Diary of a Podcaster Part 10
Last night, myself, Hannah and Chris (AKA Jaedia and Wolfyseyes) had an especially productive recording session. We managed to produce two hours of material in total and I’m confident that it can be whittled down into a coherent and enjoyable ninety-minute episode. What I especially enjoyed about this podcast recording was buoyant atmosphere and the flow of the conversation. I felt that we explored the various topics well and that the discussion felt natural. Ultimately, it will be the listeners who’ll determine whether this is the case or not but from my perspective the recording went well because the guests were a good choice. If you are pursuing a podcast format that has multiple hosts or regularly features guests, then it is important for there to be a rapport between all involved.
Last night, myself, Hannah and Chris (AKA Jaedia and Wolfyseyes) had an especially productive recording session. We managed to produce two hours of material in total and I’m confident that it can be whittled down into a coherent and enjoyable ninety-minute episode. What I especially enjoyed about this podcast recording was buoyant atmosphere and the flow of the conversation. I felt that we explored the various topics well and that the discussion felt natural. Ultimately, it will be the listeners who’ll determine whether this is the case or not but from my perspective the recording went well because the guests were a good choice. If you are pursuing a podcast format that has multiple hosts or regularly features guests, then it is important for there to be a rapport between all involved.
I’ve been very fortunate over the years as I’ve always worked with experienced podcasters or those who are confident public speakers. Therefore, the discussions are broad and follow a logical pattern. Each participant listens to the other and responds to the questions and points being raised. This means that the conversation moves forward and doesn’t flounder. If everyone gets on, then there is a more natural connection. Humour and confidence often go hand in hand. Many of my favourite podcasts that I regularly listen to, work so well primarily because the hosts work well together. That’s not to say that all parties involved have to agree with each other. Consensus is not always especially interesting. However, podcasters that know each other often means that the conversation runs its course more coherently. There is less tendency to talk across each other and for one individual to dominate the proceedings.
"I am Henry Kissinger and I do indeed have a sexy voice".
On occasion, there have been times when a guest has struggled with the dynamics of a podcast. Not everyone is confident when in front of a microphone and sometimes it’s simply the notion of being recorded that kills their enthusiasm. However, if I think there may be an issue, we sometimes spend some time “warming up”, with some casual conversation. This process can help immensely in helping all parties to relax and focus less on the process and more on the discussion. Also, and lot of issues can be fixed during the editing process. Lengthy pauses can be reduced accordingly and misspoken lines can be eliminated entirely. You can also improve the narrative structure of a show in post-production. If a point is made that would better serve at an earlier point in the conversation, then it can be moved accordingly. It should also not be forgotten that you can re-record material if you feel it can improve matters.
There are great advantages to recording a podcast with a group, or producing a show with a regular co-host(s). I have experimented this year with producing solo content and it is immensely difficult and comes with an entire set of other problems. I therefore have immense respect for my podcasting peers that produce regular shows in this fashion. It requires a great deal of dedication, focus and confidence. There is a lot of truth in the old adage of there being safety in numbers. The solo podcaster is the focus of scrutiny on their show. However, for the present it is a format that I am no longer going to pursue. Returning to the subject of yesterday’s recording session, as well as all the other positive aspects I’ve mentioned, it was also immense fun. We did a lot of laughing and I think that is an important litmus test. It also motivates me to keep podcasting.
Diary of a Podcaster Part 9
As I surmised, in its current state Squarespace has proven an inadequate host for my current podcast. After exchanging several emails with Apple support, I was informed that “the server for your episodes does not support HTTP HEAD requests. To enable streaming playback of episodes, ensure the hosting server allows HTTP HEAD requests and has byte-range requests enabled”. To cut a long story short, there is no scope for me to alter any of these things at present within the Squarespace dashboard. Nor did I want the work involved in using a third-party feed managing service such as FeedBurner. So, I decided to open up an account with a commercial hosting service. After some research, I determined that PodBean could cater for all my needs and at a competitive price. Submitting the new RSS feed was easy and Apple approved the podcast within 36 hours. As of today, the Contains Moderate Peril podcast is back on iTunes.
As I surmised, in its current state Squarespace has proven an inadequate host for my current podcast. After exchanging several emails with Apple support, I was informed that “the server for your episodes does not support HTTP HEAD requests. To enable streaming playback of episodes, ensure the hosting server allows HTTP HEAD requests and has byte-range requests enabled”. To cut a long story short, there is no scope for me to alter any of these things at present within the Squarespace dashboard. Nor did I want the work involved in using a third-party feed managing service such as FeedBurner. So, I decided to open up an account with a commercial hosting service. After some research, I determined that PodBean could cater for all my needs and at a competitive price. Submitting the new RSS feed was easy and Apple approved the podcast within 36 hours. As of today, the Contains Moderate Peril podcast is back on iTunes.
I could have continued to using Squarespace as a host but effectively this would have meant not having any statistics available regarding the podcast and not having a presence on iTunes. Although the show is not a commercial endeavour, I still wish to grow the audience so I feel that both of the aforementioned requirements are essential. iTunes is an important platform and invaluable means to gain exposure. However, having moved to a service such as PodBean, I have now incurred an additional overhead of $14 a month. The hosting package offers unlimited audio storage and unmetered bandwidth as well as a comprehensive statistical analysis. There is a substantial knowledge base and FAQs. Overall, this is a reasonably priced and functional service. For customers simply interested in podcasting, you can create and manage a bespoke landing page.
In other news, in preparation for a return to regular podcasting, I’ve been doing some test recordings. The scissor arm desktop stand I bought for my microphone is proving a little unwieldy in the limited space I have. So, I purchased a simple tripod as an alternative. This frees up valuable desk space and means that I can easily relocate to an alternative location to record, should the requirement arise. I also received some invaluable advice regarding the placement of my pop filter when I posted a picture of my new set up on Twitter. The subsequent changes that I’ve made have had a positive impact upon sound quality. With the technical and logistical side of podcast production now resolved, I need to focus on drawing up a recording schedule and tackling the complex issue of organising guests. International time zones are sadly one of podcasting’s perennial Achilles Heel.
Diary of a Podcaster Part 8
Whenever I encounter a word or term that I’m not familiar with, I will usually Google it. That’s the way I’m wired. I prefer to “know” rather than “not know”. However, it is not the concept of continuous self-improvement that I wish to discuss in this post but something else. Namely sociolinguistics. Earlier today I saw someone mention vocal fry on Twitter. I had no idea what that was so I checked on Wikipedia, watched some You Tube videos and finally read some newspaper articles. An hour later I was aware of not only vocal fry, but run-ons, uptalk, glottal Ts and the fact that the way we speak has a major impact upon our lives, just like education and class. According to sociolinguistics, the manner in which you speak has a major impact on the way you are perceived by others. Sadly, like so many other social markers, it can be used in a discriminatory fashion.
Whenever I encounter a word or term that I’m not familiar with, I will usually Google it. That’s the way I’m wired. I prefer to “know” rather than “not know”. However, it is not the concept of continuous self-improvement that I wish to discuss in this post but something else. Namely sociolinguistics. Earlier today I saw someone mention vocal fry on Twitter. I had no idea what that was so I checked on Wikipedia, watched some You Tube videos and finally read some newspaper articles. An hour later I was aware of not only vocal fry, but run-ons, uptalk, glottal Ts and the fact that the way we speak has a major impact upon our lives, just like education and class. According to sociolinguistics, the manner in which you speak has a major impact on the way you are perceived by others. Sadly, like so many other social markers, it can be used in a discriminatory fashion.
