You may have noticed we recently made a commitment to podcasting here at MyTechOpinion. If not, look just below each of our posts and you should see the podcast player. Podcasting is simply a way of distributing digital media over the Internet using RSS. And for real estate agents who are looking for that next social medium to boost their blog success, perhaps podcasting is just what you need.
Podcasting can enhance your blog content and your online visibility. Strengthen the bond you have with your current audience, as well as reach a new audience. And, give your blog readers the flexibility to listen and obtain your expertise on the go! Podcasting is even an affordable and pretty seamless option when it comes to integrating a new social media tool to your blog. So let’s get you started already!
Get equipped! Prior to your first audio podcast you will need the following equipment.
- A decent microphone is a must. Plan on spending at least $25-$100 on a good podcasting microphone. My friend and expert, Mike Price, suggests Blue Microphone’s Snowball USB Microphone. The Snowball should run you about $99.
- You will also need audio recording software. Try Audacity, it’s free and super easy to use. Seriously, I’m not just saying that. If you are a Mac user, you may also want to take a look at GarageBand.
- To integrate podcasting with your blog, those of you on WordPress are in luck! PodPress is your dream podcasting plugin! PodPress sports automatic feed generation, includes download stats, supports various formats (including video podcasting), includes iTunes preview, unlimited number of media files, an automatic media player, and more. BTW-I do recognize there are other blog platforms and many podcasting solutions. But, PodPress just plain rocks!
- Uploading files to the Web will also require FTP software. I use Dreamweaver, but there are several free FTP software programs available online that work great. Try www.goftp.com.
Content for Your Podcast
Your blog posts make great podcasts, and even basic real estate industry tips and knowledge. If you have specific questions that need answering ALL the time, consider crafting a lesson or script to share via podcast. No more canned buyer and seller tips, let’s get creative and help consumers where we find them…online. We know they are starting their home search there, so make your podcasts available on your blog and at iTunes. (We’ll get to that shortly.)
Create Your Podcast
With Audacity, creating a podcast is a breeze. Plug your microphone into your computer, select the record button, and start talking. A few tips I’ve learned along the way: (1) speak slowly and naturally….like you were talking to a friend or sharing info with a client (2) think about including a quick introduction and closing (keep it consistent and add a sound bite or loop).
While recording, don’t worry about making mistakes. You can stitch all the pieces together and cut out all the not so good parts. When you are happy with the final product, you will need to export the audio file you created as MP3 format.
Upload Your Podcast
Use your FTP software to create a dedicated podcast folder in your root directory and then upload your newly created podcasts. If you are using the PodPress Plugin, you can go to the PodPress General Settings in your WordPress Admin and include the URL to your newly created podcast folder. Now your podcasts will be available from a drop down menu on the post page.
Distribute Your Podcast
Make the most of your podcast and be sure to distribute it. With PodPress, your podcasts are easily attached to your blog posts and made available to readers via your podcast player and RSS feed. PodPress also makes adding all your podcasts to iTunes a snap. But before you start texting your friends and telling them to download your podcasts on iTunes, you need to submit your RSS feed for approval. Do that here. And check out MyTechOpinion’s podcasts while you’re there.
Once your RSS feed has been approved, you will receive an email from iTunes. The email includes an iTunes Feed ID that you can add to your PodPress Plugin for WordPress. Now you are set up for distribution, so get to podcasting!
In Conclusion
Podcasting isn’t for everyone. Your blog commitment may already be at maximum capacity, and that’s okay. Perhaps you just don’t think you need podcasting, or you simply don’t want it. Then you should read 10 Reasons NOT to Add Podcasts to Your Blog and know you are not alone!
[...] Original post by NikNik [...]
Great post. I have heard about podcasting before but I wasn't sure exactly what it was and how to do it. Thanks!
Jonathan Christopher of Short Sale Way
Jon- It's pretty cool to see your podcasts on iTunes with an official looking album cover. Perhaps I'll be looking for you soon!
Just bought a snowball mic! It will be a step up from the current headset for sure.
Tyler- Sweet! I'll look forward to hearing more from you! You're off to a great start already! http://moxleyteam.com/podcast-2/
Good Stuff
I am really tempted to do it after reading this post. I hate typing !!!!
But with the NY accent I'm not sure how it will play in Des Moines.
(For free FTP I use FileZila– it's great)
See you, Nik and Reg in SF next month.
