Social Media News

Within the bounds of a highly successful and rapidly changing globally interconnected technologically driven society, user-generated content is within its infancy; surpassing, both, expectations and predictions of critical foretold analysis. Statically measured for 2008, one year prior to the Internet being inundated by social networking media, eMarketer recorded an abundance of more than 82 million citizens of The United States participated in some type of user-generated content sharing; a number the research group predicted would climb to 115 million by 2013. Popularized by mainstream mass media outlets, user-generated content in 2009 has surpassed those predictions; at a number indicative of an extreme spurt in innovative interest. Ahead of the curve, user-generated content has been vastly improved on; leading to new growth. This content is considerably limitless in how it appears to a global society of web-based users; a copious majority that of text, while the second most popular the category known as podcasting — two vastly different mediums, yet often overlapping channels in new-age socialization.

Modern-day podcasting can be respectfully defined as a method of sharing user-generated content by means of audio and/or video. Audio podcasting, has been reported to be a dying substance; with it’s peak in 2004 via I-pod technology. Only the most influential, innovative, and unique audio podcasts are sustaining their audiences; due to a proper established foundation, years of development, Internet exposure, listening loyalists, and also full utilization of new-age social media assistance — clearly authors of these audio podcasts have created a strong name for themselves and their work. Statistical evidence, indisputably, reports dwindling sustainability for newly created audio podcasting due to heavily saturated grounds. With the introduction of a prevailing social media market, audio podcasting has been replaced by twenty-first century video oriented podcasting or “videocasting”. The new-found phenomenon of video based user-generated content, a slick move into the future; has greatly been impacted by affordable video camcorders/web cameras of desirable high quality, live streaming interfaces, social media, and personal networking — popularize significantly by broadcasting channel Youtube. Equal in its substance, for both the audio and video podcaster, adjustments of a consistent blog and/or alternative socialization medium dramatically impacts prolonged performance.

In today’s changing global market statistics show that to sustain one’s audio podcast, adaptations are mandatory to insure one’s name from becoming obsolete; most have switched to the popular videocasting, while others keep their audio podcasts popular by supplementing a consistent blog — one that has no detours from their subject of interest, targeting a single area alone. Regardless, of one’s source choice, to be successful the best podcasters and videocasters must first engage their target audience; remembering that a viewer wants to see factual and accurate content without confusion or annoyance — broadcasting inaccurate information, subject switching, personal ranting, and/or dysfunctional podcasting methods result in the highest failure rates. A users audio podcast, videocast, and/or supplemental informational medium/blog must remain that of top quality; engaging and not confusing or disrespecting — as a confused or disrespected viewer is less likely to return, and may go as far to produce negative opinion orientated feedback. As social media grows, even podcasters desire to be active participants on a personal level; thus is is highly recommended a separation of personal and business for achieving maximum desired sustainability.

As creatures of habit or as flared interests in desiring something new; some are deadest to attempt that of user-generated content through the means of audio podcasting — for those, the following “Ten Steps for Success” must be followed for content evolution to be possible, remembering the enhancement of a additional blog base.

[1.] Purchase a Real Microphone – From the start of user-generated podcasting, the microphone has been a primitive feature for proper sustainability. To engage viewers ones podcast must be free from background noise, as background noise is a severe distraction to the listener. For the successful audio podcaster, this means purchasing a cardioid condensing microphone with a large diaphragm; these studio microphones are made equally for both the directionality and clarity of your voice — unlike omnidirectional microphones that add to the background noise by echoing sound from every direction. Successfully; a cardioid condensing microphone means shying away from built-in devices, headsets, and the convenient $5 purchase from Wal-Mart — to some a expensive purchase, typically starting at $100, these large diaphragm microphones pay for themselves in the end.

[2.] Position Accurately – To produce a desired result, you need to be close to the microphone; however if you are too close your position can prove to be too much — and of asinine annoyance. For the accurate positioning of mouth to microphone, typically you need to be one hands width away from the device in front; easily you can judge proper distance by placing your thumb to your lips, extending your pinky finger to softly touch the microphone. Proximity effects sound greatly, if you are too far away your voice will sound thin; thin voices result in sound amplification thus the listener must crank up his/her volume — leading some astray and without a second return. Secondly, 180 degrees on the opposite side of the spectrum; “the voice of God” is an undesirable result when you are too close to the microphone equipment — resulting in the quickest failure as listeners will be shocked by this negative over achieved amplification and once again in need of the adjustment of speaker volume. It is ideal to have a microphone that can easily be adjusted on a stand and setting at a 45 degree angle. Mounted microphones reduce the bumping sound that is conveyed, to listeners, when you hold your microphone with your hands — thus, it is never recommended in any podcasting means to physically hold the device.

[3.] Preparation Prior – A key aspect to audio podcasting is to be prepared but to never script your content. Scripted content conveys a stiff voice to the listener, easily picked up on that you are reading word-for-word the text in front of your eyes — you will want to engage in proper interpersonal communication, speaking naturally. Prior to each podcast you should listen to yourself a few times to eliminate the stress, through a pair of headphones; rest assured that the Earth will not stop revolving if it takes you a few times to get a picture perfect sound/voice quality result. You should never podcast, edit, and publish in a rush.

