Month: August 2014

iOS Podcasting App Bossjock Is Half-Price This Weekend Only

~ shawn

Bossjock LogoIn honor of this weekend’s Podcast Movement conference, app developer Bossjock Studio is selling its mobile podcast-production app Bossjock at half-price. Normally, the app retails for right around $10.00. Until Monday, the app will go for $4.99. The company made the announcement yesterday via Twitter:

Bossjock is a top-rated app for producing podcasts on iOS. It’s a full-featured suite of tools that does everything from voice recording (with optional live sound-clip playback) to upload of your finished media to a variety of publishing platforms.

For some examples of Bossjock’s capabilities, take a look at this “Frankenskype” article on how you can use Bossjock to record Skype calls with minimal equipment. You can also see a full-fledged review of Bossjock (including videos) at the School of Podcasting.

Posted by Shawn Thorpe

Women in Podcasting: Interview with Jennifer Navarrete

~ jen ~ 3 Comments

NaPodPoMo logoMy focus at Podcaster News is to bring news about women who podcast. In this blog, I share the interview I did with Jennifer Navarrete, a woman who not only inspired me to start my own solo podcast, but also made me want to push the boundaries and learn more about the medium.

* Can you give us a brief history of your experiences in podcasting? When did you get started?

It was through podcasting that my journey of online content creation began. My first podcast, the Morning BrewCast went live in September of 2005 and from that moment that first show was recorded and uploaded on the web I was hooked.

Back in the early days of podcasting the tools were limited. It took much more technical and editing ability to record, edit and upload a show. Today I have apps on my phone which take the long hours of post-production out of the equation.

Of course with no post-production this means no editing out the ums, ahs and speech flubs. Personally, I don’t mind. I enjoy the human and authentic sound of live. I am sure part of that is all the years of practice I’ve had over the last 9 years to improve my podcasting interview style. Nowadays you are more likely to find me recording podcasts on my iPhone or iPad using either the Griffin iTalk or Soundcloud apps or using the BlogTalkRadio platform. Even though these live shows will never be as finessed as a edited show with intro and outro music, no 3am post-production editing sessions are a very nice thing.

* What was it that made you decide to become a podcaster?

I first heard about podcasting back in July of 2005 when iTunes began making podcasts available for subscription. When I discovered that I could record anything I wanted, upload it to the web and no one could stop me I said, “Sign me up!”

I was sharing this with my sister who said she was interested in becoming a podcaster as well. However, she also said whatever we did it would need to be easy in order for us to stick with it. We were drinking coffee as we discussed this which is when I said, “Then we should just do this” as I pointed back and forth between us. It was in that moment, The Morning BrewCast was born.

The tagline to our show (which has since podfaded) was: “Two coffee-loving, java-jumping, caffeine crazy sisters who love to chit chat after a cup or two or three of their favorite morning brew.” Which was exactly what the show was all about. We shared coffee news, coffee gadgets, did live tastings and shared the random things that were happening in our world. Imagine our surprise when we began receiving feedback from people in Brazil in Malaysia who told us we truly understood what coffee was all about. I think it was just our love of coffee and talking that made the show fun.

Since then I have launched several different podcasts including a 5 year run on Tech in Twenty.

* You and I first met through NaPodPoMo.  Can you explain a bit about what that was?  What inspired you to create it?

NaPodPoMo or National Podcast Post Month was something I created back in 2007. Many folks have heard of NaNoWriMo or National Novel Writing Month which is a 30 day marathon of writing. I was looking around and noticed there was also a NaBloPoMo National Blog Post Month (write a blog post everyday for the 30 days of November). I had even seen a NaVloPoMo National Vlog Post Month (post a video everyday for 30 days). I liked the idea of being part of a larger creative group and thought, “I’m going to join the podcasting version.”

As I searched around I was shocked to discover no such animal existed. I sat there pondering the fact that in a month of novels, blogs and video blogs creation happening worldwide that podcasting was unrepresented. So, I decided to create a group and set about inviting folks to join the 30 days of podcasting. With only 3 days to spread the word, I had no idea how successful it would be, but I should have known my fellow podcasters would not disappoint. When it was all said and done we had 50 podcasters who were part of podcasting history.