Joe- First of all! I LOVE your voice and think the NY accent just shows your unqiue character! But I know how you feel. Every time I play one of my podcasts I cringe listening to myself. But you'd be surprised who's listening and who enjoys your voice. Just this week, a radio DJ here in the Bay Area asked me to do a commericial for his station…because he likes my voice! Go figure!
As for FileZila….I will be checking that one out! Thanks for the tip! I can always use a good FTP solution! You rock! Reggie and I look forward to drinking some beers and talking shop with you at the Connect!
BTW-I hear women in Des Moines are fanatical about men with NY accents!
Great post on podcasting! I get asked by some of my coaching clients about adding podcasts to their site, and hadn't gotten around to doing a post. Thanks for that! Another great ftp solution, since we're suggesting them here, is Core FTP. Also free.
Thanks!
Thanks for the podcast love and for the FTP suggestion. I've been having some issues with Dreamweaver (think I need a reformat) so I was going to try FileZila today….but now I'll look at Core as well! Thanks for the tip Rich! You rock!
Podcasting is such an easy way to boost your traffic, especially considering the hardware & software involved is so inexpensive. One quick tip I'd offer as a former radio host would be to try to find catchy intro and outro music. Royalty Free Music.com is a great resource. You may also want to think about roping in a friend who has a "radio voice" to record a show intro and closing.
Solid music and nice lead ins can really set you apart.
Jason- Great resource….thank you! I'd like to do a little more sprucing up of our intro and outro. Recording yourself takes some time to get used to I must say. Sometimes my voice flows while recording and other times….not so much! Any advice for that?
NikNik,
I think that Pod's are great! I have one on my blog and run a new item every day from MarketWatch or other news source as it may pertain to real estate. Just can't get enough of the news
Since a number of these comments are offering up advice on FTP clients, I'll throw my favorite out there … FireFTP. If you are a Firefox user already, it's hard to find an easier solution than FireFTP. The program installs as a Firefox extension and opens in your browser as a new tab when you want to connect and upload anything. With its support for drag-and-drop uploads, FTPing is a snap.
Thanks for the tip Brian. I will check that one out. I float between both browsers depending on my project (IE & Firefox)….but I've been running into less errors when I FTP via Firefox.
Hi Nik,
Thanks for your great tips on Podcasting. I have always been a big believer in the value of podcasting since it gives the readers a different way to get the content from the blog, and as you stated in a different post — differentiation is key.
I use a Mac with FireFox, FireFTP, Snowball mic, and I record on Garage Band. ALL of these I highly recommend!
Besides PodPress, are there any other options that you would recommend for importing and posting M4a files (the iTunes format) into WordPress? While PodPress seems to work on my blog, it has given me some fits in the past and has brought my blog to its knees on several occasions (you'll have to visualize a blog having knees, I guess.)
One of the most annoying problems is that the podcast player only shows up as a microscopic iPod icon on the post. I can't get any of the other players they have loaded in the plug-in to display on the post. Consequently, I think readers sometimes miss where to click to listen.
I suspect my problems might be a theme vs plug-in compatibility issue, so before I even (*gasp*) think of ditching my theme, I wonder if there are other plug-ins to consider, without having to convert the M4a to MP3.
Thanks for your help.
Chuck
This is great Nik Nik! I've been "thinking" about stripping the audio from my vids to use as podcasts and you have just placed the tools in front of me… no more excuses now!
6eI'll thingk about it.3f I compleatly agree with last post. gtn
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How does one differentiate a professional real estate agent from a non-professional real estate agent?
I enjoy following your blog! The Bend Oregon real estate market continues to be slow. It looks like a good time to buy in your area.
I need to read this blog more often. I only get over hear about once or twice a month, but every time I do I learn something.
I have been researching how I might start adding podcasts to my blog. Using a simple, free solution like Audacity might be a good starting point. Thanks for a great blog!
Thanks for your great tips on Podcasting. One quick tip I’d offer as a former radio host would be to try to find catchy intro and outro music. Royalty Free Music.com Fashion and Vintage is a great resource.
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I only get over hear about once or twice a month, but every time I do I learn something. Thanks.
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I think I might start adding podcasts to my blog. Using a simple, free solution like Audacity might be a good starting point. Thanks…
The Bend Oregon real estate market continues to be slow. It looks like a good time to buy in your area.Thanks.
How does one differentiate a professional real estate agent from a non-professional real estate agent? Thank you for your time.
I will thingk about it. I compleatly agree with last post. Thanks.
I suspect my problems might be a theme vs plug-in compatibility issue, so before I even think of ditching my theme, I wonder if there are other plug-ins to consider. Thanks.
That is good. Thank you for sharing…