What you really need to know before you start a podcast
"I want to start podcasting. What kind of microphone do I need?"
If I had a nickel for every time someone asked me this... er... [insert witty quip here.] I'm asked this question at least twice a week. And while this query may be logical in theory, this is not the right question to ask when considering starting up a podcast. Anyone can buy a microphone, shoot her mouth off and post a show. What will prevent the burgeoning podcaster from podfading after the fifth episode or into a lifetime of obscurity has absolutely nothing to do with the microphone.
Think of it this way. Would you ask Gabriel García Marquez, "I want to be an author. What version of Word do I need?"
No, of course not. Because the tools used are secondary to the far more strenous process of writing an engaging story with compelling characters and a tight plotline. With podcasting, it's easy to get wrapped up in the technical requirements and forget that a podcast, like a good book, gains success and an audience based on its engaging content.
A content strategy
The question a podcast hopeful should be asking is, "I want to start podcasting. What is the best way to create a content strategy?"
It's pretty easy to come up with good, solid content for one show. But what about next week's show? And the week after that? And the month after that? A podcast should have a mission statement, just as a business does. And the reasoning is simple: there must be a very strong force driving the host to create show after show, week after week, year after year. What will inspire you to do that?
Consider these content statements:
Before you choose a microphone, define your content. Make a list of the topics you'd like to cover and guests you'd like to bring on. Crowdsource it to your friends and community. Create a poll of the top 20 topics and create episodes in the order of popularity (which would also reflect the order of relevance to the community). Create a production schedule, find your voice, and hone your interview skillz.
And then, get a microphone. (Yes, you actually do need some type of audio input device.) A Shure SM57 with a mixer, a Snowball, PodcaStudio, Zoom H2 or even just the iTalk app on your iPhone will do. Just get that first episode out of the way. It's not going to be a work of art, and you will one day look back at it and cringe. Just get that cringeworthy first episode out of the way so you can begin to shape your content, engage with your listenership and have fun steering the podcast.
How to convert unusual audio file types for podcasts
I ran across a bit of a podcasting dilemma this week: a listener sent in an audio file he'd recorded via a program on his Blackberry, and the file came across in an unfamiliar format with an .amr extension, a codec used primarily for GSM phones. AMR requires a special player and converter and cannot be played on iTunes, nor opened or edited with Audacity.
I'm sure there is a fancy program that would convert the file. But it was 9:00 PM on posting day, and I still had a few hours of work to do for my day job at the startup.
So here is the quickie solution: if you can get the file to play using any program, you can hijack that program using Audio HiJack Pro (Mac users only; sorry PC folks). The file would play using QuickTime, so this was a quickie workaround:
Et voilà! Now you have an mp3 (or aiff) file ready to drop into your podcast.
In the past, I published a list of my favorite marketing and PR podcasts, mostly related to marketing, social media and PR. But I neglected to mention the other podcasts--you know, the ones I listen to for fun. The ones that motivate me to do the 45-minute elliptical workout because I can listen to the story unfold.
Since 2005, I've enjoyed listening to narrative fiction and human interest stories and queries via podcast. I don't have as much time to read as I'd like, but, like most marketers, I really enjoy a good story. If it makes me think, so much the better.
So here is the other list--the podcasts that bring me so much joy that they are guilty pleasures for me:
I'll admit that with novels, I'm a creature of habit. I find authors I like and tend towards reading through their entire oeuvre rather than trying something new every day of the week. Escape Pod short story science fiction podcast exposes me to a variety of authors and even genres I might never have discovered on my own. Some of the authors I've grown to love, and I'm sure I'm not the only fan that gets excited when she hears a Union Dues story is upcoming. I've known the founder Steve Eley since the early days of podcasting, and I was a bit skeptical when he announced he was stepping down. Who else could do such a wonderful job choosing, narrating and providing insights on sci fi stories? Mur Lafferty, that's who. Might Mur made a seamless transition as host, and I've never stopped listening. Not every story is a hit, but the variety is amazing, and you will find new authors whose other works you'll want to track down.
Chris Lester is a genius of worldmaking, and I was always amazed at the extent to which Metamor City and the rules governing it seemed so very real. Not quite a novel and not quite a short story, Metamor City is instead a podcast magazine, a series of sci-fi/fantasy short stories, novellas and novels that all take place in the same environment with an overarching story arc. He's publishing less since his move to California and laudable move to becoming a teacher, but go ahead and listen to the back catalog while you wait for more.