My train of thought subsequently led me to watch a selection of other videos designed for those who are non-native English speakers. These You Tube channels seek to explain the subtleties of the language and provide an insight into phrases and colloquialisms that are not taught in the classroom. There is a wealth of difference between the way any language is taught formerly and how it is used in day-to-day life. Being a native English speaker, I have never stopped to consider how difficult the language is to learn. Upon mature reflection of all these points, I find myself wondering how accessible my previous podcasts have been? Do listeners have any issues with my diction, the phrases and terminology I use? How is my voice perceived?
One thing that has come up from time to time, is that both British and US podcasters often speak very quickly which seems to be a cultural phenomenon. Both Brian and I received an email about this once back in the heyday of the Contains Moderate Peril podcast. It did come a surprise but then we felt we should try and do something to accommodate the point and thus made a conscious effort to speak slower. Since then I’ve made a point of editing the show in a specific fashion to try and reduce the speed of the conversation and pace it in a more accessible manner. However, it is a difficult issue to address. When you are consciously trying to change the manner in which you speak, it can sometimes impact negatively on the way you express yourself. Conversations can sound scripted or artificial.
There are many factors that give your podcast character and these naturally can become selling points. Banter, the way in which you express yourself and the language you use all contribute to whether your audience stays or leaves. Although you cannot please everyone and it’s important to decide upon the niche you wish to pitch to, it doesn’t do any harm to accommodate requests from your listeners. Adjusting aspects of your speech and at the very least being aware that not everyone is a native English speaker, means that you can try to make your show more inclusional. After all, podcasting is all about communicating. It seems counterproductive to contradict that philosophy.
Update:
In the previous instalment of Diary of a Podcaster, I wrote about the issues I was having with iTunes and my Squarespace RSS feed. To cut a long story short, the most prudent course of action to rectify the issue has been to host the show elsewhere. Hence, I have opened up an account with PodBean. They have a variety of plans and I have found one that suits my needs at a reasonable cost. Hopefully, with this technical issue addressed, I can return to podcasting soon.
Diary of a Podcaster Part 7
Back in April I decided to relaunch the Contains Moderate Peril podcast for reasons of brand continuity. At the time, I was hoping to get back in to the podcasting saddle and return to producing weekly shows. However, the recording session was fraught with technical problems with Zencastr crashing regularly. I was left with nine separate audio tracks that weren’t in sync which made editing a major problem. There then followed a wealth or real-world issues that I had to address that meant for the next three months the podcast was put on hold. Finally, at the beginning of August I managed to complete the post production work on the show and publish it via Squarespace. I was hoping that using this existing website as a host for the show would save some money and reduce the work load. However, like most plans, it didn’t exactly work out that way
Back in April I decided to relaunch the Contains Moderate Peril podcast for reasons of brand continuity. At the time, I was hoping to get back in to the podcasting saddle and return to producing weekly shows. However, the recording session was fraught with technical problems with Zencastr crashing regularly. I was left with nine separate audio tracks that weren’t in sync which made editing a major problem. There then followed a wealth or real-world issues that I had to address that meant for the next three months the podcast was put on hold. Finally, at the beginning of August I managed to complete the post production work on the show and publish it via Squarespace. I was hoping that using this existing website as a host for the show would save some money and reduce the work load. However, like most plans, it didn’t exactly work out that way
Although the podcast hosting service that Squarespace offers is functional, it does lack some of the features of other vendors provide. I had to create another blog within the current site specifically for podcast posts. If I had used the existing one the RSS feed would list all published audio files, regardless of whether they were podcasts or not. There is no way to segregate specific files via the use of enclosures. Once I had created an additional blog page it generated a new RSS feed containing just the show details. Within the Squarespace control panel, I set up all the usual syndication details regarding the podcast along with the relevant artwork. The RSS feed was now ready for use and could be submitted to iTunes.
I’ve been a member of The Game and Entertainment Network since its creation back in October 2014. Like many podcast networks, time has taken a toll upon its membership and the shows it syndicates. So, I decided to do a little housekeeping and retire some of the older podcast that are not currently active and tidy up the homepage. I successfully re-instated the Contains Moderate Peril podcast. Within minutes, the show appeared as part of the TGEN RSS feed and was subsequently listed on the various podcasting platform where TGEN has a presence. I then addressed then matter of submitting the new show directly to iTunes. However, this has proven problematic. The Contains Moderate Peril podcast was previously active up until early 2015 and had an established presence on apple’s popular platform. That existing account still exists but has been flagged as deleted. To cut a long story short trying to either amend the old show details to reactivate it on iTunes or submitting another show with the same name causes problems.
To date I am still in contact with customer services trying to resolve this problem. Staff have been helpful but because support is handled exclusively via email it is a somewhat ponderous process. In the meantime, I’ve been trying to address other areas associated with the podcast. As mentioned earlier, podcast hosting on Squarespace is functional but lacking in some features. At present, it doesn’t offer any specific statistical analysis or traffic details. Now I consider this to be a major failing as I want at the very least to be able to ascertain how many listeners the podcast will have in the months to come. Producing a podcast is time consuming and hard. Simply put I want to know my audience size to ensure that such efforts are justified. So, at present I am trying to see if there’s an easy way to do basic stat tracking via a third party.
I am hopeful that these issues will be resolved by the end of the month. If hosting the podcast on Squarespace proves impractical, then I may have to migrate the show to another host. The downside of this is that it will incurs costs which I’m trying to minimise at present. My recent housekeeping over at The Game and Entertainment Network has also got me thinking about its current membership and whether this can be built upon. As it is a collaborative undertaking there is a need for me to liaise with colleagues and the site owner. I hope I can rekindle some enthusiasm among my fellow podcasters as working collectively comes with many benefits. As ever time will tell whether things improve or not.
The Return of the Contains Moderate Peril Podcast
Finally, after several months of diversions and distractions, I’ve managed to produce a new podcast. As I mentioned in a previous post, the Burton & Scrooge Podcast has been officially retired and for practical reasons of brand consolidation, the Contains Moderate Peril Podcast has been reinstated and will become the official show for this website. However, it should be noted that this latest episode is specifically designed to be a technical test meant to validate our RSS feed for submission to iTunes. Once this logistical issue has been dealt with and the podcast is accessible on all major platforms, then further episodes of the show will be scheduled for Autumn.
Finally, after several months of diversions and distractions, I’ve managed to produce a new podcast. As I mentioned in a previous post, the Burton & Scrooge Podcast has been officially retired and for practical reasons of brand consolidation, the Contains Moderate Peril Podcast has been reinstated and will become the official show for this website. However, it should be noted that this latest episode is specifically designed to be a technical test meant to validate our RSS feed for submission to iTunes. Once this logistical issue has been dealt with and the podcast is accessible on all major platforms, then further episodes of the show will be scheduled for Autumn.
Episode 174 of Contains Moderate Peril was originally recorded in late April this year and features guest appearances by long time contributors Brian and Sean. However, due to a multitude of real world matters, the show was temporarily shelved and it has only been in the last few days that I’ve been in a position to rectify the technical problems that beset the recording and produce a final edit. All things considered I am happy with the final results and think we have produced three talking points that are still interesting and relevant, despite the three-month gap.
