Get Known Before the Book Deal

Podcasting 101: Continuous Improvement

By Kati Neville

 

Continuous improvement and professional development are vital for writers. With enhanced skills and fresh ideas, we're more confident and better equipped to take advantage of additional opportunities. And people around us, like editors and agents, find us easier to work with too.
 
Apply your professional improvement standards to your podcast as well. I'm not suggesting that you give your podcast the same level of attention you give your writing, research, or business practices. Rather, make your efforts proportional to your podcast's relative importance to your career. This is art, not science. But when you've established a good metric, consider the following resources.
 
Attend podcasting or new media events. Expos and conferences provide strategic and technical tips. Podcamps are popular with podcasters because they aren't showy or pretentious. These "unConferences" are primarily local endeavors, sometimes in small venues such as libraries, where everyone is a "rockstar."
 
Large new media conferences, which cover podcasts in addition to blogs and social networking tools, are another avenue. It's always hard to generalize. But a more diverse audience may mean you're sacrificing breadth for depth.
 
Whichever opportunity you choose, take time to connect with fellow attendees. Yes, it's exhilarating to rub elbows with professional presenters. But don't neglect to meet others too. You never know when you'll meet the next new media guru!
 
Seek out books, blogs, and online articles about podcasting. My favorite podcasting books are The Business Podcasting Book and Podcasting Hacks: Tips and Tools for Blogging Out Loud. Periodically, I'll cruise the online booksellers and search for new titles. Turn to blogs and online articles after you learn industry and software terminology. You'll be able to evaluate the results of a quick Internet search more effectively.
 
Listen to other podcasts frequently. Podcasting is no longer a realm dominated solely by techies and teenagers. Small business owners, universities, multi-national corporations, churches, and libraries are podcasting. By listening to a variety of other shows, you will glean new ideas.
 
For example, while planning my vacation to New York City last summer, I discovered the podcasts for the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art. I eagerly subscribed and began listening to episodes about special exhibits, historical restoration challenges, and other subjects completely unrelated to my show. And yet, I still found several technical production and style ideas to try.
 
Don't be afraid to look for help or challenge yourself to become a better podcaster. Even small improvements will payoff.

Happy podcasting!

 

  

Kati Neville is coauthor of the best selling cookbook, Fix, Freeze, Feast. She is a contributing editor for The Saver's Kitchen podcast and regularly blogs on The Forklift. Kati teaches cooking classes in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area. When not online or teaching, Kati enjoys writing and tasting new recipes in her kitchen.

Podcasting 101: 5 Strategies to Sustain the Momentum

By Kati Neville

 

It's challenging to produce new podcasts when you're also working on multiple projects, building your platform, and running a business. Despite the best intentions, other priorities could eclipse your show. It happens to everyone.
 
Do your best to sustain your podcasting momentum with these five strategies.
 
Editorial calendars
Magazines use editorial calendars to provide focus and cohesion among articles (and advertisers). Many podcasters also find calendars helpful because they cement regular publishing schedules.
 
I use quarterly editorial calendars for my show. The planning process forces me to slow down and parse more advanced topics. Calendars also afford opportunities to link platform components, like blogs, articles, and classes.
 
Master Show List
Maintain a master list of podcast episodes. It takes only a few moments to add new show titles, descriptions, and date published. Mark episodes that are most popular and add show notes. If you're working on multiple writing and platform projects simultaneously, consider listing unpublished shows too so that all of your show information is consolidated. Master catalogues serve as an organizing tool and historical record that keep your ideas fresh and content advancing.
 
Record Ahead
Ideally, new podcasters will use their initial enthusiasm, energy, and excitement to record several episodes ahead of their editorial calendar. This is especially important early on when the risks of technical error are greatest.
 
Soon after I began podcasting, I had a marathon recording session with my Fix, Freeze, Feast co-author, on a rare weekend when we were together. You can imagine how awful I felt, while telling her I lost an entire show while editing! Fortunately, I was recording ahead and had plenty of time to recover and record other material.
 
Emergency Shows
It's also smart to have a few episodes recorded, that aren't on the editorial calendar, which can be used in a pinch. Many social media experts advise bloggers of this practice, but it applies to podcasters too.
 
