OK. I’ve come clean.

As much as I rail again being obsessed with cool tools … how they are the crash-and-burn demise of scores of online entrepreneurs, who think having the latest gadget is their ticket to traffic nirvana …

… I am …  well … obsessed with cool tools.

While I usually keep it under wraps, I have finally decided to let this secret love out into the open!

And hopefully, it can help you have some fun (and boost your bottom line):

Read the rest of this entry »

Because of comments I get from the 100+ folks who have been through The Social Media Slideshow Challenge, (plus the feedback and comments I get from you) I know lots of folks are itching to get into online video.

I also know many of you are holding back because they can’t find a simple way to get started.

A path that minimizes your risk, time investment, and cuts through the fear factor.

(Yes, a lot of folks are scared to death of video).

Would you be interested in 3 no-brainer, low stress ways to get started?

Avenues that allow you to experiment and have fun without ruining your reputation? To get your feet wet and get comfortable, so when you are ready for prime time, you can do it with confidence?

Well, you are in the right place. Because on this segment of the Magical Multimedia Tour radio show I reveal:

3 Cool High Impact Low Stress No Brainer Online Video Ideas
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Each of these methods feature the simplest stress free ways I could find for you to start out.

Because the truth is: Once you start playing with video, you discover it really isn*t rocket science. It really can be simple.

And you really don’t have to be a cover model or have a spectacular voice to make it work for your business.

Just click the player above to listen. Or right-click this link to download the MP3.

The folks who protect your car
Have a great idea to safeguard your laptop

One of the things you find when you create passive revenue products is that your laptop can become an indispensable tool.

When I simply can’t stand to be in my home office one more second, I dash out to Starbucks with my laptop for a change of scenery, and an amazing boost in productivity for ideas, writing, editing, and refining teleseminars.

It truly turns the entire world into your profit studio.

But as you take your laptop more places, there is the specter of theft. With our hectic days, its easy to take your eyes off it for just a moment.

And a moment is all it takes for someone to make off with all your prized product plans.

But on a trip through my local computer store, I spotted one of those amazing inventions that makes you say “Why didn’t someone think of that sooner?”

Its a great way to lock-in piece of mind for that laptop.

Its called LoJack for Laptops. That’s right . . . LoJack. The folks that make it easier to recover your car if its stolen have ported the concept over to your laptop computer. Here’s how it works:

1. Simply pop on over to the LoJackForLaptops.com and purchase an annual membership for $50.
2. Install the software on your PC or Mac (yep, it works on both).
3. If someone snatches your laptop, simply notify the folks at LoJack. When the computer next connects to the internet, it “phones home” (just like ET!) alerting the folks at LoJack, who then they work with local police to locate and retrieve it for you.According to their website, they recover 3 out of every 4 stolen computers.

It even comes with a guarantee: If your laptop is stolen and its not recovered in 30 days, they will refund what you paid for the software.

While the thief is after your hardware, its what’s stored on the computer that may be the most painful loss. And while you should always strive to backup your valuable information, sometimes you forget or delay.

Your laptop really is your portable passive revenue product creation studio. And now, for less than $50 a year, you can insure that if it is stolen, you have a great chance of getting it all back.

Transform downtime to prime time
With his too cool for school tool

One of the huge issues we all face . . . is time, and how there never seems to be enough of it. Just this morning, I was talking to a colleague who asked, “How do all these people find time to work with clients AND market their business?”

Well, I have stumbled on a new resource that allows you to make use of down time – driving, commuting, working out, taking walks– to catch up on your reading.

Say what?

Its an entire suite of apps that converts stuff you gotta read – email, word documents, even RSS feeds – into mp3 files you can listen to on your iPod, PDA, Phone or any mp3 player.

And you can find them here.

If you have ever wondered, “If only I could leverage my commute / drive / workout time to boost my business!” this might be for you.

A couple important points:

1. This works best for auditory learners – someone who learns easily from recorded teleseminars, podcasts and educational CDs. (You know who you are!)

