by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
It’s taken me a while to come around to enjoying audio and podcasting. I prefer to read transcripts of podcasts. I skim, pick out the wheat from the chaff. And then I move on to the next thing I’ve got to do.
But when I had a back injury last year…from sitting…ha…I unfortunately ended up spending a lot more time at the gym as a result. Podcasts are lovely ways to distract ourselves from the unpleasant task at hand. That unpleasant task might be the frustration of a traffic jam for those of us in urban areas, the boredom of a transit commute, or the tedium of exercise. And podcasts are often jam-packed with information.
For those who are interested in completely forgetting about the fact that they’re exercising (as I am), here are some of the podcasts I’ve enjoyed (mixture of writing business and writing craft):
Jeff Rutherford’s Reading and Writing Podcast
The Author Biz from Stephen Campbell
Joanna Penn’s Podcasts at The Creative Penn
The Self-Publishing Podcast with David Wright, Sean Platt, and Johnny B. Truant
Author Marketing Institute (AMI) Podcasts
Rocking Self-Publishing with Simon Whistler
Dead Robot Society (various authors contributing)
Self-Publishing Roundtable (various authors contributing)
And then I really started reading posts on the benefits of podcasting. Joanna Penn states during her podcast interview with Tim Grahl:
“…I still think as authors if you get into multimedia, you are so ahead of most authors, because most authors will not go through the pain barrier of learning some basic technical stuff and putting your face and your voice out there.”
And Joanna’s interview with author audio marketing expert Viv Oyolu was also fascinating and made excellent persuasive arguments for the power of audio.
And I thought: no, I really, really don’t have the time for this. In fact, I have so little time for podcasts that if I elected to regularly tape one, I believe my family would brandish pitchforks.
But I do want to connect with readers. I agree that it’s a personal way to stand out. Do I hate my voice? Of course I do. Don’t most of us? But heck, if recording my voice will help me connect with my readers, I’m happy to do it…as long as I don’t encounter pitchfork-brandishing family members.
After all, it was my choice to connect with writers. My sites and efforts have been overwhelmingly writer-focused for six years. I’m ready to swing the pendulum back in the other direction.
I decided to figure out SoundCloud (which I heard about through the Joanna Penn interview with Viv Oyolu that I referenced above), interview myself, and embed it on the reader-related pages on my site (books, buy my books, etc.) I get pretty much the same reader questions over and over so I picked a few of the most common and answered them. I decided I could do this as often as I had time, changing things up when I could. SoundCloud is free for up to three hours of content.
Here’s how I did it:
I wrote a script, then recorded myself on the free voice recorder that came with my phone. Then I emailed the file to myself on Gmail (surprisingly it wasn’t a big file). I downloaded the file. Then I signed into SoundCloud and uploaded the file. I set it as private (which becomes public on the blog, but not on the SoundCloud site), uploaded an audio jpg cover as the cover for the file (I have audiobooks on ACX), added a link to my Amazon author page under metadata. So we can link to a buy-link. That’s very cool.
I downloaded a WordPress plugin called SC Ultimate (or SoundCloud ultimate). I activated it and connected it (via the plugin’s instructions) to SoundCloud, allowing access to SoundCloud.
To embed the audio clip, I go to wherever on the page I want the audio clip, go to text editor, and put in a code. The track link is found in the sidebar under the orange SC Ultimate/Your SC tracks/ and Track URL.
Here’s a link for the process on WordPress from SoundCloud’s team.
Here’s a link for the process on Blogger from SoundCloud’s team.
And here’s a video for the process on Blogger from misterandrade1
Is this as effective as a podcast? Well, no, probably not. Because listeners subscribe to podcasts that are regular programs. This is obviously more deliberate: interested readers visit our sites and click on the audio portion. But an important benefit of podcasting is the same for this small bit of embedded audio…a more personal approach. And for those of us who are wanting to have a stronger, more personal connection with our readers, I believe this is a good place to start.
A recommendation from Tom Corson who guest posted on Joel Friedlander’s blog (and appears to have an interesting podcast himself) was to be a guest on podcasts. He recognized that some authors might have schedules that prohibit regular podcasting. He states:
“You can make a name for yourself by being interviewed on popular podcast shows in your market and area of expertise.”
