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ResourcesPodcasting ResourcesThe Podcasting Handbook ebookThis sponsored multi-media ebook provides all of the text curriculum from the original $250, 5-week class, as well as access to many of the audio, video, and screen print tutorials. You will learn:
If you want an
inexpensive way to learn podcasting on your own, or only want to
study certain classes, such as vocal coaching, or using podcasting
to market your business, or Audio Editing and Recording techniques,
there are links within the ebook that allow you to purchase and
download only the classes that interest you. Audio Recording ServicesTelephone Call / Teleconference Call Recording ServicesIf your business includes telephone consultations, you should consider recording those sessions. Once the session is over, you either forward the audio to your client for later review, or post it on a private, password protected channel that only you and your client can access. You can offer this as a value-added benefit. Not everyone takes good notes, and sometimes people will experience an "aha" moment triggered by an exact phrase that you said. Your clients will be able to re-experience the energy and encouragement of the session whenever they want, without you having to ask you to repeat what you said. Coaches and Consultants in particular would benefit from offering this type of service. The easiest service for recording phone calls on a regular basis is BYO AudioThe next option, which still requires you to be able to cut and paste HTML code into your website, would be to use a service like the one I use for some of my clients, and for all of my teleseminar recording needs. It is called BYOAudio (click here to check it out). This program lets you do a lot of things for just one monthly price of $19.95. (Secret: If you pay for a year's service up front, they give you something like a 20% discount, so I always pay up front!). You can:
But the most important thing about this program is that it will convert your audio into HTML for you. All you have to do is copy the code (another name for webpage languages) and paste it into your web page. You just have to have access to the HTML code on your webpage so you can paste it there. Or, if you have a webmaster (someone who takes care of your website for you, normally for a monthly fee), they can do that for you. If you sign up through this link, I will provide you with a manual on how to use BYOAudio. Your Recording LineIf you only teleconferences once in a while, you can use Your Recording Line, a pay as you go recording service. You can record up to 2 hours, and the $25 fee includes Basic Editing (creating a starting and ending point, noise reduction and sound leveling). Click here to reserve your recording line. SKYPE OptionsSkype is a FREE Voice Over Internet phone system. You can call other Skype Users via your computer for free anywhere in the world. In addition, you can call landlines and cell phones around the world for an average of about $.02 per minute. Skype sometimes has specials like getting a year of free calling to the US and Canada for only $15! You can get an incoming phone number as well for about $40 a year. It's much cheaper than other calling options. PamelaPamela is a multi-function program that works with Skype. You can download a limited-feature version for free. But for a one-time price of $24.95, you get:
Call Recording It is my Skype Recording product of choice, since it offers so much, including the Video Recording. It also makes a great answering service for both the Skype Chat and Calling features. Hot RecorderHot Recorder also allows you to record Skype. It has a unique feature of splitting the recording into two channels. What that means is that it will record you on, say, the left channel, and the person you are talking to on the right channel. So if there is noise in the background of the person you are talking with (or noise on your end), you can edit it without losing what the other person is saying. However, you have to have a special editing program that will allow you to record the left and right channels independantly. Sound Forge is the only program I know that does that. If you would like to see an audio/visual presentation by computer expert, Paige Eissinger of 2 Smart Chix about recording Skype calls with Hot Recorder:
High Speed ConferencingHigh Speed Conferencing offers private Skype conference calls. If you purchase their $4.95/month option, you can record those calls as well. People can call in via a regular phone or via Skype. They also have a toll-free option for $.10 per minute. Audio Conference Room Recording ServicesAudio Conference Rooms tend to provide much clearer recordings than Skype. They are my number one online recording choice. In addition, an Audio Conference Room allows presenters to take their time when they speak. The below Conference Room only records when someone presses down the Control key, so there are no long silences in the recordings, and speakers can get a drink of water, cough, look at their notes, and none of that is captured on the recording. It makes for a very relaxed atmosphere for the person being recorded. Co-Op WorldMy Conference Room of choice comes from Co-Op World, the host site for the Online International Podcasting Expos. If you are going to record on a regular basis, this is your best option. To see their monthly or quarterly pricing options (starting as low as $19/month), click here. If you only record once in a while, you can utilize my conference room for $25 per session (no time limit, just record until you are finished). I can even record it for you, or interview you, for $35/hr. I also offer editing services to create a polished, finished audio product, including adding in music, for