OK, this one isn't exactly narrative fiction. But it's always a good story and always fascinating. Many of you are probably already fans of this show. I've downloaded the iPhone app for $1.99, which gives instant access to all the archives. I'll treat myself during an elliptical or bike workout by pulling up an old show (from pre-2005, when I started listening) and luxuriating in the fascinating stories. Ira Glass and the team tell stories based on a weekly theme, sometimes funny, sometimes political, always human. My favorites? Squirrel Cop, Testosterone, The House on Loon Lake.
Again, this one isn't really fiction, but it's always such a fascinating exploration that I feel like I'm listening to a fascinating, well-constructed story... that just happens to cover a scientific or philosophical question. Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich host this science-for-not-so-dummies podcast that puts scientific queries and explorations in an irresistable, imaginative context. More than hard science, they ask the broad, philosophical questions that are more often asked in science-fiction. But these guys have answers.
How do you launch a successful text messaging campaign? Where does text messaging fit in the marketing mix? How can QR codes enhance a mobile campaign?
This week, before Derek Johnson's talk at Social Media Breakfast Seattle on May 18th, Mobile Messaging: Taking Your Social Media Campaign on the Road, I sat down with Johnson to pick his brain about best practices for SMS marketing campaigns. To find out how to make mobile work for you, join us on May 18th at 7:30 AM at Waggener Edstrom in Bellevue for Johnson's talk on best practices for mobile messaging and QR codes. Register here.
SMB Podcast #11: Mobile Messaging
Show Notes
4:30 Why text messaging--isn't it for the younger demographic?
7:30 What are the benefits?
10:30 What are the best use cases? Cases of customers benefiting from the time sensitivity of text messaging, such as police reporting missing persons or businesses driving traffic during slow times. Key statistic: businesses get 5-15% redemption rates for mobile messaging.
16:00 What are the keys to composing an effective text message? Offer real value
and don't copy your Twitter and Facebook offers. In fact, offer the most value here as opposed to other mechanisms. Use the "quarter test" - if your customers had to pay a quarter to receive the text, would they still want to receive them?
19:30 What are QR codes and how should they be used? Their best use is to scan and have it automatically send a keyword text opt-in message.
24:45 What is the next big thing? NFC, near field communication
27:30 Plug away! Tatango, thederekjohnson.com
For more free Social Media Breakfast Seattle podcasts, visit the SMB Seattle LibSyn page. Or fan us on Facebook or join our LinkedIn group.
Everything you need to know to start a podcast for under $100
Addition 5-11-11: Brian Crouch and I will be hosting a class on Podcasting for Business (and Fun!) on May 18th at Behringer in Bothell, 12:30-2:00 PM. Join us for a hands-on basic editing session.
Lately, I've been sitting on more podcasting panels and getting more requests for both strategy and technical advice on how to start a podcast. The great news is that podcasting is now easier than ever. And if you're considering starting up a podcast, here is a the quick rundown of strategy to consider and skills and tools you'll need:
Research and Strategy Development
Before you start producing your own podcast, you should always research what shows are currently available on your area of expertise. Research other podcasts first to discover:
It might be that instead of creating your own podcast, you can simply produce weekly or monthly audio reports for an existing podcast that already has a following and traction. You do one-tenth the work for 100% exposure. Or, simply because there are already five podcasts available in your chosen field doesn't mean that you won't be able to build a brand and an engaged following. Do the research and strategize your brand differentiation.
Additionally, it's a good idea to inform yourself about the state of podcasting in 2011 and the current benefits of podcasting, derived from the recent HubSpot study of the state of podcasting. Read the post to begin your strategy and set realistic, achievable marketing goals.
Next, determine a publishing schedule. The blogging rule applies: post on a regular basis with relevant content. Once a day, once a week, once a month is fine; just set a publishing schedule and stick to it. Also, keep in mind that listeners tend to like shorter podcasts of 5-15 minutes. However, again, let your goals and content dictate the format, and be sure to ask for feedback from listeners as to frequency and length. My favorite podcasts run 30-60 minutes, and I enjoy them because I relate to the hosts and find the content relevant and informative, week after week.
Getting Started
Got your field, strategized marketing goals, draft content list and show length and frequency set? Great! Now it's time to start creating content.
