Author Archive for: elsie

April 30, 2018

30 Apr 2018

Libsyn Supports Google’s Podcasting Strategy

Updated: May 4, 2018. For some time now, Google has been enhancing the way they handle how podcasts display in search results using an Android device.

There have been several new articles which are gaining a lot of coverage in the podcasting community and are bringing a new light to this functionality, like this article:

Exclusive: Inside The New Google Podcasts Strategy That Could Double Audiences Worldwide

Some of the functionality, such as the player and playlist that can appear in Google Search addressed in these articles, is worth paying attention to, though many of us are already optimized and don’t even realize it.

Note: The experience is available globally in all languages by searching in the Google App or Chrome on Android, and it’s also a part of Google Home and the Google Assistant for English-language users.

Optimizing for this functionality is simple. Google even has written their own set of guidelines for Podcasts, but it boils down to two important details:

A valid RSS feed
A link to your RSS feed on your website

If you are hosting with Libsyn, you already have access to a fully valid and compatible podcast RSS feed. Now, you just need to link that feed to your website.

Using the Libsyn Podcast Page

If you are utilizing Libsyn’s Podcast Page, rest assured that the page is already optimized for this functionality. To make full use of the option, follow these steps:

Log into your Libsyn Dashboard
Select Settings –> Show Settings
In the Website field, enter your website URL
Hit Save

Pro Tip

Make sure to enter the full website address:

http://www.mywebsiteisawesome.com

Be sure to include ‘www’ if you traditionally use it with your site.

Using Your Own Website

You should always link to your feed on your home page of your site so that potential listeners can select your feed and use it to subscribe using whatever app they wish.

But, a special link should also be used:

<link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="YOUR PODCAST NAME" href="https://yourfeedurl.libsyn.com/rss" />

For example, this code would look like this for Libsyn’s podcast The Feed:

<link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="The Feed: The Official Libsyn Podcast | Podcast Strategy | Podcasting Tips | Media Hosting" href="http://thefeed.libsyn.com/rss">

We recommend placing this line of code in the header of your site (in between the <head> and </head> tags). How this is done will depend on how your site is built, and the template you are using. Again, be sure to use the full URL for your site:

http://www.mywebsiteisawesome.com

Be sure to include ‘www’ if you traditionally use it with your site.

First, we want you to know that if you host with us and use our podcast pages, you are covered.

Google is keeping things simple. all you need is: a valid RSS feed and a the above link to your RSS feed on your website. That’s all!

If you have questions, reach out to support(at)libsyn(dot)com so they can take a look at your setup and let you know if you need to make any changes.

Editing notes: we got some feedback from Google which gave us more specific information. The post that you see above is the edited version

in Podcasting News, Podcasting Tips /by Elsie Escobar/#permalink

April 30, 2018

30 Apr 2018

Rockin’ Libsyn Podcasts: Speak Easy

This series is all about libsyn podcasters. Its sole purpose is to introduce these awesome podcasts to the world as well as share their podcasting insight to empower the community!

Q & A’s with Kenn Blanchard from Speak Life Podcast

When did you start podcasting? Why did you start podcasting? What’s the name of your show about and what is it about?

Hey Libsyn peeps, I’m Kenn Blanchard (I use the two “N’s” to distinguish myself from Dr Ken Blanchard, author of the One Minute Manager; who is a really nice guy, I’m the other one!) and my podcast is called Speak Life.

I’m using what I know and learning about podcasting to change the world. I minister to people through it to give hope, and love.

My audience is the atypical Christian, sportsmen, outdoorsmen, fighters, bikers, law enforcement officers, and folks in the gun community.

The name comes from the Biblical verse in Proverbs 18:21 that says “Death and life are in the power of the tongue,” and I choose to use this fantastic medium to “speak life”.

I’ve been podcasting with Libsyn since 2007.

I’ve had a dozen shows, that have come and gone, but the longest lasting is still going strong and its called the Black Man With A Gun Show.

Through it I’ve experimented with formats, techniques, approaches and learned a lot about history, people, politics and myself. It is a popular website in the gun community, and I have social media handles for it that are different than those for the Speak Life Podcast, but this is the one I am sharing with you at this time.

My past struggles have strengthened me to make a difference today.

Through podcasting, I am fulfilling my mission as a pastor and serving God without boundaries. The Speak Life podcast is a 25–55 minute show that comes out weekly, but I sometimes provide a midweek prayer if the Spirit leads me. The audience I have on my podcast is larger than the congregation I served at a Baptist church in Washington, DC.

What’s your podcasting set-up? Hardware, software, CMS, etc.

Tech and equipment-wise, I use an old MXL V63M condenser microphone on a boom I bought from a guy in 2008, running into an Alexis multi–4 mixer, that is connected to an Apple computer. In the software department, I use a mixture of Audacity and Garageband, Auphonic on most days to edit and record.

I monetize my podcasts through sponsors, Patreon, Paypal donations and work I occasionally get through Blanchard.Media, a small graphics and podcasting editing business I have.

The hustle, like the struggle is real but it keeps me off the streets.

