Podcasting

Have you ever thought about how many keynote speakers are actually introverts? Think about the distance on the stage from the audience - even when you have an engaging speaker who includes the audience. Then think about podcasting and the intimacy of podcasting. You are putting the show in your ears - you are listening to them in your car, your home, while walking the dog. You build a personal relationship with the host and their guest.
 
I’ve been a speaker at events. I see the pluses, but I’ve also seen how limited the opportunity for that 3-5 day effort returned. The biggest benefit is strengthening the relationship with the organization that invited me to speak to its members. Most of my speaking is to private professional organizations, so nothing is recorded and definitely not published. Adding these events to my portfolio of speaking can be problematic as I usually speak on proprietary topics specific to the audience.  I’ve also spoken on behalf of my non-profit to large ballrooms, and conferences. It made a memorable event, but rarely outside that event led to much more than a few compliments. Even when the carrot to speak at the event was access to the list, the attendees were rarely decision makers, so they would read the subject, and typically, that was that.
Here is a recent post on this topic comparing the effectiveness of both options.
https://funnelmediagroupllc.com/speaking-gigs-vs-podcasting/ 

In this 13 minute episode we cover our favorite podcast equipment and the reasons we prefer one over another. There are some additional items we suggest to give you a more professional look and sound.
Podcast Microphones - Rode USB Condenser mic , Yeti
RiversideFM has more ideas:
If you’re on a tight budget or just want a mic that doesn’t have a huge learning curve, consider one of these plug-and-play USB microphones:
Rode Procaster ($250)
Rode NT-USB ($177) 
Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB ($80) 
Webcams - Logitech BRIO
Pop Filters and Mic Muffs
Sound Panels
Backgrounds vs. greenscreens (no link tells you we are not fans of greenscreens)
Lighting kits article
Recording Zoom vs. Riverside.fm
Mixing boards article
Amazon, BHPHOTO
Headsets for recording and editing
Teleprompters
RiversideFM has additional podcast equipment lists you may find helpful.
Need help with your set up or editing, let us know. susan@funnelradio.com

You know the music, you know how it works. Play along with our version - Funnel Feud to hear the answers to these questions:
1. What is a reason you would want a do-over with a guest?
2. What is the reason your podcast failed?
3. What is your favorite podcast equipment?
We asked 100 podcast hosts, producers and teams and the answers in this episode are what they said. You can get the full list from us - just email us. If you want to know our favorite equipment, we'll tell you that, too! It will be part of another upcoming episode on Behind The Mic - Funnel Media Group's favorite equipment and tools for producing podcasts.
 

Podcasting editors' tips from EJ Albaugh. EJ reminds us that if we can do a bit of practice we can save time and money with our editing solutions. Don't be afraid of a retake, and beware of Zoom twang when there are bandwidth issues for your host or your guest, or your producer.  If you listen to this and would like the podcaster's checklist magnet from Funnel Media Group, email producer@funnelradio.com with your mailing address and we'll get one to you. While you're at it, send us your podcast URL so we can check it out!
 

You created this great podcast, or so you thought, and you liked how it was set up, but not really. And you have new team members and they say, "I hate that software, I hate that platform, let's do something better." Or maybe even that platform went away or stopped being as effective, whatever the reason there's a need for a move. But there are some different types of moves. This episode is going to cover what you need to be aware of, how you can prep, and how you can avoid getting missed listeners and losing all your subscribers.
If you do need to move your show and this list is too daunting, reach out to Susan@funnelradio.com - The team at Funnel Media Group can help you with this transition so nothing is missed. 

Marketers crave content, they are desperate for content, sometimes too desperate.  For this episode, the Behind the Mic Guys talk about why podcasts are the largest available source of content.  This podcast is for anyone that wants to offer insincere, storytelling, testimonial building, brand building, authentic content that can be used in 16 ways. 

B2B Podcasts have matured to reach a passionate narrowcast audience.  The Two Podcast Guys, Paul Roberts, and Jim Obermayer discuss the differences between broadcasting and narrowcasting and the benefits of narrowcasting for B2B Makreters.    This program’s audience is every B2B marketer.

Before books and before drawings on cave walls, there were stories. Stories of the human struggle—maybe heroic stories, personal trials, or business successes and failures that draw in listeners. When someone says they have a story to tell, others grow quiet, shift their gaze to the storyteller, and wait for what comes next. It’s a natural yearning to hear something that hasn’t been shared very often.
Yes, each of us has a thousand stories. Since getting into the business of producing podcasts, I have found that podcasting and broadcasting, in general, are a natural medium for storytellers.
For this podcast on the Funnel Radio Channel, we discussed the importance of storytelling in radio podcasting.  We know instinctively that anecdotes fuel conversation, and Darryl Praill, CMO of VanillaSoft and the host of INSIDE Inside Sales, called into the program and talked about how the beginning of each of his podcasts generally starts with a personal story of his own. He then explained how that story is interwoven with the interview of his guest.
Jeanne Hopkins, CMO of Lola.com, called into the show talked about her podcast, Table Fries, where she interviews the women in her company. Jeanne says she doesn’t tell stories herself. Instead, she likes hearing the stories of the women in the company: how they came to be a part of Lola, what they’re doing now, and what they want to accomplish.
Susan Finch, VP of Operations at the Funnel Radio Channel, talked about the joy of storytelling and its impact on the listener and the storyteller. Susan has been involved in several thousand podcasts on the channel and she said that in the process of telling a story the storyteller becomes animated and it becomes something the audience follows and enjoys.
There is something about two people brought together in a podcast, maybe separated by hundreds or thousands of miles, who discuss the problems and challenges of the day. When these thoughts are shared with thousands of others who seek to know how to overcome their own tests, it becomes personal for everyone.
While many people hope their podcast will relate to people—maybe establish their own thought leadership or enhance their personal brand or the brand of the company—most of them realize after they get into it that it’s all about storytelling.  It’s personal and compelling, sometimes humorous, and often entertaining, but seldom dull.
Today, there are official storytellers employed by companies to promote the art of storytelling in business. Some courses and workshops teach people what they already know deep down inside: people thrive on stories.
In business, old salespeople have taught young salespeople that the secret to success as a salesperson is the ability to tell a credible story about themselves or maybe about their products and services. And now, young marketers are finding out that podcasts are a natural medium for them and their companies.
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 Funnel Radio Channel is hosted byJames Obermayer, which is a   program on the Funnel Radio Channel.