e-Business-Formula Internet Marketing Discussion Forum

Trevor · Joined: 07 Jan 2006 Posts: 16

For a long time email was seen as a good way in which to communicate with others but with new technology the field is wide open.

What is your preferred method now?

eMail or RSS, Podcasts, Blogs or something else?

Regards

Trevor

Peter2 · Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Posts: 58

For me Podcasts seem to be the up and coming communication method at present.

I am trying to understand exactly how it works, from all reports it is quite a simple process to record and post a Podcast but being one that is not the brightest when it comes to technology I could do with some help.

Can anyone offer some ideas as to where I might get some information that shows how to record and post a Podcast, A simple step by step process would be good.

Anyone?

Regards

Peter2

Steve MacLellan · Joined: 25 Sep 2004 Posts: 206 Location: Canada

Hi Peter,

Let me tell you how I did the [url=http://www.homebusiness-websites.com/myarchives/2005/08/quicktime_and_p.html]podcast on my blog[/url]:

(div align=center)(object classid="clsid:02BF25D5-8C17-4B23-BC80-D3488ABDDC6B" codebase="http://www.apple.com/qtactivex/qtplugin.cab" height="16" width="150")
(param name="src" value="http://homebusiness-websites.com/blogaudio/stub.mov")
(param name="qtsrc" value="http://homebusiness-websites.com/blogaudio/steveau.mp3")
(param name="autoplay" value="false")

(param name="controller" value="true")
(embed height="16" width="150" pluginspage="http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/" src="http://homebusiness-websites.com/blogaudio/stub.mov" qtsrc="http://homebusiness-websites.com/blogaudio/steveau.mp3" type="video/quicktime" controller="true" autoplay="false")
(/object)(/div)

You will need to replace the parenthesis with the proper angle (HTML) brackets. You will also need to download the "stub.mov" because the audio controls will not display without it.

Change the URLs, of course, to point to the recording you will make.

Then to record the file use Window Recorder (which came with whichever version of Windows you have) and record your audio file. Once done choose to "save as" -- this will pull up another window that has a button that says change on the bottom and you want to change the file so it is 16kBits, 12,000 Hz mono, 2KB/s and from the FORMAT list (just above where you selected the file attributes, choose Mpeg Layer-3.

Once you have done this, find where you have the filed stored on your computer and right click on it and choose re-name. Change the file extension from WAV to mp3 and you're done... except for uploading the stub.mov and the mp3 file to your website.

The idea here is to make a small file size so it appears to stream for dial-up users. The sound quality isn't that great but it will do the job.

Another option, you might consider is to download a copy of the Audio program called [url=http://audacity.sourceforge.net/]Audacity[/url], which is a free, open source software for recording and editing sounds. If you will be working with mp3 files you will also need to install the [url=http://audacity.sourceforge.net/help/faq?s=install&item=lame-mp3]LAME MP3 encoder[/url] - allows Audacity to export wav files to mp3 files.

Audacity makes much nicer recordings, but remember to try and set it up to keep your file size small. Mp3 can be used for very high quality audio presentation but it isn't necessary for podcasts.

Regards,
Steve MacLellan

Peter2 · Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Posts: 58

Thanks Steve,

For a non-techie I think I can follow your instructions as they seem reasonably clear...at least I'm about to find out!

One thing though, you mention downloading "stub.mov" however I am not sure as to where I locate this, do you have a URL that I need to go to or did I miss something in your instructions?

Regards

Peter2

Steve MacLellan · Joined: 25 Sep 2004 Posts: 206 Location: Canada

Hi Peter,

Right click [url=http://homebusiness-websites.com/blogaudio/stub.mov]this link[/url] and save it to your computer. This file is a 1kb dud movie which won't play. But as shown in the code above it is needed in order to make the Quicktime controllers display on your blog or webpage.

Best Regards,
Steve MacLellan

Peter2 · Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Posts: 58

Thanks Steve,

I'm off to try my hand at doing my first Podcast.

Wish me luck.

Regards

Peter2

parise · Joined: 27 Apr 2007 Posts: 10

For me email is still number one, I don't think that I will use any other way to communiate as far as personal business is concerned. A blog more or less is for your online friends and fans.

Trusylver · Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2007 11:17 am Post subject:

E-mail is still the main form of communication for me also. The only time i have used blogs is for Google bombing and podcasts are of no use to me at the moment.

Kevin Robb · Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2007 8:49 am Post subject:

Parise & Trusylver,

Don't underestimate the value of Blogs, they are very easy to set up and you can monetise them very quickly.

I know several people that are doing very well with Blogs, they advise that you don't need to bother with all the work involved in setting up a website when you can be up and running with a blog in minutes.

PersonallyI believe that you need to find the best medium to suit your market, it may be email, it may be podcasts...

Just my two cents.

Cheers Wink

Kevin Robb