Podcasting, a Tutorial
Podcasting -- Radio on your MP3 player
Podcasting is the latest buzzword in the computer world. It refers to radio style MP3 recordings that are available for download from web sites. It seems like almost everybody is involved in podcasting. Radio wannabes have at last found their niche -- there are podcasts on every subject under the sun.
Podcasts can be listened to using any kind of audio software that is installed on your computer, or they can be transferred to an MP3 player. There's no need to use the Apple iPod MP3 player -- the "pod" in podcasting refers to iPod but has no connection to that particular player.
The Apple iTunes software, though, can be used to synchronize your podcasts automatically. Simply plug your iPod into the USB port of the computer and any new podcasts will be transferred to the player.
But how do you find podcasts? How are they downloaded?
There are many websites that have directories of podcasts. You can search for podcasts by subject or region. After finding a few that look appealing you can subscribe to them using an RSS feed. RSS is a syndication format which allows you to automatically receive content that you have subscribed to. RSS is used on many types of web sites -- you can subscribe to everything from the latest news and weather to shopping information.
Once you have subscribed to an RSS feed the content is downloaded automatically so that you can view it any time. The same thing with podcasting -- new podcasts are downloaded to your computer so that you can listen to them at your convenience.
People have an Apple iPod MP3 player are not the only ones who can synchronize their podcasts. Software is available which allows you to synchronize content with any type of MP3 player. It works the same as Apple's iTunes -- just plug the MP3 player into the USB port and new content is automatically downloaded.
Want to get into podcasting yourself? All you need is a web site and a microphone. Simply record your radio shows and upload them to your web site in MP3 format. Add an RSS feed and you too can participate in the exciting world of podcasting!
Podcasting 101: A Step-by-Step Guide to Making and Promoting Your Own Podcast
If there's one thing the Internet is fabulous for, it's giving virtually everyone the ability to be heard. Long gone are the days of controlled media messages sent out by the powerful few, information available only by way of the Tom Brokaw and Time Magazine. Thanks to the World Wide Web and an influx of user-friendly software, now even old Mr. Jones down the street can project his voice across oceans.
Podcasting is one of the newest, freshest ways for him to do that.
Think of it like an audio blog; a podcast is a recorded program similar to radio (sans commercials, of course) made available via mp3 files on websites or RSS feeds. But unlike radio, users can download these programs onto an iPod or any other mp3 device and listen at their own convenience. Also unlike radio, there are no FCC standards to regulate the content; a podcast can say anything about any topic at any time. It's revolutionary, really.
And by following a few fairly simple steps, anyone can make them.
1. Get a Niche. Maybe you already know precisely what your podcast will cover: you want to host your own music countdown, promote your friend's newest invention or discuss the nitty-gritty political issues of your home state. That's great, get to it! But for those who aren't so sure, who know only that they want to give podcasting a shot, it's a good idea to check out what other hosts are up to. iPodder.org and Podcast.net are home to tons of podcasts on a variety of topics; download several shows on issues that interest you and see what's being done and how you might do it differently. Don't be afraid of creativity; try putting a new spin on an old issue or blowing the doors off a topic that's only rarely, if ever, covered. Listeners will continually come to your podcast if you offer something fresh and vivid.
2. Get a Plan. Once you've discovered your niche, get down to details. Though the beauty of podcasting is the ability to buck the rules of traditional audio broadcasts, it sometimes helps to consider what made those rules so traditional in the first place; this will help you map your show much more effectively.
First, consider format: how long will the podcast be? Will you have guests or take phone calls? Will you play music of any sort? Think about how other shows similar to yours function, remember all the radio programs you've heard before. Keep in mind that while you can certainly forget all the rules, you want to keep your listeners listening; a you-only six-hour program about cheese might not be the easiest thing to digest.
Once you've figured out the format, divide and plan the show accordingly. If you're hosting a talk show, for instance, decide how many (and which) topics you'll cover and how long each topic will get. And don't forget to break it up; since podcasts have no commercials, you'll need a way to give listeners a breather between issues -- consider using some sort of music or audio clip. Also, make sure to prepare opening and closing remarks for the entire thing, maybe even give listeners a sneak peek at the next program; identifying yourself, as well as referring to future episodes, is a great way to remind listeners to come back for more.