Moving forward, there will be several changes to future episodes of podcast. First and foremost, my good friend Brian will be taking a sabbatical. Simply put, he has pressing real world matters to attend at present. I shall miss his input greatly having regularly recorded with him since 2010. However, change is an inevitability and is something that should be embraced, rather than rejected. So, I shall be continuing the show on my own and with the occasional guest from time to time. Like the website itself, I shall be broadening the content, so don’t be surprised to find a more diverse spectrum of topics explored. I certainly want to cover more film related material in future episodes as well as explore current news items.
Like the Contains Moderate Peril website, I have clear aspirations to grow the audience for the podcast. However, I have set myself some very specific criteria for this undertaking. If the show fails to meet them then I will cease producing the podcast. Although I enjoy creating material and engaging with listeners, there is ultimately an effort to result ratio to consider. Yet as I am currently taking advice with regard to the marketing and promotion of the Contains Moderate Peril Podcast, I remain confident that the show will find a wider audience than previously. I would urge those who enjoy the podcast to retweet links, leave favourable reviews on appropriate platforms and to recommend the show to your friends and colleagues. For the present, you will find the latest episode of Contains Moderate Peril on our "podcast" page, which can be accessed via the menu, above the logo at the top of this page or by clicking here.
Diary of a Podcaster Part 6
Professor Beej recently tweeted about consolidating all his various blogs and online activities into a single entity. I naturally agreed with him and encouraged him to do so because I did something similar back in 2010. I had a gaming blog and a site for movies reviews plus a podcast to manage. It ultimately made sense to put all these thing in one place, despite their respective differences because the common factor in all of them was me. To coin a rather nauseating phrase “you are your own brand”. This is how Contains Moderate Peril came to be. In recent years, I’ve embraced this concept further and will now write or podcast about any subject that really takes my fancy. I try to stick to the things that I like but from time to time, I do stray in to wider real world subjects.
Professor Beej recently tweeted about consolidating all his various blogs and online activities into a single entity. I naturally agreed with him and encouraged him to do so because I did something similar back in 2010. I had a gaming blog and a site for movies reviews plus a podcast to manage. It ultimately made sense to put all these thing in one place, despite their respective differences because the common factor in all of them was me. To coin a rather nauseating phrase “you are your own brand”. This is how Contains Moderate Peril came to be. In recent years, I’ve embraced this concept further and will now write or podcast about any subject that really takes my fancy. I try to stick to the things that I like but from time to time, I do stray in to wider real world subjects.
Since June 2015 I’ve been using Soundcloud to host The Burton & Scrooge Podcast. The cost is not huge, being £8 per month but it’s still another of the many minor expenses that come with having an online presence. So, I’ve been considering alternatives of late, not only for reason of fiscal prudence but also for reasons of brand continuity. Despite the fact that The Burton & Scrooge Podcast broadly does exactly the same thing as it predecessor, the Contains Moderate Peril Podcast, it has never generated the same sort of numbers. I’m beginning to think that the name is one of the contributory reasons for this. A comment left on a previous Diary of a Podcaster lent credence to this line of thought.
I then discovered recently that the Squarespace subscription that I use for this blog, also supports podcast hosting. I can use the feed and submit it directly to iTunes. Because Squarespace has robust infrastructure, there are no bandwidth and processor usage issues to consider, thus no extra costs. So, I have decided to start hosting future podcasts right here on Contains Moderate Peril. Furthermore, I managed to revamp the old Feedburner RSS feed that was used on the old podcast and link it to Squarespace. Finally, to ensure that the branding is uniform, Burton and Scrooge will gracefully retire and be replaced by the all new (and therefore completely the same) Contains Moderate Peril Podcast. If all goes well these changes will be made by the end of the month and a new show should be available in early May.
These branding changes have also presented me with the opportunity to revise the site logo and order some new podcast artwork. I also have new voiceovers being recorded for the new podcast. I’m also not giving up on the side projects I’ve mentioned in prior posts. They will simply be subsets of Contains Moderate Peril Podcast. Therefore, Brian will feature on some shows but not necessarily on others, depending on his interest in the featured topic. I’m also hoping to strong arm a few of my “retired” colleagues into participating on occasions. Show notes will also be making a return. Sadly, the only thing I cannot offer is a weekly recording schedule. That is still off the table due to “real life” etc. So, this is the current plan. Let’s see if it pays dividends.
Diary of a Podcaster Part 5
Although we at the Burton & Scrooge podcast are not driven by numbers, it would be nice to see the audience grow. We seem at present to have plateaued somewhat and maintain a robust but fixed listenership. Currently our back catalogue of shows is available via SoundCloud, iTunes and Stitcher. However it would appear that other directories and aggregation services are available, so it would seem prudent to ensure that we are listed with them. My colleagues tell me that the Google Play Store and iHeartRadio are beneficial to register with. I believe that there may well also be comparable services aimed specifically at the console market. However, as our show is more geared towards PC gaming, I don’t see the need to pursue these.
Although we at the Burton & Scrooge podcast are not driven by numbers, it would be nice to see the audience grow. We seem at present to have plateaued somewhat and maintain a robust but fixed listenership. Currently our back catalogue of shows is available via SoundCloud, iTunes and Stitcher. However it would appear that other directories and aggregation services are available, so it would seem prudent to ensure that we are listed with them. My colleagues tell me that the Google Play Store and iHeartRadio are beneficial to register with. I believe that there may well also be comparable services aimed specifically at the console market. However, as our show is more geared towards PC gaming, I don’t see the need to pursue these.
Another way to attract new listeners is to invite guests from other shows. However, this is not as easy as it sounds. First off there’s the practical logistics of trying to set up a call between multiple parties across several time zones. For example, it takes a great deal of organisation and persistence, to assemble all the guest on the quarterly TGEN Tribunal roundtable. Secondly, there is the issue of whether or not your requests are accepted or not. For every guest that you manage to get on your show, at least another three requests have fallen on deaf ears. You need to be both determined and a diplomat; knowing when to push to secure someone and when to let an invitation go.
At present, I am currently collating ideas for the next episode of Burton & Scrooge and considering whether it would to appropriate to have a guest. It very much depends on what we intend to discuss and whether we need “expertise” or an alternative point of view. Brian and I did record some material last Friday but when I sat down to edit it today, I felt that we were not really giving our best. We didn’t have particularly detailed show notes and as a result our discussion was a bit nebulous and without any coherent points. I always feel that we give our best when we are invested in a subject and well informed. Too many opinions these days seem to lack an underlying argument or overall philosophy. On a positive note the new microphone works fine.
As far as reaching a wider audience, I will try and encourage our existing listeners to promote the show via their network of friends and colleagues. Personal recommendation and word of mouth should never be underestimated. Perhaps some cross show and blog promotion would prove useful. TGEN use to have a policy of ensuring that each affiliate show included a “commercial” for another network member. Maybe I should even look in to the viability of paid advertising? It’s not as if we’re seeking global domination. It would just be rewarding to see the podcast expand its reach. After all, content creation is time intensive and it would be satisfying to see some tangible results from the fruits of our labour.
