Posts Tagged ‘ business cards ’

Promoting your Podcast

Apr 3rd, 2008 | By Justin Kaiser | Category: Podcast Consulting

A recent conversation on one of the lists produced the following list of items in promoting your podcast…

  • I have postcards (just got them), business cards, and new travel posters (http://AmateurTraveler/posters)
  • I reply to ALL my listener email
  • I post on topic-relevant forums
  • I sell T shirts, mugs, etc (only to myself in the year I have had them), I use them in
    contests like this month’s trivia contest (http://amateurtraveler.com/board/viewtopic.php?
    t=781)
  • I have a weekly newsletter with links to the show and news (small but growing)
  • I have discussion boards
  • I include my site URL & podcast names/descriptions in sign lines for emails & forums
  • I put a Flash mp3 player on my website
  • I (try to) make it easy to subscribe or direct-download
  • I reply to other people’s complimentary blog entries about my podcasts and thank them
  • I write thank-you emails to Apple iTunes Support when they have featured my podcasts
  • I will give an interview to practically anyone who asks for one
  • I have an about me page with backgrounnd information and press info
  • I announce each new show on MySpace, facebook, PodcastingNews.com, PodcastPickle.com, popcurrent.com, netscape.com, onlywire.com, reddit.com, groups.google.com, stumbleupon.com
  • I email editors of About.com when I talke about an area they cover
  • I invite on other podcasters, authors and bloggers as guests who often cross promote
    the show
  • I have unique logos for each podcast
  • I DJ parties & events for free where the exposure will be good for the podcasts, and I prominently display posters & flyers for my podcasts
  • Per above, I have 4 x 6 flyers, business cards, and posters
  • I reply to ALL my listener email
  • I post on topic-relevant forums
  • I sell T shirts and give away promo shirts
  • I have a newsletter with background info, discounts, contests, and access to exclusive content
  • I have a Yahoo Group for listener discussions & resources
  • I include my site URL & podcast names/descriptions in sign lines for emails & forums
  • I put a Flash mp3 player on my website
  • I (try to) make it easy to subscribe or direct-download
  • I provide playlists for the tracks on the mixes in the mp3 ID3 tag, on the site, and in the mix’s dedicated popup page
  • I provide links to the original tracks on Beatport.com
  • I reply to other people’s complimentary blog entries about my podcasts and thank them
  • I write thank-you emails to Apple iTunes Support when they have featured my podcasts
  • I provide code for a feed player that can live on the listener’s own site
  • I will give an interview to practically anyone who asks for one
  • I find addresses & email addys for publications (hard & soft) relevant to my podcasts, and I send them occasional PR releases when there is something to announce. I thank these publications when they run them
  • I have a ready-to-go media kit with long & short bios, podcast descriptions & latest PR releases, logos, headshots, and links.
  • I do not publicly denigrate other podcasts that are potential competitors; by the same token, I try to respond to criticism in the most positive manner I can. This last point is probably the hardest for me.

I’m sure we can come up with a few more, but that will keep us busy for a while.

Justin Kaiser
Creative Identity Group

Go straight to Post


Buzz Buzz - Promoting Your Podcast

Apr 3rd, 2008 | By Justin Kaiser | Category: Podcast Consulting

Promoting an internet radio show is accomplished pretty much the same way that promoting a website is.

You need to create a website with enough content for the search engines to read and know what you are about. If you write two or three paragraphs about each show and archive several months worth of these show descriptions, that will accomplish a minimum of content.

You should also consider using some topic specific articles on the website and definitely add a blog. This will also help to feed the search engines.

To attract listeners you can:

  • Write and distribute press releases about your show.
  • Write and distribute articles on your topics.
  • Submit your website to directories.
  • Submit your blog to blog directories.
  • Submit your podcast feed to podcast directories.
  • Put ad in ezines and on related websites.
  • Try Pay Per Click advertising.
  • You must set up a ‘Link to Us’ page with text links and graphics for your fans to grab and use to link to you.
  • You may also want to try setting up a link exchange directory and trade links with complimentary websites.

When you have your voice over expert create your show intro and commercial segues, you will also want to order a 30 second show promo that can be traded with other show hosts. The promo should identify your show name, topic and web address.

Definitely consider promoting your show offline. Put your web address and show title on the back window of your car in vinyl letters. Carry business cards with listening instructions with you and pursue every opportunity to appear as a guest on offline radio programs.

I’ll be staying in touch with regular tips, tricks, tech and promotional updates. Internet Radio is booming and as I spot trends or learn something new that can help you, I’ll be sure to share it with you.

Justin Kaiser
Creative Identity Group

Go straight to Post


Is Voiceover Your Business?

Jan 7th, 2008 | By Justin Kaiser | Category: Voiceover Lessons

A colleague passed along the following tips and I thought they were relevant for discussion…

For those interested in a short discussion on how much you might consider spending on Advertising your business, read on.

I’m doing this partially in light of all the people who are unhappy about the cost vs. benefits of a service like V123. This isn’t a discussion of how well Smartcast works. That’s been thoroughly covered. It’s just a little attempt to find some perspective.

Let’s say you want to have net take home pay of $60,000 per year. I’ll bet it’s a good average figure for those who are seriously in the VO business…many below, quite a few above. To get there you need about $100,000 in gross income. (Adjust for your particular dream or situation.)

Among businesses of all kinds a typical advertising budget is 2 to 5 percent of what you grossed last year. Pharmaceutical companies and Coca-Cola spend a lot more, but that’s their racket. Let’s say we’re in the middle and decide we should take 3.5 percent of our gross income and spend it on marketing ourselves.

That’s $3,500 for Ms. or Mr. Average VO. How do you spend it? How do we market? (I’m leaving agents’ commissions out of this as a different kind of business expense.)

A lot of what we do to advertise costs little or nothing such as phone calls, emails and networking. Websites, CD’s, postcards, business cards, banner ads on other sites, pens, calendars and other leave-behinds cost something. How much for you? How does $300 for V123 match up for you out of this example of a $3,500 budget? Or the other services that still charge
about $200 to belong?

How effective are these marketing items for you? Of course you have to audition for a paid bidding service, but you’ll send an audition to almost anyone else who asks for one, yes? You pay your agent 10 or 20% for the privilege of auditioning for many jobs to get one.

Side thought and not a criticism for those who audition a lot for paid services and get little result: Are you auditioning too much? Are you being selective, picking jobs that truly reflect your style, age and experience?

In summary, what’s most cost effective for you? A paid service, or 500 cold drink holdin’ Koozies with your name and number on them?

Here are a few tips to prepare and protect your voice while being a podcaster.

Before you do an interview or participate in any recordings of your voice, there are a few things that you would want to avoid:

  • Stay away from dairy products (they coat your vocal cords and your voice is not as crisp).
  • Don’t drinking anything carbonated (can cause little gurgles in your throat that create unattractive sound effects).
  • Limit alcohol or caffeine intake
  • Avoid screaming and shouting
  • Stay away from smoke-filled environments.
  • Eliminate constant clearing of the voice. Sip water, hum or use a mild throat lozenge.
  • Don’t smoke!
  • Keep your vocal cords well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
  • Don’t whisper! Whispering puts extra stress on your vocal cords by forcing them together without them actually touching.
  • Avoid excessive use of mouthwash (it has a high alcohol content)

Go straight to Post