Podcasts: Helping Writers in More Ways than One!
Back in the days before the internet gained steam and became the powerhouse of information that it is today, I remember having to beg for a ride to the local library so I could research whatever topic interested me and make photocopies of the articles that I was able to find. Needless to say, one had to really be specific in their search, or they’d be at the library forever.
Today is different. You just type in the topic you’re looking for in Google and away you go! But this can also be overwhelming. My blog subscription on Google Reader, for example, keeps growing by the day and I’m finding it harder and harder to get my reading done. Thus I have turned to the wonderful world of podcasts!
Using podcasts as a resource
Are you a writer that wants to learn more about your craft? Do you lack the time to read endless books and blog posts? If so, then you should really give podcasts a try. Many professional writers (and even amateurs who podcast about their experience trying to break into publishing) have set up podcasts that can be listened to in the car during your commute, or even at home loading the dishwasher (as I did last night).
Even if you’re interested in other subjects, podcasts are a great way to stay current in that subject and learn what others are saying. I am interested in astronomy, but lack the free time to do a lot of heavy reading on the subject. So, I went to iTunes, did a quick search, and now I have several astronomy podcasts set up on my iPhone. How great is that?
Finding the good podcasts amid the jungle of junk
This can be difficult. For me, iTunes works great because it’s something I already use for music and user reviews save me a lot time. However, I also realize not all of you are iTunes users. The easiest way to find podcasts on the subject you like is to simply do a Google search. Or try sites like podcast.net and podcast.com which let you browse by category.
Once you find a few podcasts you like, it’s pretty easy to subscribe to them so you’ll always be up-to-date on your listening.
Not all podcasts are created equal
As with blogs, not all podcasts are that good. So a lot of your search will be trial and error. Generally, I found that those who ramble on in their podcasts are particularly annoying. Even worse is when a podcast has poor sound quality and you strain to hear the speaker at all through static and background noise. So listen to one or two recordings to get the idea before you actually subscribe.
Create your own podcasts to promote your writing!
Warning: if you don’t do this carefully, you risk turning people off to you and your writing. With that said, podcasting can be a great way to connect with new and existing readers. I don’t want to get into the technical details of podcasting, because I’m not a guru on microphones and the various recording programs out there. However, I will say it doesn’t cost a whole lot to get started, and your computer might already have everything you need.
Promoting your writing via a podcast is actually pretty simple. Here are a few ways you can go about it:
- Read (or have someone else read) sections of your book. Or even record a short story or two to help entice people to buy that new novel you just published.
- If you write about a specific topic and are very knowledgeable in that area, then make it into a podcast
- Produce a more general podcast about writing/publishing where you can also promote your own work as well (just be careful not to overdo the "promotion" part of it).
- Interview other authors. These are usually my favorite and work well if you don’t have a good "voice" for podcasting – you just let the author do most of the talking.
- Interview "insiders" in the publishing industry. Advice coming directly from a major house editor or literary agent can be an invaluable resource for other writers. It can also make your podcast very popular!
The sky is the limit when it comes to ways to organize your podcast. There are a lot of resources out there about the step-by-step techniques you should use to create a quality recording. And there’s a lot of good advice on keeping your podcast interesting and on-topic. A simple Google search will give you more information than what you know what to do with.
Do you listen to podcasts geared towards writers and/or literary buffs? If so, leave a comment and let us know what you’re listening to (remember, podcasts, not music). Or, if you produce your own podcast, feel free to leave a comment as well!
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