Mind Mapping Software
The first thing that is at the top of my list is mind mapping. What this is putting the ideas in your mind on digital paper and then branching out like a tree to other ideas associated with the main idea. I attended a great session on this lead by Professor Dale Rogers at his session called Have a Plan: Designing for Multimedia. This is going to revolutionize how I do my show notes for both blogging and future podcasting. Now to find the mind mapping software that works best for me. This one has taken the early lead since I can access it from any of my devices.
Podcasting 101
What can you say about Cliff Ravenscraft that hasn’t been said already? The guy is passionate about podcasting and has turned it into a career. The keys to a great podcast or blog for that matter, is finding a niche subject you are passionate about. The biggest thing I learned this time at his session (I have been to 2 of his others), is control your own RSS feed! That is the key to spreading your podcast or blog.
Mobile Podcasting
This was the last session of the day for me. It was lead by Bayard Saunders about the evolution of mobile podcasting, He mentioned audioBoo which I love to use for micro-podcasting. I also learned about QR codes, I thought this was an Android thing but found there are a ton of QR readers for the iPhone and a great way get from print to a website or application simply by using the camera on your mobile device to capture the QR code. Awesome stuff! I want to create a QR code for my blog now and place it on a business card. Then all the person with the card has to do is capture the image on the card and it opens my website on their phone automatically...no entering a web address via keyboard.
Becoming A Thought Leader/Influencer With Your Audio Podcast Panel
This was a very inspiring session stocked with great talent. You had Cliff as the moderator and a panel consisting of Connie Williams & Sheila Tidwell of Connie & Sheila Talk, David and Paula Foster of The David & Paula Show, and Dan Miller author of 48 Days to the Work you Love and No More Dreaded Mondays who has a podcast as well called 48 Days. All inspiring, Connie and Sheila have been podcasting for about a year thanks to Cliff’s help, David and Paula talk about marriage life and making it fun again (or to keep it fun). Dan Miller of course is just a rock star in my eyes for great career motivation. I have both of his books I am making my way through.
Podcasting as a Family
Cliff’s wife Stephanie lead this session about different members of the family podcasting their own shows. She also mentioned how their son as part of his home schooling will be writing a blog which makes a lot of sense for both a composition and comprehension tool. Something to keep in mind when my wife and I have kids someday.
Other notes
YouTube is the #2 search engine...WOW!
Call Recorder a $20 application to record both audio and video Skype calls for a podcast or anything else for that matter.
Closing Thoughts
Don’t think just because your idea may not appeal to a broad audience, that you shouldn’t start a podcast...that is what is so cool about podcasting! Somebody that likes what you like will listen but be consistent with your shows. If you are going to do a weekly, be weekly, monthly, be monthly..it is better to surprise your listeners with an extra show within a week or month than not do one when expected.
