In the previous lesson, we talked about how to put video on your website.
Today we’re going to make your website talk by adding audio to it.
(Watch this video…)
Main points:
1) Builds trust.
2) Adds another level of communication.
3) Keeps visitors longer.
1) Interviews, podcasts, etc.
Podcasting is syndicating your audio recordings using an RSS feed, such as feedburner.
For info about putting your podcast on Itunes, see:
http://www.apple.com/itunes/whatson/podcasts/specs.html
2) Welcome to website
Consider split-testing an intro audio on your website to see if it keeps visitors longer.
3) Testimonials
Boosts the power of the testimonial by giving it more credibility and adding that extra dimension. See video for example.
Recommended resource for collecting customer testimonials:
Audio Generator (I’ve used it to collect over 1000 testimonials)
4) Guarantees
It can be effective to put an audio button in your money back guarantee area, so your visitors can hear you giving the guarantee with the sincerity of your own voice.
5) Ordering instructions
Your audio can explain how to order.
6) Opt-in instructions
This can be especially helpful if you’re doing double-opt-in. After they enter their name and email, you can verbally tell them to go check their email and confirm their subscription. (See video for example)
7) In an exit pop
Sometimes it helps stop people in their tracks if a voice says “Stop… I have something for you!”
8] Spoken transcript of your written content
Some of your visitors might prefer to listen rather than read. You could record yourself reading your content, or you could use a computer generated voice such as:
Ispeech (free text to speech tool)
9) Mood music*
Not recommended. See video for example of bad music, and how it can be done tastefully in some situations.
First you need a microphone. I recommend getting a plug-and-play USB mic. I paid about $100 for mine, but you can get a decent one for under $30 at Best Buy, Walmart, Amazon, etc.
Three steps:
1) Record an MP3 file
You’ll need some recording software. Here are some good free programs:
Audacity (my top choice)
Free Hi-Q Recorder
If you’re installing Audacity for the first time, you’ll need to download the LAME MP3 Encoder file:
http://lame.buanzo.com.ar/
or http://lame.sourceforge.net/
If you need help with it, check out: http://audacity.sourceforge.net/help/
(see video for demo of recording)
2) Generate a flash player
There are plenty of free MP3 flash players available:
Dew Player: http://www.alsacreations.fr/dewplayer-en
Dew Player for WP: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/dewplayer-flash-mp3-player/
1-button player: http://www.strangecube.com/audioplay/
WP Plugin: http://www.1pixelout.net/code/audio-player-wordpress-plugin/
Non-WP Player: http://www.macloo.com/examples/audio_player/
Player generators: http://flash-mp3-player.net/
Multi-track player: http://musicplayer.sourceforge.net/
3) Embed it on your website
(see video for demo)
Free flash player used in demo: click here to download (unzip it, and then just upload the SWF file along with your MP3)
Upload your files and paste the embed code into your web page.
Embed code from demo:
*If you’re putting it on a WordPress blog, be sure to fix the URL’s in the embed code to locate your SWF and MP3 files at their absolute location.
Action steps:
1) Think about how you can incorporate audio into your online business.
(Hint: I gave you 9 ideas)
2) Add some audio to your website.
In the next lesson we’ll be talking about privacy policies, disclaimers, and all that fun stuff.
As always, you are welcome to post your questions and comments below.
Have a great day!
Unfortunately It’s NOT working!
It display the audio tool, but no soud comes out.
I tried to do again the welcome.mp3 file with different softwares including Audacity thinking that was the problem and the mp3 reader couldn’t read the file, but no change.
I hope you can give me an hand again; this is the code:
Thank you again, Eric.
Best regards,
Riccardo.
You did not set the URL to the mp3 file.
Where it says value=”mp3=welcome.mp3
it needs to say value=”mp3=http://mynewspring.com/Audio/welcome.mp3
Same thing for the path to the SWF file.
Hi again Eric, I’m Sorry to post again on this topic.
Before writing You again I really tried everything!
I cannot figure out what is wrong; Hope you will help me again.
