The Set-Up

Talented asian male radio host enjoy discussing and interviewing his female special guest Professional and talented young asian male radio host enjoy discussing and interviewing his female special guest during the podcast show in the studio. Happiness Stock Photo
Photo Credits: Pixabay

As a journalist, the easiest way to do my job and recordings stems from having a well-put-together setup. I encourage everyone who interviews anyone to invest in proper and affordable equipment to help them produce clear and high-quality recordings. The audio aspect of recording interviews is crucial to improve not only the quality of what you look to record.

 

First and foremost, a good microphone is essential. A USB microphone is often the best option for beginners or those on a budget. Also, I highly recommend purchasing a pop filter, an audio interface, and USB headphones. Before anything else, never let an expensive microphone or equipment dictate what you feel you’ll need. It can at times be very helpful for those who are beginning, but at the same time, I would only recommend asking others who are experienced. 

 

Talented Asian female blogger podcaster in her home studio, using recording equipment Professional and talented young Asian female blogger podcaster in her home studio, using recording equipment to running her online radio show. 20-24 Years Stock Photo
Photo Credits: Pixabay

A good audio setup is extremely important to help those not only build a better sound but also build credibility and a portfolio that can be shared. My main advice would be to also have less fear in what it will first be published. Your first post, recording, and any related content may not be perfect, but it’s important to start somewhere. Embrace the learning process and aim for continuous improvement.

Here are some tips to help you build a good audio setup:

 

  1. Invest in a high-quality microphone: A good microphone is the foundation of a good audio setup. Look for a microphone that suits your needs and budget. USB microphones are a popular choice for beginners as they are easy to set up and offer decent sound quality.

 

  1. Consider a pop filter: A pop filter helps reduce plosive sounds (such as “p” and “b” sounds) that can distort recordings. It’s a simple and affordable accessory that can significantly improve the quality of your recordings.

 

  1. Get a comfortable and quiet recording space: Find a quiet area in your home where you can record without interruptions or background noise. Use blankets, pillows, or foam panels to absorb echoes and minimize reflections in the room.

 

  1. Practice consistency: Aim to maintain consistent audio quality across your content. This will help build trust with your listeners and create a cohesive listening experience. Pay attention to factors like volume levels, microphone placement, and overall sound balance.

 

  1. Practice good microphone technique: Position the microphone at a suitable distance from your mouth, usually around 6-8 inches of distance.

 

I hope these tips will help you consider proper and better ways to record and utilize your talents in whatever recording project you may have.

Don’t Just Say So Use Peso

 

 

Image from Pixabay

By Ethan Ijumba

As a writer, many types of writing styles work in conjunction in fields where utilizing different methods and models to promote and better a brand. One of the models that those in the public relations field follow is PESO.  To better understand the different outlets, PESO (Paid, Earned, Shared, Owned) is a form that helps differentiate the media types into separate categories to help reach a target audience. The PESO model assists in how organizations can utilize different types of media to market their businesses. 

 

To better understand the media types that fall under the PESO categories, it is best to review each category and exactly what marketing means to classify them into these groups. When reviewing strategies to help better understand how businesses can improve their marketing strategies, by effectively leveraging each part of the PESO model and implementing these strategies, brands can create an impactful marketing strategy that maximizes reach, engagement, and results.

 

Paid Media refers to any form of advertising or promotional content that a brand pays for, this also includes traditional methods such as print and broadcast advertisements. Earned Media is any publicity or coverage that a brand receives without paying for it. This includes media mentions in newspapers, magazines, and online publications, as well as social media influencers or celebrities promoting the brand. Shared Media refers to any content that is shared by individuals or organizations on social media platforms. This can include brand-related posts, user-generated content, or viral videos that gain widespread attention. Lastly, Owned Media refers to the channels and platforms that a brand or organization owns and controls. This includes websites, blogs, social media accounts, and email newsletters.

 

An example of an owned media outlet is gossip columnist, Perez Hilton because he owns and controls his own blog and social media accounts. He can publish his content, share his opinions and thoughts, and engage directly with his audience. By doing this, Hilton has built a brand that is not only personal but successful in capitalizing on his owned media channels, which has allowed him to establish himself as a major figure in promoting the entertainment industry. In his case, Hilton’s use of social media not only gave him successful ways of promoting his brand in terms of longevity, but it also helped platforms create new channels of media for him to use.

 

While owned media may have helped Perez Hilton establish himself as a brand to be recognized. What many organizations tend to utilize is the shared media method of sponsored posts. For example, rather than using media channels and traditional mediums such as TV, radio, and such. Companies tend to collaborate with social media influencers for sponsored ads and promotional content that reaches their followers directly as well as allow brands to organically reach a wider demographic with authenticity. 

 

Based on how PESO can impact a brand’s marketability, it is important for brands to research their audience to select what category of the PESO model may be best to target. If the target audience is better reached through traditional media channels, such as print or broadcast, then the brand may want to consider investing in paid media campaigns. On the other hand, if the target audience is highly engaged in social media and relies heavily on recommendations from peers, then shared or earned media may be more effective. 

