Basic requirements: We assume that you are already familiar with the basic techniques of video and audio recording and uploading into your desktop computer.

WORKING WITH SCRIPTS:
Editorial strategy is important when planning your podcasts. It's a technique to keep you focused so that you can effectively make your connection with a new client. That last thing you need is for your audience to be found asking themselves, "what’s the point?" You want people to quickly and clearly understand the message that you are conveying.

Your editorial strategy is something you should write down and constantly refer to. Who are you trying to reach? Who is your ideal client? What products and services do they need? How does your company benefit your potential new client? Being clear on this type of information will speed up your decision-making process when you sit down to write your podcast script.  Back to contents

Writing your script
People don't what to be sold, they want real information about your company.

Outline your key points first. Use active verbs such as, anticipated, motivated, upgraded, etc. in your script. The second thing to think about is audience.  Remember you are really engaging in a one-on -one conversation with a perspective client. Monologues can be boring if not done well, so consider how to keep your script script honest and on target while showing your awareness of your customers needs. Remember you're not writing your script to be read, you're writing your script to be heard. Maintain an 'active voice' and if you see an 'and' or a 'but' in your script, ask yourself 'Can I replace this with a period and start a new sentence?'

Avoid: Overly complex sentences, Industry buzz words and Contractions .

Use: Words that have warmth in their sound. Choose words that are graphic.

Rehearse and refine your script with a eye on timing and delivery. A good rule of thumb is to keep your script to around 3-5 minutes. Remember don't sell what you can't deliver, it will only hurt your business in the long run. Enlist someone who's opinion you value. Do a live presentation and get their feedback. This will help you to further tighten your script and allow you to adjust your delivery.

Do some practice recording. Listen to the playback as you 'step aside' and self evaluate your presentation from your customers point of view.

Now you're ready to go live for either an audio or video podcast Back to contents.

RECORDING YOUR PODCAST:
As with so many things in life 'Attitude is Everything'! Even when recording an audio podcast, dress in your business attire, since this is an important business meeting. Keep your delivery relaxed, bright, alert and focused. Back to contents

Audio Podcasting
We deliver audio podcasts in MP3. You can record and edit your podcast in the format of your choice and there are a variety of file conversion tools available to create your MP3 file. Back to contents

A useful technique to use when recording your podcast is to keep rolling, even if you make a mistake, just carry on. This technique will assist you in getting comfortable with your script in short order. When you're finished, do another take. If you mess up again, keep rolling all the way through your script. This will reinforce the complete script into your memory, not just the part that you're temporarily stumbling over. If you are comfortable with audio editing tools you can even break your script up into manageable pieces and make several recordings, then link them together in your editing program.

Congratulations, you now have a recording that delivers your message. Back to contents

Video Podcasting
We deliver video podcasts in a streaming flash format. However you can upload your 320 pixels x 240 pixels or 360 pixels x 240 pixels video in avi format and we will convert it for you.

Production for video podcasting has it's own set of concerns. The first step is shoot the best footage you can create.

It is not simply shooting. Create a concept and once you have finalized your ideas, then it's time to shoot. It's important to be comfortable and confident. You're the expert that you're perspective clients have tuned in to see, so keep in mind the one-on-one client relationship that you are creating. Imagine you're client sitting right across the table from you. It's important to be comfortable with the information that you are about to deliver, even If you're using a TelePrompter. I think we've all seen video where you can see the presenters eyes moving from line to line on the teleprompter script. This is hardy the impression that you want to give your prospective client. Get comfortable, re shoot your video until you have a presentation that represents the production value you want to create for your business.

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Tips on Delivery
Remember to breath. If you get your breathing right, you will add depth and authority to your voice.  A clear open airflow from your lungs adds warmth and authority. The less open your throat, the smaller the sound of your voice.  So, when you speak, relax your shoulders and take several deep breaths so you can fully project from your diaphragm.  Try yawning as It has the added benefit of opening up your breathing and releases saliva in your mouth to help get rid of that dry mouth experience.

It's important to be easily understood and that's why diction is important because it adds credibility to your podcast. Clearly enunciated syllables often get more notice and respect. You still have to be yourself, so this exercise is not meant to create a fake voice but to make your voice clearly understood. Ultimately your purpose is to have a comfortable relationship with your listener and viewer. Just be natural and simply focus on sharing your content with your listener. You'll be great because you know exactly how your business will benefit your clients. You've already delivered your message to hundreds of people while handing out your business card. The big difference is, 'Now your podcast has the potential of reaching thousands of new customers, saving you time, energy, and gas mileage'. Back to contents

POST PRODUCTION CONSIDERATIONS:
Post production techniques can be a delicate balance when you are introducing your business to new clients. Post production is used to enhance your delivery, highlight important points and maintain audience attention.

Use music carefully.  The best purpose for music in a podcast is for pacing and creating mood or atmosphere. So avoid using too much music. Two or three seconds of a theme or jingle before fading to voice will be all you need to create the mood. Think about your audience when making your music selection.  A positive music track for one person could have the opposite effect on another. Your voice is the most important factor, and your choice of music needs to support it. 

Sound effects are great for painting pictures in people’s minds.  However, use them with caution and moderation. Only use what you need, don't use five sound effects when one will do.

If you’re using a digital editor you have a powerful toolkit to tighten your podcast. Back to contents

Tips for Audio Editing
You can cut out stumbles and cleanly cut in and out of an interviewee’s comments, making it sound smooth and professional. Don’t just edit visually by recognizing shapes on the sound wave in front of you.  Listen to all your edits to ensure they sound smooth and natural.  Listen out for breathing, intonation and reflection. Finally check that the sound levels are uniform throughout the piece and convert your file to MP3 format. Back to contents

Tips for Video Editing
Here are some general guidelines for video editing. Not all of them will apply for your particular podcast especially if you are just one person delivering a message. They are however good points to keep in mind as you get ready to edit your final video.

The general rule of thumb with editing is to start with the wide shot, move to the mid shot and finally the tight shot. Sometimes you can go directly from a wide shot to a tight shot to create a certain impact or effect. Alternatively, you can reverse this to reveal a scene gradually to your audience. Experiment with changing your shots around to see what effect it has. Back to contents

Transitions
The hard cut transition from one shot to another is the most basic form of edit. Cuts are very quick and in general terms imply to the viewer that little time has passed between shots. Cuts are most often used to change between shots that have different subject matter.

Dissolves are slow and imply that a greater period of time has passed between shots. They make more sense when putting together shots with the same subject matter. Back to contents

Timing
You decide what you want to see in each shot, but keep in mind that the length of the shots you edit together has an effect on the viewer. Your creativity will come into it's own as you gauge how much of this or that shot to use. Lots of short shots cut together give the impression of action and movement. Long slow shots allow the video appear slow. Music videos use theses devices very effectively as fast, high energy music usually has a very busy video with lots of shots, while ballard's tend to use fewer shots containing slower images. Back to contents

FINAL THOUGHTS:
You most likely shot your original video in either 720 x 480 pixels or 680 x 480 pixels at 29.97 frames per second. Now that you have completed your editing you will need to output your video as 360 x 240 pixels or 320 x 240 pixels .avi format. The next step is optional: You can convert your video file to a progressive flash stream or we can do it for you. When converting video files to progressive streams you need to find proper balance of frame rate to content quality. When the frame rate is too slow your audio track can appear out of sync with the video track. Full 29.97 fps may stream poorly depending on the volume of server requests initiated at a particular point in time. A range from 15-24 fps is preferable. Back to contents

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