Astounding Language

Everywhere you turn online these days you hear
the word “podcast” or “podcasting.” No, it’s not
some broadcasting method used by Martians, even
though it might sound like it. A Podcast is just
an audio file that is syndicated via an RSS feed,
that you download and listen to with your computer
or a portable device such as an iPod.

What makes it different from an ordinary RSS
feed is the audio component included in the
“enclosure field.” Think of it as a feed that
talks to you.

Podcasting is increasing in popularity. According
to Forrester Research, by 2010 podcasting should
have about 12.3 million listeners. That’s a pretty
big audience. For more info see
http://tinyurl.com/84tyo

Similar to a talk radio show, podcasts can also take
the format of an interview. Topics range from
business to hobbies; even rants and obsessions.
Lengths vary, but a typical podcast will run
anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, but I have seen
some longer. So far, there are not many music
podcasts due to the red tape and cost of music
licensing — although musicians and/or small
record labels bypass that issue by utilizing their
own recordings.

Before you think you need some special device to
listen to a podcast, let me assure you that you
don’t. Most RSS readers have the capability
built in to play podcasts. Any software that
can play a sound file can play a podcast. If you
want to take them with you to listen to while on
the road you’ll want to invest in a portable MP3
device like an iPod.

Like other RSS feeds, you decide which ones you
want to subscribe to and you can unsubscribe at
any time.

Online business owners should think of podcasting
as yet another avenue for promoting your products
and services. Like an ezine or the RSS feeds you
already use, it’s a simple inexpensive method of
syndicating your audio files online. It would appear
that a podcast is a bit more personal. Instead of
just reading, like an ezine, people can listen to
the sound of your voice and make a more personal
connection.

Now that I have your attention you may be
wondering “How do I create a podcast?”
Well, it’s really pretty simple if you follow
the easy steps below:

1) First you’ll need to use software to
record your own audio file. A good free
one is Audacity which you can download
at http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
While there, you’ll also need to download the
Lame MP3 Encoder which allows MP3 exportation.

2) Once your audio is recorded you’ll need
to create an RSS feed file which is simply
a special text file with an RSS extension
that also includes a particular enclosure tag.
For step by step directions on making a feed
file see this site:

http://make-rss-feeds.com/making-an-rss-feed.htm

There’s also a great tutorial on RSS here:

http://www.mnot.net/rss/tutorial/

3) Once your audio and RSS files are completed
you’ll need to upload both of them to your
server/website.

If you’d like to read more here are some more
online sites to help guide you.

Make Your First Podcast
http://tinyurl.com/757fx

Create Podcasts Using Your PC
http://tinyurl.com/9jfcb

If you don’t want to do all this work manually
there are software tools specific to podcast
creation.

ePodCast Creator
http://tinyurl.com/do7sq

Pod Producer
http://tinyurl.com/9dwrh

That’s it. Wasn’t that simple? Remember, you
can’t get subscribers if people don’t know
about your feed, so make sure you add it in
a prominent place of your site. You want to
make it easy for them to subscribe and add
your feed to their news reader.

Audio files are rather large and can take up
a lot of space on your server, so make sure
you won’t run out of bandwidth. If you’re
tight on space you can always farm it out
to a third party service such as
http://www.PodLot.com . For only $5.00 they’ll
give you 150 MB of storage space with no
bandwidth limitations. Your domain will
look like this: nameofyourshow.podlot.com

If you think you’re going to have a hit
on your hands and want to try to generate
cash from your podcast, check out
http://www.PremiumPodcasting.com . They
provide a system that allows you to charge
for your shows and also include private
access to them, track who is listening
and more. You can try them out for a four
day trial for only one dollar.

Once your podcast is live you’ll want to make
sure you list it with the various directories
that exist for just this purpose. You’ll find
a nice list here:

http://tinyurl.com/create.php

Podcast Bunker
http://tinyurl.com/9qayk

Open Media Network
http://omn.org/submitfeeds.htm

Podcasting Station
http://tinyurl.com/7qlzq

Robin Good has a huge list at
http://tinyurl.com/9rusq

So now that you see how easy it is to create
a podcast, what’s stopping you? Remember, this
is a great tool to add to your marketing mix
and if you’re a bit on the creative side this
might be just the ticket. Have fun with it,
experiment and you’ll become an expert podcaster
in no time.

