Advice on how and why journalists should use SoundCloud, especially with podcasting.

1. HOW JOURNALISTS COULD USE SOUNDCLOUD
Michael Lananna

2. WHAT IS SOUNDCLOUD?
 A “social sound
platform.”
 Used most often with
music.
 Some professionals:
John Legend,
Beyoncé, Foo Fighters.
 Many up-and-coming
artists and amateurs.
 Anyone can upload.

3. MORE THAN MUSIC?
 Podcasts and radio
shows have some
presence:
 CNN
 The New Yorker
 ESPN MediaZone
 Dedicated podcasting
currently in beta stage.
Allows for RSS feeds
and iTunes integration.
 Still can record/upload
podcasts without beta

4. HOW BIG IS THE AUDIENCE?
 More than 10 million registered users.
 Reaches more than 180 million people or 8 percent
of the Internet population every month.
 The SoundCloud player can be found embedded on
websites, blogs and social networks.
 Application for iPhone and Android.
 CNN has more than 90,000 followers. The New
Yorker has more than 50,000.

8. WHY SHOULD JOURNALISTS USE IT?
 Easy to share on other
platforms: Facebook,
Twitter, Tumblr and
Pinterest.
 Easily embedded on
websites and blogs.
 Works with most audio
files: AIFF, WAVE, FLAC,
OGG, MP3 and AAC.
 Easy to record.
 But the biggest reason
is…

9. TIMED COMMENTING

10. WHAT IS TIMED COMMENTING?
 The ability to comment on audio at specific
moments.
 Unique to SoundCloud. Other services like TinDeck
and Bandcamp don’t have same level of
sophistication.
 Perfect for podcasts.
 Listener comments can be addressed in future
podcasts.
 Comments can also supplement audio with links.

11. WHO’S DOING IT? AND HOW?
 The New Yorker, CNN,
NPR, ESPN
MediaZone, CBS News
Radio, Lifehacker.
 Mainly radio shows,
most based on politics,
music, comedy and
sports.
 Mostly reposting —
SoundCloud not used
as original source.

12. HOW SHOULD YOU USE SOUNDCLOUD FOR
PODCASTING?

13. USE SOUNDCLOUD AS MAIN SOURCE OF
AUDIO POSTING.
 Don’t just repost!
 Why?
 Can embed in multiple places at once
 Can easily share to other social networking sites
 Open up more opportunities for listeners to comment
OR to see your comments
 With a premium account, you can get analytics. Insights
into who is listening, where they’re listening from and
how they’re engaging.

14. ENCOURAGE ENGAGEMENT
 Pose questions to listeners throughout the podcast.
Call listeners to action.
 Look to incorporate listener comments in future
podcasts.
 Post your own comments. Use links to direct
listeners to relevant content.
 Promote your work on other social media platforms.

15. WHY SHOULD YOU DO IT?
Pros Cons
 Get ahead of the curve.  Listeners must have
 Timed comments and SoundCloud
ability to share on social
networks could boost membership to
engagement. comment.
 Perfect for podcasts.  Might involve switching
Comments can be put to
use. from current audio
 Especially useful for player.
journalists covering
politics and sports, which
typically produce
animated discussion.

16. CONCLUSION
 Follow me and comment on SoundCloud.
 soundcloud.com/michael-lananna