only $35/hr. You can also use the room to create audio/visual recordings. You can create an online tour of your website, or record a narrated powerpoint presentation. Be advised that you must use simple powerpoint slides (no transitions or effects are captured on the web), and your powerpoint presentation will be converted to .jpg format so that even Mac users will be able to view your recording. Record Audio Onto Your Own ComputerRecordPadRecordPad is a great program for both PCs AND Macs. It is for people who know nothing about Recording, and aren't concerned with editing the file themselves (you can send the file to someone else for editing). You even get a 14 day free trial period for it. It will not only record, it will also automatically upload the file to a specific website if you want it to. You just need to know how to fill in the information to make it do that. WavePadWavePad is a FREE audio recording and editing program (the one I use every day). It comes with a limited-time Master Features trial, but the version that has the 1st Podcast Publishing icon on it continues to work even past the limited-time trial. But if you like the Master Features, you can purchase the full version for only $30. You can download it for free here. You can also view an audio/visual seminar about WavePad's features by:
VEMailVEMail is a very simple recording program that allows you to record a message and have it sent immediately to an email address. You could even record it and send it to yourself. The only problem is that this was meant to record very short recordings, as it is recorded in the .wav format, which is 10 times larger than the favorite .mp3 format. It is no longer offered by the company that created it, so I have included a zipped download of the original program here. Record Audio Directly Onto The InternetBYOAudio also allows you to record directly onto the internet, into their system. You can then download it and have someone else edit it, or post it somewhere on the internet "as is" with BYOAudio's streaming html code. Video Recording ServicesToday, all you need to simply record yourself talking is an inexpensive webcam. Once you hook it up to your computer, you can record yourself easily. For higher quality video, you can go to Circuit City and purchase a digital video recorder. I like the type that has a built-in hard drive, so you can then connect the video to the computer and simply download the video to the computer. Hello World allows you to record directly to the internet. You can then download the recording for editing, or have it posted on the internet where people can view it. They are probably the easiest service to use, but you have to pay a monthly fee. I like Camtasia Studio. Purchase it once, and it will allow you to record yourself on video from your webcam. It also has the ability to take your video and change it to a format that can be viewed on an iPod. They even offer streaming video hosting. Audio & Video Editing Services1st Podcast Publishing can edit any audio or video you provide and create a smooth, polished finished product for posting on your website or burning to CD or DVD. Fine Tooth Comb Audio EditingWe remove background noise, level out the sound (so everyone can be heard - very important on teleconference recordings with multiple participants), remove all stuttering, ums, ahs, repeated words and phrases, to create a streamlined audio product. These Fine Tooth Comb editing services cost $35/hr. A one or two person audio recording usually takes approximately 2.5 to 3 times the length of the raw recording. For example, if you have a 20 minute recording, it will take approximately 1 hour to edit it, including mixing it with music, or $35. For recordings with more than 2 people, the editing time increases to 3 to 4 times the lenth of the raw recording. A 1 hour recording with 3 or more people will normally take from 3 to 4 hours to edit, including mixing music, or $105 - $140. Basic Audio EditingWe also offer Basic Editing services, which simply includes creating a starting and ending point for the audio, removing background noise, leveling out the sound, and mixing in music. This is a standard $25 fee, regardless of the length of the audio. Video Editing Services1st Podcast Publishing Video Services include:
For examples of previous work, go to http://www.PennyHaynes.com. Video editing costs are hard to pre-determine due to the number of variables involved. Editing a single video takes less time than compiling multiple videos. Creating and adding narrations, as well as mixing music and creating titles and tables of contents, add time to your project. Cost for editing is $75/hr for new customers, and $50/hr for returning customers and existing clientele. A deposit for 1 hour of work is required prior to the start of a project. The video will be posted in streaming format for customer review. Upon acceptance, the balance of payment is due prior to delivery of the original file to the customer's host via ftp. Shipping the video on CD via regular mail costs an additional $6. Click here to find out more. RSS ToolsRSS LibIf you are somewhat technical, and know how to put files on your website, and change html or scripting on your website, you should check out RSS Lib. These are free scripting pages that allow you to syndicate as many RSS feeds as possible, and even change the appearance of the syndicated content. It comes with simple instructions as well. FeedZillaFeedzilla allows you to syndicate your content and put other people's content on your website. However, it has ads in it. Features include:
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About Penny Haynes · Contact Us · Press · Online International Podcasting Expo
Penny Haynes
Any Entrepreneurs Who Have Had To Take An Outside Job?