Find your voice The most common objection I hear to podcast creation is "I hate my voice." Well, get over it--even the best of us hate hearing our recorded voice played back to us. The good news is that podcasting is more than turning on a microphone and talking like Wolfman Jack. How do you present your best, natural, friendly, social self? Do this Finding Your Voice exercise to figure out how to present your best self on mic.
Hone your interview skills If you plan to include interviews on your podcast, take a quick look at this post to brush up on your interview skills. For those of us not trained as journalists, this is a primer in getting the most out of your podcast guests and includes five common interview pitfalls and how to avoid them. Also, take the time to create an email template for requesting an interview and for prepping your guest for the interview. For example, for a remote interview, consider giving your guest direction on:
Check your tech Since most of my interviews are via Skype, it paid to take some time to determine how to get the best quality audio from the VOIP program. Check out this in-depth, technical video by Doug Kaye and Paul Figgiani on getting the best audio quality out of a Skype interview.
The Technical Setup
I used to teach a podcasting class in Chicago on how to get started podcasting for under $100, and I'm pleased to say that that is still quite easy to do. In order to start your podcast, once you have your content strategy and publishing schedule, you'll need some basic technical equipment:
Nowadays, setting up a podcasting studio for around $100 is dead easy. In fact Behringer has come out with PodcaStudio USB for around $100, which includes a four-channel mixer, dynamic microphone, headphones and Audacity recording/editing software. (There is also a FireWire version with a condenser mic for a tad more.) I have been quite happy for years with my own setup, which includes the Blue Snowball USB mic, Audio HiJack Pro, Audacity and GarageBand. To see both my hardware and recording and editing process, check out My Podcast Setup video.
In terms of hosting, LibSyn has been around for years and is very podcaster-friendly with affordable plans. In terms of a blog for posting show notes, it's best to capture a domain name that matches your podcast title and post exclusively podcast episodes and podcast-related content there. A best practice is to post show notes when a new episode drops, including an embedded player so that those who discover your podcast through search can listen immediately.
Once your podcast has five episodes under its belt, submit it to iTunes and other podcast directories to develop a broader audience. Once you have listeners submitting comments and feedback, ask them to write reviews of the show in iTunes to help with discoverability.
Listener Engagement
Podcasts without an engaged listenership will inevitably fade. Producing a weekly or even monthly podcast is a tremendous amount of work, and without working with listeners in order to develop and promote content, the production effort can outweigh the results. Keep listeners engaged and yourself energized by keeping a constant flow of conversation with your listeners. Consider rolling out the following to engage with listeners:
A podcast is nothing without its engaged fans, so consider engagement your number one development and anti-podfading tool. Your download statistics will tell you your most popular content, and the feedback mechanisms will inform which topics are the most controversial and can be revisited.
And finally...
Remember that podcasting is supposed to be fun! If you aren't having fun, your listeners will be able to tell, and they will eventually unsubscribe. Love your topic and love your listeners, and your podcast will succeed.
For more information and podcasting instruction, visit my Podcasting Resources page.
Edison study shows 11% increase in podcast audience from 2006
One of the difficulties with being an avid podcaster is that podcasting hasn't seen a lot of innovation in the last few years. Oh, sure, we all harken back to the good ole' days of podcasting (waaaay back to 2005), when Podcast Expo was Podcast Expo, housed in homey little Ontario, California, before it merged with and got lost in the shuffle of the mega BlogWorld Expo. And all the podcasting geeks knew each other because no one else was podcasting.
Even though podcasting doesn't have a shiny new tool à la Foursquare to tempt the uninitiated into publishing a feed for the next few years, it's still a pretty cool way to build an intimate following through ongoing content. And I say "intimate" because there is something about podcasting that is far more relationship-building than, say, Facebook. You may amass Facebook Friends and Fans (oops, I mean Likers), but how often do you truly interact with them? One click, and they're off to play Farmville.
Recently, Edison research found that podcasting is still growing strong compared to its 2006 debut. But the audience and consumption methods have changed. A few tidbits from the study as reported by HubSpot:
Hubspot's analysis also points out: "Webster [presenting Edison's research] asserted that one of the main problems contributing to podcasting's lack of growth is that of convenience."
That is exactly the strength of podcasting. Hear me out.
