Articles on Podcasting | Topics: podcasting, podcast
by Xavier Rowe
Okay, you know a little bit about podcasting. If you are like all of the general public was when they first learned of this new distribution method, you want to get started on your first podcast. First, you will have to decide exactly what you want to put into your podcast. You are not a programming director, so you'll have to figure it out on your own. You can also listen to some other people's podcasts in order to get some good ideas. Once you have your idea, you'll be ready to go.
Before you can get your content out there, you have to record it first. It doesn't really matter how you record your content. What matters is your ability to get the content on to a computer. Almost all people who are podcasting are using their computers to record. Taking the liberty of assuming that this is what you'll do. You'll need some equipment, including a soundcard (with input capability), a microphone an audio recording program and an MP3 encoder. So what you're doing is plugging a microphone into a soundcard, then using software to monitor and edit what you've recorded. There are many different types of audio recording programs available. Most Mac owners seem to be using Apple's Garage Band software. Windows PC owners can use a freeware program called Audacity. Product called Magix Audio Studio . Magix costs about $80 but it's an awesome program with lots of great features. If you've never used an audio recording program before, this step may seem a bit daunting. Don't worry. Start by doing some test recordings and review the product documentation. With practice, you will get better.
You'll still need some other gear in order to make your setup complete. Get a pair of decent headphones so you can hear how things sound as you record. A pair of large, over the ear headphones. You can also use a microphone stand too keep your mic in place. Use a boom stand as it offers flexibility for mic positioning. You can also use a pop screen to mute your "P's" when recording. Once you've got your content recorded you'll want to convert the file to a compressed format, usually MP3 format if your content is audio based. Your audio recording package might have the ability to do this. If so, you're set. If not, theres a great program that's free. It's called dBPowerAmp music converter and it allows you to convert your files at the click of a button.
| Quote of the Day |
These seem like bristles, and the hide is tough.
No claw or web here: each foot ends in hoof.
|
|
Now that you've got some content, you have to get it out to the internet. Once the content is on the Internet, you can use the power of RSS to distribute your content worldwide. It is awesome that you can do that in minutes. You'll need some webserver space where you can store your content. If you already have a website, you can upload your content to a folder on your site.If you don't have a site, there are other options. There are a number of sites that offer storage at low or no cost. If you intend to upload a lot of content Most pros recommend spending some money to get some space on a hosting site. Use Namesecure. Get 500 mb of storage space. 500MB can fill up fast if you're adding content on a regular basis, but you can always upgrade if you need to. Once you've got your space, you can upload your files. A high speed internet connection is crucial here. You don't want to be uploading a 10MB file via a dial up connection, as that will take hours to complete the upload.
This is the crucial step in podcasting. Your content is on the internet but you want to get it out to the masses. That's why you syndicate. With syndication, people can 'subscribe' to your content. So when you add content, subscribers will automatically download that content the next time their aggregator checks your feed. To syndicate you need to create a feed. These days, creating a feed is pretty darn easy. A great method is very simple and best of all, it's free! First, set up an account with Blogger. This blog account will allow you to create and update the web page that will hold the links to your content. Blogger allows you generate an Atom feed from your web log entries. The Atom feed itself doesn't allow you to podcast, but it's a necessary step using my method. Look up the help pages on Blogger to get more information on how to set up your blog and the Atom feed. When you set up the Atom feed you'll need to specify a location for the publishing of the data file that will contain your content feed. You'll also need to change the blog settings to activate the Title and Link fields for your web log. The combination of the feed with the title and link fields will give you the basic data elements necessary to create your podcasts.
|
We strive to provide
only top rate articles on our website. If
there is a specific angle on podcasting that you would like us to cover, please contact us here.
Please note: All personal opinions expressed in the "Tips to Get People to Download your Podcast" article belong to the contributing author and are not necessarily shared by WebDesignConferencing.com. |
Web Cameras are Web Wonders Five Reasons to Get one for Yourself
By Hemangi Alston
Web cameras are everywhere now. If you have been on line at all in the past few years, then you have encountered a web camera in some form or another....
Selling your Podcast – How it Can be Done
By Wilfred Ingram
There are those individuals who truly believe they can log online, make a Podcast, and make a ton of cash in a week. Speak the truth and realize that isn't how it goes at all....
Domain Transfer Rules between Web Hosts
By Ingrid Tanner
There are lessons that can be learned from not backing up information, or as in real life not having receipts, or hard copies of all legal and school information. It makes you wonder how many potential authors have given up on writing because they lost a two hundred-page book....
|