3. Get Tech. You've got the idea in theory, now get it into practice. You don't need to be a tech genius to record your podcast, but you definitely need some basic recording equipment and software. First and foremost, you'll need a microphone. While it's entirely possible to use your computer's built-in mic to record your voice, it's a much better idea to invest in an external mic; the sound will be that much cleaner and professional. Shure makes several microphones perfect for voice recording (try an SM57 or SM58), and you can find these at very affordable prices on eBay or any music shop that sells pre-owned instruments. And while you're scoping out microphones, grab a pair of headphones to track the sound; you'll want some unidirectional that covers your entire ear. Again, eBay and used music shops are the best way to go for these.
Now you just need the software. Mac owners tend to use GarageBand, as it comes with the newest operating systems, but PC users or those with no recording software already on their computer tend to use Audacity, a free audio recording/editing program that can be downloaded online (audacity.sourceforge.net); it's a fairly simple program, but tons of tutorials are available to walk you through its functions. Just remember to also download the free mp3 encoder as well; you'll need that to turn your podcast into the most easily consumable file type.
Once you've recorded your podcast and edited out any mistakes (and added music or audio samples), you'll need to minimize the file size (by either lowering the sample or bit rate), convert it to mp3 and upload it onto your website. Don't have a website? No worries! Our media (www.ourmedia.org) has recently begun providing users with completely free bandwidth and storage for podcasts and other sorts of media. It's a great way to get your podcast online while avoiding fees (if the podcast starts to gain a following, however, you'll definitely want to consider creating a website for it specifically).
4. Get Heard. So you've got the first episode of your podcast recorded, edited, uploaded and ready to go. Now you just need some listeners -- but how do you find them? The most obvious and widely used way of attracting listeners to your podcast is by submitting it to podcast directories and search engines, of which there are hundreds (run a Google search to find them). And while directories and search engines are a definite means to getting your voice out there, it's sometimes worth looking into alternate methods of promotion if you really want to take your podcast to the next level. Get involved in online forums and blogs that are similar to your topic and trade links with like-minded people; there's a whole community of podcasters out there eager to check out your program. And if your podcast has a regional slant, try getting some publicity in local papers or magazines. Though it may seem difficult, it's often entirely possible to get mentioned in print media simply by asking. Create a press release and personal bio for your podcast and send it off to as many media sources as possible; you'll be surprised at what may transpire.
Sonia Winters enjoys podcasting and writes for Andy Hagans Link Building ( http://www.andyhagans.com ), a link building service.
2 Ingredients Your Podcast Is Missing
and Why Using Them Will Increase Subscribers
Launching a podcast can be a fun adventure. You're able to bring your voice, your rant and your thoughts to the world without having to go through editors, segment producers or other filters.
Although you may have great content, you may be missing the mark when it comes to adding a little pizzaz to your podcast. Interviews with experts, monologues on an issue you're passionate about and energizing music are all equally liked by listeners. However, if your podcast lacks intrigue, it will sit in a podcast directory with no downloads and very little subscribers.
Because I just launched a podcast, I wanted to ensure that I'm on the right track. So, I asked some other podcasters on what makes a great podcast. While they agreed that it's an awesome marketing tool, they disagreed on the two ingredients that could make or break the popularity of your podcast - the use of humour and the presence of personality.
One podcaster, Donna Papacosta, president of a communications company in Oakville, Ontario and who hosts a podcast herself, suggests that when communicating with a business audience, leave the humour out.
"For a B2B podcast, I would skip the humour. People want content that is relevant to them," says Papacosta.
However, Penny Haynes, CEO of Georgia-based company that teaches people how to create their own podcasts through a virtual course, disagrees. She doesn't think your podcast should be dry and stiff, no matter who's your target audience.
"Everyone has their own ideas and tastes regarding programs, but I love a little humor. A little bit of someone's personal side can add a lot to it," says Haynes.
Paige Eissinger, who hosts a computer call-in radio show in Missouri, says that she is immediately attracted to podcasts that inject a little humour.
"The worst people in the world to do business with are the ones who are humorless and I sure wouldn't listen to their podcasts," says Eissinger.
