Help with PodCamp Ohio session for new podcasters

[Angelo Mandato]

Hey Everyone,

I wanted to find out if anyone involved with the Zero to Podcasting
sessions at PodCamp Toronto could help us out with our Podcasting 101
we're planning for PodCamp Ohio. Any tips, slides and/or suggestions
are appreciated.

Anyone in the group coming out to PodCamp Ohio this June?

Thanks,
Angelo

[Mark Blevis]

Hey Angelo!

That's a pretty open request and since my time is limited at this particular moment, I can't really take a stab at where to start to answer your questions.

If you can send a few questions, I'd be happy to answer them.  I should have some time later today or tonight.

Mark

--
Mark Blevis (markb...@gmail.com)
http://www.markblevis.com

[Angelo Mandato]

We're trying to determine where we should start. This last weekend I went to a Podcasting workshop at a local computer store (Microcenter), most of the audience thought Podcasting was exclusive to iPods. We're now wondering how much time we should spend on getting guests up to speed. We'd also love some tips on what aspects to focus on such as setting up the blog or how to record.

No rush, PodCamp Ohio is not till the end of June. :-)

Thanks,
Angelo

--
PodCamp Ohio
June 28, 2008
Twitter: podcampohio
Web: www.podcampohio.com

[Mark Blevis]

Hey Angelo!

Since we held Zero to Podcasting at PodCamp, we assumed that most (if not all) people in the room knew about Podcasting.  However, we did open with some humourous discussion of what Podcasting is, what it isn't, ways it's been used and ways it's been done.  We also talked about topic and niche selection and how to plan out your podcast.  It was a 30-45 minute conversation to start things light.

Then, we dove in.  We switched between circle discussions and workshops which walked the audience through the entire process of creating a podcast.  We recorded a show, edited it, created a libsyn account, uploaded the show and published it (http://cpbdemo.libsyn.com/).  Then we talked about ways to get your podcast known.  That was day one.

DAY ONE: BEGINNER (SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2008)

• Picking a topic and planning the podcast (45 min) -- Campfire / Circle Discussion
• Technology selection (45 min) -- Campfire / Circle Discussion
• Recording the show (45 min) -- Workshop
• Editing, mixing and producing the show (using Audacity) (2 parts; 75 min & 45 min with break in between) -- Workshop
• Getting started with Libsyn (including uploading and publishing your show) (45 min) -- Workshop
• Directories and promotion (45 min) -- Workshop

We dug in deeper in day two. We started talking about domain names, why you want one, how to use it and how to register for one.  Then we explored more advanced website use for community development and tools that offer a better experience for your podcast audience.  We ended the day with a discussion on what to do next.

DAY TWO: ADVANCED (SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2008)

• Owning your online presence (30 min) -- Campfire / Circle Discussion
• YourName.com (with GoDaddy) (30 min) -- Workshop
• Your own WordPress site with a Libsyn back end (2 parts; 30 min each with break in between) -- Workshop
• The Podpress plugin (2 parts; 30 min each with break in between) -- Workshop
• Portable recording (30 min) -- Campfire / Circle Discussion
• Next steps (2 parts; 30 min each with break in between) -- Campfire / Circle Discussion

Perhaps the strongest piece of constructive criticism we received was the fact that the room in which Z2P was held was 'off the beaten track' from the rest of the conference which made it seem a bit like an exclusive event.  So, despite working hard to make sure that our session and break schedule coincided with the rest of the conference, we were far enough away from the main area that people didn't feel comfortable drifting between the main conference and Z2P.  You really need to have Z2P be just as much in the main area as the rest of the event.

I hope that helps.

Mark