I have had to use emergency shows. They're like little insurance policies covering my busiest times. So whether I'm knee deep in another project, experiencing a technical snafu, sick, or traveling, I'm still able to deliver a new show.
 
Encore! Encore!
Not every episode needs to be new. In fact, many podcasts periodically republish shows. The host provides a brief introduction, stating when the broadcast was originally published and the reason for repeating it. Recently, I republished 2 episodes about school lunches at the start of this school year because they're timely and among my most popular episodes. Repeating shows should not become a regular practice. But it remains a great way to introduce new listeners to past episodes while also re-engaging search engines.

 

 

  

Kati Neville is coauthor of the best selling cookbook, Fix, Freeze, Feast. She is a contributing editor for The Saver's Kitchen podcast and regularly blogs on The Forklift. Kati teaches cooking classes in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area. When not online or teaching, Kati enjoys writing and tasting new recipes in her kitchen.

Podcasting 101: Promoting Your Podcast

By Kati Neville

 

The strategies you'll use to promote your podcast are similar to those of blogs, e-zines, and webcasts. Several Get Known Groove columnists have shared many ideas already. Let's review their tips first:
 
Greg highlighted the importance of two-way communication for bloggers. This is critical for podcasters too. Offering show notes to your audience provides a natural opportunity to repeat your website and contact information multiple times during each show.
 
Be sure to tell your audience how they can help you. Recall in Cindy's interview with Marc Acito, that he forgot to ask readers to recommend his first All Things Considered commentary. The fact that he chose to send out a second e-mail to make the request shows the value of directing audience participation. Always tell your listeners how they can help you succeed. Whether it's voting for you on Podcast Alley, recommending your show via social bookmarking, or simply telling a few friends. Listeners want to support you and will appreciate your gentle coaching.
 
Heed Christina's advice and update your standard business materials. Your bio, e-mail signature, brochures, and websites should reference your show. If your podcast's title isn't descriptive, briefly elaborate. Write just enough so that you can easily remember and repeat it confidently when making new contacts and meeting prospective listeners.
 
I liken these recommendations to setting up Internet beacons, which guide prospective listeners and supporters to you. But don't forget to consider their user experience on your website when they visit. I've done this myself. In my zeal to set out my beacons, I've given my websites short shrift.
 
Make sure your websites are easy to navigate, attractive, inviting, and interesting. While the tools to design web pages are at your fingertips, it still takes knowledge and skill to incorporate good user interface standards. For example, templates are great. Yet, you're still in charge of arranging your content.
 
Basic eye tracking research  shows that users read left to right, with their attention naturally lingering in the upper right quadrant. That's pretty powerful research that should influence your design. Check out KatiNeville.com and see what's in my upper right quadrant (hint: platform!). Understanding basic user interface principles will help drive the user behavior you desire.
 
By now, your author platform probably contains several components, such as websites, blogs, teleseminars, e-zines, Facebook, social bookmarking, wiki, Twitter, Scribd, podcasts, etc. If you aren't currently using several of these applications, rest assured you will.
 
Whatever platform components you choose, however, be sure to cross-market among them. If the word "marketing" gives you night sweats, call it "intra-platform promotion" instead. Either way, tell your podcast listeners about your seminars. Advise your blog readers to follow you on Twitter. Then Twitter about your podcast. Intra-platform promotion is a key element of viral campaigns because it generates and sustains buzz among your core audience.
 
Let's use Christina as an example. She is a master at this type of viral, intra-platform promotion. Take a highlighter pen and mark each instance her other e-zines, classes, interviews, published articles, blogs, or other platform components are referenced in this newsletter.
 
She uses intra-platform promotion because it generates buzz within her reader communities, which readers feel and then pass on to their networks. Sometimes she asks them to activate their networks directly. Other times, she just lets the excitement naturally foment and bubble over. This is pure artistry. So expect to develop the manner and cadence that's unique to you.
 
Successful podcasts enjoy both online and intra-platform promotional campaigns, which are grounded in solid design and backed up with quality content. Doing it right takes time and planning.
 