"I don't mean that you should have a ready joke for all your B2B podcasts, just that if your message lends itself to humor, take advantage of it. Don't pass up a witty remark just because 'It's business'," says Eissinger.
Being witty is one thing, but being silly can really turn off a listener. Just ask Papacosta, who's not afraid to unsubscribe from a podcast if it turns out to be a total dud.
"I've hit the stop button on many a podcast because of content I deemed stupid or a waste of my time," says Papacosta.
At the end of the day, it's a podcaster's personality that will win many fans and garner tons of downloads.
"Content [of a podcast] is important, but surprise, surprise - personality wins out," says Haynes. "When it came down to a choice between great content and great personality, personality was the winner."
Haynes recounted a podcast where she shared her thoughts and feelings about celebrating the one-year anniversary of her business. She was surprised by the response of her listeners.
"They loved it, as it made me 'real'. They felt invited and involved in my private world," says Haynes.
Eissinger can relate. One of her favourite podcasts is hosted by a man who has a southern accent. Although she learns alot from his podcast, she's a sucker for his accent and in her mind, this lends alot of personality to his podcast.
"His content is great and very relevant to my business, but [his Texan] accent grabs me every time," says Eissinger.
While spontaneity, humour and personality can add some sizzle to a podcast, Angelo Cerase, a Toronto-based financial advisor who has a list of podcasts he enjoys listening to, draws the line when a podcaster lacks focus in their program.
"I really, really, really hate it when a podcast has the author going on and on about absolutely nothing, without a real plan or script of what he was going to say," says Cerase.
"A little 'useless' filler is welcomed in a podcast, it makes the person on the other end seem more human. But too much is, well, too much," says Cerase.
Having a great mic, snazzy music and earth shattering content is not enough. You need to inject a little bit of humour and personality into your podcast to really get people to subscribe to your feed week after week.
Special thanks goes out to the members of the Podcaster Central Network who contributed their comments for this article. If you want to learn more about how to create, publish and host a podcast, join Podcaster Central by clicking here: http://podcastcentral-network.ryze.com.
Copyright 2005 Leesa Barnes. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
Leesa Barnes, The Schmooze Coach™, helps consultants, virtual assistants, professional organizers, coaches and solopreneurs avoid cold calling by developing a fearless networking plan. Leesa is author of "Schmooze Your Way to Success: 9 Fearless Networking Tips for the Shy, Timid, Introverted & Just Plain Clueless." Go to http://www.schmoozeyourwaytosuccess.com/ecourse.html and sign up for her free 8-lesson ecourse called "From Clueless to Fearless: Secrets from the Schmooze Coach."
So You Want To Be A PodCaster
You think you have what it takes to compete in the exploding underground-industry of Podcasting and have a great concept for a Podcast?
Have you checked all of this off your list?:
• A Great Idea for a New Podcast!
• A Killer Script (No the same as a great concept)
• Recording Software
• A Microphone
• A Webpage (and plenty of bandwidth)
• An Rss Feed for your Podcast episodes
• A Well Laid Out Plan on How to Market Your New Podcast
So how did you do?
Were you able to check everything off the list? Most of these items are necessary to create and host your podcast, and if you haven't bothered with a good marketing plan yet? Well, keep your fingers crossed that your family and friends like the sound of your voice because it is unlikely that many other people will ever hear your Great New Podcast show.
Don't shoot the messenger. It is a dog-eat-dog world out there with too many businesses competing for the same Podcast audience. What's that you say? We are not talking about businesses? Only a free, donation based, underground, podcast? Well, that may be true, but the world of podcasting has grown exponentially over the past year and that means there are a large number of Podcasters out there who are competing for the same listener base that you are. In fact, according to Forrester Research, by 2010 the multitude of podcast shows should have around 12.3 million regular listeners.
And don't forget that the business world knows a good thing when it sees it; resulting in more and more businesses jumping on the Podcast bandwagon over the past few months.
But that's okay; because there's still plenty of room in the Podcast Empire and you can learn valuable lessons from the business world…
They know how to put together a classy Podcast. They know how to advertise.They know how to network. And possibly most importantly, they know how to market a Podcast. And you can scoff at the corporations invading the tranquil Podcasting Nirvana all you want, but the fact remains... If you want to get your new Podcast out to the masses, you had better bone up on some Marketing Basics.
