002 - Purpose, Planning and Potential

Average shows (called Podcast episodes) tend to range from 20-40 minutes. They are mostly dominated by voice - you, the host, talking about your message. So, for anything that is dominated by your voice, you need some planning. We all know how easy it is to get off subject in a 10 minute speech. Now magnify that to a 40 minute speech. Yeah, those are a lot of rabbit trails, and a lot of opportunities for your listeners to get really bored or lost. As you design your podcast, decide on a focused overall message (a purpose), and stick to it. If you plan to ramble and go down rabbit trails, then choose a very very broad message, and then you can easily stick to your "focus" of broadness. Beautiful, isn't it?

After you have chosen your purpose, plan your episode. No, you don't need to plan every word, but you need a basic outline of what you will discuss throughout your show. If your podcast is to focus on your family, plan how you will talk about those 5 cute sons or daughters of yours, and of course your spouse. If your Podcast is a focus on your ministry, you should have in mind, before you sit down to record, the specific parts you will discuss. Believe me, I have a few really bad episodes out there that have no focus, no direction, and are super boring. I'm embarrassed.

And that's another thing. Podcasts carry different risks than blogs. While you have the benefits of a radio show without the complications of having to do it live, there are still plenty of things you can say that will make you wish after-the-fact that you hadn't put your foot in your mouth. Blogs can be deleted, or edited after you have published. Once you publish a podcast, your listeners download the show, and it's on their computer, out of your reach. Now you're freaking out, because they can listen to it over and over and over. All you can do is send an apology and try to retract your statement like a politician. But they still know... ...They will always know. Take my advice - record the show, edit out what you need to edit out, sit on the show for a day, listen again, edit again, then publish after thinking twice about whether or not you should publish. Anything less is just uncivilized.

So, sure there are risks, but the thrill of this medium is the command you have over your message. Unlike blogging, where you write the words and everyone misses out on the important intonation in your phrasing, in podcasting you get to speak your message, and they get to hear it as you really intended! It's really a blast, once you get past the fear (or begin to have a fear) of the medium. I'd say, if you're scared, don't be. If you're not scared, get scared (I'm talking fear as in respect, we're not wanting the fear that God's true love has already driven out - don't get that back. Leave it in the gutter).

So, pick your overall podcast purpose, and plan the individual episodes carefully. These are your first assignments. (You've already done this for the International Ministries Division, maybe now you could adapt it to the Podcast!)

Love you guys,

Matt

001 - New Methods in Supporter Interconnection - Podcasting

So, you want to try Podcasting.

“How do I start? Why would I do it? Would anyone even listen?”

Or maybe your questions are more basic; “What is it? Does it have something to do with fishing? Or “casting” away my iPod? Sure, I may be addicted to it, but throwing it away hardly seems the answer. (casting it, get it, GET IT?)"

An Introduction

Podcasting (also called “narrowcasting” for those less excited about the iPod relationship) is a fun way to communicate any message you want to anyone in the world with a computer and the Internet. It is a simple radio show that you design, record and produce on your own. All you need is a message, a computer, a microphone, recording software, and a place on the Internet to store your show file.

And before you start, realize it could be a disaster, if done with the wrong spontaneity, candid-ness, or just the right mixture of uncaring and laziness. Podcasting is a delicate animal that, if let out of the cage, could wreak havoc on the entire world around you. OK, maybe it isn't that extreme. But, necessarily, as Christian workers we have a certain standard to bear - one that calls for creativity, hard work, and honesty. If any medium can get you in trouble, it's podcasting. On the other hand, if any medium can deliver the honest message you intended, with few interpretive issues (and of course, plenty of fun had by the producer) it is podcasting.

Let me introduce myself. My name is Matt. I've been addicted to listening to podcasts for about 4 years (has it really been that long?) and I finally took the leap and started my own podcast with my wife last November. I'm am far from a pro, in fact still in the beginner phase, but I do still have a few pointers I'd love to give you. As you read, please forgive my rambling nature and natural tendency towards off-hand comments that may make little sense. 

Of course, feel free to download and listen to some of our shows, available on iTunes here, or on our podcast website here. But don't think they are the standard. In my opinion, This American Life is the standard. In my opinion, it is the greatest radio show of all time, and (shameless plug coming) it can be downloaded as a podcast here. I am not responsible for the content. But seriously, there are thousands of podcasts available out there on the Web, just go for a look.

Ready? Let's go. More to come soon.

Later guys,

Matt