Diary of a Podcaster Part 4
Over the recent weeks, it’s become increasingly apparent that the two new podcast projects that I’m currently working on are taking too much time to produce. Like many people, my leisure time is a finite commodity. At present I am writing daily, maintaining a presence in two MMOs, as well as trying to keep abreast of several TV shows and a growing list of movies. So far, despite a lot of work, the new projects have not yielded any satisfactory results. So, rather than produce nothing, I deemed it prudent to return to my previous podcast creation. Thus, the Burton and Scrooge Podcast has been reinstated and been given a production makeover. At present, both Brian and I are well disposed towards gaming and other pop culture subjects, so have plenty to discuss. We always find are recordings are more rigorous when we are enthused, as opposed to mildly interested.
Over the recent weeks, it’s become increasingly apparent that the two new podcast projects that I’m currently working on are taking too much time to produce. Like many people, my leisure time is a finite commodity. At present I am writing daily, maintaining a presence in two MMOs, as well as trying to keep abreast of several TV shows and a growing list of movies. So far, despite a lot of work, the new projects have not yielded any satisfactory results. So, rather than produce nothing, I deemed it prudent to return to my previous podcast creation. Thus, the Burton and Scrooge Podcast has been reinstated and been given a production makeover. At present, both Brian and I are well disposed towards gaming and other pop culture subjects, so have plenty to discuss. We always find are recordings are more rigorous when we are enthused, as opposed to mildly interested.
In another development, I’ve finally decided to stop using my gaming headset for recording content. The Logitech H600 Wireless Headset has proven to be a useful tool for both gaming and podcasting in recent years. However, the microphone picks up not only the squeaking of my computer chair but the creaking of the plastic headband and ear cups as I talk. So, I decided to replace it with a USB condenser microphone. A little research soon found a suitable match for my needs and budget. I now own a LynxPro SMU-1 which cost £39.99 form Amazon and also got a deal on a suitable adjustable stand. The TONOR Adjustable Microphone Suspension Boom Scissor Arm Stand with Table Mounting Clamp cost an additional £18.99 and came with a metal shock mount and pop filter. For the present, I feel this is the only new kit that I require as I’m still happy to record via Zencastr and edit using Audacity.
Once again, I’ve had to be realistic with regard to my content creation and make a decision based upon the reality of my situation. It is better to do one thing well than severally things poorly. Placing the two proposed new podcasts on the back burner means a proven and tested show while continue to be produced for an established audience. I will continue to work on the new projects but in a reduced capacity. The investment in new hardware, coupled with my current positive attitude, means that the existing show is being made to the best of our abilities and is not in any way a compromise. It is important to be invested in what you do and that your motivations are unambiguous. Therefore, we’ve several ideas with regard to broadening the content of the Burton and Scrooge Podcast and keeping both ourselves and our listeners engaged. We are also considering a new marketing strategy which I shall discuss in more depth in my next Diary of a Podcaster post.
Burton & Scrooge Podcast #31
After a short hiatus, Messrs Burton and Scrooge make a welcome return to the world of podcasting with their lavishly tooled and finely crafted show. No expense has been spared upon the production as once again this esteemed broadcasting duo, bring you another erudite and august debate. As ever they focus on the relevant issues and ensure that their scholarly discussions are free from unnecessary phatic language and tabloid hyperbole. The podcast also sports a new introductory voiceover and complimentary epilogue at the close of the show. Liam Neeson has graciously endorsed Burton and Scrooge yet again.
After a short hiatus, Messrs Burton and Scrooge make a welcome return to the world of podcasting with their lavishly tooled and finely crafted show. No expense has been spared upon the production as once again this esteemed broadcasting duo, bring you another erudite and august debate. As ever they focus on the relevant issues and ensure that their scholarly discussions are free from unnecessary phatic language and tabloid hyperbole. The podcast also sports a new introductory voiceover and complimentary epilogue at the close of the show. Liam Neeson has graciously endorsed Burton and Scrooge yet again.
In this latest instalment, our hosts turn their attention to the popular MMORPG, Lord of the Rings Online and ponder the games ongoing renaissance, since the it changed developers and publishers. They also ponder the recent brouhaha, caused by popular You Tuber PewDiePie. Is he a misunderstood artist of just another jumped up blackguard? Finally, to close the show, Messrs Burton and Scrooge ponder the merits of season four of the television drama Sherlock. Was it a worthy entry in to the pantheon or “a load of old bollocks”, to coin a phrase?
So why not settle down in your favourite fireside chair, ask your batman to pour you a glass of Amontillado and treat yourself to seventy-five minutes of auditory delight. Remember your podcasting enjoyment is assured as Messrs Burton and Scrooge have a reputation for being purveyors of the finest quality podcasts throughout the civilised world. If you don’t enjoy the experience, then you’re obviously listening incorrectly and need to raise your own personal game. You may benefit from listening to previous episodes as a means of educating yourself.
Burton and scrooge. Condescending to their listeners since 2010.
Mordor or Bust: A Retrospective
My friend and regular podcast co-host, Brian, celebrates a significant birthday today. So first off let me wish him many happy returns of the day. Now while the Burton & Scrooge podcast is on hiatus, Brian has been pursuing his own side project; namely the Scrooge Uncut podcast. The latest episode is a retrospective look at Brian’s former LOTRO fansite and show, Mordor or Bust. The both these creative endeavours were a significant part of the LOTRO community, back in the halcyon days of the MMO. Brian had the unique experience of predicting LOTROs transition to F2P, days before Turbine’s announcement. He also caused a minor furore when he posted screenshots of every item in the LOTRO store while the beta test was going on.
My friend and regular podcast co-host, Brian, celebrates a significant birthday today. So first off let me wish him many happy returns of the day. Now while the Burton & Scrooge podcast is on hiatus, Brian has been pursuing his own side project; namely the Scrooge Uncut podcast. The latest episode is a retrospective look at Brian’s former LOTRO fansite and show, Mordor or Bust. The both these creative endeavours were a significant part of the LOTRO community, back in the halcyon days of the MMO. Brian had the unique experience of predicting LOTROs transition to F2P, days before Turbine’s announcement. He also caused a minor furore when he posted screenshots of every item in the LOTRO store while the beta test was going on.
This particular episode of Scrooge Uncut is a very personal recording. as Brian catalogues jumping in to the deep end of content creation without any prior experience. It is also a greats snapshot of what a fan community is like during a games heyday. What is so striking is the fact that Brian got so much traction with the game developers Turbine, over such a short period of time. The story of Mordor or Bust is a short one because the website and podcast endured for less than a year. Listening to Brian recount various anecdotes brings a lot of memories back for me as well. LOTRO has always had a very passionate community. Something that is lacking with other games over recent years. So much of the fan created content that use to fill blogs and podcasts, is now mainly corralled within official forums and sub-reddits.
On a personal note, I got in to podcasting due to Brian and his show, back in the summer of 2010. At the time, Turbine handled the North American release of LOTRO, while Codemasters dealt with the European market. I contacted Brian and offered to provide LOTRO news from across the pond and subsequently created short news segments that were used on the Mordor of Bust podcast. Because we got on so well, I soon joined both Brian and Fyurae, as a permanent presenter on the show. It was a lot of fun at the time, to be part of a very active community. Furthermore, 2010 was a very interesting year for LOTRO. So, enjoy Brian’s trip down memory lane. I think the show will resonate with a lot of listeners, especially those who were involved with the scene, circa 2010.
