Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 21 F E B R UA R Y 2 4 , 2 0 2 0 F O C U S WO R K P L A C E T E C H N O L O G Y Greg Glynn, account supervisor at Marshall, and the point man on "e PR Maven," has a broadcasting degree, so already had some of the know-how. When the podcast began in September 2018, it was recorded in his office, with guests using Zoom to patch in. Marshall wanted a more professional sound that an office could provide, and sought out Campbell about a year ago. "Just like having a professional do your website, or design your logos, you want to be professional," she says. "It's going to represent your brand." Going pro Among Campbell's clients are MEMIC, which produces job safety podcasts, and the Boulos Co. real estate brokerage. Clients contract for at least three epi- sodes, paying a per-episode fee. Many, like Marshall, have long-term contracts. Before his clients sit in front of a microphone, they sit with Campbell. "ink about what you can provide of real value," he tells them. He has a Venn diagram that includes what the com- pany provides; needs, wants or interest that can be addressed; and defining the audience. Where those three circles intersect, the podcast's content forms. Portland Pod's clients record at the South Portland studios, with Campbell and Lockwood providing the technical help; the contract includes custom music and graphics, as well as digital distribu- tion, marketing and more. It's about three months between the first meeting to getting the podcast on the air. Four episodes initially drop — a short "setting expectations" episode and the first three episodes. Brooks, of Flyte, is starting a service that will do the audio engineering for businesses that submit raw recordings, and also handle distribution, marketing and other details. "ere's room for more" profes- sional podcast services, Campbell says. Do-it-yourselfers Businesses don't have to have a full professional podcasting team behind them to have a podcast, though. "You can record, upload, and you're off to the races," says Brooks. But a business DIY, unlike the hob- byist in the basement discussing "Star Wars," should include investing enough to sound professional. A decent micro- phone, the right software and a good place to record are key. When "e PR Maven" first began, it was recorded in Glynn's office. "We started to learn things fast," he says. Some of that was controllable, like making sure guests turned off their cellphones and had decent wifi. Some things were not, including poor acoustics. Marshall's firm, apart from the work Portland Pod does, puts in about 12 to 15 hours per episode in preparation, guest wrangling, and more. Campbell estimates most of his clients devote several hours preparing. ey spend an hour in the studio per hour or less of episode time. e "Fast Forward Maine" crew divides duties, with Brooks doing a pre- interview with guests, and video/audio professional Cody Chiasson setting up the studio, recording and editing. Best pod practices Whether the podcast is in the hands of professionals, or DIY, there are basic musts. C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E » Sensible Solutions www.cesincusa.com www.cesincusa.com 207.989.4824 207.989.4824 Rooted in Maine, Reaching Beyond. CES, Inc. is proud to announce the acquisition of Haley and Ward, a trusted civil and environmenal engineering firm serving New England for over 120 years. CESI NC Engineers Environmental Scientists Surveyors G R A P H I C / C O U R T E S Y O F P O R T L A N D P O D

• Cover