I know I’ve been very quiet lately, but I’m one of those persons I refer to in the title of my post – someone who has had to take a temporary, full-time job (without any benefits) because my husband lost his job. Although I made more money last year through my businesses (http://onlinecommunitymagazines.com/, http://www.commercialcreationcenter.com/, http://multimediawebsites.biz/, http://RSSzine.com) than I had during any previous year (enough to have to PAY taxes on April 15th!), it came in waves, and we needed something constant, even if low paying, to continue to pay bills.
So I am going to talk to (and ask) you about how, as an entrepreneur, you can balance a full-time job without losing your clients, and still working toward building your business in the future. Oh yeah, and how to do that and STILL keep a relationship with a husband/wife, children, parents and friends in tact… I’ve been thinking a lot about this because my present job is due to end in August, and I want to be ready to go “great guns” when I come back home to roost.
I have found many great things about working outside the home over these past months. I forgot how much I enjoy working with people face to face, and how much I love administrative work (I’m an Office Operations Supervisor for Administration). But the really interesting thing for me is meeting so many different people, many of whom are in the exact same position as me – they’re doing this job because they or their spouse lost their job, so they’re having to take a break from what they really love and are trained to do.
I’ve tried to be open to what God wants me to learn from this experience, but also WHO he wants me to meet, because it doesn’t matter WHAT you know if nobody knows you. I’ve realized that these are incredibly talented people in their own rights, forced into low-paying jobs due to the economy. I’m keeping my eyes open for potential partners and teachers as well as potential clients.
Also, being thrown together with a group of people from different backgrounds and experiences allows you to conduct “focus groups”, if you will, to get feedback on ideas from people outside of your normal “niche” or “industry”. Sometimes they may have negative criticism which will help you get past hurdles you didn’t know existed. Others may give you the neccessary encouragement you need to continue when your spirits are low.
So if you are someone in the same position as I am, I want to encourage you to make the most of your time out of your home and make as many contacts as possible. Find people that you can rely upon as sounding boards for future ideas or even present products, and how they can be marketed or improved. I challenge you to be less concerned with “selling”, and more concerned with “learning” during this brief hiatus (or less all-consuming period) of your business.
The other thing I have found is the challenge to continue to keep existing clients happy and satisfied, while still working 40 hours, and trying to still pay attention to my extended family of loved ones. My husband appreciates all of the work I do to take care of the family, and recognizes my need to make sure I don’t lose existing clientele so I still have a business to which I can return after this job ends. But honestly, I fluctuate between sheer exhaustion (from my work schedule) and my consuming obsession with making my business a success. That leaves very little “together” time for family.
I am also trying to walk that thin line between trusting God to meet our needs and hold my future, and doing everything I can to be a faithful steward of what He has provided for me. I don’t want to “make things happen” that aren’t meant to be (and will be unprofitable and unfruitful), but I don’t want to be one of those spiritual people who believes all I have to do is sit still and everything will be handed to me on a silver platter.
So as I navigate these treacherous, yet necessary, waters of life right now, I’m trying to stay clear of shipwrecking relationships, and of letting my business boat rust and possibly sink from lack of attention. I’d love for you to tell me how YOU are handling this duality required of you at this time.
- Are you trying to keep your original business afloat while you try to bring in a steady paycheck at an outside job?