  

Kati Neville is coauthor of the best selling cookbook, Fix, Freeze, Feast. She is a contributing editor for The Saver's Kitchen podcast and regularly blogs on The Forklift. Kati teaches cooking classes in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area. When not online or teaching, Kati enjoys writing and tasting new recipes in her kitchen.

Podcasting 101: Ending Well

By Kati Neville

 

I was disappointed when one of my favorite podcasts abruptly ended last winter. I checked the feed and website for updates each week. I hoped the delay was weather-related or due to illness. Now it's been six months and I wish I knew why it ended.
 
Have you thought about how and when to end your podcast? With all of the focus on starting your show, it might seem odd to consider ending it too. But establishing a few guiding principles will keep a check on both emotion and inertia when it's time to focus on new professional projects and goals.
 
Archival Plans
 
Perpetual online access to podcasts means listeners will find your show even after you've moved on. Some podcasters continue to pay for hosting so that episodes are available even after production stops. Traffic from search engines brings in enough new listeners to make it worthwhile. This option is optimal, if you can afford it.
 
But if the monthly cost of hosting is more than you want to spend, consider consolidating your .mp3s on one webpage. Or, identify your listener favorites and burn them onto a "Best of" CD, that's offered for sale. Better yet, weave them into your next book proposal. Maybe your book with an accompanying CD will dazzle the sales team!
 
Sponsors
 
Do not seek sponsors if you have any reservations about making a long-term commitment to your show. Your timelines and future plans may conflict with sponsor expectations and contracts. Better to keep it simple and have fun.
 
Platform Bridges
 
Don't abandon your listeners. Instead, plan to inform them about the changes in your career that impact your podcast. Thank listeners for their support. And invite them to help you succeed in your new endeavors.
 
Listeners will migrate to your new website, blog, or podcast at different rates. Some will stop listening altogether. Others will switch quickly. So be sure your new online presence is ready for visitors before you announce any changes. Also, expect to operate your old and new sites concurrently for a few months so late adopters aren't left behind.

 

 

Kati Neville is coauthor of the best selling cookbook, Fix, Freeze, Feast. She is a contributing editor for The Saver's Kitchen podcast and regularly blogs on The Forklift. Kati teaches cooking classes in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area. When not online or teaching, Kati enjoys writing and tasting new recipes in her kitchen.

Podcasting 101: Selecting A Host Provider

By Kati Neville                                                                                                    

You've been busy planning and practicing your podcast. Now, it's time to shop for a provider that will host your audio files.
 
Creating a table chart will help you keep track of differences among providers. Start with a plain piece of paper and draw 6-8 columns across the top. List the host's name and website in the first column. Other columns come next: cost per month, bandwidth, storage, statistics, years in business, online help resources, and directory listings.
 
Write your wish list in the first row of your table. Some categories may be obvious, like unmetered bandwidth and robust statistics. But the rest of the categories may take some homework. Here are a few ideas to guide your thinking.
 
Fees. Most hosting providers charge $3.00 to $60.00 monthly. Free hosting is another option. However, they reserve the right to attach paid advertisements to your podcasts. So if you want complete control over your finished audio products, set a monthly budget.
 
Storage. Estimate your space needs by multiplying the average size of your practice podcasts and your publishing frequency. Also, consider the number of podcasts you want available to listeners at any one time and your bitrate. If you find the space you need surpasses your budget, you can revise your publishing schedule, develop an archival system, shorten your show, or reduce your bitrate.
 
Business Experience. Since podcasting is relatively new, most host providers are too. And the younger they are, the more cautious you need to be. Take care to understand your contract, particularly the procedures and costs associated with retrieving your podcasts.
 
Online support. Note the type of online support services offered. Busy user forums and wikis indicate a healthy user community. E-mail support and FAQ pages also are good. Some podcast host providers even publish their own podcast to announce upgrades, answer common technical questions, or feature new shows.
 
Directories. Check to see if the host provider automatically distributes your feed to podcast directories, such as iTunes or Podcast Alley. If not, use your feed address to advertise your podcast in these directories yourself.
 