The TGEN Tribunal #6
The Gaming and Entertainment Network was set up in 2014 by several podcasters as a way to promote each other’s shows and reach a wider audience. All the networks members have strong views regarding creating and maintaining communities. Hence it was decided to produce a quarterly roundtable podcast made up of network contributors to discuss and explore a wide variety of subjects. The shows are lively and informal in nature, although there’s often a lot of passion when it comes to the topics being discussed. Frequently the shows are based around questions that our network listeners have asked and the idea of the tribunal is to reflect the feedback we receive.
The Gaming and Entertainment Network was set up in 2014 by several podcasters as a way to promote each other’s shows and reach a wider audience. All the networks members have strong views regarding creating and maintaining communities. Hence it was decided to produce a quarterly roundtable podcast made up of network contributors to discuss and explore a wide variety of subjects. The shows are lively and informal in nature, although there’s often a lot of passion when it comes to the topics being discussed. Frequently the shows are based around questions that our network listeners have asked and the idea of the tribunal is to reflect the feedback we receive.
Due to the realities of day to day life, the TGEN tribunal was somewhat irregular in 2016. This is something that we hope to address this year, so here is the first show of 2017. The panel includes myself, Syl, Braxwolf and Brian and was recorded on Saturday 4th February. Despite some technical difficulties during post production, a coherent (well relatively coherent) podcast has been edited together for our listener’s enjoyment. We hope you find the discussions interesting and would welcome feedback or potential questions for the next TGEN Tribunal which is scheduled for April/May.
TV, Streaming & VOD. Starting a new MMO vs returning to an old one. The Warcraft movie, fans & box office returns.
Diary of a Podcaster Part 3
Last weekend, myself, Syl, Braxwolf and Brian recorded an episode of the TGEN Tribunal. Being regular podcasters who all know each other, the conversation flowed well and overall there were no major impediments to the discussion. We used Zencastr to record the podcast which has its own inbuilt voice over IP service, so there’s no need for third party programs such as Skype. Zencastr has the added benefit of recording each participant on a separate audio track, that is then automatically uploaded to a designated Drop Box account. This makes editing in Audacity very easy, as all four audio files are perfectly synchronised. Or at least that’s the theory. The reality can be somewhat different.
Last weekend, myself, Syl, Braxwolf and Brian recorded an episode of the TGEN Tribunal. Being regular podcasters who all know each other, the conversation flowed well and overall there were no major impediments to the discussion. We used Zencastr to record the podcast which has its own inbuilt voice over IP service, so there’s no need for third party programs such as Skype. Zencastr has the added benefit of recording each participant on a separate audio track, that is then automatically uploaded to a designated Drop Box account. This makes editing in Audacity very easy, as all four audio files are perfectly synchronised. Or at least that’s the theory. The reality can be somewhat different.
When I started editing this morning, although I had four separate synchronised audio files, they were all of differing volume. Although all involved in the recording have good quality microphones and that Zencastr is a clever piece of software, there doesn’t seem to be a means at present to standardise the everyones volume. Usually I’d use a MP3 Gain to address this issue but unfortunately this is freeware and as a result it has some unresolved foibles. Where it can fix the volume levels on a song perfectly, it often crashes when processing lengthy audio. Eventually, I had to fix this sound issue within Audacity itself, which was time consuming. I had to raise the volume of one track and lower another then remove the crosstalk on a further track. Then there’s the matter of my squeaky chair which also blight the recording.
Of course, I have the option of ignoring all these matters but I’m just not prepared to compromise my personal standards. Regardless of what listeners may think about the actual discussion, I hope they feel that the technical presentation is not too amateur. Perhaps I’ve spent too much time listening to talk radio or BBC audio productions because I have very specific ideas about what a podcast should sound like. I don’t like obvious technical deficiencies and always cringe when I hear them in others shows. However, it could be a case that I’m setting unnecessarily high standards and that the audience doesn’t care about these things half as much. There’s one listener I know, who plays podcast at 1.5 x speed for reasons of time efficiency.
All things considered, recording online with a variety of hardware and internet connections, can be a challenge. There have been numerous times when recordings have failed outright or simply not been of an acceptable quality. Yet if you are technically prepared then there is much you can do to ensure that things go smoothly. Test recordings, microphone checks and allowing time for retakes can be invaluable. As for the issue’s I’ve encountered with sound levels, although it’s a nuisance, I intend to learn from it and ensure it doesn’t happen again. Some research online may provide some answers from the podcasting community as I’m sure I’m not the first to have such issues. Rather than seeing this as a problem it can be positively viewed as part of the challenge of podcasting.
MMORPGs: A Recurring Talking Point
Last night, I hosted the recording of the latest TGEN Tribunal, a quarterly roundtable podcast made up of members of The Gaming and Entertainment Network. Myself, Syl, Braxwolf and Brian discussed several subjects, one of which was regarding the MMORPG genre. The initial question was quite specific but the discussion soon expanded to cover wider aspects of online multiplayer games. Overall it was an interesting debate, as all present have been playing MMOs for years and have certainly seen their relationship with them evolve. When we finished recording it occurred to me that the subject of MMOs has been a major theme of many of the podcasts I’ve been involved with over the years.
Last night, I hosted the recording of the latest TGEN Tribunal, a quarterly roundtable podcast made up of members of The Gaming and Entertainment Network. Myself, Syl, Braxwolf and Brian discussed several subjects, one of which was regarding the MMORPG genre. The initial question was quite specific but the discussion soon expanded to cover wider aspects of online multiplayer games. Overall it was an interesting debate, as all present have been playing MMOs for years and have certainly seen their relationship with them evolve. When we finished recording it occurred to me that the subject of MMOs has been a major theme of many of the podcasts I’ve been involved with over the years.
For myself and many others, the appeal of the MMORPG lies in the concept of a persistent world that can be shared and explored with others. Although the inherent novelty of the multiplayer aspect of the MMO may have lost its lustre over the last decade, I still from time to time pause and reflect, whenever in-game, that all the other avatars around me are players like myself, sitting at their computers and looking for fun and engagement. The MMO genre also lends itself to strong narratives, often stemming from the intellectual properties they create or license. This is a major attraction. Then there’s simply the fascination of people watching. MMOs mirror aspects of real life with their economies and social hierarchies.
Over the years the genre has evolved, as have the communities that spring from them. The MMO has changed from a complex, time sink that was funded by subscriptions to a more casual and flexible experience. Free to play caused outraged, as did a move away from “hard core raiding”. But the genre still survived and the player base adapted. Allowing more players to participate with alternative business models certainly did have an impact upon content and the quality of some players. Certain MMOs that prided themselves on the rectitude of their player base, found out the hard way that not everyone was amicable by default. Yet regardless of all the challenges that have emerged and numerous prophecies of impending doom, the MMO endures and along with it so does our interest.
I played my first MMO in winter 2008 and I was not exactly an early adopter. By then, many of my peers had cut their teeth on titles such as Ultima Online, EverQuest and World of Warcraft. However my initial MMO experience came at the right moment, when I had the time and inclination to indulge my passion. And because my initial experience with LOTRO was so positive, I subsequently tried all major MMOs that were released thereafter. Thus between 2009 and 2014 the MMO genre was effectively my game of choice. In light of such an admission, it hardly seems surprising to see that enjoyment and affection reflect in my writing and podcasting. In more recent years it has also become apparent that my relationship with the MMORPG has changed, as the demands on my time mean I can no longer commit to a game in the same manner as I did a decade ago.
