Improved iOS app: now you can chat with listeners and producers

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Tonia
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It’s a news-filled week here at Spreaker, and we’d love to share all of our updates and announcements with you.

Today, it’s our beautiful iOS app’s turn, presenting a chat-box for users and listeners. Broadcasting and listening on the go is already pretty amazing, but chatting is even better. You can share ideas and opinions about podcasts in real time, ask questions to the broadcaster, and take part in a show as a fellow co-host!

As for the web version, you can chat when everyone is connected together through a live show, though once it goes off the air, the chat disappears and the conversion is not saved.

So guys, update your app and give us your feedback!

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Discovering the Community: The Yankees Enthusiast

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Anna
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Max is the ambitious young man behind the spirited The Yankees Enthusiast, and spoke to us about how he put his passion into motion with his excellent podcast. Let’s check out his journey from the stadium to the mic, and where he hopes his show will take him:

When did you realize you wanted to be a sportscaster?

I realized that I wanted to be a sportscaster when I was about 11 or 12. I loved sports so much and I was a good young speaker about the subject. I loved playing sports too (I still play basketball for my high school’s team), but I was never the best on the field or court.

It’s awesome you’re so motivated. We know you love baseball and are a Yankees fan, but what are your other favorite sports and teams?

My favorite sports besides baseball are basketball, football and the Israeli sport, Gaga. My favorite teams are the New York Giants and NY Knicks. I am also a fan of the Jacksonville Jaguars because I have some family down there and have always considered Jacksonville my second home.

Cool! How did you find Spreaker?

I found Spreaker while doing a Google search, I believe.

What do you like most about using Spreaker?

I love the simple DJ Console. Also doing live shows are so much fun, and I’m glad you guys offer that feature.

What kind of sports memorabilia do you have? Have you been able to get any of it autographed by players?

I have tons of stuff, from baseballs to 16×20 photos to batting helmets to bobble heads to baseball cards! I’ve gotten a lot of it signed by players over the years, and presents from friends. Occasionally I buy autographs of people who are deceased or are very hard to get in person.

Do you use Spreaker’s interactive features to chat with your fans?

No I haven’t tried that yet, but I should definitely look into those features.

What are your favorite sports memories? Any classic games or moments that you consider to be unforgettable?

My first game was amazing, even though the Yankees lost (I mention this night in my book, which is still a work in progress). The final game at the Old Yankee Stadium was pretty great to be a part of in the stands. Jeter’s 2722nd and 3000th hit, Mariano’s 600th save. Also I was at Game 6 of the 2009 ALCS which put the Yanks in the ’09 Series so that is another unforgettable one.

They sound amazing. What baseball predictions can you give us for the season?

So far the Yankees aren’t looking too good, but I think they will come around very soon (and the complete opposite thing will happen to the Mets soon). Also, the Rays look like a pretty solid team and both the Phillies and Red Sox are dying out. #28 is very possible for us this year!

Where would you like the podcast to take you (personally or professionally)?

Personally, I would like it to continue on forever. I am a pretty busy guy, so unfortunately I’m not always free to do shows when I want to. I love my fans and hope they continue supporting me. Professionally, I want to be a broadcaster for the rest of my life so I hope this has prepared me for the business and puts me in a good position to get into good schools and eventually good jobs.

We’re sure you will, you’ve certainly got the chops! Thanks Max!

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Q&A with Mur Lafferty of I Should Be Writing

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Anna
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Mur Lafferty is a bit of a Renaissance woman of the web, working as a writer, podcast producer, gamer, and geek. Check her out at The Murverse and her popular podcast I Should Be Writing, plus peruse her multiple accomplishments in other disciplines and plan to be inspired.

Do you mind introducing yourself?

My name is Mur Lafferty, and I’m a podcaster, author, columnist, and editor. I live in Durham, NC.

Nice to meet you! How did you get into podcasting?

In October, 2004, a friend of mine mentioned that he was really interested in podcasting, and I asked what that was. I thought it sounded awesome. For some reason, internet radio seemed complicated, but podcasting seemed easy and awesome. I thought about what I wanted to do and just decided to create an audio-blog / essay show. Later, I decided to launch a writing podcast. That show, I Should Be Writing, will celebrate seven years going this August. After that, I started loving the medium and have done several shows solo or for companies since then.

Congratulations on the podcasting going for seven years! At Blog World this year, you’ll be talking about how to give a great interview. Can you give us some basic dos and donts of giving a podcast interview?

Most of the biggest problems with interviews are very basic. Remember that it’s not a friendly conversation, not a back and forth. It’s an interview, focused on your guest. Don’t focus too much on yourself. Don’t ask yes/no questions. Don’t throw your interviewee off with an unforseen request. (I’m going to send you a writing sample, we’re going to pause, and then you’re going to give me a critique, OK?) Remember to ask questions, period. Complimenting your subject is flattering and nice, but not good for interviews. If you must compliment, do a followup. “I loved your second book. Can you tell me what was your inspiration for the antagonist?” or “Your latest movie was amazing. What was it like filming on (location)?”

What are important tips to remember for podcasting in general?

Make sure the sound is loud enough, but don’t modify the sound too much unless you’re a pro. Normalize is your friend, remove noise is not. Try to keep the show under an hour. Engage your listeners and encourage them to write you.

Great technical points! How important social media to your podcast?

Vital. People engage me on Twitter and Facebook, spreading the word, asking questions, etc.

What are you looking forward to seeing at Blog World? Where do you hope podcasting is going?

I’m eager to meet my peers and learn what others are doing with podcasting. Where is it going? Well, I want to just make sure it keeps going. We need to focus on mobile support (I get a lot of people unsure of how to subscribe to my show on their phones). We need more authors to podcast their novels, bringing back the serialization of Dickens’ day.

Great ideas. Anything else you’d like to add?

Nothing comes to mind!

Thanks so much for the interview, Mur, it was a pleasure!

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Brand New Plan: non-stop live broadcasting 24/7

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Tonia
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You guys have been asking for this opportunity for a long time, and now we’re finally ready to give you the chance to broadcast all day. Yes, you read that correctly! With the new Station plan you can just go on and on with your show until you choose to stop.

How does it work?

It’s easy, if you upgrade to the Station plan, on the online console you can choose to

-Broadcast Non-Stop Live

-Broadcast Live (up to 5 hours)

-Record a New Podcast (up to 5 hours)

If you hit the  Non-Stop LIVE button you can broadcast for as long as you like, even over 24 hours. It functions just like a real radio station, though none of the content that goes on the airwaves will be saved in your podcast archives, and so taking up no time of your audio storage. Otherwise you still have the choice to hit the Broadcast LIVE button and go live for up to 5 hours straight and have the content saved.

With the Record a New Podcast option you can record a podcast of maximum 5 hours and then publish it only after you’re done, while with the upload an audio feature you can share a file of any length you wish.

No more limits for those of you who want to be on the air 24 hours or more, so upgrade guys, give it a try, and send us your feedback!

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