By Merle- Want to Know the SECRETS of Article
Promotion? Discover everything you need to know
in this brand New Ebook, “How to Use Articles to
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Interested in podcasting but overwhelmed as to what software to use to help you? Here’s a list of some of the top podcasting software programs you can find on the Internet:

1. iPodder - subscribe to and receive podcasts on your PC

2. Radio Blog Club - creates a playlist of audio files for a web site

3. Doppler Radio - podcast aggregator that downloads podcasts to your computer

4. iPodderX - another popular podcast aggragator

5. PodFeeder - tool to manage your podcast subscriptions also let’s you search for podcast feeds to subscribe to.

6. Blog Matrix Sparks - you can record streaming Internet radio programs and download podcasts with this program.

7. jPodder - another popular tool to subscribe to podcasts.

8. podOmatic - service to create podcasts and host them online.

9. EasyPodcast.com - tool to create podcasts

10. Propaganda - a software program to create your own podcasts

11.Poderator - online tool that creates the podcast RSS feeds.

12. Podcast Teleprompter - tool to make your recordings sound like a professional news anchor when you do your podcasts.

Well those are the 12 podcasting programs I can think of at the moment and I’m sure over the years more and more podcasting software programs will be developed.

As you can see there are a lot of different podcasting software programs to check out ranging from programs to download podcasts to your computer, to places to host your own podcast to podcast teleprompters to make you sound more professional.

Reed Floren is the author of How to Podcast for Fun and Profit the book that teaches you how to profit from your own podcasts and creator of Podcast Teleprompter Software the software that makes you sound like a professional news anchor every time you do a 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.

I have been seeing the word podcasting floating around the Internet for a while. And actually read an article that stated it’s arrival. However, it never really gave me any information about Podcasting. And yes, my curiosity got the better of me. I decided it was time to find out more about podcasting, and learn the what and howand if it could help my business. And, most importantly, how much I would have to spend to partake in this new technology.

What is Podcasting?

Podcasting is simply a web blog that is in an audio format. And the audio portion is presented by way of an MP3 file. In essence, it is your own radio broadcast, relating to anything you want. The transmission of the podcast is through an RSS (Real Simple Syndication) technology.

How Can I Use It In My Business?

How Can I Use It In My Business? To me, that is the most important question to answer. Why get the technology if it is not going to be of any use to you. Right? Well, I feel that it can be of use to any business. For example: let’s say that your site is based around a niche market, say cats. You could base your podcast on your niche market, supplying them information and tips about cats, with an audio, and then tell them to follow up to your website or blog, for that matter, for additional information.

What can audio do for your business? It puts a voice behind the website, and makes you a real person. And, by also supplying the same information, with follow-up material in your blog, you have made a connection. You are now a real person, with a real voice, and not a faade.

Where can I get a Podcast?

If you’re new to podcasting, know very little about it, and you don’t want to spend very much - if anything — to experiment with this new product, (like myself), than I would suggest getting the ebook by Jeff Mills. He gives you everything you need to know - as well as, getting you up and running. If you want to take a look at what he has offers go to my site at: www.myaffiliateplace.biz/Affiliate_Ebooks_Mills.htm. Or, if you have time on your hands, you can do your own research in this area.

To conclude, it’s always good to be open to new technology when it comes onboard the Internet, and to see if it can work for you and your website. Sometimes it won’t, but other times, it may be what you need.

And remember, people have their own internal comfort zone to retrieving data for themselves. Some like ebooks, while others prefers books. Some like to read, and others like to listen. So you see, if you can give your visitors the best of both worlds, you have a better chance of making them a customer and/or a return visitor.

Vickie J Scanlon has a BBA degree in Administrative Management and Marketing. Visit her site at: www.myaffiliateplace.biz for free and quality promotional tools, affiliate articles, ebooks, how to info, affiliate opportunities, services and products - to meet your budget and needs for those in affiliate marketing.

