• Smile Jamaica - Podcasting before it was called podcasting
• What is podcasting?
• How podcasts enhance learning
• Best practices & bad habits of podcasts
• Podcasting potential in the Marriott Library's Podcast Booth(s) & Audio Studio

 

Oral History = Digital Storytelling = Podcasting

 

Wikipedia definitions + Robert's embellishment:

• Oral History - Oral history is the collection and study of historical information from people, families, important events, or everyday life using audiotapes, videotapes, or transcriptions of planned interviews. (I would also suggest that oral history is passed on generationally through stories within families, groups and nations in the non-textual format - Robert)

• Digital Storytelling - Digital storytelling is a short form of digital media production that allows everyday people to create and share their stories online. (I would add that, in this case, digital media, can also include traditional media preservation sources like vinyl records, cassette tapes and the compact disk - Robert)

• Podcasting - A podcast is a program made available in digital format for download over the Internet. Podcasts are primarily an audio medium, but some distribute in video, either as their primary content or as a supplement to audio. (Podcasting became the platform that captured digital storytelling in a commercial environment. This has been enhanced by the advent of social media as a complement to the Internet: Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, etc. - Robert) (

Ben Hammersly, The Guardian; Feb. 12, 2004:

With the benefit of hindsight, it all seems quite obvious. MP3 players, like Apple's iPod, in many pockets, audio production software cheap or free, and weblogging an established part of the internet; all the ingredients are there for a new boom in amateur radio.

But what to call it? Audioblogging? Podcasting? Guerilla Media?

Robert J. Nelson

• Associate Librarian, Media Studios Librarian - Marriott Library; 1994-
• Host of Reggae Radio show Smile Jamaica on KRCL 90.9 FM; 1989-
• Hosted political interview program, Radioactive on KRCL 90.9 FM; 2003-2012

 

 

• Circa 2002: upload .mp3s of individual Smile Jamaica shows to KRCL webpage for stream or download

• Promote through personal email list and Usenet discussion group: Rec.Music.Reggae: link to Smile Jamaica page

• Hosted until the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) enforcement required KRCL to shut down streams over copyright infringement.  Circa 2005.

The DMCA criminalizes the act of circumventing an access control, whether or not there is actual infringement of copyright itself. In addition, the DMCA heightens the penalties for copyright infringement on the Internet (Wikipedia DMCA entry)

 

 

Goal: How to get listeners world wide to consume Smile Jamaica if they don't live in Northern Utah to hear the show live on terrestrial radio?

1. On-Demand media democratization - Podcasts are usually free

2. Digital media utility - Listeners can listen on their time, not my time

3. Market to target audience - Why Smile Jamaica? A music archive for Reggae music collectors/obsessives. All vinyl or cd. No digital.

4. Storytelling imperative - No stories on Itunes Music, Pandora, Spotify Music, Prime

• History Major

• Reggae collector & radio deejay

• Librarian

Etymology of the word podcasting, circa 2004: 

A mash-up of the IPod, Apple's pre-Smartphone digital music player + "casting" as in radio /television broadcasting

 

 

Oxford English Dictionary definition

A digital audio file made available on the Internet for downloading to a computer or mobile device, typically available as a series, new installments of which can be received by subscribers automatically.

 

A “digital audio file”: podcasts can be composed of music - as in a typical terrestrial radio broadcast like Smile Jamaica; or it can be talk – as you might hear on National Public Radio

https://www.mixcloud.com/Bobbylon/smile-jamaica-ark-ives-july-21-2018-krcl-90fm-slc-w-bobbylon-happy-birthday-haile-selassie/

"Made available via the Internet” in a digital format as opposed to physical audio-visual mediums like the compact disc, vinyl record or cassette audio tape

“Download to a computer or mobile device". Played via computer, smart phone or tablet. Traditional media players would include: radios, compact disk players, cassette decks or record turntables; i.e. devices that play either a physical medium or broadcast over airwaves

"Typically available as a series”. Episodic media where the subscriber is alerted to new installments from the podcast producer(s) via an alert generated from automated email lists or social media venues

“Automation”, in this instance, refers to the passive act of receiving notice of on-demand media for immediate or future consumption and/or re-distribution via social media. I.e. favorites, re-posts, re-Tweets.

https://twitter.com/SmileJ_KRCL/status/1025349909522735105

 

 

Edison Research - Infinite Dial 2024

 

• 2024: 192 million Americans had listened to at least one podcast (67% of the population.) (Page 19)

• 2024 Listened to a podcast in the last month: 135 million. (47% of the population.) (Page 20)

• Ages 12-24 (59%) 2024 - Jr. High through Undergraduate student demographic: receptive to digital instruction.

• Ages 25-54 (55%) - Professional demographic: receptive to marketing, academic, journalism, continuing education potential of podcasting.

• Ages 55+ (27%) - Life long learning, hobby listeners, self improvement. (Page & Graphic 22)

 

2022 was the first year streamable content had more viewers/listeners than television (broadcast and cable) and radio.