* What words of wisdom would you share with women who are thinking of doing a podcast?

To women specifically I would say, “Let your voice be heard.” The one thing I have always liked about online and social media is our ability to play on a level field. We all have the same space and platforms as the big corporate giants. Embrace the platform’s ability to give your message the opportunity to be heard far and wide.

On a last note, don’t worry If someone else is doing a show that is along the same topic/theme as you are thinking of launching. The fact is we all have our own unique flavor. For example, why do we watch one particular news station over another? There are three major news channels and yet we each chose one in particular to watch. Why? For one reason or another we are attracted the news anchors personalities or the way they read the news. So too will your audience find you.

Whatever you decide to do, just have fun and be open to the community. Podcasters are a creative and fun bunch. Many of the people I am close friends with are people I met through podcasting. If you’re thinking of dipping your toe into the podcasting stream, my advice is to dive into the deep end of the pool. I promise, the water truly is fine. Happy Podcasting!

P.S. If you are looking for permission to do a podcast, stand in front of the mirror and say, “Yes!”

Posted by Jen Thorpe

New Media is Co-Located with NAB in April of 2015

~ dave ~ 1 Comment

Rick Calvert has announced the new dates for the New Media Expo  will be co-located with the NAB Show. It will be at the Las Vegas Convention Center the same location as the very first BlogWorld & New Media Expo back in 2007. Only now alongside the NAB Show the exhibits will take up the entire convention center and the Westgate Resort across the street.

NAB stands for National Association of Broadcasters. This is the annual trade show and conference where TV and radio broadcasters, film makers and marketers who create audio and video come to every year. It is the place where the latest technologies, tools and strategies are shared. Last year 93,000 electronic media professionals came to the NAB Show.

According to Rick:

Rick-Calvert-New Media Expo“I promise you if you join me at NMX and NAB Show next April 13 – 16 it will open your eyes to what the New Media Revolution can be. You will see what I have been dreaming about, some would say preaching about, and working tirelessly towards for the last eight years.

Podcasters want to see the latest microphones, recording equipment, editing software, sound proofing, and other studio gear when they come NMX.

Web TV creators want to see the latest cameras, mics, video editing software, CDN networks, lighting, booms, tri-pods, cables and every other imaginable tool you can think of to make their content better when they come to NMX.

Bloggers want to network with potential partners and sponsors from the biggest media companies and brands in the world when they come to NMX.

You will find all of that and so much more when you come to NMX April 2015.

We will revolutionize the NAB Show and take The Media Revolution to an entirely new level.

I am more excited than I can possibly explain.”

This will be an interesting experiment to see. One would think that the podcasting gear that was almost non-existent at the last Expo should now at least make an experience. From what I hear, most of the gear at the NAB show would typically be out of reach of the typical podcaster budget. The good news is we shouldn’t have to worry about people getting snowed in in April.

— Post by Dave Jackson from the School of Podcasting and More Podcast Money

Are You Obsessed With New & Noteworthy? – PCN Show 001

~ shawn

Podcaster News Show 001 artworkWelcome to the debut episode of the Podcaster News Show, a podcast produced by the editors of Podcaster News.

In this episode, Shawn and Jen Thorpe ask the question, are you obsessed with getting into iTunes New & Noteworthy? It seems like in recent months, more and more podcasters are talking about getting into New & Noteworthy. One podcaster even considered relaunching his show because, even tho his show did make it into New & Noteworthy, he felt his time there wasn’t optimal.

Links mentioned during the podcast:

@PodcastingNews – Podcaster News Twitter account.

@shawno – Shawn’s Twitter account.

@QueenofHaiku – Jen’s Twitter account.

Beware Of Podcast Snake Oil Sellers Promising Riches – an article I wrote for Podcaster News.

Posted by Shawn Thorpe

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Mike Dell Intro

~ admin ~ 1 Comment

mikeshuttle

Greetings! I’m Mike Dell and I am very happy to be writing for PodcasterNews.com!

I started podcasting in April of 2005 with a laptop and a $10 stick mic that came with a desktop computer I bought. Needless to say, it sounded like garbage, but I was hooked. That podcast (Mike Dell’s World) is still going on a “once in a while” basis (with a MUCH better sound). I’ve done several other shows that have come and gone. Today I have my main show Podcast Help Desk which is a podcast about podcasting with an emphasis on answering questions about the technology of podcasting with some news, opinion and how-tos thrown in there as needed.