Your choice of podcast hosting provider is an important, long-term commitment because moving your show could easily disrupt your audience and posting rhythm. Use your one-page table to make the best decision. 
 
 

Kati Neville is coauthor of the best selling cookbook, Fix, Freeze, Feast. She is a contributing editor for The Saver's Kitchen podcast and regularly blogs on The Forklift. Kati teaches cooking classes in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area. When not online or teaching, Kati enjoys writing and tasting new recipes in her kitchen.

Podcasting 101: How to Sound Your Best

 

By Kati Neville

Close your eyes and imagine yourself in front of a microphone. Are you smiling or scowling? Do you feel butterflies or nausea?
 
The thought of speaking in front of others is intimidating the first few times, even when you have complete control over every aspect of production. Attention to good sound quality will build your confidence and enhance your credibility with the audience. Here are some tips to remember:
 
Avoid using your computer's built-in microphone. Instead, invest in a quality external device with a USB adapter. eHow.com's article, "How to Choose a Microphone for Podcasting" outlines several microphone categories. Once you understand the differences, you can research specific models and products.
 
Record your podcast in a quiet room with good sound absorption. Rooms with high ceilings and flat, reflective surfaces such as windows, bare walls, and hardwood floors amplify audio problems. Many podcasters record their show in a large closet because the coats and clothes absorb any echo or external noise. Others find a small corner of their office and place blankets over furniture. Experiment to locate your best sound.
 
Make sure the settings in your recording and editing software are optimized. Set your sample rate to 44.1 kHz and bit rate between 64 and 128 bits. The higher the bit rate, the better the sound quality and bigger the final .mp3 file. Consult your host provider for guidance on transferring and storing large files.
 
Practice, but be yourself. Emily Donahoe and Viki Merrick provide tips for "Training Your Voice" in the book, Podcasting Hacks. They cover the basics for beginners including pitch, pace, diction, enunciation, and practice techniques. Be sure to check their websites for more information.
 
Pop screens and mixers are nice, but not required. Speaking 5-6 inches away from a quality microphone using good enunciation, will reduce these needs.
 
Use Skype for telephone interviews. Doug Kaye, founder of IT Conversations, provides helpful advice. Although the Skype program is free, you may need to purchase a headset or pay for accessories and services to achieve the best sound.
 
Even the novice podcaster can achieve high quality, professional sound. Acquiring quality equipment and presentation skills are critical to your success. 

Kati Neville is coauthor of the best selling cookbook, Fix, Freeze, Feast. She is a contributing editor for The Saver's Kitchen podcast and regularly blogs on The Forklift. Kati teaches cooking classes in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area. When not online or teaching, Kati enjoys writing and tasting new recipes in her kitchen.

Podcasting 101: Software and Music for Your Podcast

By Kati Neville

It's easy to get lost among the software options to record and edit your podcast. Packages can cost hundreds of dollars. Yet, many podcasters avoid the search and expense altogether by sticking with what's free.

Audacity is the software solution of choice for novice podcasters. This program operates on Windows, Mac, and Linux. Audacity's avid open-source community also provides extensive wiki and forum support. Be sure, however, to download the LAME library so your finished audio projects can be exported in .mp3 format.

GarageBand Apple's audio recording and editing program, comes pre-loaded on Macs. If you own a Mac, check the applications folder. I use GarageBand to record and edit my podcast. It offers solid help files and is easy to use. The program is bundled with royalty-free jingles and interfaces with other iLife applications, such as iTunes, iPhoto, and iMovie. Handy.

Experiment with one of these no-cost recording and editing software programs first. For writers with basic needs and casual audiences, they are more than adequate.

Royalty-Free Jingles and Music

Music adds professionalism and character to podcasts. Most shows use royalty-free jingles for intros, outros and transitions between segments. The track for each element may come from the same song, or all different songs. It may be the same for all shows in the series, or new each time.

Both Audacity and GarageBand allow users to import .mp3 music files. Online royalty-free music libraries catalog their .mp3 audio files and allow you to listen to tracks for free. This can be a lot of fun but it's easy to get carried away. So be sure to read the licensing agreement before purchasing your selections.