2. While the voice inflection provided by these apps is much improved, its still a tad bit mechanical. However, it might be well worth it if it helps you save a couple hours a week.

3. You do have to be technical enough to run the software and then transfer the audio files to your MP3 player, iPod or PDA. But this isn’t rocket science – most folks who already have MP3 players should be able to handle this without a hitch.

Check it out. It could be a terrific new timesaver to help you make the most of your prime productive time to PRODUCE rather than read email or surf blogs.

We were promised flying cars and videophones
They’re still working on the first
But the second has arrived. And its free.

If you think that online video hasn’t trickled down to the rest of us, I had an exhilarating experience Sunday that opened my eyes. It turned a family gathering in Seal Beach, California (my niece’s violin recital) into a nationwide video reunion.

And all it took was my existing computer and a free piece of software you may already know about.

I’ve been playing around recently with the latest version of Skype, the free downloadable software (Mac & PC) that piggybacks on your high-speed internet connection to let you talk to any Skype user anywhere in the world for free.

But what’s really ringing my chimes is the ability to use Skype to place video calls to other Skype users over the same high-speed pipe. And, you guessed it, its free.

All you need is a webcam, the latest version of Skype, the Skype name of the person you’re calling (you get one when you register) and a high-speed web connection.

Since my webcam and microphone are built into my Mac, this was insanely easy. (If you’re on a PC, you may have to attach your webcam and mic externally). Just open the Skype preferences, click on the Enable Skype Video checkbox, and choose your video source from the drop down menu. Then place the Skype call.

What a thrill this must have been for my folks (both in their 80’s) as they gathered around the computer along with my brother, his wife and their two kids. Magically playing across the screen was my sister’s family, ensconced away happily in Colorado. We kinda had to restrain my nephew Eric (he’s 3), but other than that it was spectacular.

So Rob, lets talk money . . .

Of course, most of us can’t monetize family reunions. But how about a bonus of a live 45-minute video consulting session for folks who purchase your high-end audio products? Or how about offering a premium edition of your regular coaching as a Skype video coaching package?

With a little creativity, you can probably figure out several new ways this Skype capacity can add value to your existing audio products and services. And add nicely to your profit.

And honestly, can flying cars do that?

Got PowerPoint? If you don’t
There’s a free alternative hiding
Right under your nose

Is that enough P’s for ya? I think they called that alliteration in journalism school.

One of the things that really enhances sales of audio products at the back of the room is a great presentation. And one of the things that can really enhance your presentation, are some really great visuals.

Unfortunately, really great visuals can be expensive. As in . . . Microsoft Office . . . 450 bucks . . . yikes!

Well there are actually a few very cool tricks for getting around that boondoggle. As long as your venue supplies the projector, you can create a great visual presentation for zero dollars.

That’s right – nada.

And we’ve got the how-tos right here:

The Adobe Acrobat Reader Option – Both Mac and PC

Bet you didn’t know Adobe Acrobat Reader – that free application you use to view PDFs – has a full screen mode. That means with the click of a few keys the only thing that appears on your screen is the page itself. No menus. No toolboxes.

Not only that, but there are other keys that will advance your PDF one page at a time. If this is beginning to look like a PowerPoint slide show, without the cost, you’re right. And aside from the fancy transition effects, which nobody uses anyway, your audience will never know you’re using old reliable Adobe Reader.

So here’s what you gotta do:

1. Create your presentation as a PDF. In a minute we’ll look at some PDF conversion methods that won’t cost you a dime.

2. Be sure you set the orientation of your document as Landscape, with the width greater than the height, instead of the traditional Portrait (vertical) orientation which aligns it with the proportions of your screen.

   That means either settting up your document as 11” x 8.5”, or a 4:3 aspect ratio (800 pixels wide x 600 pixels tall).

3. Open the document in Adobe Acrobat Reader.

4. Toggle the Full Screen Mode On

   On the Mac: Click the Command and the L key at the same time. On the PC: click the Control key and the L key at the same time. This will toggle into full screen mode. You can also find the Full Screen command under the View Menu.