- Are you continuing your blog, podcast, twitter or facebook updates?
- Are you taking this time to re-evaluate your business and think about ways of changing your products or marketing plans?
- Have you found that people presently around you outside of the house may possibly play key roles in the future of your business?
Please share your stories with me. It will be such a great encouragement to me, as WELL as an encouragement to those who read your comments.
And when you comment, please make sure to put a link to your business. After all, we’re all in this together, and I’d love to add one more link back to your business while you’re taking care of business elsewhere. 
Penny Haynes, http://PennyHaynes.com
Great way to advertise yourself and your business is to do a video. Office Max has really learned that lesson, by teaming with JibJab and creating ElfYourself! They will get so much traffic, their elfish heads will spin.
Here is the one I created with my family – I love the way it turned out. I laughed so hard (we are so NOT hip-hop, which is what makes it soooooo funny) I couldn’t breathe. If you want to create your own (there are different versions) with up to five (5) people’s faces, click on the video to do it, or go to http://ElfYourself.com.
This is a live version of a song I wrote freshman year of college in 1982-1983. The entire song came to me at one time while I was in the dorm hallway. No one knows this, but it was inspired by and happened after I found out that someone who shall remain nameless who was there freshman year kissed my roommate.
I don’t believe I recorded this until my Senior year in college, and in this version (which had to be edited, because we had a stumble toward the end and had to start that part over – hence the laughter all of a sudden, because you don’t hear the comment I jokingly made about the informality of the concert). But on the piano is the Dove award-winning Kyle Matthews (singer, songwriter extraordinaire). Well, he wasn’t a Dove award winner back then, but eventually was, and wrote the massive Christian hit “We Fall Down” that Bob Carlisle and others recorded (along with a lot more songs).
Another college friend recorded it on an album in the late 80’s or early 90’s – a jazz singer named Gwen Hughes. She put her own twist on it, and it was an Atlanta Jazz Radio favorite for a while. I think she said it was a good “makeout” hit? hehehehehe
Anyway, I am going to post some of my old songs on here just so my Facebook friends can access them – they’re not for professional reasons. So if you were at the coffeehouses way back when, these are for you.
Penny Haynes (aka Penny Pinkus)
Furman University, 1982-1986
In this Marketing With Audio And Video show, we learn how Marty and Lori Prokop of http://huntingheadlines.com lead a community of 14,000, using audio and video to teach them how to process deer, cape deer, field dress deer and save $200 to $400 a month on groceries without coupons.
Penny Haynes, http://OnlineCommunityMagazines.com
Everyone has something of value to share, and probably on more topics than we recognize. Make it a point to add value to other people’s lives with every post.
Everyone is at a different level of knowledge, and in a different situation. Therefore, information that may be “old news” to one person can still be revelational to another person who is not that advanced. So make sure that every post, podcast and page offers something of value to the people that will consume your content.
Tip #9
Make every word and post count. Give people something of practical value to use immediately every time you share something. And don’t assume that they already know what you know – they probably don’t! Gary Susman shares the following:
“If you’re blogging or podcasting to promote a business or your own personal brand, the questions you should be asking yourself are:
What can I post that will add value for the reader?
What do my readers want to know that I am equipped to tell them?
Which ongoing discussions of issues would be enhanced by the addition of my 2 cents?
Blogging, like any other social-media activity, is really participating in a conversation; it requires listening as well as speaking. That said, the adding value part is pretty easy, even if it’s just a quickie post linking to something posted elsewhere that you think would interest your readers.
You don’t have to be eloquent or long-winded, just enthusiastic about your subject. Whatever is topical in your field will keep you supplied with subject matter. It’s not important to blog frequently, just often enough so that readers know you’re engaged in what’s happening in your field, and that you have something new to offer whenever they visit.”
- Gary Susman Arts and Entertainment Journalist/Social Media Consultant, http://popculturewarrior.wordpress.com
Remember that what you post today could change someone else’s life tomorrow. It could provide their “aha” moment and alter their business or personal direction. So make the most of your knowledge, and share it as often as possible.
Penny Haynes, http://www.RSSzine.com