I found the music for my podcast online at Music2Hues. For their $20.00 fee, I now have the right to use their song as much as I want, without paying future royalties. I'm sure twangy banjo music turns some listeners off. But the instrument reinforces my goal to present practical tips that the everyday cook can use, without being pretentious.

Let your stylistic preferences, goals, and budget guide your music selections. Just like your logo, music helps cement and reinforce your podcast's character. Choose wisely for the best results.

Kati Neville is coauthor of the best selling cookbook, Fix, Freeze, Feast. She is a contributing editor for The Saver's Kitchen podcast and regularly blogs on The Forklift. Kati teaches cooking classes in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area. When not online or teaching, Kati enjoys writing and tasting new recipes in her kitchen.

Podcasting 101: Your Podcast Needs a Logo

By Kati Neville

Podcast logos promote and reinforce show identity and individuality. Some people call them badges. Others refer to them as artwork. Whatever the term, a good logo is worth the investment.

Your logo is the public face of your podcast. Think of your logo as a book cover, because it is the first experience prospective listeners have with your show. It will advertise and market your podcast. Always remember that it will accompany your feed and be prominently displayed on podcast directories. Take a trip over to blubrry or PodcastPickle to see what I mean.

Now think about how some books use graphics to separate individual chapters. Sometimes editors repeat the cover graphic at the beginning of each chapter. Other times, they apply unique artwork throughout.

The same is true of podcasts. Your podcast feed needs a "cover" logo, as we have discussed. But each individual episode can also carry other images. These graphics can be the same as the cover logo, like my podcast, or altogether different.

Always attach, or "embed," an image to every podcast. Use standalone tag editing software programs, if your recording and editing program doesn't allow images. When a graphic is embedded with other relevant information about each show (like, file type and size, description, and author) it cannot be separated. The audio portion of your show becomes married to that graphic. This is important because it causes the image to appear on that tiny screen on the front panel of many portable media players.

Smart design is crucial. Here are a few more tips to consider:

Avoid complex graphics. There is a time and place for intricate artwork. Unfortunately, 200x200 dpi isn't it. Keep it simple.

Include show title. Be sure the title of your podcast is visible on your logo.

Stick with basic colors. Remember, the teeny screens on portable media players and other small devices do not render as many colors as your computer monitor.

Use authentic, recognizable symbols. My podcast is about saving money and time in the kitchen. The central image on my logo is an apron. I chose it because it's common work wear for everyday cooks. Plus, aprons evoke the frugal sensibility of days gone by. Pick symbols that reinforce your theme.

Ensure scalability. Plan to use your logo in marketing materials, your blog, in e-mail, and online. The logo must look sharp when small and large. Set clear expectations with your designer and request several sizes of the final product.

Kati Neville is coauthor of the best selling cookbook, Fix, Freeze, Feast. She is a contributing editor for The Saver's Kitchen podcast and regularly blogs on The Forklift. Kati teaches cooking classes in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area. When not online or teaching, Kati enjoys writing and tasting new recipes in her kitchen.

Podcasting 101: Ready, Aim, Clarify!

By Kati Neville

Before launching our podcast, The Saver's Kitchen, my co-host and I had to consider our target audience, goal, theme, format, and length before we even began looking into the technical aspects of production.

My advice for first time podcasters is to focus on the structure of your podcast before getting technical. To start:

Identify your target audience. As a professional writer, you already know the importance of audience identification. For podcasting, it's just as important but don't be fooled into thinking that it's only people with iPods who listen to podcasts. In fact, 75% of the podcast audience is "streaming." That means that the majority of podcast listeners are listening from computers without a portable media device. If you only base your research on the people you see using iPods, your analysis could be skewed.

Clarify your goals. What are you trying to achieve with your show?  To educate or entertain your audience? My goal for my show is to educate my listeners. Sometimes that means I educate prospective readers about my latest cookbook, Fix, Freeze, Feast. Other times, I share tips that current readers might find useful. Set your goal and make sure you stick to it.

