#26: A Rule of Thumb With Considerations
Simple Podcast Editing is a freelance podcast editing community that includes a podcast, a YouTube channel , services & a Goodpods listening group.
Newsletter goals:
To share many aspects of my own freelance podcast editing process and product. st editing DAW discoveries, pressing conversations I'm having about the business side of editing as well as new editing communities I'm finding in a quick and useful way.
My Current tools: Mostly Hindenburg but with splashes of Audacity
Reader Feedback:
Thanks to Daniela for her kind words about the last issue of the newsletter. “I loved to read it, keep going :)" Daniela’s got a new podcast course available now.
Correction:
In the last issue I wrote about Karim’s brilliant DAW tool trick. And I made a mistake.
Here’s his correction. Sorry Karim!
"It's not a game console, and there is no video game to be used, instead, it's a Game Controller, also known as a gamepad. It's compatible with computers, and you can connect it to the computer to play games on the computer (without the console), and can also be used as a control device, much like any other hardware: keyboards, mice, control surfaces (what's actually used by audio engineers), graphics tablets, etc :)
The real and initial inspiration were discussions with graphics artists (when I used to offer graphics services), on what can be used as an alternative to the keyboard, and some artists told me they use gamepads and that it worked great for them, so I just looked for some software to remap the controllers and pretty much use them like any other hardware, and yes the video for video editing was inspiring, but it wasn't really useful to me, except for the Start button to be used as a "save" button, which, as any other retro or modern games player, would probably be something too obvious :)"
Does this newsletter help me find clients?
I got an interesting question recently regarding this newsletter. A reader asked what the ROI was with it. This is a great question and I want to answer it as fully as I can.
I don’t get any clients from writing this newsletter
My podcast editing clients and this newsletter readers are, I think, two very different populations.
My current podcast editing services are for busy independent podcasters who need someone to outsource their audio editing to. But this newsletter is aimed at you, the podcast editor who, I’m gathering, is working out the kinks in your own podcast editing business. To be fair, there might be a slight overlap in these communities but in general, they’re not the same.
I’m 100% fine with these two populations being different. I didn’t start this newsletter to find clients. I’ve always thought of it as a way to grow and share what I’ve learned. And from issue 1 I’ve gotten a huge benefit from writing this newsletter twice a month. It keeps me organized and connected to all of you. You should see my messy notes that I collect all week, in anticipation of crafting this creature! (Someday I’ll show you but right now it’s in 3 different Notion files and that’s a lot of screenshots for a short newsletter.)
So for every issue I write I spend time organizing the things I’ve learned and prepare them to share with you. In short, it helps me add value to a community that I’m hoping to expand globally as time goes on.
But I do get clients, or at least discovery calls, from writing this newsletter
I have gotten referrals from some of you because you’ve seen, read or know about the Simple Podcast Editing newsletter, podcast, the Women Podcast Editing Panels we did in April, etc. And I thank you for this! I don’t share to get something in return but it warms my heart that you think of me when you’re referring a client to someone. That trust is something I take very seriously.
What to charge for your podcast editing services: The Writing Coach Podcast (~27 minutes)
In addition to my podcast editing and podcast audience growth services (podcast audits and podversary calendar), I write about podcasting also. And I find that a lot of freelance writing resources and tips apply so well to freelance podcast editing as well.
The Writing Coach Podcast with Rebecca L. Weber, episode #134, What to Charge, is one of these resources. I usually give you a timestamp for a specific segment but this whole episode is worth a listen. It’s under 30 minutes and you’ll want to take notes.
Building podcast editing community: International Podcast Day
This share is not podcast editing specifically but it is a powerful globally community that is sure to include podcast editors. It’s International Podcast Day. The day is September 30th every year. Prior to this year it was a live online event that went on for over 24 hours. However, they announced recently that there will no longer be the online event but they’re still encouraging people to do local, online and hybrid celebrations and share them with their International Podcast Day
Here’s a few ways you can connect with folks in this community:
Do a live event on September 30th and tag the IPD Twitter account so others can watch/follow you
Post about the day anywhere and everywhere you can
Watch the videos on the IPD YouTube channel
Connect with past participants of #3
Remember, in addition to highlighting one new community in every newsletter issue, I’ve got a PDF of all previously mentioned communities for you. Just email me for your copy.
Tascam Mixcast 4 Review from Better Podcasting (~25 minutes)
Stephen and SP of Better Podcasting did a quick and practical review of the new Tascam Mixcast 4 that I thought you would be interested in.
