I donated blood this morning for the first time in years. For the purpose of this post, let’s suppose that today was the first time I donated blood.

I was amazed to learn that a single donation by a single person will save three lives in five days. That’s right! A blood donation has immediate impacts. It doesn’t sit in a bank while organizations figure out how and where to use it. It saves lives this week! Lives in your own local community. And it only takes 10 minutes. Well, 20 or so once you factor in the paperwork, etc…

How about a reasonable challenge? I would like to know that 25 people in my social network have made a blood donation by April 30. That’s 75 lives saved in two weeks. I believe we can do that!

When you think about it, storytelling is a constant in any form of media including audio and video. Even when the content is meant to educate or convey a procedure, there’s some method to the delivery that can be identified as storytelling. The fact is, information is easier to remember when the consumer can relate to the content and the use of stories is an amazing way to make that connection for your audience.

Your challenge this week is to think carefully about how you present your content and find ways to enhance your message through storytelling. Remember the best stories have a beginning, middle and an end — three acts if you like — and they don’t clutter the story with unnecessary details.

If you have any questions feel free to email me, markblevis@gmail.com. Your next challenge will be available next week at markblevis.com.

 

 Challenge number 4: Use stories [1:00m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Though I don’t have the facts and figures in front of me, I’ve been told and have experienced for many years that the winter months are mentally and emotionally hard on a lot of people; the reduced hours of daylight, the long stretches between holiday weekends, the increased workload and the absence of neighbours (people you see regularly during the summer months).

Similarly, in social media, there’s frequently long periods of silence on blogs, podcast and social networking sites that can wear us down. Sometimes those silences can be understood. In most cases they happen for no apparent reason.

Your challenge for this week is to accept these periods of quiet as opportunities to take pressure off of yourself instead of stepping it up. And, knowing that those silences can be deafening, take a few minutes to comment on one blog you follow closely and another that you’ve just discovered. Make the comment strong and on topic to make the site’s creator feel that their content means something to you.

If you have any questions feel free to email me, markblevis@gmail.com. Your next challenge will be available next week at markblevis.com.

 

 Challenge number 3: Take advantage of the silence [1:00m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

One thing many podcasters will tell you they like about their hobby is the opportunities is creates to connect with people. That could be the host of a podcast connecting with the listener, co-hosts that share a vibe, an impromptu discussion with someone on the street, or a planned interview with a friend or celebrity. Done well, you’ll invite your listener into The Zone – to borrow baseball parlance – and that’ll keep your audience coming back.

Your challenge this week is to incorporate a co-host or guest in your show and take advantage of the opportunity to connect with that person. You may not find The Zone in your first attempt. It can take some practice to find the right balance of speaking, modulating your voice, pacing your words, tapping into the energy of the moment and, most importantly… listening.

If you have any questions feel free to email me, markblevis@gmail.com. Your next challenge will be available next week at markblevis.com.

 

 Challenge number 2: Connecting [1:00m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

As new media producers, we tend to get excited about producing our podcasts. We run out and buy equipment and jump right in with recording our shows.

I don’t know many podcasters who’ve taken the time to experiment with their equipment and try it out in different settings.

Your challenge this week is to put your microphone and yourself through a series of tests. Try placing your microphone at different distances and angles from your mouth to see which placement creates the recording that gives your voice the sound you like the most. As you record, explain where the microphone is in relation to your mouth so that when you listen back you can identify the placement.

Of course, you don’t have to publish the results. Just take the time to learn how your microphone and your voice interact to give you the best sound.

If you have any questions feel free to email me, markblevis@gmail.com. Your next challenge will be available next week at markblevis.com.

 

 Challenge number 1: Microphone placement [1:00m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download