Here is the code, I’ll not write down the object type=”application/x-shockwave-flash” data=”http://mynewspring.com/Audio/player_mp3_maxi.swf” width=”200″ height=”20″>
param name=”movie” value=”http://mynewspring.com/Audio/player_mp3_maxi.swf” />
param name=”bgcolor” value=”#ffffff” />
param name=”FlashVars” value=”mp3=http://mynewspring.com/Audio/welcome.mp3amp;showstop=1&showvolume=1″ />
/object>
/br>
Thank You Eric
Hi Eric,
Thanks for this useful information.
I am wandering into the world of audio, searching how to do it when I suddenly remembered your site!
Bandwidth is still an issue here, so I’ll have to keep it short. (The audio that is)
In case you wonder … Yes, it’s Africa!! LOL.
OK, I’m not really the guy to troubleshoot code, but it appears to me that there is an & symbol missing after the mp3
Finally It WORKED!
I don’t know why the code generator omitted the “&” character; what I know is that you really deserve the success you’re having! Thank you for the help.
I’m going to invest $147 in the IPK you suggested us with your affiliate link: I know you’ll lend me an hand in case of need, don’t you?
I thank you again,
Riccardo.
I’d like to know a little more about personalizing my own video player. with things like, my sites own logo, a dedicated comment section such as this one and other things of that nature.
Well you could basically do what I do 😉
I use wordpress for this site, along with an extra comments plugin which I mention in that lesson.
And you can also use a custom graphic for your video in Camtasia, or you can use Iframes which is what I do on this blog.
Thank you very much Eric. I’ll continue to go through you site to look for further help.
When I install audacity is is asking for an unlock key and there is a charge for it? thought it was free. Perhaps things have changed at audacity?
As far as I know its still free. Did you download it from sourceforge?
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
As always, you give us top of the notch tips. Love your tips.
Hello Eric… thanks for these valuable tips. I think I will try the computer generated voice, and let it read the text. I really would like to put video/audio to some of my pages, but my English skills are not the best and so I am never sure if I say the right thing. Or do you have another tip for me?
All the best,
Arne
If your english skills are lacking, I would be very careful about using your own voice for audio/video, as it may turn off a lot of American visitors. I’m also leary of computer generated voice for marketing. If it’s for a sales page or squeeze page, I would recommend outsourcing it to a voice artist. There are many available, and due to the competition you can have recordings done fairly cheaply.
Outsourcing… that`s a good idea!
Thanks, Eric.
All the best,
Arne
wow!!! what a website That is what I call content, I will be coming back often.
regards
santella
Hi Eric,
I think your server is hanging up on pushing this video file #42…all your other videos are loading no problem so far. If you can let me know the bug is fixed, I’ll come back and watch it. Thanks! btw: your series is EXcellent!!
Hmm… please try the solutions listed here and let me know:
thanks!
Pingback: Video Squeeze Page - How to Embed Audio & Videos | Eric's Tips
Ok, Eric, I’m gonna admit when I signed up to your mailing list, I was more than leary about receiving fluff and hype. But after receiving several lessons, I must say, you are AWESOME! You’re THE MAN! Thanks so much for your helpful and practical lessons. I really like the way you arrange your lessons, from the summary to the action steps. KUDOS!
Bud
Some great resources on this page Eric, thanks… I have been thinking about audio never got round to it… those speaking faces/avatars where on my list to investigate!
Hi
Thank you; this was real fun and useful as all
your informationa and lesons are a great joy to follow.i will use it for my poetry..
..here is the link to my taken action:=)
right this morning.You can listen it here…
http://www.ispeech.org/view/10/1546291
Thank you Eric..for the lesson..been playing now with this convert text to audio…on iSource..and here is the one I did ..for my blog
(http://tibetphotoproject2freefilms.blogspot.com/2010/08/tips-on-audio-use.html)
where I found this tool:=)..
Free Text to Speech
I really like to follow your lessons-they are great source and clear and easy to go and take action straight away:=.So thank you very very much.
One of my friend who is an actor ..and she got very interrested so i will show her too..she in fact just got into her car and is driving over here..so we thank you Eric much!!great tool and useful..