So, is there a point to all this introspection? Yes there is. After last night’s recording, I decided to search through my archive of podcasts that I’ve created over the last seven years. I found a roundtable discussion, similar to yesterdays. It was recorded in summer 2012 and features my regular co-host Brian, Merric from A Casual Stroll to Mordor and Syp from Massively OP and Bio Break. The show was specifically about the “future of MMOs” and although it’s very much couched in the context of the time, it still has some interesting and relevant points to make. Listening to it again, has certainly highlighted how I’ve moved on in some regards, yet in others I’m still quite enthusiastic. One thing does stand out for me; the fact that LOTRO is still a constant.
So I’ve reposted the podcast. If memory serves, this show was well received upon its original release and now serves as a quasi-historical document, in so far as being a snapshot of the MMO fan base at the time. At the very least it may raise a wry smile from among those who originally participated in the recording. Perhaps we could even do a retrospective of our own show at some future date and discuss what we got right and what we got wrong. In the meantime the MMORPG still endures and adapts to the modern gaming market. Perhaps it is that propensity for survival that makes it such an interesting subject to return to and explore.
Diary of a Podcaster Part 2
A week on from my last post on this subject, I have decided to script the entire of my solo podcast. It won’t be one hundred percent verbatim but I need to get the lion share of my thoughts down prior to recording. I discovered over several recording sessions that I continuously think of additional points to add as I’m speaking. The net result is having to constantly stop and start Audacity, the program I use for recording, as well as having to research extra points on the fly. Again, I was not happy with the finished product as you could frequently hear the hesitation or more to the point, the frustration in my voice. So, I’ve returned to the idea of having well fleshed out notes with some sections such as the introduction, written out in their entirety.
A week on from my last post on this subject, I have decided to script the entire of my solo podcast. It won’t be one hundred percent verbatim but I need to get the lion share of my thoughts down prior to recording. I discovered over several recording sessions that I continuously think of additional points to add as I’m speaking. The net result is having to constantly stop and start Audacity, the program I use for recording, as well as having to research extra points on the fly. Again, I was not happy with the finished product as you could frequently hear the hesitation or more to the point, the frustration in my voice. So, I’ve returned to the idea of having well fleshed out notes with some sections such as the introduction, written out in their entirety.
With regard to the second new podcast that I’m producing, this is a discussion or chat show that requires a guest on each episode. Although I have several lined up, the main problem always comes down to scheduling a convenient time for all parties to meet online and record. I must admit that at present the main obstacle is myself, as my schedule has been somewhat busy of late. I’m also still working on collating a list of cogent questions and points of discuss. However, the main objective of the new show is to focus upon the guests and encourage them to talk about themselves and their experiences. The key to a good show of this kind is to coax them in to holding forth with some subtle lines of enquiry.
In other podcast news, I have decided to subscribed to Zencastr as it has proven to be an invaluable product over the last year. While the program was in development myself and Brian relied upon it regularly for the recording of the Burton & Scrooge Podcast. Not once did we have a recording fail. As a result, I have decided to pay for the Pro package available for $20 a month (after a 14-day free trial) which offers a wealth of facilities. These include Unlimited Guests, Unlimited Recordings, Live Editing Soundboard, Record in High Quality MP3, Record in 16-bit 44.1k WAV and 10 Hours Automatic Postproduction per month. I’m very keen to try the soundboard feature and integrate stings and bumpers in to the show while recording, rather than in post-production.
I was toying with the idea of making a formal announcement about both new podcasts on Contains Moderate Peril, in the pious hope that it would force my hand to produce both shows as quickly as possible. I was initially considering producing both monthly, however the reality of the situation is that, like Gandalf, they’ll arrives precisely when they mean to. Sometimes you just have to embrace the capricious nature of one’s life and accept the fact that you can’t do everything that you want at the pace you dictate. So, in the meantime, I would advise you all to listen the Scrooge Uncut; Brian’s new podcast. He has already posted an update to the first episode and has more material waiting in the wings. My shows are still very much in development.
Diary of a Podcaster Part 1
I recently wrote in a blog post that I would be producing a new podcast this year and that Burton & Scrooge Uncut would be taking a break for the immediate future. Well in fact I’ve decided to record two new shows. In the meantime, Brian has already embarked upon his solo project and seems to have found his niche already. I however am currently bogged down in the pre-production process and because the format of the new podcast is different from those I’ve done before, it is proving to be a little more challenging than I initially thought. Since I find writing to be a practical way of ordering my thoughts, I thought I’d keep a podcast diary. I can therefore work through some of the issues that arise as well as produce a blog post, now that I’m back to writing daily.
I recently wrote in a blog post that I would be producing a new podcast this year and that Burton & Scrooge Uncut would be taking a break for the immediate future. Well in fact I’ve decided to record two new shows. In the meantime, Brian has already embarked upon his solo project and seems to have found his niche already. I however am currently bogged down in the pre-production process and because the format of the new podcast is different from those I’ve done before, it is proving to be a little more challenging than I initially thought. Since I find writing to be a practical way of ordering my thoughts, I thought I’d keep a podcast diary. I can therefore work through some of the issues that arise as well as produce a blog post, now that I’m back to writing daily.
Despite a busy schedule I managed to find some time today to record some material for one of the new podcasts I’m working on. This project is a solo show and it’s taken me a while to adjust to the format. I’ve spent the last six years recording with a co-host(s) and have become use to riffing off others. The dynamics of a good group conversation move a podcast forward and have an inherent rhythm. Although editing such a discussion can be more complex, there is a very natural quality to the finished product. Recording a podcast exclusively on your own can result in a somewhat stilted delivery. Or at least that’s what I’m finding. I found that a third of the material that I recorded today simply sounded like I was reading from an autocue. I therefore won’t use it and will replace later.
I usually advocate a warm up discussion on group recordings, as it really does seem to iron out a lot of the verbal ticks etc. It’s something we learned quickly on previous shows, especially when we had guest who were unfamiliar with the recording process. I may have to try and think of a similar technique for the solo podcaster. I have a theory that if I place an object or picture in front of me and focus upon that, as if I were addressing it, it may help with the delivery. I don’t want this particular podcast to sound like a lecture or a formal public address. I want there to be a degree of depth but would prefer a more conversational tone. I suspect that next time I record I will be speaking to Walter (see picture above for details).
Every podcaster approaches their final cut with their own unique set of rules. Some folk edit very little, where I fret and fuss about every pregnant pause or piece of over lapping dialogue. I hate it when I mangle my words or fluff my lines. I also worry that the respective segments are too long. It's very hard to define a common standard as so many people have different views. It's also a temptation to listen to other people’s podcasts and make comparisons to your own, even though often you’re doing completely different things. These issues are compounded with my current project as it is a solo affair and broadly meant to be an audio form of long-form criticism. Length and detail are essential to the format but there is still a need frame it all within an acceptable structure.
I suspect that I shall have to do a degree of experimenting over the next week to find both a tone and an editorial style that I like. Of course, I may be over thinking things. I’m sure many of my fellow podcasters would not fret or fuss over the things that concern me and would have forged ahead with their own recordings under similar circumstances. However, we are all slaves to our own nature and I have standards that I want to adhere to. So, I shall persevere and see what progress I make next time I record. The first episode of the new show has been mapped out and has specific topics and bullet points. I just need to find a suitable tone. As for the length and editing issues, I shall address them once I have all the recording done.