YouTube video (4:15 to 30:31)
There is a podcast version too but there are visuals so that’s something to consider.
Why you shouldn’t use should OR rush your podcast editing process: Pod Lab (~12 minutes)
I’m very guilty of jumping into editing before listening to the tracks I’m working on. Very guilty. That’s why I appreciated the reminders in this podcast episode. There’re more reminders in this episode.
Pod Lab, The Podcast by Podcast Movement and Doug Fraser, episode 9, Rules for Removing “Ums” and Breaths with Robyn Edgar (Pacific Content)
DAW Tips: 5 Ways That Hindenburg Will Save You Podcast Production Time: The Podcast Host
Like many people, I used Audacity for years while I was working on my own podcasts. But when I started to edit for clients, I wanted to expand my toolbox and experiment with other DAWS. So from mid-2020 to earlier this years my own DAW (digital audio workstation) progression went something like this:
Audacity > Adobe Audition > Reaper (2 minutes) > Audition > Hindenburg with splashes of Audacity
I’ve landed on Hindenburg for now and although I’m still learning how to make my editing more efficient, I can fly through edits. There are other reasons that I really like Hindenburg so I had a fun time collecting experiences from other podcasters and weaving them into my own for this piece for The Podcast Host.
I doubt that I’ll be DAWgamous forever but am really happy to grow with Hindenburg until I need a new DAW brain scratch and then play with another DAW then. Maybe mid-2021?
How audio processing for voiceover works: a Twitter thread from Voiceover Actor Eamonn Leighton
I love, love, love this Twitter thread so much! I don’t know Eamonn but it looks like he is a voice actor in Sydney, Australia. And by the hilarious way that he demonstrated audio processing via words makes me think he’s my people. I think he’ll be your people too. Check out the thread and look for Marina, who did a video version of Eamonn’s thread too.
DAW TIMESAVER: Logic Pro File Management Tip from King Kur of the Black History Buff podcacst
As promised in the last issue, the conversation that Kur and I had about project alternatives is now available:
in podcast format:
https://stream.redcircle.com/episodes/dc9c3901-6eb8-4ad4-91b5-aa96538989e1/stream.mp3
in video format: https://youtu.be/X10upnE0vYI
Sound considerations: How long should a pause be?
Earlier this year in the Women Podcast Editor Panel with Emily, Chhavi and Emeline, we discussed what the length of a pause should be. You know the problem…
if the pause is too long, the listener may think that the podcast is over
or
if the pause is too short, the listener may think that the speaker(s) talk too fast or worse, don’t allow the other speakers to finish their thoughts. It can be seen as talking over someone.
So how long should a pause be if you delete speaking on one side of a speaking bit? We land on an answer during the chat and it’s what I generally use as a rule of thumb, but I also alter it if the speaker do actually talk faster or slower than normal. Whatever normal talking speed is. ARGH! See what I mean? There are rules and then there’s being sensitive to the exact situation. And people. And voices.
Would love to know what rule of thumb AND considerations you use for this.
Professional Development: The Business of Podcast Editing course with Alexandra Stennett
Although my discover calls have increased, I’m still struggling with the business side of things. So when I saw Alexandra’s course, I jumped on it. It’s only been one week so I don’t feel comfortable reviewing it yet (it’s a 5 week course) but if you’d like to join in this first group you can check it out here. This is my affiliate link. Although I’ve not taken any courses from her before, I have watched her presentations and have learned heaps so I’m confident that she’s going to provide a lot of value.
Outsourcing: I can’t build my own professional narrative and I don’t have to!
I give up! I know what I’ve done in podcasting over the past 4+ years but I just can’t write my own narrative. And I don’t have to! Ah, the beauty of reinvesting my podcast editing client work funds into the business is glorious.
Instead of torturing myself and visitors to my soon to be available consultation page of my website with my wonky, too subtle self promotion narrative, I’ve hired someone to write this for me. The weight that is lifted off my shoulders is enormous. I don’t have to do everything. Hurrah!
My social medianess:
Twitter:
podcasting/life: @stephfuccio
Podcast Review Day: @podrevday
Geopats Podcast Network: @geopatslanguage
Instagram:
podcasting, life: @stephfuccio
language:@geopatslanguage
coffee (my best IG grid by far):@geopatscoffee
Tirana, Albania (where I'm living): @geopatstirana
Books: @geopatsbooks
Graffiti: @geopatsgraffiti
LinkedIn:
Soundly yours,
https://www.stephfuccio.com/
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