Media Production 2 Flashcards
1
Q
History of podcasting
A
2004: The term “Podcast” coined. Daily Source Code first to take off
2005: directory and subscription service on iTunes
2007-2010: rise of early influencers
2011-2014: huge growth (1b subs)
2014: Serial
2017: podcast ad revenue tops $220 m
2
Q
Why is podcasting successful?
A
- easy access (smartphones)
- listen while you do other things
- wide range of topics
- mass appeal to niche markets - anti-talk radio
- inexpensive to produce
3
Q
Podcast advertising
A
- more informal and unstructured than trad radio ads
- many of the same companies advertise on different podcasts
- podcast networks allow for good ad saturation
- dynamic audio insertion allows for current ads to be placed in podcasts as they’re downloaded
4
Q
Elements of a good podcast
A
- pre-planned content
- just enough structure to hold it up and make it familiar for listeners
- focus
- production elements: music sfx, clips to break up the voices
- interesting and engaging conversation
5
Q
What to podcast about?
A
- something interesting and relevant to you
- find a way to tell stories about yourself and your brand
- pick something and stick with it
- find your niche
6
Q
Branding your podcast
A
- choose a name that immediately conveys the podcast topic
- maybe incorporate good SEO
- make an elevator pitch
- make some good artwork
7
Q
Building your podcast
A
- have a beginning, middle and end
- reg segments and structure
- don’t use copyrighted music
- don’t be boring
- write everything down
8
Q
DIY Podcast Production
A
3 Components:
- Recording equipment
- Computer/software
- Hosting/Distribution
9
Q
Recording Equipment
A
- Blue mics (Yeti)
- Mics and mixers
- Professional recording studio
10
Q
Computer/software
A
- Audacity (open source, voice and music)
2. Audition (functionality, filters, effects, repairs)
11
Q
Sharing platforms
A
Soundcloud, Lidsyn, Blubrry, etc
12
Q
Hosting/Distribution: Anchor pros and cons
A
Pros: free unlimited storage, distribution to most platforms, podcast with your phone
Cons: advertising, poor editing and analytics, can’t customize home page
13
Q
What makes good podcast content?
A
- interesting topics
- engaging interviews
- lively conversation
- meaningful discussion
- unexpected twists
- good storytelling
14
Q
Old McDonald content
A
E - entertain I - inform E - educate I - inspire O - online
15
Q
What does it mean to be “on” for the podcast?
A
- express yourself in an entertaining way
- argue, exclaim, question, speculate
- show off knowledge on the subject
- be a slightly exaggerated version of yourself
16
Q
Types of podcasts
A
- Storytelling
- Interviews
- Fictional Storytelling
- Conversational
17
Q
Storytelling podcast
A
- highly researched, completely scripted, well-produced
- voiceover/narration, clips, music
- sometimes “dramatic re-enactment”
- story structured in an enticing way
18
Q
Interview podcast
A
- Content revolves around one of more consistent hosts
- Different guest(s) every episode
- No scripts, but questions may be planned out
- Minimal production/editing
19
Q
Fictional storytelling podcast
A
- Fully scripted & produced audio dramas
- Fictional characters, settings & situations
- Uses music, sfx and dialogue to drive the story
20
Q
Conversational podcast
A
- Aka “buddy” podcasts
- The same two or more hosts get together regularly to talk about similar subject matter
- Usually follows “news of the week” as it relates to the podcast topic
- Minimal production/editing, relies largely on the personalities of the hosts
- “Entry level” podcasting
21
Q
How do you plan your content?
A
- Point form notes on conversation topics
- “Planned spontaneity”
- Outline the structure of the conversation
- Don’t show your notes to your co-host or discuss beforehand
- Tangents are okay, but your notes will help you get back on topic
22
Q
What’s so important about a show opening?
A
- Grab the listeners’ attention right away
- Both returning and new
- Keep them from moving on to the next podcast
- Do this with comedy
- Tell an interesting story
- Use an opening “bit” – a regular premise that sparks a conversation
23
Q
Intro music
A
- Choose something you like!
- Conveys the brand of the podcast
- Minimum two minutes so you have something to work with
- NO LYRICS! – competes with the voiceover
- Must be copyright free (open source, royalty free)
24
Q
What should you edit out of your podcast?
A
- Awkward pauses
- Losing your train of thought
- Googling things
- “Run up” words that don’t contribute to the conversation
- Stupid things that you said
25
Q
How do you make an audio transition?
A
- Similar to a splitter in traditional radio
- Can be used to switch between topics or music beds
- Can also cover up a bad edit or segue
- Use a “transition” sound at the beginning (less than a second long)
- Insert a clip or music
- Bookend the clips with another transition sound
26
Q
What are show notes?
