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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,
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,
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,
Ballard summarised,
Podcast Production on PRWeb
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.
Listen anywhere
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.
Podcast show in session
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.
Recording equipment at the studio
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!
XML isn't straightforward
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!
In the early days of domain registration, it was possible to register the domain of a commercial company. Indeed, many did - for in the early days of the web, companies were slow off the mark to protect their intellectual property by registering there own company domain names. In those early days entrepreneurs made a great deal of money by selling the domain names to those companies who had been lethargic in their domain name registration.
Some will remember the legal cases that ensued where cyber squatters attempted - and in some cases where successful - in blackmailing companies for domain names they had registered. Of course, that was in the days prior to the legal framework and precedent which helps prevent this type of fraudulent activity. Today domain name registration is carefully monitored by leading institutions, so that if a domain name reflects an established company’s trademark there is legal recourse.
The same is not true for Podcast names, for as in the early days in the domain registration not registrative framework exists for naming. In order for companies to protect their ip they must ensure that a podcast reflecting their company name is represented in a leading podcast directory. This means that firstly a Podcast must be produced, and secondly the name must be claimed in the defacto largest podcast directory - right now that's iTunes. Having secured the podcast name on iTunes, that same name should be claimed on the plethora of other podcast directories such as:
Podcast Alley, Podnova, Podcast.net, Podblaze.com
Of course, producing one Podcast is not enough to maintain “ownership” of that Podcast's name. The very nature of the Podcast demands an continuous series of episodes to in much the same way as a radio show (or a newsletter those of you with a corporate background).
There is no doubt that as Podcasting matures - which given the anecdotal evidence within the market is now occurring - that a legislative framework will be introduced. It is those companies that have actively protected their brand by producing regular podcast content, that will undoubtedly have unjustifiable legal right to use that name.
iTunes is the leading Podcast directory
The same is not true for Podcast names, for as in the early days in the domain registration not registrative framework exists for naming. In order for companies to protect their ip they must ensure that a podcast reflecting their company name is represented in a leading podcast directory. This means that firstly a Podcast must be produced, and secondly the name must be claimed in the defacto largest podcast directory - right now that's iTunes. Having secured the podcast name on iTunes, that same name should be claimed on the plethora of other podcast directories such as:
Podcast Alley, Podnova, Podcast.net, Podblaze.com
Of course, producing one Podcast is not enough to maintain “ownership” of that Podcast's name. The very nature of the Podcast demands an continuous series of episodes to in much the same way as a radio show (or a newsletter those of you with a corporate background).
There is no doubt that as Podcasting matures - which given the anecdotal evidence within the market is now occurring - that a legislative framework will be introduced. It is those companies that have actively protected their brand by producing regular podcast content, that will undoubtedly have unjustifiable legal right to use that name.