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Before we get started:
Afros & Audio is a conference that’s been around for a while, but it's struggling. It is looking for Sponsors and donations. One of the magical characteristics of podcasting is that EVERYONE can be heard, and the more diverse, the better. So, let’s help our fellow podcasters out. If you want to attend, it’s October 18-20 in Baltimore.
Is AI Leading Us Down the Path of the Cassette Tape?
I used Spin ReWriter to attempt to write an article about podcasting (it wasn’t great, and their four upsells when I joined told me I was in the cross-hairs of a serious salesman). The tool searches its 12,000+ articles, which you pick one, and then it rewrites and naturally gives you an INSANELY LARGE NUMBER of pieces of content.
If I wasn’t creative, I might enjoy this tool, but it was a pass for me.
Then I listened to Adam Curry on the No Agena Show. He talked about walkie-talkies exploding in the Middle East. A listener took a transcript of the show and ran it through Google Notebook (which makes a summary and has AI voices make a “Podcast” out of the content). That part of the content (an interpretation of Adam’s original show) had most of the facts straight.
Then they took a transcript of version #2 (that Google’s AI created) and put it back into Google Notebook so it could now make a podcast, from the transcript of the podcast that was a transcript from the original podcast (Still with me?). It then stated that the exploded items weren’t walkie-talkies (which was true) but Sony Walkmans (which wasn’t even true in 1980).
My first job out of college was a copier technician. We had a test diagram we would use, and you guarded that “original” document with your life. Because when you make a copy of a copy, you lose clarity and details.
In the 1980s, cassettes were popular. You would wait for the DJ to play your song on the radio and be ready to press record. You could make a “mix tape” of your favorite tunes. Then, if you made a copy of your tape and gave it to a friend who then made a copy and gave it to his friend, they would end up with something that sounded like HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH when they pressed play (LOTS of hiss with some music in the background).
You can’t be a thought leader using Chapter GPT, which repeats information it has regurgitated from something that may have been regurgitated.
Now, I’m not anti-AI; I talked about some cool uses in episode 950 of the School of Podcasting. Captivate just added some AI tools to their platform. You can have AI (they call their AI tool Spark) look at your episode titles and stats and, based on popularity, suggest future episodes. That’s thinking outside the box (assuming these suggestions are good), a Captivate staple in my book.
One aspect of great information is that it is information you can’t get anywhere else. If you’re getting information from a language model tool, you already know it’s been elsewhere.
Approach with caution, as your integrity may be at stake.
Podgagement Contest
My friend Daniel J. Lewis is the creator of Podgagement a tool that enables you to Boost your podcast engagement and grow your audience.
They are currently running a contest for the affiliates (which I am). I’m also a customer (see www.schoolofpodcasting.com/follow a page made by Podgagement). At any rate they are having a contest, and I’m currently in 2nd place. Now would be a good time if you’ve ever thought of using Podgagement. :)
Dave’s Podgagement Affiliate Link.
It’s Like a Hallway at a Podcast Event
click for more information.
This month we get a quick demo of Pensight, and then open Q&A and networking. Sign up to get notified.
My Latest Content
Unleash Your Voice: A Step-by-Step Guide to Start a Podcast for Free (blog)
School of Podcasting (Follow)
AI For Podcasters (Part 1)
Ask the Podcast Coach (Follow)
Boosting Listener Engagement with AI Voice Cloning
Podcast Rodeo Show (Follow)
Bible Bytes Reviewed
Converthub is one of those tools that pops up one of those “Gladys in Juniper just signed up” messages. I don’t know why I love these, but I will probably sign up for this one as they have a FREE plan (and the paid version is only $99/yr). If you’re selling something on your site, Converthub might be worth checking out.
Deadline Funnel is a tool that can (among other things) put a countdown timer in your emails (COOL!). Scarcity is a strategy that can motivate people to take action. Now it is $49 a month, but if it got you more sales it would pay for itself. As this section is called “what caught my eye” Deadline Funnel made me stop and look.
Screen Studio is a tool I bought. It’s for Mac only. I’ve used Camtasia for decades. One of the hassles of screen capture videos is zooming in to catch those mouse clicks, and yet still giving enough of the screen to let people keep their bearings. With this tool, I record the screen (with or without my camera on) and Screen Studio zooms in an out automatically (a huge time saver). The learning curve is quick, and I enjoy making new videos for Podpage.
Adam Curry on the New Media Show
I liked this episode as you have some OG’s who spend a little time in the “back in the day” machine but also talk about the future. My favorite line is when they ask Adam about podcasting and Video (and specifically YouTube), and Adam replies, “Not every book needs to be a movie.”
Pocketcasts Bookmark
As someone who might play clips of a show on my show (see podcasthotseat.com ) I just discovered that Pocketcasts has the ability to make bookmarks and jump back to that bookmark any time you want. Pretty Cool. See video. You do have to be a “Plus” user ($39/year) member, but that might be worth it. I just visited their site, and this works with Alexa. Talk about “catching my eye.”
Things I Want You To Know
Podindy.com is November 9th. I will be speaking along with Craig Van Slyke from the show AI Goes to College and we will be talking on “How to Profit From Your Podcast with the Power of AI.”
This is a super affordable one-day event, and if you can’t make it to Indy, there is a super affordable virtual ticket. Check it out at www.podindy.com
I NOW HAVE A COUPON!!!! Use the coupon code DAVE to Save (hey, that Rhymes!), and if you can’t make it in person, there is now a virtual ticket.
What’s Coming In The Future
Next School of Podcasting (I think…)
Getting out of our way. We bring a lot of baggage when we get behind the microphone. I’ve got some exciting stories of famous people who trip over themselves because they focus on the wrong things.
Follow the School of Podcasting at www.schoolofpodcasting.com/follow
Need Help With Your Podcast?
Whether you’re just starting or a seasoned podcaster, the School of Podcasting can help. Helping podcasters is what I do, and I’ve been doing it since 2005
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