Thank You ,Eric,Your tips are really useful,I am implementing them.
You’ve given an incredible number of resources and I do really enjoy that you used a large summary of what your video talked about. Having that meant that I didn’t have to stop/start/replay near as much as I normally would have. Thanks!
Hi Eric, Don’t worry I have been keeping up to the lessons. I will share that once the 100 are done I will be repeating it again to learn more. I also would like to to speak to you personally. JAD
Thanks Eric for all the honest information you share
Steve
Hi Eric,
I just created an info product but I am having problems converting it to pdf. I cannot read the text after conversion. Need help please.
I did the ebook in open office writer. I used the export as pdf option but I just can’t read the information on conversion.
Thanks
That is strange. I show how to do this in lesson #47. It sounds like a problem with the PDF export settings. If you’re not able to solve it, I would recommend asking for help in the Open Office forum: http://user.services.openoffice.org/
Well done, Eric! This is a great tutorial that brings attention to an often over-looked idea that not only builds relationships with a visitor instantly and keeps them on your site longer, but it also easily streamlines key information quickly and pleasantly for the them.
It is tough however, to get that professional sound. We’ve all come across those websites that have audio that sounds like it was recorded in a gymnasium or tunnel, and we know how that can distract from the information being put forward and the impression it can give.
You suggested running filters in editing, but I would advise against that for the newbie. Noise reduction filters are very touchy and can wreak havoc on your audio if not used properly.
The best way to avoid the white noise is to purchase a condenser mic. They don’t pick up as much noise that happens behind or beside the mic as a dynamic does. That said, anyone who records as you have suggested, will get considerable noise from their computer fan. Best thing to do in this case is to get the computer out of the room while the recording is being done (get an extra long recording cable).
Or, hire a voice over artist to do the recording for you. Prices are very reasonable, it saves time and keeps your reputation professional.
Eric,
One of the most diffcult things to do in teaching is to not overwhelm the student with things are by nature technical. As a teacher you make everything basic in a way the steps are easy to follow without loosing any important information. And, for THAT I thank you. I am lovin’ learning..!!!
Eric,
Wow! Very informative and easy to follow. Thanks a million! 😀
Eric,
Great Lessons…
I am reviewing lesson #42 to learn how to load an audio onto my web page and tried to use the MP3 Maxi player you demonstrate. I followed your steps to the “T”, but encountered an issue with my new macbook pro that will not recognize the .swf file as a download. Any suggestions on how to correct or would you use another flash player?
Hello Rick,
Here is a link that should help you to be able to view the videos properly:
Sometimes the quickest solution is to view the page in a different browser (Chrome, FireFox, IE, etc).
Keeping them coming by brother.
Thanks
Thanks for the Text to Audio lesson Eric – I am in the process of re-structuring my web site for 2013 and the mind boggles at how I will be able to put your lesson to good use and improve the site. Thanks again!
P.S. Anything on Audio to Text?
For audio to text I would recommend Dragon Naturally.
Thanks so much Eric – Amazing Video!
I’ve added the audio to my new opt-in page http://imtechtraining20.com/freeimtech.html. I wonder what will be the outcome?
Thanks for the interesting lesson Eric!
Thanks Eric for this incredible lesson must study and practice to handle these techniques ,I will achieve them wish the best for you and Micah God bless Jorge
Hello Eric. First I would like to thank you for this program. I am so excited building my Blog. Doing things I never imagined. Adding graphics, video and now audio. However, I am confused when you talk about split testing in these videos. I can’t wait to start making money with my blog. Thanks much!
Hello Eric. I am sorry I forgot to say that I got lost on the HTML Notepad we were working on so I am working straight from WP. It got confusing. It was also taking me a huge amount of time with my learning curve. I think I did something wrong back in lesson 38 or 39. Any way, I am putting things directly on my WP because it says my site is coming until I release it for the public. I am guessing the additions I am adding are not getting saved. I will try it again with another site I want to build. I just wanted to move forward on this project because I am way behind.
Hi Eric,
This is another awesome lesson.
I didn’t have any skill in adding audio on my website, now I do.
You are the best.
Regards
Marc