Podcasting is different from newer social networking tools. Podcasting requires a commitment. Not just from the podcaster, but also from the listener. Sure, listeners can download a file or listen directly from their computers, and Webster did point out that many listeners never even transfer the podcast to a mobile device.
Regular podcast listeners must not only subscribe to a feed, but also download the file to an mp3 player and commit to listening to the entire episode in a linear format. No skimming, no scanning, no tl;dr (too long; didn't read). There is no shortcut for listening to a podcast.
You have to want it, not just "Like" it.
In this age of short attention span theater, how much value would a podcast listener bring to your organization? Someone who would be willing and eager to pay attention to your content for, say 30 minutes straight every week or month?
Listening to a podcast requires intent and attention.
Listeners must want to listen and commit to downloading and listening to a show for five, ten, 20 or 50 minutes. And while a listener could fast-forward through a boring part, early podcasters discovered one thing: they don't. They either love the content and host enough to download faithfully and listen to the entire episode, or they unsubscribe.
For that reason, podcast audiences are smaller than that of other social media tools with crazy low barriers to entry, such as Facebook, but podcast audiences tend to be more engaged. While Webster points out that 66% of podcast listeners do use Facebook and it's therefore a good idea to cross-promote on other social media sites, what I see in podcasting is an opportunity to build an audience far more engaged and loyal than they would ever be on Facebook or Twitter.
Let's face it. There is something wonderfully intimate about listening to a podcaster speak in his/her authentic voice for 10 or 30 minutes. It's more intimate than a blog post and far more intimiate than a Tweet; after listening to a podcast, many listeners say they feel like they know the host. Have you ever felt that from a Tweet?
Testing Behringer's Podcastudio USB and Firewire for podcasting
TweetIn Chicago, I used to teach a class: How to Start Podcasting for Under $100.
It was a very popular class. The principle is simple: the hard part of podcasting is creating compelling content and delivering it on a regular basis, which requires a great deal of creativity and discipline. The audio production is the easy part. Sure, there is a learning curve, which I happily train others to deal with, but in truth, the technical audio production is the easiest part of podcasting.
That being said, it's really fun being an audio geek. Especially for under $100.
I've been using the combination of a Blue Snowball USB mic, Audio HiJack Pro, Audacity and GarageBand to produce podcasts for the last few years. And upgrade to a mixer and XLR mics hasn't seemed practical, since they still run pretty expensive, and the Snowball mic plugs right into my MacBook via USB. What can I say? I'm a lazy podcaster.
But last week, my audio guru Brian Crouch of Behringer offered to demonstrate their Podcastudio product, and I was eager to give it a try. There's just something about all the dials on a mixer that have always fascinated me as a wannabe audio geek.
So here is what comes in the Podcast Studio USB box for $100:
The mixer The interface plugs into your computer using USB and to the mixer. The mixer can take up to four separate microphone inputs, so it would work great for a panel discussion. Or, if you like, the host could use one mic, and guests, say on a panel, could pass a second mic among them. One nice thing about this setup is that the mixer allows the podcaster to control the input for each mic. So if you have a loud talker and a soft talker, the podcaster can adjust the incoming audio live and eliminate the need to level the file after the fact. Pretty good deal for a lazy podcaster like myself!
The mic A studio-quality dynamic mic is included, which is pretty amazing, considering they usually run at least $150. And a word of caution: the mic is unidirectional, so be sure to monitor and make sure the speakers are speaking directly into the mic. No broad cardioid patterns here. Of course, if you want to purchase additional mics, you could choose omnidirectional ones.
Other inputs I was also wondering about music input--say, if you wanted to record a live show and actually play the intro/outro music live and fade it up and down. Turns out you can use audio input (e.g. from your iPhone) to the 1/4" input on the mixer; just make sure you get a 3.5 mil audio output adapter first (not included).
Firewire Since I prefer Firewire, I tried out the Firewire version. As you can see on the right, I actually used a bigger mixer than the set actually comes with, just for grins. The Firewire version does cost a bit more, about $170. The mixer has eight inputs (versus four), and it comes with a condenser microphone (C-1) instead of the dynamic. It also comes with two 1/4" cables and two Firewire cables (instead of USB, of course).
