Tod Maffin - Introduction to Audio Blogging and Podcasting:
1. Compress your audio files, but do not necessarily take the default of 11000 kb/sec
2. Have something to say.
- What's your passion?
- Tell a story.
- Have a show about something, don't have a show about nothing, don't try be Seinfeld, it won't work.
3. Speak to ONE person. There is no "everybody".
4. Be brief (get into someone's daily-jog playlist)
5. Mix up the sound. Get people's mind to get back into the show if they drift.
- Mike's manic minute
6. Microphones:
- Meant to be near people's mouths.
- Use pop screens to eliminate pops. Make your own using an embroidery hoop and some nylon.
- Avoid USB mics. They sometimes have latency issues. It is better to go directly to the microphone jacks.
7. Avoid verbal listening.
- Don't do "uh-huh", "um", "oh.. oh". It's awkward and annoying to listen to.
8. The secret of double-enders
- Remote podcasts can be done over the phone. Get both parties to record their halves. Send the remote
recording back to the "studio" and splice the two high-quality recordings together.
9. Collect roomtone.
- Record a sample of the background noise from the room (30 seconds worth).
- Use this roomtone to fill in space when you have to make cuts. It will make the recording seamless.
10. You can record on your laptop.
- Forget mics, worry about the ambient sound.
- Get close to the mic and be in a area that is quiet.
- Tod often uses his closet to record podcasts.
11. Posting
- Use ID3 tags
- Show notes are good to have
- Feedburner.com gives instant enclosures
12. Promotion and feedback
- Have a regular schedule
- Include show notes
- Blog with RSS
- FeedBurner.com
- PodcastAlley.com
13. Feedback
- Ask in the podcast
- Blog comments
- Free voicemail to email from k7.net
14. Music and the law: Myths
- It's perfectly legal to play if:
- I only play a little bit
- I talk over the intro of a song
- I bought and own the CD
- The artist agrees (you still need to label's permission)
All of these are not true.
15. Licensing music
- If the artist is independent, get permission
- ASCAP.com - weblicence
- Don't forget licenses from BMI and SOCAN
Update: Changed wording to be northernvoice compliant.
Currently listening to: Tod Maffin