[4.] Reduce the Noise – Inside the home you are accustomed to the noise level, respect that the listener is not. The human brain is wired to filter noise, within the selective hearing process; unlike the remarkable human brain microphones have no filtering system and pick up on every minuscule decibel. You must be knowledgeable in the two types of noise that first must be addressed, this clamor environmental and signal noise. Environmental noise is the noise that comes from surroundings; such as the air conditioner, fan, children, neighbors, traffic, and even florescent lighting. You should take concern to power off as much as possible, if background environmental noise is still a problem try to move to another location like a closet with clothes; the clothes will act as a sound barrier against environmental noise that still comes through to listeners. Recording at night may help with traffic noise. Signal noise is made between the microphone and the recording device itself; the shortest possible cords need to be in use with microphones of quality these cords should be XLR cables that need phantom power and specialized equipment. If using different microphones for two different set ups, remember one needs to be powered off to reduce undesired echoing and dreadful ear piercing sounds.

[5.] Format – The structure of your audio podcast is referred to as the format; formatting is made up of form, topic, and duration. Repetition keeps listeners coming back for more; thus ones podcast must be in full repetition of form, topic, and most importantly the duration. Listening loyalists never want to tune into a  podcast of three minutes and the next of twenty-two, nor a flock of content jam-packed into a podcasting site — this content of various subjectivity. Keep in mind that inserting silly and humorous commentary into your podcast may keep listeners listening, even if the subject matter is hated; judge the active listeners over a week period per podcast to determine the desired effect — this desired effect will be different for every podcaster, simply what may work for your friend may not work for you and vica-versa .

[6.] Communicate with Friends and Listeners – The best and most successful podcasts are those of a two-way dialog, where interactions occur. However, setting up these types of podcasting may be difficult for the novice and even intermediate audio podcaster; sound files must be attached, textual emails read, and taped feedback inserted — with a great deal of skillful editing in between. Always show your utmost respect for each listener, as audio podcasting must be done in real-time; the listener must take a great deal of real life time to become a loyalist — deserving of your respect for that time taken to hear your voice and content.

[7.] Prepare A Schedule – Podcast on a schedule that works best and are highly recommended; for example if you are a podcaster that has children record when those children are asleep or out of the home, if you know a train will be going through the area at 2pm record around this, if the upstairs neighbor is fighting with her husband wait until after they make up/shut up then resume afterwords, etc. Allow listeners to know, on each podcast, the subject nature of the next podcast; remarkable in its context, this will always keep the listening waiting and wanting — that is if you have a professionally built audio podcast, that listeners want to return to. While podcasting is a subscription medium or social media extra, you will always want to schedule podcasts to produce a desired result.

[8.] Relax Yourself  Before You Begin – The most common mistake in the art of audio podcasting is talking far too fast, slow down and relax. Again, the Earth will not stop revolving if the podcast takes a few times to do prior in preparation; successful podcasting may indeed take upwards to six or ten times prior to being suitable to publish — never be overly confident in yourself. Allow yourself enough time to get the podcast to the level you want it to be on. Having unreasonable goals in life sets one up for failure, within podcasting this also holds true. For those who are new to the area of podcasting, it is recommended to never publish your first dozen podcasts; you will want to get the feel for the picture-perfect results — no listener wants to hear that you are new and “learning” nor do they desire to listen to a podcast of voice failures and scripted mistakes. As a new audio podcaster you will want to listen to your voice, many times over, as this will calmly sooth the nervous cracked voice and allow it to broadcast in it’s natural form — it is highly recommended that you listen to your voice though headphones.

[9.] Incorporate Other Voices – Bring someone into your podcast, as a secondary voice; mixing up each podcast to yield a desired listener result. A listener never wishes to hear the same monotone voice, over and over; having friends to help will prove to be a successful factor in audio podcasting. Separate the microphones, so not to hear the sound of ear piercing death and have at it, a conversation is far more desirable to hear then a single person monologue; listeners will keep returning if you have a group of friends visit from time to time, as voice extras; think of this as a “side dish” of improvement  — each inserting a bit of humor for a atypical yet successful result. Having a side-kick will allow you to think of the next important statement you want to make, buy you time to clear your throat, take a drink, grab a snack, check the mail from your listeners in real-time format, or go to the bathroom.

[10.] Detail Where Possible – Always provide as much accurate and factual detail to each single audio podcast as possible, in respect for loyal listeners; resulting in the sustainability of listeners. Audio is an active medium, different than that of passive television broadcasting where sound is linked with image; you must create the story, in full, so that the listeners can picture the image in their minds — respect them by not having them work, to create your image for you. You will always need to draw the artistic picture for the listener to reduce shut off confusion. Podcasting without detail leads to the podcast to be a waste of time, as no listeners will be so kind to sit through a confusing non-detailed podcast — always remember to have fun and enjoy yourself while doing so, which will broadcast your natural ability blissfully to the listeners ears.

(Copyright © Social-Media-News 2009)