Let’s get going with Module 2, different presenter – Richard. He’s sitting side-on, lovely and casual – nice.

Module 2 is much longer, but what have I learnt so far?

• You’ll need a Microphone, Headphones and Software.
• For outside broadcasts an iPhone with Anchor.FM application works well. Probably will require an external mic with windsock. Rode Videomic ME (there are versions with a lightning adapter instead of 3.5mm jack). I know, my reward if I get this podcast off the ground for 6 months will be to update my iPhone. Better make it a Christmas present as well, perhaps Birthday too.
• My Blue Yeti microphone requires a Muffler and a Pop Filter.
• The closer you are to the mic the deeper your voice.
• Headphones reduces the echo effect and sound compression – echo cancelling, this increases quality. Would be interesting to try that.
• Software, Audacity (Sound Wave editing) or Descript (Text Based) – allows you to cut/paste a script and it moves the sound around. That could be interesting, better update my version of Audacity and download Descript, if it’s free, to at least trial it.
• Interviews can be remote or face to face (F2F). F2F gives you technical control, remote will require others to setup equipment. F2F improves the quality of output due to rapport/connection and allows you to capture photos for the media element.
• Interview – Know your audience, they need to be relaxed.
• If video, do not be face on to the camera, slightly sideways looks more relaxed.
• Use pauses in your speech, it will eliminate some umms and errs, and helps to give a relaxed feel.
• If unfamiliar with interviewing room, determine if it is OK for a podcast, is it technically setup?
• For remote interview Zoom has inbuilt recording and it is free for 1:1 and up to 40 minutes for 3+ persons. Google Meet may be an equivalent to Zoom.
• Write a guide for setting up to help your guests prepare, they must be close to the microphone, ideally a microphone on a headset, headset is a must. Do a test the day before, it will give you a chance to get a rapport with your guest before the interview.
• What are the Wi-Fi connections like? Wired is best. Is Internet normally good at your guest’s location? That reminds me better check when we are going to get our fibre, we’ve given them our bank details after all.
• When using Zoom, schedule a meeting and provide the link in the calendar invite (.ICS).
• Lighting should be in front and not behind.
• Headphones make an enormous difference; the mic needs to be in front of the mouth and not in your ear.
• Don’t forget to start/stop the recording. When you stop the recording Zoom will convert to .MP4
• Remember, you cannot make any visual reference in a podcast, for example “as you can see”

Ordered the Muffler and Pop filter for my Blue Yeti, it has been collecting dust for the last year, actually, I hope it hasn’t. Downloaded new version of Audacity and Descript, noticed Descript has some free lessons. 

Just saw, last day 50% off upgrade for Camtasia, mine is 3 years old, upgraded. Hope, I get that training contract now. Camtasia is for screen recording and video editing, not that I need this for podcasting. Oh, just Googled that, there is such a thing as a video podcast. Money well worth spent then! Money well spent then! I suffer from what I call Phrase Dyslexia – the ability to take two well-known phrases and mix up the words to create a jumble that pours out onto paper and sometimes speech – I said in Week 1 I would be honest.

Got my first email from the Podcasting (P2) blog, from Cameron D. Norman – Marketing and Persistence “I recall hearing something that it takes about 5 years of effort to become an overnight success.” Some interesting stats on YouTubers, 100 videos in, don’t expect too many followers, but don’t give up. Couldn’t help myself, I replied, I had just published my 5-year stats on my blog MaximoSecrets. Note to myself, if you are going to do this podcasting, you had better join in and see what you learn from others. With that in mind, registered for Ken Gagne session next week.

Next week, keep going with Module 2.