Podcasting Consultant, Jason Van Orden

Promoting Your Podcast from A to Z – Introduction

Wed, Aug 2, 2006

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Today I’m starting a special blog series called Promoting Your Podcast from A to Z. This daily series will run until Aug 28th, the release date of my new book Promoting Your Podcast. Each post will contain a valuable insight to help build your audience and attract raving fans to your podast. So let’s dig in and get started.

PodShowPro: Frankly, I’m Confused

Thu, Jul 27, 2006

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I’ve been watching and waiting for awhile to see what PodShow’s grand scheme is. Of course they want to be a media network that provides a number of quality media properties. They also have the Podsafe Music Network–a great service but horrible web site. No one thing they have done has really blown me away.

Now they’ve launched PodShowPro and I have to say that I don’t get it. I have a simple business philosophy when it comes to a web page, service, marketing…whatever. The purpose should be clear. When I visit a site, the purpose should be clear. What is being offered (benefits) should be clear. What they want me to do (call to action) should be clear.

When I visit the PodShowPro site, I’m just confused. What is PodShowPro? Hmmm…

I see something about business and podcasting. I think they want to help businesses start podcasting. I see "Learn more about how PodShowPro can help you grow and promote your business." OK. That sounds promising. It’s kind of generic, but I’ll click there.

Wait! Now I’m signing up for something. What’s this? I just wanted more info. I’m not ready to take this step yet. I want more info. Back to the home page.

Now I see, "Build your company media site…" Does this mean start my own podcast? What is a media site for my business. I see a small thumbnail image representing an example of a media page, but I can’t glean much from that. Let’s click Get Started.

Now I’m back to the same sign-up page. Again, I’m not ready for this. I want more info. I still don’t know what PodShowPro is.

Now let’s look lower on the home page. Here we have a list of podcasts labeled "Business Podcast Guide." Maybe PodShowPro is a directory for business podcasts. And here is this stuff about AIM pro. I’m not sure exactly how that ties in.

Well, I wish I could give you some insight into PodShowPro and what it could do for your business, but, frankly, I’m confused. Has anyone signed up for this? Does anyone have experience with it yet?

I could be wrong here. Maybe I’m just dense. If so, please correct me.

New iTunes Category Pages

Wed, Jul 26, 2006

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iTunes Podcast Directory A little while back I wrote about the category changes implemented by iTunes. iTunes had also temporarily removed the Top 100 list for each individual category. Well, now the top 100 lists are back with a bonus feature…

…each category & sub-category gets its own page!

This is a big improvement. Despite iTunes’ position as the largest and most visited/used podcast directory, they’ve been far from the easiest to browse. Finding good podcasts just got much easier. This can only be good for podcasters.

Each category page provides:

A "New and Notable" section
A "Featured" list
A top 100 list

As usual, the top 100 list is based on the number of recent new subscribers a podcast has received in iTunes. The "New and Notable" and, to the best of my knowledge, "Featured" podcasts are chosen by the iTunes staff.

Gizmo Project: All Calls Free to 60 Countries

Fri, Jul 21, 2006

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Do you want a free way to call anybody in the world and record an interview from your computer? Gizmo Project is the answer.

Skype competitor Gizmo Project announced yesterday that they are now offering free calls from your computer to any land line or mobile in 60 countries. Earlier this year Skype announced free calls in Canada and US until the end of 2006. I imagine Skype will have to rethink their strategy now. I’m not sure how Gizmo Project can offer this or what their business model is, but it’s sure to shake things up when it comes to Internet telephone.

UPDATE: I just found the catch. In order to call a number for free, it has to be registered to an active Gizmo Project user account. So the person you are calling has to have an account and make "phone calls with Gizmo Project on a regular basis." They’re not clear as to what is meant by a regular basis. They also "reserve the right to limit call length." I know. Iknow. It was too good to be true. I thought I had found the holy grail for calling up the non-techie and recording them for free. All the same, I’m still excited to try Gizmo Project out. There are still some great features and cost-effective ways to use it for interviews. I’ll report on this more in the future. Now back to the originally published blog post.

You can also get a phone number for $3-4 a month that will allow people to call you on Gizmo Project. To top it all off, Gizmo Project has built in recording. All I have to say is, "Way to keep it ~~real~~ almost real Gizmo Project!"

If you want to add me to your Gizmo Project contacts, my username is jasonvanorden.

My Interview with About.com

Thu, Jul 20, 2006

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About.com has started a new section on podcasting where I was recently interviewed by editor, John Havens. You can read the interview on podcast promotion here.

I make a habit of checking the latest content from John with my regular web rounds in the morning. John has been creating some great content. I’ll be commenting on some of his other bits in the near future.