Sometimes, I have to shake my head in jealousy of how darn easy you kids have it these days! In the early days of podcasting, there were bundles like this--usually priced around $500. I remember listening to a how-to podcast in which the host insisted you couldn't produce decent audio for anything under $1,000. No beginning podcaster would invest in something like this for fear the podcast would never gain an audience, and the gear would gather dust like so many holiday gifts by February.
But $100 is a pretty reasonable price for a cool starter pack. And when your podcast hits #1 on iTunes, you can tell the interviewer, "Oh, I got started for like $100."
I'm super-excited that the very kind folks at SVC have offered the chance to teach podcasting again! Since I left Chicago, I've sorely missed teaching those quarterly podcasting classes.
What's even better is that the class is being reshaped and reformulated for professionals instead of hobbyists--so we get to cover not just basics but also audio editing techniques for working with waveform files. Geek girl heaven!
It's still only a one-day class, and I'd like to cram in as much as I can. What do you think--is this entirely too ambitious? How is the marketing strategy to technical skills ratio? I would love the feedback!
Who Should
Take This Workshop:
This workshop is for PR,
ad, and social media consultants, corporate communications managers, and
entrepreneurs who want to learn the basics of strategy, production, and
promotion of podcasts. In short, it's for anyone who wants to share their
insights, questions and influence with a vibrant community of podcast listeners
worldwide.
9:00 - 9:30 Introductions
Why and what do you want to podcast?
What podcasts do you listen to now? How do you listen to them?
9:30 – 10:00 What is a podcast and why should you care?
The nature of the space and basic community-building philosophy
10:00 – 10:30 Building a marketing strategy
Create a clear idea for both your overall marketing plan and how a social media presence/podcast will fit into it.
10:30 – 10:45 Break
10:45 – 11:30 Market Research
The first step in any social media campaign is listening. Every podcaster must be aware of currently available content and audience following. This session shows:
11:30 – 12:00 Introduction to Content Strategy
Brainstorm and create a basic content strategy, host format, show format, show length, topic creation.
12:00 – 12:45 Lunch
12:45 – 1:15 Hardware and Software checklist
Recommendations and checklist for microphones and portable recorders from $50-$250, editing and recording software, listener comment line and hosting service.
1:15 – 2:45 Audio Editing Basics with Audacity
Basic audio editing using Audacity free software. Learn basic editing of waveform files: record, select, delete, adding tracks, moving tracks, noise reduction, fade in/out, normalize.
2:45 – 3:30 Promote Like Crazy
Includes Show Notes Basics, the basic format and key items to include in blogged show notes as well as tips for promoting the podcast through social media such as Twitter and Facebook
3:30 – 4:00 Questions/Review
AudioBoo is one of the newer tools in the social media storm of late, and some podfaders have gravitated towards it as an easy, on-the-go alternative to the sometimes labor-intensive audio podcast.
Thanks to the likes of Neville Hobson over at For Immediate Release podcast, who has been raving about AudioBoo's ease of use, I downloaded the iPhone app and gave it a try.
What is AudioBoo?
AudioBoo is basically Seesmic for audio recordings, with the added benefit of recording directly from the iPhone via the iPhone app. To get started, download the free app from the App store. The interface is three-button, no-nonsense.
Push Record to record an audio message. This could be a Twitter-like comment or something longer, like an interview, with two people speaking into the application. After reviewing your Boo, just hit upload to post the message, and message posts to the public timeline at AudioBoo.fm.
The site works like most other social networking sites, with a public timeline so you can discover friends with similar interests, the ability to tag posts for more discoverability and the ability to friend and follow others.
Another nice added feature is the ability to create different account and link each one to the iPhone app--great for community managers like myself who might want to post from different accounts on behalf of clients.
The big benefit of AudioBoo is its ease of use, hands-down. If you've discovered that you don't have time to orchestrate a full-on podcast but still want to connect orally with friends, fans and followers, AudioBoo can basically act as an easy, three-button, instant podcast. At the next event, try hitting Record to capture an interview with a speaker or attendee immediately after a session and posting right away.
It's the instantaneous nature of Twitter combined with the more personal connectivity of audio via the human voice. This could be powerful. And yes, it's now integrated with Twitter so that you can tweet your Boos, so no worries about having to manage two micromedia platforms simultaneously. For a more detailed explanation, this video is excellent:
Have you tried AudioBoo? What do you think? More importantly, how do you anticipate using it?