This is something I’ve done. I’ve been featured several times on different podcasts, as well as traditional radio. You don’t really need any special equipment for it…I’m usually interviewed through Skype (occasionally on the phone) and I do have a USB-style microphone, but half the time I end up using my laptop’s internal mic. I do have a cautionary tale for parents of young children, but other than that, these types of interviews are easy.
I won’t always be this busy (knock on wood). I won’t say I’ll never podcast. In the meantime, guesting on others’ programs and embedding interviews fills the gap.
Have you podcasted? Been interviewed on a podcast? Tried audio on your blog?
Using audio to connect with readers and learn: Click To Tweet
Useful post, Elizabeth! I enjoy listening to podcasts and regularly follow some of the ones you’ve mentioned. I recognised it as a powerful way to connect with readers, but like you I didn’t see how I could make time for it. I’ve been lucky enough to be invited onto other podcasters’ shows – and now, in fact, I’ve ended up co-hosting a weekly show for a local radio station called So You Want To Be A Writer. My partner in crime is a local bookseller and we chat about books and writing life. Not only is it fun, I’ve been invited to teach residential writing courses as a result! And I love it as a way of connecting. However, if left to my own devices I don’t think I’d have got round to it.
Roz–Now that’s a cool way of doing it! So a weekly show…do you call in, for radio, or go to the station? Sounds like it’s led you in a great direction, too, with teaching writing courses. Since you’ve got non-fiction (writing craft) and fiction, seems like that’s the perfect opportunity for you, too.
I used to use Blog Talk Radio for weekly interviews with musicians. It’s fun having a regular schedule and the ability for real listeners to call in, real time, and chat with the guests.
Joel–I’ll have to check out Blog Talk Radio. Know I’ve heard of it, but haven’t tuned in.
I don’t think podcasting is for me either, but it’s a good option for authors. Will share this tomorrow, as I’m sure some author will read it and run with it.
One day I won’t be this busy. I keep telling myself that…
Alex–Thanks! And…we can only hope, right?
A lot of people enjoy podcasts, but I haven’t ventured in that direction yet. I like your suggestion of doing it while at the gym – thanks! :)
Jemi–It’s really amazing how much information a lot of these shows pack in. And sometimes I learn/understand better when I hear information.
You know, this is perfect timing for this, Elizabeth! I’ve been thinking about doing podcasts actually, and wondering what it would be like. Doesn’t sound technically challenging. What’s more, all of the research that I know anything about suggests that we learn and understand in different ways, including through what we hear. Why not use audio too to reach readers?
Margot–There’s a bit of software (some free, some that aren’t) that record Skype interviews/podcasts. Supposed to be super-easy. And *perfect* for you, since you’ve been a DJ!
The program Pamela was designed to work with Skype. The free version is acceptable, but the pro version is inexpensive and well worth it. Easy and robust.
Thanks for the tip!
Podcast! Another way to communicate the writing craft or whatever is your passion. Another post to keep.
Oh my word, you hurt your back sitting? Funny and not. My back gets riled when I bounce around on the mower or when get up and down off the floor.
Teresa–Hope the post helps!
Oh, my gosh, it was such a mess. The physical therapist said that writing with my laptop *on my lap* is a huge no-no! Now I write at the kitchen table.
Oh, man–they pegged me with the “most authors will not go through…” thing. Though in my defense, I would be willing if I didn’t have the dumb day job… I just really only have enough time right now to try to get the writing right (and barely that)… I DO listen to some, though they tend to be reader podcasts rather than craft podcasts.
Hart–I know you’ve had so much going on with the day job and life in general that it would be really tough to take on something like podcasting. Me, too! The guest-casting aspect might be a nice workaround.
Hi Elizabeth – I thought I’d be able to listen to podcasts when I was with my mother .. but it was one thing she wasn’t happy with – so I relaxed and went for her … and if she was awake we chatted and then if not … I’d toddle around the Nursing Centre but be around for when she awoke again. Then my uncle broke his pelvis – and bang goes any free time … another house to look after and him to visit .. etc etc …
But it is definitely something I’ve been thinking about – the English accent would be good … and I’d put my own spin on my words .. making it more of me (as such) …
Definitely the way to go .. and thanks so much for all the links etc .. cheers Hilary
Hilary–You’ve had a lot to manage…ugh.
