Comments on: The Simple Dollar Podcast #1 – Credit Card Debt

By: Bobby

Bobby — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 19:15:15 +0000

Great effort! Using a personal anecdote to begin is a solid idea–moving forward it might be a good idea to include one in every podcast. Personalizes the advice on the whole. I also agree with the posters above that the podcast might be twice as good at the half the length. Edit, and edit some more. To the topic: Another option for those with credit card debt over $10k is credit card debt settlement. A pro can negotiate with your credit card company to reduce the balance owed. Useful for some, but not for every scenario.

By: christy

christy — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 03:41:41 +0000

Way to go stretching your horizons. I can give you lots of compliments and I think you know they would fall on content. I take exception that Jon Luke is the coolest bald guy- hands down-Yul Brinner in “The King & I”. Ok my suggestions will be in bullets-ouch but hopefully quick. I am critiquing hard since I don’t know you and your friends can tell you all the good points!
-agree with reading comments, don’t read a script
-on a voice level, your voice seems to resonate in the back of your mouth/nasal cavity. It’s deep because of your size/throat but resonates in the wrong place. Try experimenting with different sounds and bringing your voice from your gut, imitate the voice of a dj you like and feel where your voice is resonating when you do it, practice that resonation
-quickest way to change the sound of your voice, assume the facial expression of the tone you want to sound like- warm/ friendly–smile, mean- scowl, if you see actors doing voice overs they “act” out the scene in the radio studio
-pop references were sometimes too obscure and if you have to explain them then it gets dry, I don’t do sports so had to force myself to not shut down mentally at that point
-imagine your target audience, sit that imaginary person/people across the table from you and then talk to them, see them disagree with you or shake their heads or however you expect them to react and respond the way you would with a live person, auditory messages need more of this than a written message
-keep some warm water close at hand, you will get dry after speaking for that long and can usually slip in a small sip when needed, be sure to drink a glass of water before starting
-refer back at the end to a humorous point you made earlier, listen to a good stand up routine and you will hear this and it really seats that joke/point in your mind
Thanks for finding new ways to help people with their finances.

By: Eric C

Eric C — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 13:58:37 +0000

I just listened to the podcast and I liked it. I listen to a lot of podcasts, both by the big people and some smaller ones. My only recommendation would be to add a person into the mix, or as you said, answer questions. I’m subscribed on itunes and I’ll stay subscribed.

Also, will you keep posting them here? It allows for discussion.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 12:37:37 +0000

I would like to know what you goal you are trying to accomplish with this podcast. It seems to me that this podcast isn’t aimed towards established readers of your blog. Is this to drive new readers to your site? Is it for those who don’t read your blog very often?

I’ll agree with others who have commented about the quality (script reading, metaphors, etc.). However those are all things that will correct themselves with time and experience.

My question is what is the content of this podcast going to be, and will it serve any purpose for regular readers.

By: Julia

Julia — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 14:08:19 +0000

Just a thought – you’re so much more personable on your how-to video!

By: Timbul

Timbul — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 11:06:09 +0000

As I listened, this is a summarised points of some of your writings. Clearly you should make more of this. Because I do not have that much time to read, so I prefer to listen while I do something else. Keep up the good job!

By: argus

argus — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 10:01:58 +0000

it was a really weak podcast. poor, forced, monotone reading of written text, no flow, weak jokes. all in all a typical first podcast :) take this as constructive criticism and build on it

By: Michael

Michael — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 02:32:07 +0000

OK, I have to admit I didn’t actually listen to it when I made my comment. I still think what I said, but now I also think you sound like the NOAA radio guy. :D Lighten up!

By: Kris

Kris — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 00:23:28 +0000

Great first effort Trent. I know I would have a difficult time doing a podcast. However, I have to agree that it sounded forced and unnatural and as listeners we need to hear your passion for this. You made a comment about going off on tangents and my reply to that would be “that’s great, go off on the tangents.” I know from listening to other podcasts and from listening to the Dave Ramsey show, that sometimes the best info that really makes you think comes across when the host off on a tangent about something.

Keep it going, I look forward to the next podcast.

By: Shevy

Shevy — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:13:56 +0000

I think it was a very good first attempt. My suggestions would be:

Fewer metaphors and jokes, with the ones you use more spaced out throughout the podcast and possibly use ones that work together in some way.