So where do you start?
Well, one of the most important things that you can do is to understand and have a working knowledge of your business Value Chain. What’s a Value Chain you ask? Essentially it is the logical flow of your new Podcast business starting with your original concept and following every step through until the finished product hits your listener’s iPod.
Did you catch that? In other words, your Podcast's Value Chain consists of all the steps you need to take to get your product into the hands of your listeners.
A Podcast’s Value Chain will consist of 10 steps:
Concept -> Pre-production -> Post-Production -> Publishing -> Hosting -> Promotion -> Community/Search -> Downloading -> Show Viewing
If you produce a podcast show, you will touch on each of these steps. And while each step may offer you a unique set of challenges, each will also provide you with their own opportunities to monetize and market your new show.
The Value Chain of your Podcast Show will always be at the core of your venture whether you utilize it or not. This being the case, the more aware you are of your Value Chain, the easier it will become for you to take advantage of and capitalize on each step of the process.
This is the first in a series of articles that explain how to take advantage of your Podcast Show's Value Chain and help you to maximize your Show's listenership. To see the following articles, please visit http://www.podcastempire.com.
Podcasting a Great Way to Share Media Files
Less than a year ago, most people had never heard of podcasting.
Yet, the podcasting audience will reach 10 million this year and
50 million by 2010, projects online researcher eMarketer.
So what's all the hype about? And what does podcasting mean
anyway?
Podcasting is simply a way to publish media files online to
enable users to subscribe to a feed and receive files
automatically as they're released. Essentially, podcasting is
about creating content-audio or video-for an audience that wants
to listen when, where and how they want. It involves the
transmission of all types of media-whether it be music, a weather
forecast, a comedy sketch or interviews.
Podcasting is an interesting term comprised of the words "iPod"
and "broadcasting." The name came about simply because of the
popularity of Apple Computer's best-selling portable digital
audio player, the iPod. Despite its name, no over-the-air
broadcasting is required for podcasting. And neither podcasting
nor listening to podcasts requires an iPod or other portable
player. You can listen to podcasts with any MP3 player or your
PC and Ipod application.
How Podcasting Differs from Regular Broadcasting
Subscribing to podcasts allows users to collect programs from a
variety of sources for listening or viewing offline at whatever
time and place is convenient to them. In contrast, conventional
broadcasting provides only one source at a time, and the time is
determined by the broadcaster.
There are two main features that make a podcast different from a
standard audio download. For one, it's not just one audio file,
it's a recurring "show" with new "episodes" posted as time goes
by. Also, it uses continuous RSS technology. So when a new
episode is available, your podcasting program (such as iTunes)
gets notified and either alerts you or downloads the information
automatically if you've subscribed. When you connect your iPod to
your computer, the episodes go onto your iPod and you can listen
to them. Or you can listen to them on your computer using your
music application.
The beauty of podcasts is that you don't have to be limited to
commercial-filled radio. Instead, you can have everything you're
interested in hearing or viewing delivered right to your Ipod.
You could listen to the morning news cast at midnight...hear DJ
mixes from Paris, France or listen to comedy skits on your way to
work-all without a single commercial interruption.
It's easy to locate available podcasts. One easy way to find
podcasts is to use the Podcast Directory in iTunes. These
automatically-updated podcasts can then be easily synchronized to
your iPod for offline listening. There are also many directories
that list available podcasts, and also allow submission of a
podcast feed if you have one. Some of the more popular podcast
directories are www.podcastalley.com, www.podcast.net,
www.openpodcast.org and www.podcastdirectory.com.
Instead of just subscribing to podcasts, you could also create
podcasts to promote your business. You don't have to be a
professional to create podcasts. You simply have to be able to
record and translate a recording into an MP3 file and upload it
to the internet.
If you're a life coach, for example, you could create a podcast
to highlight your area of expertise and help your target audience
solve issues. "Podcoaching" could help you showcase your coaching
skills, build rapport with a broader audience and gain new
clients.
Whether you're interested in being a podcaster or subscriber,
podcasts are a valuable tool for sharing information.
Copyright 2006, Kate Smalley
Connecticut Secretary
Transcription Services and Secretarial Support