Scrooge Uncut
While the Burton & Scrooge Podcast is on hiatus, Brian has decided to forge ahead with a solo show; the first episode of which is now available. Scrooge Uncut is a showcase for all the various subjects that cross Brian’s mind, so expect a very dynamic and eclectic range of material. The podcast is very much a stream of consciousness, neatly edited into bitesize segments, presented in Brian’s inimitable style. The debut episode touches upon technology and gaming and also updates several talking points previously raised on the Burton & Scrooge Podcast.
While the Burton & Scrooge Podcast is on hiatus, Brian has decided to forge ahead with a solo show; the first episode of which is now available. Scrooge Uncut is a showcase for all the various subjects that cross Brian’s mind, so expect a very dynamic and eclectic range of material. The podcast is very much a stream of consciousness, neatly edited into bitesize segments, presented in Brian’s inimitable style. The debut episode touches upon technology and gaming and also updates several talking points previously raised on the Burton & Scrooge Podcast.
I’m very pleased that Brian has taken the plunge to forge ahead with this solo project. Our previous vehicle didn’t always accommodate all the material we wished to cover. Running time and judicious editing leaver so much “gold” on the cutting room floor. Scrooge Uncut is a great opportunity to redress this and diversify in to new territory. After all, isn’t that the whole point of podcasting? To explore new discussions, to seek out new topics for debate and to boldly rant about things that no one has ranted about before?
So, for your delight and edification, here is the debut episode of Scrooge Uncut. God bless her and all who listen to her.
Return to Twitter: @xyderias. Why Scrooge Uncut? Mechanical Keyboards. SkyrimSE. New Game Purchases. Selling Steam Trading Cards. Learning to Draw?!? WoW Updates. Soylent Update. ASMR Update.
To Blog or Not to Blog?
I’ve been ill recently. What started off as just an innocuous winter cold subsequently became a chest and eye infection. Despite being in relatively good health for a man of my age, this bout of illness really knocked me for six. The Doctor ordered bed rest and that’s exactly what I did. Frankly I didn’t feel at all disposed towards doing anything else, so as a result all blogging ceased and the podcast, which was already on hiatus, has been kicked further into the long grass. For a few fleeting minutes I felt some misplaced angst, regarding this lull in content creation but it was short lived. Frankly it felt good to not have to worry about daily posts or interesting topics to discuss.
I’ve been ill recently. What started off as just an innocuous winter cold subsequently became a chest and eye infection. Despite being in relatively good health for a man of my age, this bout of illness really knocked me for six. The Doctor ordered bed rest and that’s exactly what I did. Frankly I didn’t feel at all disposed towards doing anything else, so as a result all blogging ceased and the podcast, which was already on hiatus, has been kicked further into the long grass. For a few fleeting minutes I felt some misplaced angst, regarding this lull in content creation but it was short lived. Frankly it felt good to not have to worry about daily posts or interesting topics to discuss.
I have been feeling somewhat jaded with regard to blogging of late; especially when it comes to gaming. People are still writing about the games they play and reacting to the latest news but no one seems to be doing any in-depth think pieces anymore. They’ve either all be done or perhaps some bloggers just feel that there isn’t any point anymore. I look back through material I wrote five years ago and I no longer recognise the love and affection I use to lavish on the games I played back then. I also often find myself at odds with the community I’m allegedly part of. I see gamers behaving in an unedifying fashion or simply demonstrating a distinct lack of perspective and proportion.
Plus it shouldn’t be forgotten that writing a blog to some sort of standard or creating a weekly podcast is time consuming and “work” for want of another phrase. It can be very rewarding when the heavens align and you produce something that connects with your audience. On other occasions it is a proverbial millstone round your neck that you’d happily be rid of. Then there is the perennial issue of time and the fact that it’s a finite commodity. I think there’s something about hitting middle age that really provides you with an epiphany with regard to this precious resource.
However despite all the apathy and negativity, I still find blogging very useful for marshalling my thoughts and refining my views and opinions. Irrespective of whether people read my writing, I find the process of committing my ideas to text an incredibly beneficial tool. I also enjoy recording the Burton and Scrooge podcast. When it goes well Brian and I have a lot of fun. I am very fortunate to have such an amiable co-host. So it would seem that the good points about content creation currently trump the bad ones and therefore motivate me to push through this malaise of indifference.
So over the next few weeks I shall not only continue to inflict my views upon an unsuspecting internet but I’ll actually back fill posts from the previous two weeks. I don’t know why exactly but it seems to satisfy my notions of order and balance. Don’t be surprised if I stray in to non-game related subjects more often. I’ve become increasingly disposed towards just writing what comes in to my head these days and some of the stuff in their even surprises me. So it’s back to the grindstone I guess.
The Burton & Scrooge Podcast December Schedule
As the holiday season approaches many institutions adjust their schedules and take a break from their usual routines. Far be it for the Burton & Scrooge Podcast to fly in the face of tradition, so we will be releasing two more episodes this year and then taking a short break in early January 2016. The release dates for the finally shows of 2015 are as follows:
Burton & Scrooge #25 13th December.
The Burton & Scrooge Review of 2015 30th December.
As the holiday season approaches many institutions adjust their schedules and take a break from their usual routines. Far be it for the Burton & Scrooge Podcast to fly in the face of tradition, so we will be releasing two more episodes this year and then taking a short break in early January 2016. The release dates for the finally shows of 2015 are as follows:
Burton & Scrooge #25 13th December.
The Burton & Scrooge Review of 2015 30th December.
Brian and I have very much enjoyed the new laid back style of the Burton & Scrooge Podcast and are pleasantly surprised to find that we’ve reached twenty five episodes already. The broad remit and accommodating format of the show are the main reasons behind this and we hope to continue to widen the scope of our discussions in 2016. Hopefully it will keep listeners engaged and the Brian and I motivated.
Thanks to everyone for listening to our intermittent ramblings and your continued support of our audio endeavours. There’s not a lot of point of doing a podcast if no one is listening, which is why feedback and comments are always gratefully received. So it just remains for me to say that we’ll be back in 2016. Until then don’t forget to pet your Chihuahua, now sod off.
Digital Ambassadors
Early this year while listening to Mark Kermode's excellent radio documentary The Business of Film, I was introduced to the term Digital Ambassador. When I had finished laughing and making crass jokes about Wolf Kahler and Ferrero Rocher, I actually pondered the phrase and spent some time researching it online. Like most contemporary buzzwords despite being nauseatingly hyperbolic and overwrought, it did have a functional definition. Furthermore it soon became apparent that I and many of my podcasting and blogging colleagues are indeed examples of this very group.
Early this year while listening to Mark Kermode's excellent radio documentary The Business of Film, I was introduced to the term Digital Ambassador. When I had finished laughing and making crass jokes about Wolf Kahler and Ferrero Rocher, I actually pondered the phrase and spent some time researching it online. Like most contemporary buzzwords despite being nauseatingly hyperbolic and overwrought, it did have a functional definition. Furthermore it soon became apparent that I and many of my podcasting and blogging colleagues are indeed examples of this very group.
