downsides

Donations

• Value for value – listeners pay for your content directly• Direct feedback/recognition/appreciation

• Can be difficult to ask for donations• Most listeners don’t donate• Dealing with PayPal and other online payment processors (bitcoin helps!!)

Potential Benefits Potential Downsides

“Freemium”/Upsell

• More listeners will pay for bonus content than just donate• Value for value• Direct feedback• Can sometimes do things with premium content that are different from free content

•Must establish relationship with listener before they will pay for your content, through giving away free content or already being well-known.• Need to offer something in addition to free content to get the listener to pay•Podcast consumers have access to limitless free content – it has to be special for them to be willing to pay for it

Potential Benefits Potential Downsides

Advertising

• Can be lucrative and reliable source of income• Potentially introducing the audience to products they value• Absolves the listener from paying for your content

• Beholden to advertisers?• Requires time to cultivate relationships with advertisers, possibly a dedicated sales team• Requires a large and/or dedicated audience• Must be able to show metrics to sponsors• Must clearly define who may advertise on your show and finding the right ones can be difficult• Hard to measure success of an ad campaign

Potential Benefits Potential Downsides

Affiliate Marketing

• Can provide an easy way to support your show that is also easy for listeners• No need to solicit donations or manage advertisers• Largely one time setup

• Affiliate agreements sometimes have terms you may not like• Agreements can change/go away• Relies on people buying products• May rely on a discount code or link• Some want personal and tax info

Potential Benefits Potential Downsides

Mixed Model

• See what works best• Diversification in case one revenue stream decreases

• Not focused on the most effective method of generating revenue

Potential Benefits Potential Downsides

Non-profit

• Easy/potentially more fun not to worry about making money from your podcast• Minimizes conflicts of interest• You may be doing a podcast for other reasons than to make money directly from it

• You may end up spending money to do your podcast• It may be harder to grow your podcast without revenue

BY NOW… You may have an idea of what you would like for your

future podcast You may have refined your goals for your current

podcast You may have decided you never want to podcast You may have developed a greater appreciation for

what podcasters do

HEAR MORE FROM ME… Let’s Talk Bitcoin

LetsTalkBitcoin.com Popular podcast about bitcoin and cryptocurrency Twice weekly with Adam B. Levine and Andreas M. Antonopoulos

Free Talk Live FreeTalkLive.com Nationally syndicated radio show and podcast Hear me on Sunday nights with Mark Edge and Brian Sovryn

Porc Therapy PorcTherapy.com My podcast – just me!

Fr33 Aid Volunteer first aid, health & safety education and networking for liberty loving health

professionals! Bitcoin based charity Say hi! We’re here