A
- All the text in the “description” field of your podcast episode
- Provides additional & important information
- Also another piece of content (like a blog entry!) with which you can market your podcast
- Good opportunity for SEO
27
Q
What to include in your show notes
A
- Social media links (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)
- Website link
- Sponsor information
- Links to any other products/articles you reference in the show
- Links to your Patreon
- Detailed outline of the episode, complete with timecode
28
Q
What is a meme?
A
- Content that is mimicked or copied online
- Jokes, photos, posts, “challenges”
- Common experience that we can all share
- Come and go very quickly!
29
Q
What is a GIF?
A
- Sharable Content
- GIFs, like memes, can be used to entertain in social media circles
- Can express a thought, feeling or emotion
- The idea is to punctuate your social media post with a punch line that your followers will share
- Keep your GIFs short, simple, and as non-promotional as possible
- Anti-advertisement – doesn’t need to include brand messaging
30
Q
Content Marketing
A
- Creating and sharing content with your audience
- Entertain, Inform, Educate, Inspire (EIEIO)
- But still somewhat related to what you do
- Intersperse with your own branding/promotional posts
- Respond/interact with your followers when they speak to you
31
Q
What is social listening?
A
- Monitoring what people are saying on social media
- Following certain keywords and phrases related to your brand
- NO hashtags or @ mentions (specific to you) need be involved
32
Q
Podcast ad agencies
A
- Sole purpose is producing and serving ads to podcasts
- Largest is Midroll
- Panoply recently stopped producing content to focus only on advertising
- These agencies connect advertisers to podcasts that are relevant to their audience
- Write, produce and place ads across a network of podcast partners
33
Q
Podcast ad terms
A
- Preroll, midroll, postroll
- midroll is the most valuable as listeners are less likely to skip
- Baked-in: included in the episode audio file and will always be a part of that episode
- Dynamic Insertion: can be either host-read or produced, but are inserted into show breaks by an algorithm
- Drag: determines which is the best placement. Refers to the on-demand nature of podcasting meaning a bake-in ad may be heard (and should therefore still be relevant) years late
34
Q
Podcast ad formats
A
- Endorsements: personalized copy read by the podcast host
* Produced: pretty much the same as a radio ad, but usually better
35
Q
Ad measurement
A
- Offer codes, vanity URLs, surveys
- Used to measure effectiveness and conversion
- Podcasters get paid out of actual sales
- Or by CPM ($15-$25 per 1000 downloads)
- More cost-effective for advertisers
- Only profitable for podcasts with a large audience
36
Q
Native advertising
A
- Native Advertising
- Presented as a piece of content that fits into the rest of the podcast
- As interesting, informative and entertaining as the show
- Very expensive = premium placement
37
Q
Local podcasts
A
- Indie podcasts – people just doing it for fun
- Often amateurish, two dudes on a couch in their basement with a Yeti microphone
- BUT there are many PROFESSIONAL quality local podcasts as well
- Good audio, good content, post regularly
- Opportunity for local businesses to advertise
- Small audiences individually, but collectively they add up
38
Q
What is marketing?
A
The action or business of promoting and selling products or services, including market research and advertising
39
Q
How to market your podcast
A
- You must promote it to your prospective audiences
- DEFINE your audience
- RESEARCH where that audience is (online and IRL)
- REACH toward that audience with your podcast and some strong brand messaging
40
Q
Social media marketing
A
- Twitter & Facebook = bare minimum, try something different!
- Instagram, SnapChat, YouTube
- Post consistently, post often!
- Eavesdrop & respond to people having the same conversation online (Twitter is best for this)
- Put the podcast link in your profile & bio
41
Q
Online communities
A
- There are hundreds of podcasts out there just like yours!
- Podcasters like listening to similar podcasts
- Connect with this community through WordPress, Twitter, and other channels
- Follow, favourite and retweet and they may do the same
42
Q
Podcast promo
A
- An advertisement for a show or podcast
- Like any ad, a promo persuades people to listen to the show
- Three elements: voiceover, music & clips
- Voiceover – engaging, persuasive copy that includes relevant information
- Music – sets the tone & mood of the show
- Clips – gives a sense of what the show is all about
43
Q
What is an RSS feed?
A
‘Rich Site Summary,’ ‘Really Simple Syndication’
It contains all of your podcast’s information to help you reach your audiences.
44
Q
How do you grow your podcast audience?
A
- Publish early, publish often
- Share your work
- be a guest on another podcast
- get your audience to review
45
Q
Blue Microphones
A
- $70 - $150
- Plug & Play USB
- Dependent on room
46
Q
Microphones and mixer
A
- $250 - $400
- Individual level control
- Better sound quality
47
Q
Professional Recording
A
- Studio
- $$$
- Free Option: Winnipeg Library