I also work with RawVoice Inc. (Parent company of Blubrry.com and Techpodcasts.com) as the tech support guy. I really enjoy working with other podcasters on the geeky side of the Podcast world.

My focus on PodcasterNews.com will be to cover the technology side of the podcast space. I plan on writing about new products, new versions of old products and services around the podcasting world. I will give my opinion, good or bad when something new comes out and will re-visit some of the old standards along the way.

If you have something you want me to take a look at, you can contact me on twitter (@mgdell) or email mike [at] mikedell.com

Two Principles to Building a Successful Podcast

~ admin

This October I will celebrate Geek News Central’s 10th anniversary and my one-thousandth episode. Throughout the past decade, I have enjoyed watching podcasting take off and I am proud to be an integral part of its growth. My success with my own show is a direct result of practicing what I preach and following two principles each and every episode.

First I want to provide some background. When I started GNC I did so with an explicit goal to have the show profitable in 24 months, and to be a full-time podcaster when I retired from the Navy in October 2007.

My initial focus was exposure and profitability, which resulted in me launching a tech network in January 2005, writing the first podcast book, “Podcasting: Do-It-Yourself Guide,” released in May 2005 through Wiley Publishing, GoDaddy sponsoring my show in July 2005 and doing the first multishow network sponsorships in August 2005. All this led to the formation of RawVoice / Blubrry.

There are many ancillary stories that go with each of the above events, so while all of that was happening I remained focused on two principles for my podcast.

1. Deliver value to my audience each and every episode, respecting their time, have fun doing it and, most importantly, maintain my integrity by being 100 percent open and honest.
2. Administratively owning, controlling and building my brand.

While Principle No. 1 is obvious, I want to give you top level insights on why owning, controlling and building your brand is critical.

The obvious thing in owning and controlling your brand is perception. If a listener cannot find you on the Web, and or your show is buried on some third-party site, you have a strike against you. Today’s listener will question whether you’re serious and worthy of her or his time.

The solution is that you must have a permanent Web presence that you own and/or control. The first thing to do that is to buy a .com and put up a WordPress site. Invest in some graphics and give your site the flair and personality “you” choose, not someone else’s vision. Invest time in your site making it a valuable destination for your audience and future audience.

For nearly 10 years my audience has come to GeekNewsCentral.com to get the latest tech news and most recent episodes. It is the main hub. I syndicate my show externally, but all links lead back to my site, my brand and my content.

The second thing is never, ever allow anyone to control your RSS feed. This is your intellectual property. You do not need FeedBurner and you do not need to give third parties control of your feed. I have been evangelizing this since the beginning. My RSS feed URL on my site has not changed in 9 plus years.

I am sure some get sick of me saying this, yet for many who did not listen, they often tell me later “I should have followed your advice.” By having your own .com / website you can easily control your brand, feed and grow content which will be indexed by search engines..

Third, choose wise alliances. Put up your defenses when you hear the word exclusive coming out of anyone’s month. Exclusive often means loss of control.

There is no way I would ever sign an exclusivity agreement, and those we work with are not asked to either. It is one of the primary principles of my company and my show. If you are thinking of doing so, here are the things that I would consider a minimum requirement for exclusivity:

  • Guaranteed minimum monthly revenue
  • 30-day termination clause
  • Opt-out rights for inappropriate advertisers
  • Advertising contract transparency, aka auditable on demand
  • Revenue share percentage
  • 100-percent show ownership

 

There is significant history for me saying this, we have seen several examples where content creators have lost their show and audiences, are forced to run inappropriate advertising, given gag orders, and a host of other really nasty stuff. Always seek a lawyer to review any exclusive contracts.

Today, I speak worldwide on new media, I hold podcasting bootcamps for corporations, and do consulting and interact with podcasters, advertisers and everyone in between on a daily basis. But in the end, the two principles above have been the difference between the success or failure of my show.

I want you to grow your show and have fun doing it. Building a successful show is a lot of work, so stack the deck in your favor by following the two principles above.

