Starting to create and publish a podcast on your blog can be a great way to acquire more exposure for your brand and generate traffic from iTunes and other platforms. However although podcasts are relatively easy to record, there are steps that you need to take before you get to that.
[Read more…]Blogging: Audio/Video vs. Text
As a new user of the free blog platform Tumblr, I can honestly say that the service is quickly winning me over.
One of my favorite features is the ease in which multi-media elements such as audio and video can be added. As a guy who has been podcasting since 2005, I have a special place in my heart for audio content.
But the numbers don’t lie: text content is king. [Read more…]
The Podcast Reach Around Effect
A show of hands of how many of you regularly podcast as part of your blog empire…
My hand is raised, and has been since April 2005. Though recently, given my hectic workload, the success of the blog and the sick amount of time it takes to put together audio programming, I’ve been slacking in the podcast department. Not only have I been unable to produce a show in several months, I haven’t even looked into traffic.
At the request of a potential advertiser, I took a peak at recent traffic. Much to my surprise, shows that are YEARS OLD still receive thousands of downloads. Huh!?
I understand that many episodes of the Working Podcast have been picked up by search engines, etc. – but I didn’t expect to see this type of growth from a ‘dormant’ product.
Particularly shocking was the volume of downloads Show #1 still receives. Ironically, it’s probably the worst of the 80 programs I have done. At least I like to think the show has evolved. But here’s my question for you audiofiles…
How do I better leverage these old shows; particularly #1?
I’m toying with the idea of adding a quick bumper to the beginning stating that the direction of the show has changed, our new URL, contact info and so on.
What do you think? Any examples of this you have come across?
Is it taboo to change archived shows from their original content?
P.S. – I will be relaunching the Working Podcast later this year. So if you’re interested in career advice you can actually use, please subscribe.
How Long Are You Willing to Listen or Watch Blog Content?
Lately, video and podcasting blogs are making a huge inroad in popularity. A common question I’m asked at workshops and speaker gigs is how long a podcast or blog video should be.
I thought I knew the answer: thirty minutes. That is what works for me. An hour long program means that I typically have to pay attention to it in two sections since I rarely have that much free time in one chunk. But that’s not the answer I got from those I talked to.
Most people have told me that they enjoy 45 to 60 minute shows on their favorite blogs with multimedia. They listen to them while driving, running, jogging, exercising, and working, and a few even while relaxing instead of spending time with television.
But what about you? How long is long enough for you for a podcast or blog video? Are you willing to listen to a podcast longer than watch a video? Or the reverse?
If you are a podcaster or video blogger, have you found some trends in time lengths that work best for you and your blog?
Give Your Blog a Voice With BNarrator
If you think text blog entries are too one-dimensional, and don’t have the time or patience to produce a podcast, BNarrator could be for you.
Simply place a widget on your blog and the Website will be notified every time you update content. This text is then sent to a human narrator (aka voiceover person) to read. Voila! Once you approve the audio, people can listen to the content on your blog.
The service is free, relying on an ad-supported model to pay the bills. A brief ad will be played before your entry is read.
I certainly can see the benefit for elderly visitors and the visually impaired. However, unless your topic appeals to these audiences, I don’t think the widget will bring a sizable amount of traffic. Knowing that, there is another benefit to adding BNarrator to you blog. The company shares the revenue, giving site owners 30% of the take – with 5% supporting charities for the blind.
If you decide to give the widget a try, let us know how it works out.