 

As of Sept. 2024. Joe Rogan averages 11 million views per episode. Anderson Cooper 950,000 views per episode

 

Oral history in the classroom (K. Walbert, Learn NC):

Based on the course learning goals:

(1) - Inquiry & Analysis

(2) - Written Communication

(3) - Community Building

(4) - Intercultural Knowledge and Competence

Seven Hallmarks of Oral History and enhanced student learning outcomes

1. Oral history/Podcasts can help students learn new historical content. (1),(4)

2. Oral history/Podcasts can help students learn research skills. (1),(4)

3. Oral history/Podcasts can support good writing skills. (1),(2)

4. Oral history/Podcasts can teach students valuable critical thinking skills. (1)

5. Oral history/Podcasts can help all students feel included. (3)

6. Oral history/Podcasts can help students feel a personal connection to the past and to the life of their community. (1),(4)

7. Oral history/Podcasts can help students develop valuable interpersonal skills. (3)

Professional Research shows:

• Explosive growth of On Demand media offerings and consumption. Target rich environment for digital education content.

• Increase in class participation; esp. among ESL students.

• Increase critical reflection.

• Increase media literacy.

Described outcomes:

• Digital format assignments were well received by the students.

• Educators’ learning objectives were met.

• Increase in literacy skills.

• High level of student enthusiasm and satisfaction.

 

6 Best Habits of a Podcast

1. Be brief - Try to stay below 30 minutes; or make multiple shows out of one recording. "I have time for 28 minutes, but 32 minutes is too long."

2.  Sound quality is important. In a saturated market, listeners won't listen to bad sound.

Invest in a USB Snowball or shotgun mic. When recording: avoid windows, dogs, cars, crying babies and air conditioner vents. (The Marriott Library has 9 podcast kits for checkout at the Level 2, Knowledge Commons Desk.)

 

The Podcast Booth on Level 2 Protospace (2750A & B) also uses the Snowball mic. Use this mic for group recordings because it captures sound in a 360 degree arc.

Use the Rode shotgun mic in either Podcast Booth if it is a single voice recoding.

3. Interviewing is a skill.

Craft a short, impactful introduction that will alert listeners to the podcast content.

Write samples questions that start with:

<Robert's Libguide for Interviewing for Research>

• Who? -  who are you?

• What? - what is your purpose for this podcast?

• Where? - where are you from?

• When? - when did you start podcasting?

• Why? - why do you podcast?

• How? - how are you promoting your podcast? 

Who, what, where, when, why & how can not be simply answered yes or no. Responses, discussions are the meat of your conversation.

Avoid "did" or "do" and other leading questions:

"Do you think the high price of gas will affect people's willingness to buy an electric vehicle?" 

You are looking for validation of your viewpoint. Plus, a Yes or No answer stops the flow of your conversation.

4. Start or record an intro for your podcast content. Who you are, who are you talking with, any other unique info that would entice listeners to your podcast.

             Listeners are fickle. Hook them in the first minute, so they don't switch to something else.

5. Social Media Marketing plan: Why your podcast out of thousands? Why would a listener choose yours? 

 

Edison Research Top 5 Podcast Sites for 2024

1. Spotify
2. Sirius XM
3. iHeart Radio
4. Wondery (Amazon)
5. Audioboom (UK)

6. Cultivate your audience: Organic growth of your podcast streams comes through regular, consistent output of new episodes. Focus on weekend listeners.

***Approximately 2/3 of the weekly Smile Jamaica stream counts take place between Friday morning through Sunday evening

 

 

5 Bad Habits

1. Don't talk over your guests. Practice active listening interview techniques.

2. If your podcast is more conversational than interview, avoid inside jokes or dialog that might make your listeners feel excluded.

3. Do not use a USB microphone. Invest in a hands free, tripod mounted microphone like the Snowball or the Rode shotgun mic on a swivel stand.

4. If you are using a smartphone or digital recorder, record 20 seconds of room noise or ambient quiet so you can noise reduce your edit. Learn how to edit sound.

5. Don't be monotone. Don't mumble. Enunciate. Engage your listeners with your voice.

Audio rule of thumb:

Editing a Podcast Using Audacity

https://campusguides.lib.utah.edu/c.php?g=1259368

• Peaks (your loudest moments: laughter, exclamatory utterances) should be at -4db.

• YouTube/CD Audio averages sound meter should between -18db and -9db

• Avoid clipping - "going into the red"

Contact Robert J. Nelson for a consultation/tour

1. Most Podcasters will use the Podcast Booth in Protospace: 2750A or 2750B. Schedule all hours the Marriott Library is open.

Podcast Booth Scheduler

Audio Studio Podcasting availability:

1. Become vetted for unmediated Audio Studio access to record your podcast.

2. Become trained on use of the microphones and digital recorder.

3. Negotiate to be placed on a regular podcast recording schedule. 7 days a week including after hours availability.

4. Individual podcast recording is also possible.