Finally, I hope you will tune into the New Media Show and get great insights from successful podcasters. Everyone has something to share; my goal and that of co-host Rob Greenlee is to provide you with new ideas. We think it is the most insightful show in the podcasting space, and we do it just for you. Check us out at NewMediaShow.com.

Jen Thorpe Intro

~ jen ~ 2 Comments

Hi!  I’m Jen Thorpe, and I am happy to be a part of Podcaster News.  I started podcasting in 2005 and never stopped. Over the years I’ve been involved in podcasts on a variety of topics including music, video games, and “personal/journal” types of shows.  My motivation to do a show is because it is fun.  If I get to the the point where podcasting stops being fun, I will probably stop doing it.

My main focus here at Podcaster News is to bring you news and information about women who are involved in podcasting. There are plenty of us out there, but it isn’t always so easy to learn about us.  I’ll be interviewing women who podcast and giving them the opportunity to share their experiences, their reasons why they decided to start podcasting, and their words of wisdom for women who are considering getting starting in this medium that we all love so much.

If you are a woman who is a podcaster, and you would like to talk to me for Podcaster News, the best way to get a hold of me is through Twitter.  I’m @queenofhaiku. I’m looking forward to hearing from you and am very excited to get started writing for Podcaster News.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Justin.TV Pulls the Plug Out From Under Users

~ admin ~ 1 Comment

Justin.tv, the live streaming service which started in 2007, has abruptly pulled the plug on it’s service today. With no warning or notification and no way for users to access their account or any videos they may have had, people are rightfully pissed.

Many podcasters and video podcasters used the site for live streaming and for archiving shows. Leaving them with their virtual pants down and having to move to other services like UStream, Livestream or Google Hangouts/Youtube Live.

Back in February JTV officially became Twitch Interactive. Twitch being a primarily video game centric streaming service while JustinTV was for everything else. A lot of content streamed was copyrighted material, that no one seemed to care was being streamed. If you wanted to watch 24/7 of Futurama, it was there. It’s not clear if this has anything to do with the sudden shutdown, but more likely it has something to do with rumors of Google purchasing Twitch for $1 billion.

If it is a Google move, it’s not hard to imagine the search giant wants people to use Hangouts or Youtube.

If this is another move by Google, it’s another public-infuriating one. Google seems to be becoming notorious for creating bad PR for itself as of late. With the G+ experiment and the debacle/laughable Google Glass program, as well as all the NSA business, there doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of things to be excited about when people mention the “G” word.

Whatever the reason, it seems the 7-year-old service is no more. Their website explains all APIs and accounts are gone. There is a video (hosted on Vimeo, btw) saying goodbye, and some FAQ’s for people wondering what happens next (though there doesn’t seem to be much as far as answers go, other than “So long, thanks for all the fish.” )

Twitch is allowing users to transfer their user names from Justin.tv by filling out this snazzy form (hosted on Google Docs) before Sept. 5, 2014.
More info can be found at Justin.TV

Podcast Novelist Scott Sigler’s “INFECTED” Optioned For TV Series

~ shawn ~ 1 Comment

Infected book coverScience-fiction/horror author Scott Sigler, who made a name for himself in the early days of podcasting by releasing his novels as free podcasts, has had his story Infected optioned by a television production company. From Sigler’s blog:

“INFECTED has been optioned as a TV series by Timberman/Beverly, the company that produces JUSTIFIED, ELEMENTARY, MASTERS OF SEX and more.” “…I have sat down with Carl Beverly (who runs the company along with his partner Sarah Timberman), and he seems quite excited about bringing INFECTED to the small screen. Timberman/Beverly can also pick up options for CONTAGIOUS and PANDEMIC at any point, if they decide to use the characters and plotlines from either or both of those books.”

This is great news for Sigler and his fans. But having something optioned by a production company isn’t a guarantee it’ll actually get made. Regardless, it’s a real acknowledgement of Sigler’s work, not just as an author but also as an independent creator who made a name for himself by building an audience on his own.

According to Wikipedia, Sigler released the first-ever podcast-only novel, EarthCore in 2005. He followed that up with several more titles, including Infected. Sigler is also a Parsec Award-winning author, having taken the trophy in the Best Speculative Fiction Story category in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

Posted by Shawn Thorpe