Podchats: Linking newsletters, websites, and podcasts Dan Whiting and Mark Shonce Office of U.S. Senator Larry Craig

What is a podchat? Essentially a podchat is a marriage between an online chat and a podcast. Essentially a podchat is a marriage between an online chat and a podcast. It is defined on Senator Craig’s website: It is defined on Senator Craig’s website: pod·chat /'päd·chat/ n. 1. a podcast featuring a discussion with listeners

Podchat Strategy Before the podchat was launched, we utilized a number of different channels for spreading the word with technology in addition to the website: Before the podchat was launched, we utilized a number of different channels for spreading the word with technology in addition to the website:website eNEWSeNEWS – Bi-weekly newsletter eNEWS RSS feedsRSS feeds – Feeds for news releases and eNEWS RSS feeds Audio and Video PodcastsAudio and Video Podcasts – Programming includes a bi-weekly video news program, in English and Spanish, speeches, news conferences, and comments. Audio and Video Podcasts We still use those, of course, but the podchat is an attempt to link those so that readers of eNEWS are driven to the website and the podcast and vice-versa. We still use those, of course, but the podchat is an attempt to link those so that readers of eNEWS are driven to the website and the podcast and vice-versa.eNEWS

Podchat Implementation The technical side of the implementation was relatively basic. The technical side of the implementation was relatively basic. You need to record and edit audio programming – we have access to a radio studio in addition to a portable, professionl digital audio recorder (Marantz PMD670). We use Adobe Audition to edit audio. You need to record and edit audio programming – we have access to a radio studio in addition to a portable, professionl digital audio recorder (Marantz PMD670). We use Adobe Audition to edit audio.Marantz PMD670Marantz PMD670 You need to have a webform to submit questions and an XML file to distribute the audio program. You need to have a webform to submit questions and an XML file to distribute the audio program.

Question Submission Subscribers to eNEWS are invited to submit questions through the website. Subscribers to eNEWS are invited to submit questions through the website.eNEWS When they submit a question, they can voluntarily answer a short survey designed to garner some demographic data so we can better understand who is utilizing the podchat. When they submit a question, they can voluntarily answer a short survey designed to garner some demographic data so we can better understand who is utilizing the podchat. A screenshot of the page is on the next slide. A screenshot of the page is on the next slide.

Podchat Question Submission

Recording the Podchat: Prep 1. Sort through the questions. We encourage you to not filter questions too heavily. Answer critical/tough questions or you will not have any credibility with listeners. 2. Develop a bit of a script if needed, but some folks are better without one. 3. A host and a “guest” answering the questions adds needed variety to the programming, but it is not always the best.

Recording the Podchat: Production 1. If possible, use a studio. It will deliver noticeably better quality. If not, ensure you have a quality recorder, microphone, etc. and record the program at 128 kbps/ 44 kHz. You can also downsize it later. However, anything below 80 Kbps lacks in quality. 2. Use an audio editing program to clean up the recording (remove excess stuff on either end, eliminate clicks and pops, and save it as an MP3 with the chosen sampling rate). 3. Post it on your website and send it out on the feed. 4. You are done – pretty simple stuff.

The Podchat To date we have recorded two podchats: To date we have recorded two podchats: January 2006 (the first podchat) January 2006 (the first podchat) State of the Union Special Edition (recorded in the U.S. Capitol following the speech) State of the Union Special Edition (recorded in the U.S. Capitol following the speech)

Promoting the Podchat Once the program is recorded, we remind folks in the next edition of eNEWS that it is available. Once the program is recorded, we remind folks in the next edition of eNEWS that it is available.eNEWS Register your podcast on iTunes. It is a huge audience compared to other methods, and it is free. Register your podcast on iTunes. It is a huge audience compared to other methods, and it is free.iTunes We have plans to provide snippets of questions and answers from the podchat throughout Senator Craig’s website. So, for instance, if Senator Craig talks about oil prices, we will provide just that part of the podchat within his issue briefing on energy. It is another way to get the message out and to promote the podchat to those who may not be aware of it. We have plans to provide snippets of questions and answers from the podchat throughout Senator Craig’s website. So, for instance, if Senator Craig talks about oil prices, we will provide just that part of the podchat within his issue briefing on energy. It is another way to get the message out and to promote the podchat to those who may not be aware of it.

Podchat Feedback Participants so far have covered a range of demographics – we have had questions from everyone from twenty-somethings to grandmothers to truckers. Participants so far have covered a range of demographics – we have had questions from everyone from twenty-somethings to grandmothers to truckers. Senator Craig has enjoyed recording them, and that buy-in from the top is very important. Senator Craig has enjoyed recording them, and that buy-in from the top is very important. Feedback has been very positive from listeners. The next slide has actual comments from Idahoans. Feedback has been very positive from listeners. The next slide has actual comments from Idahoans.

Podchat Feedback “Just wanted to say that the podchat thing is brilliant, I appreciate your efforts to make knowledge of your work accessible to constituents. As you can tell from my age range, I am one of the Gen X. Contrary to the public perception, some of us read extensively. It is still good to mix up the media and to establish a source of communication that isn't flooded with advertising and unwanted content. Cheers to a good idea. I hope others appreciate it as well.” “Just wanted to say that the podchat thing is brilliant, I appreciate your efforts to make knowledge of your work accessible to constituents. As you can tell from my age range, I am one of the Gen X. Contrary to the public perception, some of us read extensively. It is still good to mix up the media and to establish a source of communication that isn't flooded with advertising and unwanted content. Cheers to a good idea. I hope others appreciate it as well.” “I am excited to tune into your ‘Podchat’; I will download it regularly.” “I am excited to tune into your ‘Podchat’; I will download it regularly.” “Just congratulations on adopting podcast technology to reach your constituents. I'll be listening...” “Just congratulations on adopting podcast technology to reach your constituents. I'll be listening...”

Final Thoughts Podcasting is not rocket science. It is easy to do, inexpensive, and effective at reaching people who are very interested in what you have to say. Podcasting is not rocket science. It is easy to do, inexpensive, and effective at reaching people who are very interested in what you have to say. You are not going to have a million listeners, maybe not even one thousand, but those who do listen are very interested and will tell their friends what they hear. You are not going to have a million listeners, maybe not even one thousand, but those who do listen are very interested and will tell their friends what they hear.

Questions If you have any questions or comments, please let us know: If you have any questions or comments, please let us know: Dan Whiting Communications Manager, Idaho Senator Larry Craig Mark Shonce IT Manager, Idaho Senator Larry Craig