From how the PESO model can be used to better a brand’s marketing with these tools, I would say I learned more about the different aspects that companies can use to better reach their target audience. With that being said, the PESO model helps utilize what a corporation should look for when weighing in the options available to them. Rather than focusing on a traditional method that works for a certain company, it’s better to overview the different types of media that can be better utilized so that way the goals of the organization are met successfully. With what I’ve learned about PESO, it’s important to consider the benefits of using different media outlets to help build a brand’s credibility and lead to conversions and business growth. Implementing these different strategies can help businesses increase their engagement and results. It is also important to remember that the PESO model works together and when combining paid, earned, shared, and owned media effectively, brands can create an approach that maximizes their potential.

We Are Slaves To Social Media

We Are Slaves To Social Media  

by Ethan IjumbaHow Smart Phones Are Turning Our Public Places Into Private Ones - Bloomberg

 

The amount of time we spend and use for the applications, feeds, and reports we receive from our technological devices is concerning. We live in a world of gratifications from likes, shares, and comments that allow us to feel a specific emotion that brings us joy based on the number of engagements we receive. This constant need for validation from others can be addictive and detrimental to our mental health. As a society, we’ve seen different perspectives on social media’s positive and negative uses and how they’ve shaped our cultural norms and cultivated our views and behaviors. Rather than viewing the negatives of social media, the positives are still evident to be noted. It’s still essential to be aware of the adverse effects of social media and technology on our mental health and well-being. Still, it’s equally important to recognize how they have shaped our society positively.

While social media presents what some may consider a negative impact, it has become a tool for educational purposes; institutions and organizations have utilized platforms such as YouTube and Instagram to share educational content and resources. It has also allowed the creation of careers such as remote-based jobs, influencers, streamers, and other careers that society can pursue if appropriately managed. Social media has provided a platform for education, career opportunities, and connectivity. It is up to us as individuals to find a healthy balance and use these tools to enhance our lives rather than detract from them. With that being said, our devices have also become methods not only to communicate but also to disassociate with others and refrain from building new connections and relationships in interpersonal situations. While the technology we possess has the potential to enhance our lives and connect us with others, it can also become a barrier to building new connections and relationships in interpersonal situations. 

The technological devices we have for our use and disposal allow us to communicate with other members of the society we share. However, we’ve seen a social disconnect and divide that social media causes, whether it intends to bring us closer or further apart. However, it’s becoming increasingly common for us to see individuals and groups on their phones in ways that may or may not be productive. We spend hours each day consuming content that may not be meaningful or beneficial to our lives. These effects may be due to the constant need for validation and comparison on social media platforms, leading to feelings of loneliness and low self-esteem. Although it may be easier for some to create and build relationships with others on social media, the building of interpersonal skills is then lost in translation when it comes to solely using social media as a method of communication. 

To those who use their devices for productive or work-related reasons, the constant bombardment of emails, updates, and messages makes it difficult to disconnect and recharge from social media handles. This can lead to burnout and stress, affecting physical and mental health. We must set boundaries and limits for our social media usage. The more we allow social media to consume our everyday lives, the more susceptible we become to the issues and dangers it presents. Harvard Business Review Senior Senior Associate Editor Kelsey Hansen dives further into how social media has addictive traits in her article, Our Social Media Addiction stating:

 

My social media use seemed harmless. But I soon noticed that my attention span and mental capacity were suffering. When trying to finish school assignments, I’d check Facebook repeatedly. Each day I spent hours scrolling through its pages. It got so bad that I had to temporarily deactivate my profile ahead of my final exams to eliminate temptation. But after they ended I was back at it. I remember how, during a weeklong trip I took with my family that summer, we had no computer access (this was before smartphones), and I kept thinking, I can’t wait to get home to check Facebook. I’ll have more notifications since I’ve been away. Most notifications I got were surface-level comments or passive “likes” that didn’t mean anything, yet it was so hard to stop checking them. (Hansen 2022)

With the constant need to feel that checking our phones will bring us feelings of happiness or joy, personal social media usage is something that we must evaluate and maintain a balance that allows us to advance by using social media mindfully and purposefully. By doing this, we can reap the benefits while minimizing the opportunity for negatives. Overall, it is crucial to recognize the impact of personal social media usage on our lives and find a balance. While social media can connect us to others and provide valuable information or entertainment, it can also lead to feelings of comparison, addiction, and a lack of presence at the moment.

 

References:

Anderson, Monica. “The Virtues and Downsides of Online Dating.” Pew Research Center: Internet, Science & Tech, Pew Research Center, 6 Feb. 2020, www.pewresearch.org/internet/2020/02/06/the-virtues-and-downsides-of-online-dating/. 

“Our Social Media Addiction.” Harvard Business Review, 17 Oct. 2022, hbr.org/2022/11/our-social-media-addiction.