For a busy social media geek like me, travel time is catch-up time; it's the only time a consultant can, in a guilt-free environment, take a breath and take some time to do some self-education. Personally, I don't have a regular commute, but you'd be amazed at how much podcast listening one can squeeze into 10- and 20-minute trips around Chicago. Also, I'm not adverse, as a busy podcast listener, to building up my B-list podcasts and listening to a backlog of shows in one fell swoop, as I did during the 10-hour drive to Saint Louis and back last weekend.
The point is that podcasts are a time-delayed medium; even news-related shows can be informative and educational a few weeks later. Every single show listed here teaches me something I didn't know every time I listen. What's more, they give me a chance to interact with the host every time, too. If you don't already, try programming your favorite show's listener call-in numbers into your cell phone so you can pause the podcast, call in a comment (using your hands-free headset, of course), and then keep right on listening.
(Oh, and if you're new to podcasting, read here to find out how to download and listen to a podcast.)
The first group are knock-down, drag-out, absolutely essential marketing podcasts. If you're an entrepreneur or into social media and not yet listening, go to iTunes and download them now:
For Immediate Release: the Hobson and Holtz Report. This was one of the first podcasts I ever subscribed to, and it's still my A-list first listen. Shel Holtz and Neville Hobson meet twice a week over Skype to discuss online media in the age of digital communication and marketing. And they never disappoint! At one hour twice a week, this might be the only podcast you have time to listen to, but it's worth it--you don't need to set your Google alert for "social media" if you listen to FIR.
Get It Done Guy's Quick and Dirty Tips Stever Robbins, the witty geek who just happens to also give advice on getting things done, gives one great organizational or productivity tip in each five-minute podcast--an easy listen on your way to the store. Helps with productivity, plus if we ever hit a zombie apocalypse, he's right there with advice on training your zombie army.
Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips Mignon Fogarty is the grammar geek among grammar geeks, delightful to listen to and more than happy to get all available information and perspectives on even the trickiest of grammar questions. Hey, ya gotta love a girl who can even cover the adverbial malfunction of the presidential inauguration with ease. Her podcasts are also in the five-minute range, so download and few and listen on your way to the gym.
Managing the Gray I can't imagine anyone who doesn't already listen to C.C. Chapman in some form or another, but there might be a few of you out there who have been living in a cave or who dropped your iPod in the lake a few years back and just never bothered to replace it. Managing the Gray is C.C.'s business podcast, his chance to chat and give observations about social media. Always full of energy and great marketing ideas, C.C. is one of my constant iPhone companions (even though he seems to be able to get iTalk to work for podcasting, whereas it only gives me so-so audio quality).
Marketing Over Coffee Shel Holtz turned me on to this marketing podcast, hosted by Chris Penn of the Financial Aid podcast and John Wall of the M Show. These two social media gurus sit in a Dunkin Donuts and talk social media strategy, news and tools. Again, great new information with each show, and the hosts have a fun and approachable dynamic.
Media Hacks I just started listening to this one, and I'm behind. But Mitch Joel, Chris Brogan, C.C. Chapman, and more? What social media geek wouldn't listen to this show? The audio on the first episode made it unlistenable, but it's much improved since then.
Six Pixels of Separation Mitch Joel's conversational show on new media marketing and communications. Sure, like C.C. Chapman, he talks at the speed of light, but I wouldn't cut time from his show at all--just listen as long and as often as you can.
Trafcom News Podcast Donna Pappacosta podcasts monthly from Canada, branding her show as one for people who love communicating. She's got a great, podcast-heavy focus, with detailed tips on making your podcast interesting, engaging and effective. Plus, it doesn't hurt that her honey-toned voice is the best one in podcasting!
What about you? What are your favorite business podcasts? What is on your A list? Your B list?
Big, huge thanks to C.C. Chapman, who mentioned using the iPhone app iTalk on Managing the Gray. Podcasting from my iPhone? I was intrigued! Could it be that the quality could be tolerable, even good?
So I ran home, downloaded the app to the phone and the syncing feature to the laptop. I recorded a short segment in a coffee shop with terrible acoustics--hardwood floors, bare walls, background holiday carols--in short, an echo chamber. When I got home, I turned on the syncing function on the laptop, and the aiff file was Bluetoothed right over. See what you think:
Heidi's iTalk Test
I hear a lot of sibilants on the s's; what do you think? It might do in a pinch, but I'm not convinced I'd podcast this way.
