27 Apr

A Sexagenarian’s How To: Podcast!

Jena Henry A Sexagenarian's How To's, Blog 5 0

Let’s Talk about Podcasts!

Have you had a chance to check out my post on my favorite writer’s apps from A to Z? What do you think- do you use many or most of these apps or products? If you do, please tell me your favorites!

From time to time I plan to tell you more about about some of my go-to tools on my list. This is my attempt at “long form content” so to speak. Ahem! Let’s start by taking a closer look at Podcasts!

Do you listen to podcasts- about 31 million people do!

The word podcast as either a noun or verb first appeared on Dictionary.com in 2004. Podcasts are audio files that can be downloaded from the internet. These digital talk shows allowed hosts to sidestep the FCC and talk directly to listeners. Haven’t you always wanted to me a DJ on the radio?

iTunes, with its podcast app, is the most popular aggregator- which means it’s a website or program that collects related items of content and displays them or links to them. You now have a handy way of keeping track of your favorite podcasts.

Many people like to listen and learn as they exercise or during their daily drives and commutes. I have found that I can’t multi-task. I need to relax on my front porch and actively focus…otherwise I fade and drift away if I am doing something else while I listen.

I do enjoy the close connection with the speaker as I listen to podcasts. It’s exciting to be entertained while I learn. And you can find podcasts about any topic or interest.

Would You like to Do More than Listen?

If you understand me so far, let me ask you this- have you ever thought about going from being the podcast listener to being the host and talker? I have! I started reading about how to create my own podcast. Alas, it seemed daunting. I would need:

Condensor microphone
Preamp
Multi-track recording program
EQ mastering
Daw Digital Audio Workstation

Right.

But, as often happens, the universe comes through. For me, it came in the form of an email from Pat Rullo of Speak Up Talk Radio, “Always on for you!” At her invitation, I checked out her website and realized I could leave the podcasting to her:

Would you like to have your own podcast to promote you and your business but don’t know how? Don’t have time to face the learning curve? Not interested in spending money on expensive equipment?

Yes, Yes and Yes. I signed up with Pat for a thirty minute podcast, and picked a time a week later, so I would only have to be nervous for seven days. I sent her my bio info and then called her at the appointed time.

Pat answered my call and welcomed me. She explained that she would start recording, would do the intro and then she would begin chatting with me. At the end of my interview, the last question would be, “Is there anything else I didn’t ask that you would like to share?” Then we would be done, but she told me to plan to stay on the line for a few minutes.

When you listen to my podcast, (I haven’t even listened to the whole thing yet, yes I’m a scaredy-cat) you will find that Pat is calm and composed and I am eager and babbley. She is a gifted speaker and listener. I am me. But I did it! Here are links to my podcast masterpiece.

http://www.speakuptalkradio.com/jena-henry-speaks-up/

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/jena-c-henry-speaks-up-about-her-books-golden-age-charli/id1109775369?i=1000382064915&mt=2

So now I want to keep on podcasting!

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What are the benefits of regular podcasts? Basically it’s a way to engage your followers in a more intimate way- allowing them to hear your voice, inflection, your emotion and your passion. My future podcasts may involve interviewing authors, reviewing books, or they may be just me chatting on and on. Podcasting is a blast!

Here are some hints if you want to sound pleasing while you record:

I looked these up AFTER I did my debut podcast session. The suggestions I found focused on how to make your voice function and how to sound appealing.