Straight From the Horse’s Mouth – Who Wants To Be My Voice?
Mar 18th, 2010 by Carolyn Resnick Method
Hi there. You may remember a couple of weeks ago I announced I was looking for someone to be ‘my voice’ for the podcasts we will put on iTunes. Well, I was just overwhelmed with the number of responses we received, it was very humbling.
With so many people volunteering, the question then was, how do we decide who should do it? We thought about holding a competition and having elimination rounds like they do on that TV show American Idol but that didn’t seem fair. So what I’ve decided to do is let EVERYONE who wants to, read the blog and be my voice. Plus, I thought it would be nice if you could tell us all a little about yourself beforehand so we can all get to know each other better.
Before I get on to how this will work, I want to explain why I’ve decided to find someone else to read the blogs rather than do it myself.
As you are probably already aware, I have a good deal of trouble with reading and writing. I guess my brain’s just not wired that way. Don’t get me wrong, I love to write and enjoy very much the interaction we share in the comments section of the blog and love to present my ideas to you each week. However, all posts do require a certain amount of polishing before they go on the site and I’m very blessed to have various people who help me with that.
The same goes for reading. I love to tell stories and when I know a piece of text well enough, I can really put it across. However, again it’s not so easy for me, even with my own writing. For example, I tried to make the recordings for Naked Liberty but it took me so long, I think I would still be doing them now if I hadn’t just gotten to know Liz Mitten Ryan at the time. Liz kindly volunteered to read it for me and did a wonderful job. If you’ve never listened to it, there’s a free chapter available on the right side of the front page underneath my picture. Go take a listen.
What is a podcast?
In case you’re wondering what a podcast actually is, I asked Mark to explain it here:
A podcast is a series of audio or video (or pdf) files that are released episodically and can be downloaded (often automatically) to be listened to or watched later. It’s a bit like having Tivo or your digital video recorder automatically record your favorite TV series so you can watch it at your leisure. Plus you get to keep the recordings and can therefore listen to them again and again.
The biggest podcast directory or service is of course iTunes. When you are signed up to a podcast, iTunes or whichever service you use will automatically download the latest episode to your computer for you when you next go online. If you have an iPhone or iPod, the files can be automatically transferred across to the devices from you computer when you connect them.
Confusingly, iTunes is the name of the online store and the software that you download to your computer to organise and play your music, videos and audios. If you follow the link above to iTunes, there is lots of easy to follow information there if you want to find out more.
How’s this going to work?
So if you want to be ‘my voice’, here’s Mark again to explain what you need to do:
- You need to be able to record yourself and produce an MP3 file.
- If you don’t know how to do this and don’t have any suitable software, I’ve put together this short video to walk you through it: http://www.screencast.com/t/MzM3OWMxNmE. Apologies if it gets a bit loud towards the end, I forgot I had adjusted the microphone volume!
- You will also need a microphone or headset. Amazon has a good range:
These are OK:
but USB headsets are usually better quality, I have these:
[CLICK ON THE HEADSETS TO VIEW MORE INFO]- Choose a blog post to record but don’t necessarily go for the most recent ones. Go back through the Archives (April ’09 onwards) and pick one you like. If you have Carolyn’s Blog Collection, it would be great if you could choose something from there.
- PLEASE NOTE – We would like everyone to choose a different post to record.
So when you are set up as above and ready to record, send an email to info@carolynresnick.com with your choice detailing the name of the blog post and its date if it is still a live blog post (April ’09 onwards) or the page number if it’s from the Blog Collection. If we get two people choosing the same post, we will email you back and the second person will have to choose again.- When you have your finished MP3 file, then email it to us at info@carolynresnick.com. If it is too large to email, then you can use this service: http://www.yousendit.com/. It’s free to use, you just need to create an account.
- Remember, you can do a short introduction at the beginning of your recording. State your name, where you’re from, what the nature of your involvement with horses is and why you like Carolyn’s work.
PLEASE try and keep this to under 30 seconds!
Then say the name of the blog and read it nice and slowly.
So, that’s it all there is to it! No, we appreciate that some of you might struggle with the technology like I do but that’s part of the requirements as well because as we move forward with new blog recordings it’s important you are able to cope with the technology on your own. Mark assures me though that the video is very easy to follow and so you do need to be able to get the MP3 file to us without any assistance as unfortunately we don’t have the resource at the moment to help you. Sorry about that but I’m sure you can think of a friend, relative or colleague who’s good with such technical things.
When the recordings come in, we will put them on a special page for you to listen to as well as broadcast them to iTunes, where they will be available to download. How exciting!
Thank you so much for your time and support and I am really looking forward to listening to your voices. Have a great weekend and happy recording!