This label is of course "marketing speak", however it is not without merit. What it does is demonstrate the significance of bloggers and other content creators and the role they play in promoting products. Most modern marketing campaigns across many leisure industries appreciate the value of fans and the contribution they make in getting "the message" across. The phrase "going viral" may well have become a bit clichéd but it is ultimately what most PR companies want. It is both far reaching and cheap.
It is interesting the way the whole citizen journalism concept has gone from being a threat to the mainstream to an integral tool. If you have a genre specific product to pitch these days, you don't necessarily go straight to the regular press. A targeted promotion at an event such as ComicCon can be far more effective. Albums from established musicians are sometimes given away free to the fan base. Even the small niche market fan blog can receive marketing material and access to advance previews. Things are not what they use to be and promotion is no longer a closed shop. The so-called Digital Ambassadors provide a convenient fast path to the communities that need to be reached.
In many respects this practise has already existed within certain communities. Games developers have frequently courted popular fan sites and podcasts to ensure that their message is heard. A Casual Stroll to Mordor was virtually an unofficial member of the Turbine community team during LOTROs heyday. Dulfy.net makes an invaluable contribution to the Guild Wars 2 community. So it's hardly surprising that the significance of fan sites has now spread to other markets. I am still not one hundred percent sure of the value of some of the You Tube personalities that are currently popular, but the numbers they command cannot be ignored.
Naturally when commercial entities start courting independent bodies such as blogs and podcasts, there is scope for conflicts of interest and ethical U-turns. Ultimately it is down to each individual to decide how they respond to a request to lobby and promote. Whatever your personal stance, I think that the fact that there's actually a specific term for our online endeavours shows that what we do is of value. Most certainly it proves that blogging and podcasting is not dead. How can it be? After all we're Digital Ambassadors.
The Burton & Scrooge Guide to Podcasting
This is a somewhat self-indulgent post. I like to listen to podcasts as well as produce them myself. I have very particular tastes, not so much in respect of content but more with regard to presentation, style and quality of production. As a result I aspire to make the Burton & Scrooge podcast in a certain fashion and to a specific standard. But as everyone has their own personal tastes I fully understand that other podcasters may wish to do things differently. Hence this article is not being held up as a de facto guide. It is simply me sharing my process.
This is a somewhat self-indulgent post. I like to listen to podcasts as well as produce them myself. I have very particular tastes, not so much in respect of content but more with regard to presentation, style and quality of production. As a result I aspire to make the Burton & Scrooge podcast in a certain fashion and to a specific standard. But as everyone has their own personal tastes I fully understand that other podcasters may wish to do things differently. Hence this article is not being held up as a de facto guide. It is simply me sharing my process.
Format and structure versus informal chatting:
I listen to a lot of talk radio. It may be a sign of my age but I am beginning to prefer it to TV, especially with regard to news. Without visual input clouding the issue, you get to focus on the language. As a result, this very much shapes my view on podcasting. I like shows with a clear structure, a measured running time and the editorial strength to stay on topic. So I am a great advocate of planning, drafting show notes and discussing with my co-host Brian or any guests well in advance of recording. This does not mean that the entire show is mapped out in advance but it does allow points and counterpoints to be raised in an orderly fashion. It also allows the participants to marshal their thoughts. A good discussion is after all a logical process. A structured plan means that people know exactly what is being discussed and can craft an appropriate response. You can address the question that is being asked, rather than what you think is being asked, remain focused and not get side-tracked or derailed.
A planned approach also means that equal time can be given to all involved in the podcast. Balance is required because some people by the strength of their personality can sometimes dominate a conversation. That doesn't always make for good listening. However do not over do the planning or you can kill the natural conversational aspect of the show. Riffing off each other can be good and make a show more accessible. Informal chatting can make those speaking more "likeable" for want of another phrase. Although podcasting isn't a popularity competition your listeners do needs to be able to relate to you. So don't be too much of an asshole. If this is your "schtick, then you may find that you paint yourself in to a corner.
Do your research:
It's a simple point but it can elude us all at times. If you are going to reference anything in your show, make sure you have the relevant details in front of you when you discuss it. Never try to bluff or pull unsubstantiated facts out of your butt. If you have an opinion, then ensure you can back it up with some facts. Because if you don't there is no end to the armchair experts who will leave lengthy comments pointing out that you are wrong and that you should be burnt as a witch. Another thing worth remembering is to practise in advance any names or words that have unusual pronunciation. Write them down phonetically if need be. Gamers often have complex and esoteric handles. If someone has taken the trouble to write in or has done something worthy of discussion, then the least you can do is get their damn name right.
Using the right hardware in the right environment:
Let us be candid with regard to the technical quality of your podcast; there really is no excuse to producing a show that sounds shit these days. The tools of the trade use to be very expensive and only available to those who worked in the industry. This is no longer the case. With a decent quality gaming headset or desktop microphone, used in conjunction with Skype, Google Hangouts or Audacity, you can produce a show of an acceptable audio quality. Take some time to do some basic tests to ensure optimal sound performance. Don't just assume that whatever software you use to record is working. Double check it. Podcasting also requires the participants to focus and concentrate, so it's best to record in an environment free from distractions and ambient background noise. So turn your phone off or put in on silence. Don't have to TV running in the background. Make family, friends and anyone else you share a space with aware of the fact that you are recording so they don't disturb you. If you have a wireless headset, don't take a "comfort break" in the middle of the recording. It really isn't a pleasant thing to have to listen to. Take some time to have a warm up chat first, before recording or going live.
Editing:
Lots of people like to record their shows live. They then simply upload what has been recorded. This is perfectly fine approach that suits some shows style. I personally like order, structure and streamlined discussions. So I edit the shit out of the Burton & Scrooge podcast (despite trying to make things simpler so I don't have to). Brian and I often record twice as much material than what is actually used. I like to remove all the "ums" and such like from the final edit. I also like clear endings to discussions and neat segues in to the following piece where necessary. All of which requires rather intensive editing. Now the thing is editing is hard work and very time consuming. It is an activity that can sometimes curbs my enthusiasm for podcasting. Yet it can greatly improve the quality a show. It is wise to remove a joke that may not be understood, or cut a digression that takes the discussion off track. Imposing a running time upon the proceedings also forces you as an editor to keep only the most relevant material in the show. If for technical reasons, a part of a show is sub-standard, then lose it. This means making some tough calls sometimes.
Have fun and enjoy yourself:
Don’t forget to have fun while podcasting. If you are locked in to a regular schedule of recording, then the entire process of podcasting can become a bit of a chore. If you are not in the right frame of mind when recording this can become apparent to the listener. So don't half ass things. There is nothing wrong with taking a break or doing a shorter show. Ranting occasionally can be fun and even cathartic. But don't overdo it or you will simply lose credibility with your audience. If you are fortunate to produce a show that becomes popular, don't lose your sense of proportion. Don't get delusions of grandeur just because you do a show that a few people listen to.
Podcasting is great fun and an excellent opportunity to discuss, debate and hangout with likeminded people. It also offers a chance of a discourse that is not filtered by corporate interests or any other financially driven criteria. You can learn a lot by just listening to regular people chatting about the things they enjoy and feel passionately about. There are lot of different ways to podcast and my way may not be right or appropriate for everyone. However I think that my approach may prove suitable to some aspiring podcasters. As ever feel free to comment and share your thoughts. I'm always interested to hear the experiences of my fellow podcasters.