   Click on the forward arrow key to move one page (screen) forward. Click on the back arrow key on your keyboard to move one page back. (Just like PowerPoint.) You can probably even run it with the remote.

   When you’re done, simply click on Command / Control and L keys to toggle out of full screen mode.

Creating Your PDFs on the PC and Mac

So terrific! All you need now is your presentation in PDF format. And that’s simple to do. In fact, there are quite a few ways to do this for free:

One of the most exciting is a website called zamzar.com. Its an online utility that allows you to convert amongst several different file formats.

1. First create a document in your word processor or page layout program. And then save it in either .doc format or .rtf format.

2. Then pop on over to zamzar.com. The site will then walk you through everything you need to know to convert the document to a PDF.

3. You first upload the file. Then specify the format you want it converted to (in this case PDF). Finally, have zamzar convert the file. Then download the converted PDF. If only life was this simple.

Another hot tip: Many word processors – like WordPerfect — allow you export documents directly to PDF.

Creating Your PDFs on the Mac

This is even simpler. Because in Mac OSX you can save ANY document as a PDF. But there’s a weird way you do this. You don’t save the document. You print it. But instead of clicking the Print button, there’s a Save as PDF button (or in newer versions of the Mac OS, a PDF button) in the lower left of the Print dialog box. Click that – and you can save the document you have open as a PDF.

Now if you already have PowerPoint, you’ve already got your presentation toolbox.

But if you don’t, you don’t need 500 bucks to look like you do. Simply access this hidden feature in Adobe Acrobat Reader and you’re off to the races.

As they say in the commercial: Priceless.

If you live in the States, it can cost you big time
But a cutting edge audio solution can slash your bill

Here at Audacious Audio, we love our Canadian friends. Unfortunately it can cost an arm and a leg to call them.

This really hit home when I discovered the tech support line for my eCommerce provider, 1ShoppingCart is located in Canada. (Ouch!)

Fortunately, I had an international call block placed on my phone one month earlier. So I got credits for all my tech calls (whew) until the phone company told me international call blocking doesn’t work for Canadian calls . . . and any future calls to Canada would cost me $1 a minute.

Unless of course I paid extra for their International Calling Plan.

Can you say “Profit Center”, boys and girls?

Anyway, I’ve stumbled upon a solution. It uses cutting edge audio technology so I’d like to share it with you. (Heck, even if it didn’t use cutting edge audio technology I’d share it, but at least this makes it on topic).

Its called Skype. And it uses your broadband internet connection to bypass the telephone company at a price they can’t match. For computer to computer calls, using what’s called a Skype ID, its free.

I used my computer microphone to chat with my colleague Krishna De of One Ocean Group over in Ireland. And she sounded like she was right next door!

To call a regular telephone number (this is called Skype Out) its anywhere from 2 cents a minute on up.

But this is where it gets good . . .

From now to the end of the year, I can place a call from my United States based computer to any actual telephone number in the United States or Canada . . . for free!

If you’re based in other parts of the world, you might want to check to see if Skype has a similar deal for your region.

Anyway, you can imagine, this made my day.

This isn’t a how-to Skype post, so I’ll leave that for another day. But they make getting started pretty simple, so you can go check it out for yourself.

One other thing I did. I dropped 1ShoppingCart a note to inform them they should let their US based customers know of the possible cost of calling their tech support number. With such a large customer base stateside, it just seems like the straight-up thing to do.

I also now keep an area code chart close by to insure I continue to love my phone bill as much as I love my Canadian friends. But I’m definitely a lot more careful these days, because I don’t want any more $200 surprises.

Terrific free tool lets you send large files
Without email, a website or a high geek factor

[Rob’s note: A special thanks to Peggy Murrah of One Page Web Design for turning me on to the following cool tool].

In our last tip, we spoke about one of the biggest questions I get asked time in, and time out:

Should I email my audio?

(You’d be surprised how many folks think this potential disaster is a good idea!)

But if you shouldn’t email your audio . . . and you don’t want to set up a download page . . . or pay a monthly fee on a streaming service . . .

