Recording & editing audio on a budget

Presentation by:Kellie Smith, Communications Officer,

Contact the Elderly

Contact the Elderly tea parties

Online Christmas Advent calendar

Why use audio?

• Audio captures peoples’ imaginations

• Brings written words & static images to life

• Easier and cheaper than filming

• Can be carried out in most locations, with access to a telephone or the internet

Recording audio on a budget

• Digital recorder for face-to-face interviews

• Skype & Callburner for telephone interviews

www.skype.comwww.callburner.com

• Ear piece & digital recorder for telephone interviews

Editing audio recordings on a budget

• GarageBand for Mac

• PC option: www.trakax.com – free 30-day trial

• Editing can be time-consuming but it is rewarding!

The final countdown!

• Image banks = free• Windows Live Movie Maker = free • YouTube = free• Making use of contacts: web designer = free

To view the Advent calendar, visit:www.contact-the-elderly.org.uk/christmas-countdown

Evaluating the audio campaign’s success

• 3,000 unique page views of the Advent calendar on the Contact the Elderly website

• Feedback from website users: existing volunteers, older guests’ families, referrers of older people and Facebook Friends/Twitter followers

• Free and economical tools and software

Audio as part of a wider campaign

Audio complements other marketing tools!

Audio can make for powerful listening!

Top tips for audio campaigns

1. Give yourself enough time2. Let the interviewee speak3. Choose suitable stakeholders4. Engage your listeners5. Listen out for future audio opportunities 6. Choose the right time7. Be patient and be prepared to do re-takes

Your task

Please split into pairs to discuss and answer the following question:

How would you use audio in your own campaigns or communications work?

Kellie SmithCommunications Officer

e: kellie.smith@contact-the-elderly.org.ukt: 020 7420 5814

Twitter: @contact_teaswww.contact-the-elderly.org.uk/christmas-

countdown