Carolyn
PS. I will have news of the next Waterhole Rituals Insider Circle class for you next week
No related posts.
On 2/18/10 I sent an audio audition using “Audacity” as the free software to “info@carolynresnick.com” and Tessa said she could not play the mp3 that I created using that free software. I did a test sending to my daughter and she got and heard it okay. Perhaps your email has some sort of attachment spam type blocker?
i would like to read many, perhaps start with free, powerful and beautiful
will get a headset this week
kind regards stina
ps tine – agree with carolyn, accents are great!
Hi Carolyn, well I finally put up a youtube of the UE’s that I have been doing. It was a less than perfect day, cold, windy, and though I usually have the barn to myself during the day, this day it seemed everyone and their dog came out. Lots of activity so it was difficult to get in the “zone”. In fact Midas I think did extremely well considering:) I did tape Joker too but his mind was definitely elsewhere so we just stopped.
It was a good exercise for me to be able to watch myself. I can see I need to do a little more “nose in” which was difficult to tell when I am standing in front. I did move through it a little quicker than usual simply because there were others waiting to use the arena. When I get back from my trip I will try and do some more…better quality and maybe I can Joker on camera too:)
Would love to hear your comments Carolyn.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2Vl42gcVCU
Hi Carolyn,
I tried to mail you but the mail came back. So I will put it here:
I would really like to read this blogpost: ‘The Art of Horsemanship’ dated 16th of July 2009
The headset is ordered and if my choice is not taken, I will record it as soon as I receive the headset.
Best Wishes
Tonnya
Carolyn,
Really looking forward to the next waterholes rituals class. Just finished Paul Belasik’s book The Songs of Horses and I totally loved it, I can see why it is one of your favorites. John is just starting to read it now. Thank you for the recommendation and I personally welcome any others you may have.
Also Caroyln do you need or would you consider a horse for you next waterholes rituals course? If possibly so, please email me about what your requirements would be etc. I was thinking about our 2 1/2 year old andalusian filly True. At the very least I could really use a skilled observer to make sure I (and John) are reading her emotions and making choices that are appropriate as leaders and partners for the interactions. In my perfect world I would at least have a week of coaching with her. I also live near Robin and am now in a position to be able to contact her about assistance. Please let me know what if any thoughts you might have on our opportunities. To me this is a committment for our life long relationship.
Thank you for your consideration on this matter.
Leanna(Studentofhorse)
Tine,
I think an accent would be great.
Hi Carolyn,
I will consult my technological advisor (husband) and do a recording: I am sure you won’t mind having an Irish accent for one blog!
Máire
Hi Carolyn,
I will try to get a hold of a headset asap.
Already I will try making my mind up about which blogpost to chose.
There are sooo many great ones.
Tina, I think you should read one anyway. I have a danish accent and assuming that the words are understandable (they are when its only accent ‘challenges’). This will give the podcasts an international feel
And show that Carolyn is know and appreciated all over the world.
Spring Wishes
Tonnya
Hi Carolyn
that’s a great idea!
I won’t offer to read as I have a (Belgian) accent …
I’m looking forward to it!
Have a nice day. Tine
Hi Debbie and everyone
Just to clarify, you can send in a recording any time as long as that post hasn’t already been done by someone else. There will of course always be new posts to record although I’ve yet to think of a solution to coordinating that one yet! Any ideas out there…?
Also, the Insider Circle class may not begin immediately, we have yet to finalize a date.
Good luck with your recordings!
Mark
P.S. Golden voice, eh?@*!
This could be fun! I’ll ask my more technical savvy husband to help me with this soon.
Good for you Carolyn! I remember we talked about this on one of our calls in the past.
Hello, friends!
I just read this wonderful blog post which you wrote, Carolyn and listened to Mark’s golden voice on his super techie audio video via my new headset and we shall see how I do with recording and sending you my reading of the blog post from November 17, 2009 which is your sharing and then the first half of the story called The Not So Great Escape. I think it is appropriate since it will be a good way for your students to know me through my herd. Love me, love my horses!
Thank you for this grand opportunity.
Love,
Connie
Carolyn, I guess i won’t be able to “be your voice”. I just don’t have time to get this done in the 2 days I have left before I leave for Australia:( When I get back if you are still taking “auditions” then I will add mine…I certainly have the capability, the software,and the knowledge to do this, just not the time today and tomorrow:(
Also your next WHR Insider circle info is going to come out while I am away. I am very interested in hearing about this and once I return after Easter I will be sure to check out the info…..so I do hope you don’t fill all spots before that time.
Look forward to reading more when I return home.
Thanks,
This is GREAT ! You might have done it in I-tunes ???? Anyway very good.
Jimmy
[Each podcast recording will automatically go into iTunes when we attach it to the relevant blog post - Mark]