English accent is very popular for this type of thing. My accent (Southern US) is fairly mild now but I think it can either appeal or grate, depending on the listener. You could really have a cool broadcast–British history, interesting places to visit, reviews of restaurants/seaside attractions…
Oh my giddy aunt you sound like Andie Macdowell.
Please tell me you’ll consider doing the audio versions of some of your books.
Joel–Ha!! Well, huge compliment for me, although Andie M. would be horrified. :) She and I hail from nearly the same spot in SC…she’s from Gaffney and I’m from an hour down the road in Anderson.
[…] interesting post on podcasting from crime writer Elizabeth Spann Craig has got me thinking about broadcasting. Her excellent […]
I started out in audio by practicing with YouTube. You have to put images to the sound, but it is free and pretty close to unlimited. (You may remember — when I started out I didn’t like my voice either — but I also had more experience with audio production so I knew what to expect.)
Since then I’ve upgraded my equipment and “studio” for a regular fiction podcast – Reading in the Attic. http://readingintheatticpodcast.blogspot.com/
Now I’m thinking of hiring out as a book narrator, if I can get my post production down to something a little more reasonable.
Oh, and by the way, can we get a link to what you’ve done? The Soundcloud stream links you have here just take us to the generic “stream” not to yours. (If you’re a member, a “stream” link will take you to your OWN stream.)
Yeah, I kept it as a private link on SoundCloud…I don’t know. I just made it accessible on my website: https://beta.elizabethspanncraig.com/books/ and scroll down.
Nice job! You have a great reading voice. Good clarity and pacing, and not at all grating. (Indeed!)
And the sound quality seems good for a phone recording. (Not way too quiet as seems common with home recording.) You’ve got reverb (echo) but you could settle that down quite a lot if you were to, say, hang a quilt on/over any large flat surfaces around you. (Soft surfaces, or uneven ones — like bookcases — make for great recording.)
But it really is fine for the kind of informal thing you’re doing.
Camille–Thanks! I don’t even think I thought over the quiet aspect…but it was a quiet day with no one around the house and sleeping pets.
I’d have to think through the quilt thing. I’m sure a kitchen isn’t the best place to record, so I’ll rethink my location in the next audio I do.
I meant your voice wasn’t too quiet. (It’s good to have the background quiet.) This probably because you recorded on a phone or device. Most mics for computers don’t have the power for a good clear recording (they need amplification).
It is more important to eliminate background noise than worry about that echo-y sound. But a study with furniture, bookcases and curtains can have better acoustics.
Camille–Ah, good. No, I don’t have one of those small voices…I don’t have to use a mic at events, although I do. Interesting that the smart phone recorder worked so well.
No curtains in my house. And it’s an open floor plan model. Sigh. Lots of echoing. But I do have a couple of small rooms that are full of furniture and those may work well.
Large rooms aren’t so bad as hard surfaces. (bathrooms are worst, because they have both). Bedrooms can be good if they don’t overlook a busy street. Wall hangings and bookcases help. Some people get portable clothes racks, or put up some hooks to hang a comforter or moving blanket temporarily to improve acoustics (or even make a tent out of moving blankets) — but honestly, for what your doing, it doesn’t really matter that much. People do that kind of thing in busy restaurants, even. (Atmosphere!)
Camille–Thanks for these tips! They’re definitely going to help.
Camille–I thought about YouTube too…my thought process on going with SoundCloud was to be able to link it to a buy-link and I liked the idea of an ad-free embed on my site. You seem *very* experienced on audio to me and your voice is very smooth. Looking forward to hearing more from Reading in the Attic.
As a musician with my own recording setup, this is all second nature to me.
As a marketing author, I keep telling my clients and anyone who’ll listen that authors who do more than just write will always be ahead of the game.
Engaging on social media makes you stand out, but using audio and video puts you in the stratosphere.
Joel–Whatever we can do to stand out in a crowded field is a good thing.
Thanks for sharing! That sounds like a great addition to the marketing plan.
Thanks for coming by!