Updates from the week

• More work done on the website
• Considering making changes to the WordPress template
  • As I get a feel for the way that the shows are developing I am considering a different layout
• Subscriber numbers & show download numbers
  • HomeTech Weekly
    • Subscriber numbers for the Feedburner feed – doubles with each show
    • Show downloads from Libsyn stats – triples + with each show
    • No way to track downloads from other places like Stitcher (Stitcher downloads the file from the stream then compresses the show and then hosts that file directly, therefore it will not show up in my stats)
  • My Podcast Adventure
    • Subscriber numbers for the Feedburner feed – doubles every other show
    • Show downloads from Libsyn stats – doubles every other show
    • No way to track downloads from other places like Stitcher (Stitcher downloads the file from the stream then compresses the show and then hosts that file directly, therefore it will not show up in my stats)
• Contacted from a manufacturer in the AV industry to create a podcast for them
  • Still in the early stages
  • May be acting as the show host
  • May just be producing the show
  • Content creation & content polishing
• Started working on another show (that was originally planned and slated to start before HomeTech Weekly)
  • It is a entire learning site for the AV industry designed for the AV professional
  • Hope to launch within the next 3-6 months
  • A lot of content needs to be created before launch as this is a subscription based site.
  • Podcast will be free and serve as a advertisement or teaser for the subscription site.

1. What platform do you use on your websites? – Jim from London
   1. I use WordPress for all of my websites.  I have used many different things in the past including hand coding a massive 100+ page site with html.  I have also tried all of the new CMS (Content Management System) style of websites and found that I like WordPress the best and it is the easiest to pick up and start learning and creating right from the start – with some others there is a lot of learning involved before you can even get started.  Also I find that the WordPress Templates are easier to install and customize as well as there are a ton of places that sell WordPress templates.  Also the way that WordPress uses widgets to add additional features and that there are a ton of widgets that are developed (as free plugins).  Different ways to use WordPress – hosted by WordPress (WordPress.com) or installed on your site (WordPress.org that you pay for hosting), both options are free and most hosts provide a one click install for WordPress.
2. Where do you host your websites & podcast? – Alex
   1. I host all of my websites with Site5 Hosting.  I have a reseller account that allows me to host all of my sites (along with a unique control panel for each site) for $25 per month and they have hosting that starts at $4.95 per month.  Site5 has the best service that I have ever seen with any web host (and I have been with more hosts than I care to count) – most hosts offer a similar product but what I find is that the huge difference comes when there are any problems (usually something that I did wrong) how they handle them.  I am an affiliate for Site5 so if you are interested in their services click through site5.mypodcastadventure.com.
   2. I host all of my podcast media with Libsyn.com (Liberated Syndication).  If you research most of the podcasters are using Libsyn to host.  I have each show setup on separate accounts (you can host multiple shows with only one account, however that will impact your stats).  I have had one issue with them on an episode that I uploaded but the direct link would not play. I discovered the issue on a Friday morning when I uploaded the file, but figured that it would resolve itself if I gave it a bit of time to post; still had issues that evening & sent an email; did not get a response until mid day on Sunday and was told that their system did not accept the file for some reason and to re-upload the file; still had the issue, had to re-upload again and finally worked; everything was up and running on Monday mid day.  As far as their packages I use the Classic 250 ($15 per month) for My Podcast Adventure and the App 1500 ($75 per month) for HomeTech Weekly with some additional storage.
3. I have found online that you seem to have a few different companies – can you give me more info on what all you do? – Justin from TX
   1. You are correct I have a few things going on – here is a quick breakdown
      1. Headstrong Media Group, LLC
         1. HomeTech Weekly
         2. My Podcast Adventure
         3. Business of AV
      2. k2 Dealer Services, LLC
         1. Consultant for AV companies
         2. System Design & Engineering Services
            1. Dealers
            2. End Users
         3. DataPro – Software & Database that we created for the AV industry.  Monthly subscription basis
      3. Headstrong Software, LLC
         1. Was created for a software application that we were developing for the AV industry – put on hold until market conditions improve.
      4. Kirn Homes, LLC
         1. Custom Home Builder – Started back at the end of the housing boom – on hold right now until market conditions improve.
      5. Dave Kirn, LLC
         1. General business consulting & training
         2. Keynote Speaker
4. What do you use to record & edit your shows – PC or Mac? – Kristen from Australia
   1. I record and edit using Adobe Audition running on a PC.  I use my MacBook Air for the music intros and any pre-recorded audio.  I use the PC simply because it is the most powerful computer that I have as it was built a year ago as a high-end performance machine to run Auto-CAD software.  It is a 6-core AMD Black processor with 32 GB of RAM running Windows 7 & dual 30″ monitors.  I plan on replacing this computer later this year with a new Mac Pro.