So, I decided this week to try doing audio versions of my blog. I’ve done one. You can listen in here: https://michelleshaeffer.com/have-a-little-faith-in-yourself/2010/07/06
More are coming soon!
I’ve been having fun playing with two of the options, CinchCast and AudioBoo, and thought I’d share some info about each.
CinchCast.com
- No set time limit
- Cool widget features to share your Cinches
- Created by BlogTalkRadio
- Create from your computer, by phone, or their iPhone App
- Share on Facebook, Twitter, CinchCast or embed on your site
- Gives you an RSS feed that can be subscribed to through iTunes
My two cents: CinchCast was easy to use and embed on my blog. I really like that it allows me to see how many times a recording has been played.
Here’s what it looks like embedded on Facebook:
And on my blog:
AudioBoo.fm
- 5 minute time limit
- Record from the web or upload a file
- Can sign in with a Twitter ID and automatically post your Boo to Twitter
- Can link your account to Facebook, Posterous, Tumblr and Friendfeed, too
- Can publish to iTunes as a podcast (http://forum.audioboo.fm/faqs/publishing-boos/creating-an-itunes-podcast)
My two cents: It was super easy to record an AudioBoo with their pop up window recorder (this came in handy since I wanted to record a blog post I’d need to read while recording, I didn’t have to flip windows or open a new one). The recorder displays how much time you’ve used so you can keep an eye on the 5 minute mark. Also very easy to post the AudioBoo to Facebook and it has a nice player there. Looks like this:
And here’s what it looks like on my blog:
Both got good sound quality when I recorded on my PC. I use a Plantronics headset (like this one) for audio. I didn’t try the apps or phone recording. If you’re going to record from your iPhone/Android/etc or by telephone I’d suggest testing those out on each option to see what type of audio quality you get and whether you like one app better than the other.
So, what am I going to do? For now I’m going to give CinchCast a shot. The listen count available on CinchCast is important to me. I want to be able to see whether the audio versions are getting played so I know whether it’s a good investment of time (time quiet enough to record is tough with three usually-happy kids in the background). I doubt I’ll go over 5 minutes but it’s nice to know I could if I wanted to.
If you do audio on your blog or offer a podcast, please do share your two cents below as I’d love to hear more about what works best for you and why (and I’m sure my readers would, too!). Also, please include a link to your blog or podcast for us so we can come listen in! :)
Mtn Jim Fisher says
hi Michelle!
I’ve used audioboo to post audio comments on people’s blogs. have not used CinchCast, but like the features and that it’s tied to blogtalkradio.
looking to incorporate audio on my blog, only one post so far with interview available:
http://www.outsourcingcontrol.com/hibblers-excellent-outsourcing-adventures/
just used a WP plugin to post the mp3. http://wpaudioplayer.com/
Mtn Jim
MichelleShaeffer says
Awesome! I didn’t realize you could use it to post a blog comment, that’s a great idea. Thanks for sharing.
Gonzalo J. Suarez says
It’s a great idea to do audio comments on other blogs!! It could be quick and very atractive. Thanks, Mtn Jim!
Lisbeth Tanz says
I’m always amazed at how the same ideas seem to hit several people simultaneously. I was thinking of doing this, too. In fact, I just learned about AudioBoo YESTERDAY. Small world. You sound great, BTW. How do you envision using this going forward?
MichelleShaeffer says
Isn’t timing funny sometimes? :) I had briefly considered it in the past but didn’t really check into what tools were available out there until #blog30 motivated me to do it.
I’m planning to record my blogs as audio and set it up so people can subscribe to it as a podcast through iTunes.
MJ Schrader says
Michelle!
That is so crazy. I been thinking of changing my blog to offer once a week video and then a once a week audio. But while video is easy with YouTube, audio was beyond me. Like Lizabeth said, It’s funny the timing of it. Thank you so very much!
MJ
Gonzalo J. Suarez says
Hi Michelle!!
I had the same doubt; after all, I decide on AudioBoo for the following reasons:
1.- You can record on something else, then upload the file. So, I do my recording on GarageBand, add some music and effects, convert it to MP3 and upload in AudioBoo.
2.- The social share tool on AudioBoo and it’s integration on iTunes is very good.
