DanResources:
- Mixlr
- iTunes specifications including new artwork specs, can be found here
- Get my FREE podcasting report here
DanI’m always on the look out for new technology and widgets that I can integrate into my podcast.
So today, I wanted to quickly tell you about a new widget called speak pipe.
Speak pipe allows visitors to your website to leave a voicemail message for you. You can these take these audio files and embed them in your podcast audio. I kinda see it as the podcast equivalent of blog comments.
Here’s a few reasons why you should seriously consider utilising a service like speak pipe for your show, and why I’m going to roll it out across all of my podcasts.
1. Broader content delivery method
Whether you’re a solo voice podcaster, or you have a co-host, it can be easy to fall into the slump of producing audio content in the same way. However, voice
The Speak Pipe Interface
mail from a listener allows you to introduce content in a new way. You might answer a question, get another opinion, or even air a compliment.
A common concern podcasters have is generating enough content for each episode. Including listener voice mails is a great way to allow your audience to assist in content creation, and who knows where that will lead?
2. Adds professionalism to your podcast
There’s a lot to be said for podcasts that use proven and tested engagement methods from mainstream media (in radio for example, listener voices are regularly heard throughout typical station programming). Ultimately, a listener voicemail adds a voice to your audience and this only validates your credibility in the ears of your greater audience. Oh, and hearing foreign accents is also a great testament to how global your podcast is!
3. Easier interaction
Let’s face it, speaking is so much easier than writing. And in my opinion, one of the main reasons such a low percentage of people email podcasts / blogs is because of the effort required. But thanks to a service like speak pipe - all you has to do is hit the big red record button and then talk. The audio file is then sent straight to your inbox – no fuss. Then just cut it up and paste it into your final mp3 file.
Hope that’s inspired you to think a little differently about your podcast! Get started on your free trial with speak pipe by clicking here.
DanI’m often asked how long a podcast should be and I really hate that question because there is no right answer, just a bunch of speculation.
I’ve heard podcasts that go for 7 minutes right up to 1 hour, talk based podcasts, music podcasts, talk and music podcasts etc. There’s a podcast out there that’ll see you through a workout at the gym or cooking some 2-minute noodles.
The great thing about podcasting is that it’s a flexible medium, which means there is no perfect length. Unlike Radio, podcasters don’t need to run to a strict format to fit in with commercial breaks and news bulletins. You also don’t have a program director breathing down your neck. Nope – as a podcaster, you and you alone decide how long your show goes for.
But there’s one bit of advice I’ll pass on that might help you make a good decision about the size of your podcast.
As a Radio DJ I’ve always been told that the strength of my content determines the length of my talk break. In other words if I have strong content to present then I’ll give it the time it deserves. But if I’m skinny on content, then you can bet that it’ll be a short talk break.
The strength determines the length.
But all too often podcasters get this round the wrong way. They think “the length of a podcast determines how much content you provide”. This is putting the cart before the horse and just isn’t the case.
Let’s say you’ve committed to a 30-minute show each week, and one week you’re a bit light on content and only have 20 minutes worth. To make sure you hit that 30-minutes you’ll probably end up waffling to get to time. In the Radio industry we call this ‘padding’ and it’s almost always the worst option. Especially when you can just have a shorter show.
What do you think will annoy a listener more – that your podcast is 10 minutes shorter than usual? Or that you spend 10 minutes explaining something that could be summed up in 30 seconds?
Exactly, listening to someone ‘padding’ is the verbal equivalent of water boarding – an unnecessary torture.
So let me tell you something that might just blow your mind…
People aren’t listening to your podcast with a stopwatch.
Which means they won’t be annoyed if your podcast doesn’t go for 30 minutes or whatever magic time you’ve come up with. All they’re worried about is hearing some useful or entertaining information. They are relaxed about length and it’d help if you were as well.
So don’t try and crack the code for the perfect podcast length, let your content decide!
To get started on your own professional sounding podcast download a copy of Dan’s new FREE report “Podcast Like A Radio DJ”. Get it here!
DanRecently I was talking with a very successful online business owner who is also relatively new to podcasting. He’s been podcasting for his business for about 6 months and is really crushing it. He told me that he’s been able to sell thousands of dollars worth of products and services to his 1000 listeners within a matter of months.