Internalize your theme. Heed Holland Cooke's advice: "Your stuff has got to be espresso; ramble at your own risk." Serious podcasters don't abuse their forum: this isn't open mic night and it isn't a personal journal. Select your topic, stay focused, deliver value, and be succinct. The theme of my show is: "Money and time-saving tips for the freezer, the kitchen, and beyond." It is my compass. I evaluate, incubate, and deliver every show with it in mind.

Select a show format. Consider how your information will be presented to the audience. Innumerable ways exist to organize and deliver ideas. You could go solo, preparing and discussing a topic alone. A colleague might interview you, the expert. Or maybe you're the interviewer. By studying other podcasts, you'll find additional examples. Select one or more formats that are comfortable and authentic for you.

Tailor the show length. Successful podcasters tailor the length of each episode so it's convenient for listeners. Let's say your show is about caring for pets with dietary restrictions. No doubt a portion of your audience will be dog-owners, who will listen to your show while walking the dog. Your show should be as long as the walk. You get the idea here. How long does it take for the soccer mom to fold laundry? How long is that amateur rock climber's lunch break? Pick a show length that fits your audience and theme.

Podcasting is fun and exciting, to be sure. But don't forget to slow down and work the details, like show goals, format, and length. Investing time determining show structure is your first step to success.

Kati Neville is coauthor of the best selling cookbook, Fix, Freeze, Feast. She is a contributing editor for The Saver's Kitchen podcast and regularly blogs on The Forklift. Kati teaches cooking classes in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area. When not online or teaching, Kati enjoys writing and tasting new recipes in her kitchen.

Podcasting 101: Not a Tech Person? No Problem!

Not a Tech Person? No problem!
By Kati Neville

True or false: Podcasting is only for command-line code jockeys and 8th grade boys.

False.

Sure, we can make podcasts sound technical. A podcast is, after all, a digital audio file downloaded via the World Wide Web by users at their convenience, often to a portable media player. But podcasting, podcasters, and the tools of the trade, have gone mainstream. So mainstream that an entrepreneurial, cookbook-writing, 4-H mom like me can do it.  And if I can do it, you can too.

Last July I launched my free podcast, The Saver's Kitchen. After thousands of downloads, I can proclaim confidently that podcasting has been a fantastic addition to my platform.

Podcasting may be a sound addition to your author platform too. Here's why:

In 2010, market researchers expect the podcast audience to exceed 50 million. Apple's iPod, just one of many portable media players, currently connects over 150 million users to the web. And what do you suppose will happen to the listening audience if national policy makers pass a rural broadband bill? Certainly, more than a few of those additional 60 million Americans will start listening too.

More than ever consumers are seeking unique voices, information, and thoughtful analysis. They are on the hunt for high-quality content. Radio host turned consultant, Holland Cooke,
excited the audience at Podcast Academy recently.

Podcasting is "narrowcasting," he says, because the audience must actively seek you out. "You are shooting a laser beam. Broadcast stations are using a shotgun." These small, narrow audiences make valuable prospects for marketers. Popular shows, like MommieCast and Grammar Girl, earn hosts profitable sponsorships, visibility, and publishing contracts.

In the coming weeks, spend time exploring podcasts that interest you. You don't need to be a subscriber or own a portable media player. In fact, most podcasts are consumed directly from the creator's website or a podcast directory.

Locate podcasts produced by fellow writers. Author James Howard Kunstler, host of KunstlerCast  (be advised: explicit content) publishes a new episode weekly.

Journalist Dan Carlin's Hardcore History podcast explores historical and history-related issues.

The few podcasts I've highlighted here were chosen to display diversity in content and structure. Listen to whatever suits you. As you listen, identify what you like and dislike about various shows. Ask friends, family, and your current readers which podcasts they enjoy listening to and why. Then dream. Free yourself of technology concerns. Don't limit your creativity. That's the fun of podcasting. We'll discuss how.

Kati Neville is coauthor of the best selling cookbook, Fix, Freeze, Feast. She is a contributing editor for The Saver's Kitchen podcast and regularly blogs on The Forklift. Kati teaches cooking classes in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area. When not online or teaching, Kati enjoys writing and tasting new recipes in her kitchen.