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What People Are Saying

Jason Van Orden tells us everything a good guerrilla marketer should know about podcasting.

—Jay Conrad Levinson, Author, Guerrilla Marketing

Podcasting without a marketing plan is like driving without a steering wheel. Jason has written the definitive book on podcast promotion.

—Chris Pirillo, LockerGnome.com

Jason has been one of the most popular speakers at our events. He exceeds the expectations of the audience. I appreciate speakers that make my conference a "must-attend" event. Jason is definitely one of those speakers.

—Tim Bourquin, Founder of the New Media Expo

Since hearing you speak I've implemented a number of your strategies. The result: 40% growth in my download stats since the beginning of October. Thanks!

—Jamie Davis, PodMedic

I did a search in iTunes and guess what: I'm #1! I jumped above all my competitors with one edit of my title! So thank you, Jason, because once again you motivated me not to accept less than what I wanted and helped me uncover the secrets to get there. Thanks for being my virtual podcasting mentor!

—Lisa Cooke, Genealogy Gems

Thanks to Jason's advice, Japancast has (as of this writing) become the number one audio blog in the iTunes music store.

—Paul & Hitomi Griswold, Japancast

I loved your book! It sits next to my computer as I work. It's my critical reference for everything I'm doing. I went from 2300 hits per month to 30,000 per month from August to October this year. Thanks so much!

—Dave Barber, Webguy

Your course has been fantastic! You're a very thorough and patient teacher and have the knack of anticipating questions before I have the chance to ask them. This course has saved me months of searching and trial and error.

—Scott Stroud, BuilderRadio.com

People say any job is easy if you have the right tool. To this I add, "But you have to know how to use the tool." Jason's book shows you where the tool shed is, which tools are the best, and how to use each one.

—Dave Jackson, School of Podcasting

Jason is one talented individual. I've been involved in video and audio production for thirty years and yet I'm learning valuable lessons from him. If you want to learn how to record quality podcasts and create an audience, Jason is the guy to learn from.

—Art Juchno, Senior Media Specilist, University of Wisconsin-Stout

Of all the consultants I've worked with to become Web 2.0 literate -- and there have been many -- Jason Van Orden has been the most important to me. My podcasts are now linked to by some of the highest-traffic websites. Also, thanks in great part to Jason, my blog has won an award.

—Julia Schopick, HonestMedicine.com

After listening to Jason's podcast, I began using the principles he outlined. The number of listeners to our podcast went through the roof! I started podcasting as a hobby, but now I'm making money with it, too. Thanks, Jason!

—Kevin Harter, Backslash's TechTalk

Following Jason's lead helped me to avoid many of the pitfalls that plague most novice podcasters. Thanks to Jason, the podcast and blog for my book, Global Mobile, were up and running in no time at all!

—Fred Johnson, Author

Jason, I wanted to let you know that my podcast has been featured on the iTunes homepage, giving it a nice boost in subscribership. Following the advice in your book closely contributed to the success the show is enjoying now. Thanks again for the guidance you provide to the podcast community.

—Anthony Rotolo, Design Guy Podcast

This morning my backpack was left on the top of the car and flew off. The first thing I thought of was that I had lost your book.

—John A. Ciampa, Blogger School

I honestly listen to each of your episodes over and over again. I'd sit and imagine myself podcasting. With tears in my eyes, even as I share this with you...YOU GAVE ME HOPE! Now I'm a podcaster and doing well at it. I was featured in iTunes!

—Rob Gamble, Consultant

Jason, I just wanted to drop you a line and let you know the value of your podcasting blog. When I met you at the considerably less than average [conference] last year, I told you that your presentation saved the conference for me. And that remains very true.

—B.L. Lindstrom, Authorian Adventures in the Ether

I just wanted to check in and let you know that all the course content is awesome! I'm really getting into the meat and potatoes of this stuff, and find your descriptions on how to do everything, perfect.

—Steve Gutman, Obediance Dog Training

Thank you for putting out all the tremendous information and very effective suggestions. You are building a legion of consumers that are benefiting financially from your freely shared expertise. I am a lifetime supporter of whatever you do.

—Christine Jump, Craft Brew Cast

I thought we at least should say "hi" for all that you've done for us. We've got three podcast going because of your help. None of this could have been done without your help. Thanks so much!

—Tim & Wendy McMahan, Foster Podcast

You have a real gift for laying out complex information in a very accessible and easy-to-understand manner. For a guy like me who knows enough about technology to be very dangerous, your website was a God-send. I imagine you enjoy what you do, because it shows.

—Don Ray