We've recently updated our website with some new features. You'll notice that it's looking a little sharper, but the main change is the new podcasting showcase and podcast samples page we have added.

Corporate podcasting showcase
To listen to "real" podcasts that we have produced for our clients, just follow the rotating podcast logos on the left hand side of the homepage. You may recognise the likes of OPEC, Zurich and if you're in the UK I'm sure that the Government's Business Link will also ring a bell. If you click on any of these logos you can now sift through a selection of podcasts of varying style and format to get a good idea what's possible with this modern and dynamic media.

We'd highly recommend tuning in to Scottish Life's Pensions Radio for 2 or 3 way pensions banter. If the episode in our showcase whet's your appetite, you can subscribe in iTunes - just search for "Pensions Radio" in the iTunes Music store or visit the Scottish Life's Beehive website for other subscription options such as iGoogle and a generic feed for Zencast etc.

The Living Britain podcast that we produced for Zurich discusses the changing face of Britain. The podcast is based upon research commissioned by Zurich. Each episode, three voice over artists were invited to record the male and female interview and the introduction. A clean, contemprary musical sting completed the podcast's authentic radio programme feel. Very interesting listen for anyone in the UK - and any Anglophiles too.

Podcast stings and compilations
The podcast samples page have been updated with some stings and voice over recordings that showcase some of our audio podcasting work in one place. Just scroll down and tune in using our online player to hear some of our work over the years. We produce our own stings using the latest software and real musical instruments. If you're interested to here some of our more adventurous work I could do worse than to point you to Pensions Radio again - if you're planning an ongoing podcast rather than a one-off series then a good sting and some artistic license can really enthuse your listeners!

We thought our latest press release, "Businesses don’t understand Podcasting" could be of interest to blog visitors and subscribers.

New media production agency, Podcast Production Ltd, is helping business take advantage of this new and exciting communication channel throughout Europe. The Company was formed by a group of media, marketing and technical specialists in order to make the dynamic and engaging media of Podcasts accessible both to the corporate business community and its customers.

Sales and Marketing Director, Stephen Ballard commented,

“Corporate customers are now recognising Podcasting as a unique marketing channel that will give them a fast track connection to the iPod generation. Giving users the flexibility to listen to information on the move has undoubtedly been the key driver in making Podcasting such an effective new communication channel. As a marketing professional I would recommend that customers embrace this technology to provide competitive advantage.”

A Podcast is a series of multimedia “episodes” much like the chapters of a book, delivered via an audio or video file to which a listener can subscribe and receive regular updates. Having subscribed using free and easily accessible software, listeners automatically receive the episodes as they are published. All this happens within affecting the users email account so SPAM is not an issue. Each Podcast episode can be automatically downloaded to an mp3 player such as an iPod, mobile phone or simply played back on a PC.

Communications Director, Robin Wolstenholme has discovered a knowledge gap within business,

“When we talk to new customers about Podcasting, they think a Podcast is just an mp3 download. For me, the real power of Podcasting lies in the subscription mechanism, building up a listener base.”

Another misconception that Podcast Production has encountered is a lack of imagination when embarking on a corporate Podcast. Rob Granville who heads up the production department at Podcast Production elaborated,

“We have found that formal interviews, chaired discussions and short market reports adapt well to Podcasting, but the possibilities extend to many other areas of application. For example, a customer newsletter delivered by Podcast is more engaging and dynamic than a paper equivalent. It is also more accessible and environmentally friendly than a paper delivery for a socially responsible business or organisation”

Ballard summarised,

“Podcasting is not a replacement for existing communication channels, but a powerful ally in the struggle for voice in today’s fast paced business world. ”

Podcast Production on PRWeb

In recent years many companies, particularly within the financial sector, have used streamed video to provide information about their products and services. This video information is streamed and viewed within a webpage. Once upon a time this was an effective way of communicating with stake holders but I would argue that this is no longer the case.

The problem with streamed media is that it cannot easily be saved to disk. As a result, the user has to be connected to the web to view the steamed video content. In addition, that streamed video content is effectively “blind” to search engines apart from basic tag information. All of the valuable audio content within the streamed video is not indexed by search engines, which offers no benefit to the website owner in terms of web visibility.

With the advent of Podcasts or Vodcasts (video Podcasts), that has all changed. Putting aside the fact that in general terms a video Podcast can be produced more cost effectively than a streamed video, and ignoring that that streamed video uses significant charged bandwidth, the video Podcast is unique in several ways.

Firstly, the compression algorithm that is used ensures that the size of the file is reduced and therefore can be downloaded quickly; second the fact that it can be downloaded means that the file can be viewed at anytime with or without an Internet connection. Thirdly - and this is the really interesting part - the audio content of the Podcast can be indexed using sophisticated voice recognition software. Couple this with the fact that the user can listen to or view the content on an mp3 player and you start to wonder why on earth are companies still using streamed video content?

Companies can reduce the cost of production and hosting, at the same time benefiting from web indexing that makes their content visible to search engines. So why do companies remain wedded to streamed video - is it ignorance, apathy or just video production companies trying to protect their income?

Rant over.

Podcasts can be theoretically recorded and uploaded by just about anybody. However, in practice professionally produced and reocorded Podcast will shine through and enhance your corprate brand image.

You can expect more on this from our resident recording engineer and sucessful band member Rob Granville in future blogs, but for now here's a brief introducton to the tips and techniques that Podcast Production employ to make your Podcast successful.

Background noise
Background noise can distract the listener from the subject matter. Without the proper environment, a quiet recording is difficult to achieve for long periods of time. Our fully floating studio offers complete sound proofing, ensuring that your recording is completely free of background noise.

Production quality
It is common knowledge that people tend not to be as natural as they might usually be when recording into a microphone. We create the right environment for the best performance and relaxed atmosphere by offering a few helpful pointers to start off the session. This is often the most efficient way of achieving a good result.

Broadcasting methods
Specialist filters are used to eliminate any ambient "boxy" room sounds from untreated rooms. Radio compression is also added to the voice to inject that smooth quality unattainable in a less professional environment.

Equipment
Only the best recording equipment is used to produce a professional sounding Podcast both on location and in our studio. An array of microphones, pre-amps, editing and mastering software to ensure the Podcast is clear, flowing and to the point. Most importantly we ensure quality audio even at low resolutions for the internet.

Experience
Knowing the demands of today's corporate executives we are able to record, edit and process outside broadcasts and interviews in the same manner. Quite often we simulate international interviews and debates for our clients from around the globe all at one table. We also have the ability to restore bad quality recordings by removing background noise and hiss to acceptable levels for broadcasting quality.

Branding
Finally, we are able to input sound stings to increase the visibility and recognition for each Podcast. These are created in-studio, and are a useful branding tool to stand out in the ever increasing crowd.

How many times have I heard the uniformed claim that an mp3 file is the same as a Podcast? An mp3 file is not a Podcast; it is an audio file that has been compressed using an mp3 algorithm.

In order to convert and mp3 file into a Podcast, additional information has to be attached to the audio file using iTunes tags. These tags refer
to the information contained within the Podcast that are recognised by the mp3 player.

Next, the appropriate xml code must be written to produce an RSS feed. It is this RSS feed that structures a series of episodes into a Podcast series and tells the Podcast subscription software and Podcast directories that the Podcast exists. It is only after inserting these tags into the mp3 file and writing the xml code for the RSS feed that the Podcast episode can be published to your listeners and the Podcast directories. Only then will the Podcast become visible within the World Wide Web.

Getting the information right is not as easy as you might expect. So to all those who feel that Podcast production is a straightforward exercise, be warned it is not!