One of the problems many podcast producers fall into is how to record a podcast when your co-host or interview subject lives in another state or province.

Since having that person fly or drive to your location is silly, there are many cost-effective ways to record individuals for your podcast and still get a broadcast quality sound.

Since I’m the only host for my podcast called Cubicle Divas, when I need to record an interview to include in my podcast, I use a service called Audio Acrobat. For a small monthly fee, I call the person I need to interivew, and then call the Audio Acrobat number using my three-way calling feature on my phone.

If you’re looking for a no-fee option, Jason Van Orden has a solution for the more frugally-minded podcaster. Van Orden co-hosts a podcast called Internet Business Mastery with another person in another state. He has a simple strategy for recording both of their voices at the same time that doesn’t cost a dime.

“We call each other on Skype or Google Talk so we can hear each other. We each have the same outline in front of us, which clearly indicates who is doing what. We each have a recording software open on our computers and press record at the same time (someone counts off),” says Van Orden.

“My co-host uploads the audio file to his site and I download it. Then I put the two audio files together and sync them. It sounds like we’re in the same room. This technique is often called a ‘double-ender’,” says Van Orden.

Paige Eissinger, who co-hosts a podcast called Views from the Coop, also uses Skype, but she uses a different technique than that of Van Orden.

“I use Skype and HotRecorder to create the podcasts I do with my co-host who lives in another state. HotRecorder is a very inexpensive program available online for download. Either party (or both) can record the conversation directly to their own computers with HotRecorder,” says Eissinger.

According to Eissinger, there is an additional benefit to using Hot Recorder to record your interviews.

“HotRecorder saves the file in the HotRecorder format, but a companion program called HotConverter comes with it that allows you to convert to a wav or ogg vorbis format. Once you’ve converted the file, you can open your conversation in your favorite audio editing program and edit away. The cool thing about it is that it records each voice of the conversation on a different track so you can edit them individually,” says Eissinger.

Podcating guru Penny Haynes, who produces 3 podcasts and is also the founder of the International Podcasting Expo, shares her own technique for recording interviews so she can get a broadcast quality sounding audio.

“I have interviewees download a free version of a program called RecordPad and give them my FTP information to insert into the Options section,” says Haynes.

“When they finish recording, the mp3 file is automatically uploaded to my server, so I can mix the two files as if they were with me when I recorded.”

For less technical interviewees and co-hosts who may be all thumbs when it comes to FTP programs and recording software, Donna Papacosta, who produces a podcast called Trafcom News Podcast, suggests getting recording equipment that connects into your phone.

“For remote guests, I use a Telecom Audio VoicePort hooked up to my phone and my Edirol R-1. The person on the other end doesn’t have to do anything other than talk,” says Papacosta.

As a first-time podcast producer, Danielle Culter used a tool called Gizmo Project to record her first podcast with her co-host who lives in another state.

“Quality isn’t too bad, and can be fixed up when you edit. My co-host spoke rather softly, so you can notice a difference in the levels there (or maybe I’m just a loudmouth), but overall I was pretty happy with the results,” says Culter.

Warren Contreras, a podcast enthusiast, agrees that the Gizmo Project tool can be effective at recording multiple voices in multiple locations.

“For multiple remote participants you might have a look at Gizmo Project. Conference calling is included as well as a one click record button,” says Contreras.

Quotes for this article were collected from the Podcaster Central network on Ryze.com.

(c)2006 Leesa R. Barnes. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

Leesa Barnes, Chief Divapreneur, helps consultants, virtual assistants, professional organizers and coaches pull clients to them using a podcast. Leesa’s advice is based on her experience producing and hosting a podcast where she saw a spike in subscribers to her ezine list and signed up a few new coaching clients, all without scheduling any complimentary sessions. Go to http://www.internationalpodcastingexpo.com and join the podcasters mentioned in this article for a 3-day expo exploring tips on how to produce, publish, promote & profit from a podcast.