I don’t think the speed is as much of a problem as clarity. Work on your enunciation and that might also slow you down just a notch.

Humor that comes out of a situation is way funnier IMHO than a joke per se, which is why the part about tweeting while drinking was so funny.

An interview or Q and A or something similar might work well and feel more comfortable to you too. Also it means you’re talking for less time, which is probably less stressful when you’re just starting out.

But give yourself a big pat on the back! You stepped out of your comfort zone and did it. It wasn’t horrible. It didn’t suck. In fact, it was pretty good. And every one you do from now on will be easier and better.

By: Jackie

Jackie — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 19:59:34 +0000

I would love to hear an interview with your wife on one of these podcasts– would make an interesting audio switch-up too! I think interviews are a form well-suited to podcasts– more auditory interest, added-value from blog entries because you get to hear the more informal, less edited version than might appear when it’s written down. It might help you loosen up some too, and maybe slow down, which seems to be one of the biggest concerns here.

By: Sharon

Sharon — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 19:05:38 +0000

Transcript is available, I hope!

By: Johanna

Johanna — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:45:39 +0000

I don’t think reading from a script is a detrimental as some of the others seem to think. Plenty of broadcasters read from scripts (or, you know, teleprompters) and it’s fine. The difference, though, is that they don’t stick stuff like “Now, where was I? Oh yes…” into the script – unless they’re really, really good at acting. Extemporizing into a microphone is hard. Reading a prepared script into a microphone in a way that makes it sound like you’re extemporizing is also hard. Try not doing either, at least to start.

By: Rob

Rob — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:13:02 +0000

Great first effort, Trent. While there are a lot of worthwhile critiques (mono/stereo, scripted format, slow-down speech), just think of where you’ve come from your first written post. As you know, it takes time, effort, and practice, practice, practice. Keep it up. I’ll stick around and look forward to your progress.

PS – don’t ditch the wine. I’m sure the half-drunk Tweets will be funny to reflect on five years from now ;)

By: michael

michael — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 17:55:27 +0000

I finally listened.

My only big advice would be to push the mic a few more inches away from your mouth. There were a few instances where you fuzzed the speakers. Talking a little slower might help too.

Are you reading your podcast? Have you considered using flash cards and going with a freely spoken attempt? Could be a difference.

I’m looking forward to the next podcast!

By: Janie

Janie — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 17:35:04 +0000

Jpod: did you ever see the show? It only lasted one season here in Canada – a lot of folks were pretty peeved it was cancelled – it was hilarious! You may still be able to download it via the CBC website:
http://www.cbc.ca/jpod/

By: Sm4k

Sm4k — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:52:52 +0000

Hey Trent,

Glad to see your podcasts finally making it to the public. The only comments I have:

1) I have a similar voice, and a lot of people ask me the same thing, especially after they see that I’m 6′3″ and only 175lbs.

2) I agree about making it stereo. I was listening to it while driving and it was a little awkward to only hear the left channel.

3) (Minor Point) when I added your feed to my Zune player, it comes up as Copyright Trent Hamm 2003-2006. I assume it’s supposed to say 9?

By: George

George — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:48:33 +0000

As a long-time reader and fan of your writing, I’d have to agree with a number of the previous comments. The pace of the podcast was too fast, the jokes and tangents were frequent, sounded forced, and didn’t contribute to the content, and the audio seemed quite odd – it wasn’t totally mono, but the sound level was far higher on the left channel than the right.

If this is a media form that you want to pursue, it’s a good start and I look forward to improvements in future editions. Given some practice your podcasts will reach the same level of quality as your writing.

By: Mary

Mary — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:47:55 +0000

Trent, Love your blog! Love your podcast! I can’t wait to see how you progress. It shows a lot of promise. I agree with slowing down. I’d rather hear two words I can understand than four words I’m trying to figure out while you are then two sentences ahead. I like the idea of a joint podcast between you and your wife, or interviewing someone. Don’t take out the humor. It will become less stilted and more genuine with time and experience. Good job!!

By: Darlene

Darlene — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:02:35 +0000

Snarky librarian, here. I have to tell you – listening to this at work – I laughed really loudly listening to the podcast – about – tweeting while drinking. OMG – SOOOOO funny!! Great job – looking forward to future episodes. Cheers, Darlene