How have you promoted your podcast?

I promote my show through Facebook, business cards, and even wearing a baseball cap which I have it embroidered with the name of the podcast and the url.

Plain old word of mouth.

What do you know now that you wish you knew when you started?

One of things I wish I new when I started that I understand better now is the importance of writing good titles for your show, using good graphics, and understanding the value of networking today.

In my earlier days, I was in competition with too many ghosts. I had images that everyone was doing better than I was and that sharing information was bad business when today that is not true.

I also wish that I understood SEO, analytics and marketing earlier. My success has come from learning from my failures and being persistent.

One of my favorite motivational quotes is from Babe Ruth, who said “You just can’t beat the person who never gives up.” I’m that guy.

I’ve been a police officer, firearms and tactics trainer, CIA officer, bodyguard and a host of tough guy jobs all my life. Now I am protecting and showing love as much as I can to a world that needs it now more than ever.

In need of a destination wedding, baby dedication, house blessing, or just a little prayer to make it through the day, I am here to Speak Life to your situation.

SpeakLifePodcast.com

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. – Romans 8:28 ESV

You heard Kenn! I you need him, he’s there. Subscribing to his show will be one of the best things you can do! You can even take a first step and follow Kenn on Twitter or check out his ministry.

If you feel that you have people to reach and support and you’ve been waiting to start a podcast, there is no better time than now. START with us! We’d love to host your media, but if you need a bit more handholding, we’re here for you! We have a free Podcasting QuickStart every first Wednesday of the month!

in Uncategorized /by Elsie Escobar/#permalink

April 23, 2018

23 Apr 2018

Rockin’ Libsyn Podcasts: Popcorn Finance

This series is all about libsyn podcasters. Its sole purpose is to introduce these awesome podcasts to the world as well as share their podcasting insight to empower the community!

Q & A’s with Chris from Popcorn Finance

When did you start podcasting?

I worked on my very first podcast back in 2009. A couple of friends started a video game podcast and I handled all their editing and post production.

Eventually I started joining them on the show and fell in love with creating audio content.

The show only lasted about 40 episodes and we never gained a huge following, but it was still a lot of fun. Seven years later in 2017 I finally started my own podcast, Popcorn Finance.

Why did you start podcasting?

I never planned on podcasting, it just happened naturally. I used to do a lot of video editing for fun, so that is why my friends asked me to help with their podcast editing.

When I finally joined them behind the microphone I realized how much fun it was to create a podcast.

I’ve been listening to podcasts since about 2009 and it is my favorite way to consume content because I can be literally anywhere and doing anything and still listen. So for me it was an easy choice to pick podcasting as the medium for my show.

What’s the name of your show and what is it about?

The name of my podcast is Popcorn Finance. The premise and tagline is “…Where we discuss finance in about the time it takes to make a bag of popcorn.”

Popcorn only takes a few minutes to cook, so I try to keep my episodes short and to the point while covering finance topics that we all deal with.

I’ve covered topics such as the basics of investing, discussing money with your significant other, saving for retirement and travel hacking. I’ve also had the opportunity to have some great guests and experts come on the show to share their knowledge and expertise.

What’s your podcasting set-up? Hardware, software, CMS, etc.

I use a pretty simple setup to record. I use an Audio-Technica ATR 2100 microphone with a windscreen.

I have my microphone connected to my desk using a scissor arm stand that I got for $12 on amazon.

I initially started editing using Garageband which came free on my computer. So my startup costs were really low, under $80 for all my equipment.

About two months ago I switched over to Reaper as my primary editing software. The price was very reasonable at $60, plus it gave me a ton of very useful features that I didn’t have in Garageband.

There is definitely a learning curve, but it has been worth it for the productivity I have gained.

Also, like Garageband, it is what is call a non-destructive editor. This means that even if you cut and audio clip or delete a portion of it, the data never disappears and you can recover it just by extending the beginning or end of the edited clip.

How have you promoted your podcast?

I promote my podcast primarily on social media. I try to stay active on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

I use a tool called Smarter Queue to help me schedule posts so that I can spend less of my time trying to come up with content on the spot.

This tool has saved me the most time when it comes to promoting via social media. I have also found that having guests on the show is a great way to increase exposure because they are usually more than willing to share the episode with their audience.

I have been very fortunate to have some amazing people join me on the podcast.

What do you know now that you wish you knew when you started?

I wish I would have known that this whole podcasting thing is a journey. No matter how hard you try to will this thing to be successful, it is still going to take time.

I think I had the impression that I would just hop on the mic and people would automatically start listening, but that is definitely not how it works.

You have to really work on not only bringing in your audience but also creating a compelling product that will keep them. There has been a lot of trial and error, but I think that is how you learn and figure out what will work for you.

There you have it, if you’re interested in quick, easy and super helpful information about money and finances, you must subscribe to Popcorn Finance!

In case you’ve been listening to podcasts for years or happen to be supporting your friends with their podcast and the podcasting bug has bit you, we’d love to host your podcast! If you need a bit more support to get started, we have a free Podcasting QuickStart every first Wednesday of the month!