How can you get your audio to individual clients and customers?

Well there’s a service that allows you to do this simply and easily. One you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to use.

Its called Dropload, and if you want to get large audio files to individual clients and customers, its an option that requires a very low geek factor.

And get this:

It won’t cost you a dime!

Simply pop over to Dropload.com and register.

Their web based interface will walk you step-by-step through the process of uploading your audio files to their server. (And you don’t have to know anything about FTP to get it done). Then you simply tell their service which client you want to access the file, along with their email address. They will be sent an email with a link to download the file.

This link will expire in seven days, so you don’t have to worry about folks passing around the link to your audio to all their buddies.

You can also use YouSendIt.com, a similar service that does pretty much the same thing. You Send It’s basic service tends to be quicker because you don’t have to register with them. They do offer a premium service which gives you a few addtional features like tracking downloads of your files.

Both services protect your files by offering limited downloads (so a nasty customer won’t be able to pass the link around to thousands of others) and download links that expire within a specific time period.

There’s an audio version of dialing 911
Its Sound Soap 2 – the noise reduction app
For the rest of us

At some point in your audio production career, you’re going to run into the recording from hell.

Yep, even if you’re ‘the audio guy’, you can expect at some point or another an audio you’ve promised to paying customers is beset with static, background hum (or possibly that fan you forgot to turn off).

If you’ve got a lot of old cassette recordings, you might be faced with the fact that no one is going to pay a dime to listen to them in their present condition.

Enter Sound Soap 2 noise reduction software from Bias.

Sound Soap 2 is a VERY user friendly app that is great for removing constant background noise, and other imperfections from your audio.

And for those of you screaming, “Rob, I’m technophobic!” I have this to say . . .

GOTCHA!!!!

Yes, it gives me true joy giving technophobes no place to hide, and Sound Soap 2 is one of the few applications that does this incredibly well.

There are very few menus, buttons, dials or pesky data entry boxes. Just one screen that you can master in minutes (not hours). They even have something called a ‘Learn Noise’ button that (you guessed it!) will often do a great job adjusting your settings automatically. All by itself.

Now Sound Soap 2 won’t help you with everything. Situational noises (like a dog barking) or the occasional elephant stampede are simply gonna have to stay in your program. Sorry. But its really surprising how good a job it will do on more constant noises.

There’s a complete description of the program on their website: a tutorial video that walks you through the whole process (be careful – best to have broadband). And a nice summary page, with the feature and benefits of the program.

This terrific little app has saved my bacon more than once.

One teleseminar I recorded had an annoying high pitched buzz throughout the entire program, a result of placing my phone too close to a torchiere lamp. (Don’t ask me why the torchiere lamp affected the audio).

All I know is it was intolerable to listen to for more than a few minutes at a time.

Sound Soap 2 got rid of the buzz, and rescued the call from the scrap heap.

Sound Soap 2 retails for $99, although you can probably find it cheaper with a little Google artistry or a trusty online shopping bot.

An Extra Tip: I’ve made back 3 to 4 times the cost of the software rescuing the recordings of my unfortunate friends who ran into trouble with their recordings. And because Sound Soap is so easy to use, you can do the same. Even if you’re the most techie averse person on the face of the earth.

It Ain’t Audio, But It Sure Helps Sales

In the last issue of my eZine, The Latest Moos!, I spoke about using a feature of the Word Perfect word processor to create terrific PDF files for your downloadable bonuses and eBook. Yup, PDFs aren’t audio, but savvy entrepreneurs know that they can help sell your audio by complementing and adding to what you say in your CDs and MP3s.

However, the amazing Allen Voivod of Epiphanies, Inc turned me onto a resource that helps you do the same thing. And it won’t cost you a cent.

You’ll find it on the website of Neevia Technology. It’s a web-based interface that allows you to upload files less than 1MB in size to be converted into PDFs. You can either wait while they convert the file, or enter an email address where they can notify you when the converted PDF is ready for download.

If you’ve been putting off creating PDFs due to cost or other reasons, this seems to be a pretty no-risk way to begin.