3.- I found the interphase more elegant, and also can use it as a sidebar widget.
But for longer than 3 minutes, I will try Cinch. (I started my blog as a radio capsule with a limit of three minutes).
You or your readers can see the sidebar integration on http://gjsuap.com and for the Ultimate Blog Challenge there will be 4 AudioBoo post on my blog!!
Saludos,
Gonzalo.
Gonzalo J. Suarez says
I don’t know why it’s reporting my twitter address like gjsuapgmai.com; its gjsuap only.
¿Can you verify why?
Thanks!
Gonzalo
Michelle Shaeffer says
I’ll check and see what I can do about that. :)
Daphne says
Thanks for posting this. I had downloaded the AudioBoo app on my iPhone a while ago, but haven’t really done anything with it. Good to know I can upload mp3s and post them on my blog as well.
Michelle Shaeffer says
I haven’t used the iPhone app (I only have an iPod Touch – no microphone) but it looks like a nice easy way to record.
George Arthur Burks says
Cool idea. I just downloaded the plug-in. I noticed you didn’t read your post word for word. I thought that was a good idea since we talk different than we write. I’ll have to think about how to incorporate audio posts into my blog. I don’t think I would want to podcast all of my posts. Just the really good ones. But who knows.
Michelle Shaeffer says
You know, I tried the first time and it just sounded weird – you’re right we don’t write like we talk. :)
That’s a good idea to build a pod cast of the best posts.
Karen Wilson Wehrle says
Like Mtn Jim, I use the wpaudioplayer plugin to add audio to my blog posts. I’ve done two so far.
The one today is: http://www.personalfinancemoneymanagingblog.com/audio-build-wealth-with-positive-thinking-how-to-leap-your-first-hurdle/
A couple days ago, I did this one: http://www.personalfinancemoneymanagingblog.com/audio-8-proven-money-saving-tips-that-are-proven-to-work/
I can see your CinchCast and AudioBoo have superior social media capabilities. Your audio is posted elsewhere than just your blog. I might be able to put mine on Facebook, but it’s likely more work.
Michelle Shaeffer says
Thanks for sharing the links Karen, you’ve got a nice setup. :)
Yes, that was one of the things I liked about CinchCast and AudioBoo–ease of sharing on social networks.
Lyman Reed says
This is so awesome, Michelle. I’ve been thinking about doing audio versions of my blog posts ever since the walkcast I did last week. Thanks for the push, and for the tools to try (signed up for Cinchcast, haven’t tried Audioboo yet.)
In the spirit of your questions, for my walkcast I used the native iPhone memo recorder, then converted it using Switchsound File Converter, and used the SSG Google Audio Player to play it from my blog. Using either Cinchcast or Audioboo sure seems a lot simpler! :)
Michelle Shaeffer says
Good idea with the iPhone recorder — I can see where that’d be really handy!
Melanie Kissell says
Sometimes I wish I didn’t have so many wonderful choices. :)
I’ve tried both AudioBoo and Cinchcast and I found the playback “sound” was much better with Cinchcast. I’ve tested each of them by using the 1) Telephone and 2) A Logitech headset and microphone to record audios. I wanted to check the quality to see if using different equipment made any difference.
I’ve been using Audio Acrobat for a long time and I really like it a lot, too — probably because I’m really comfortable with it and the navigation is second nature to me at this point.
Awesome post!
Michelle Shaeffer says
Good to know. I haven’t used Audio Acrobat but that’s a really popular option. :)
Stephanie LH Calahan says
Awesome that you are trying the podcast options for getting your fantastic info out there Michelle!
I have been using Cinch for almost 1.5 years or so. I found that I have a completely different audience on Cinch than I do on other platforms. I found the audio quality on Cinch was better than Audioboo and audioacrobat or InstantTeleseminar — yes, I try IT for things other than teleseminars :D . I use the iPhone app.
Once I got comfortable recording on a consistent basis here is what I did to give my audio “wings”:
– Record my tip on cinch
– download MP3 from cinch for my archives
– upload MP3 to audioboo
– upload MP3 to audioacrobat (which automatically puts it on an RSS feed and iTunes)
Great way to use all of the tools with limited effort. Let me know if I can help you in any way. I’d love to hear your content too.
To your success!