Podcasting for Beginners
Wednesday, January 13th, 2010
Podcasting is the latest technological revolution that happened in the World Wide Web. It is the latest innovation in broadcasting and a new medium in publishing shows. Podcasting show is termed as podcast. If you are familiar with blog, then you may want to think podcast as audio blog where you express your thoughts or ideas by talking instead of writing. In other words, podcast is just like a home-made radio program. And since it can be created at home, it only means that anybody can do podcasting.
Podcasting uses the very same concept that is used in blogging. They both use a tool called RSS feed in uploading contents. It is also designed in such a way that people with Internet connection can subscribe to your show. Through RSS feeds, subscribers will receive an automatic notification every time you release new episodes on your show. But the best thing about podcasting is, it can be downloaded and listened not only in computers but also in any portable MP3 players. And because podcast shows can be transferred in any portable media player, it gives more convenience to people as they do not need to be confined in a single place just to listen for their subscribed show.
There are three general requirements to start podcasting: show format, equipment and software. Show format is the style and contents of your podcast show. You need to identify what topics you wanted to talk about, whom do you want to address your show, what is the duration of your show and what would be the title of your show. You need to create a plan or a script just like in a real radio or TV programs. Also consider if you want to create a daily, every other day, weekly or bi-monthly shows and if you will have somebody or other people to host your show.
To record your own podcast show, you need to have equipment and podcasting software. Equipment in podcasting is very basic: computer with Internet access, a good microphone and speakers. The podcasting software that you need in creating podcast shows is the MP3 encoder, audio recording/editing software and a program that will create and maintain your podcast RSS feeds. You will also need a website where you will upload and publish your recorded show so that people can download and listen to them.
All software that you need in recording podcast can be downloaded in the Internet for free. For free audio recording/editing software, you may want to try Audacity. ListGarden RSS Feed Generator is a free program that you can use in creating and maintaining RSS feeds to your show. There are also numerous podcasting websites like Our Media wherein you can upload and publish your podcast for free. And if you want easier and all in one podcasting services that provide both podcasting software and web space to record and upload your podcasts, you can try Wild Voice.
If you want to incorporate music or if you require some piece of music to your show, there is also some music companies like Magnatune that offer their music for free for podcasting purposes. These are the quickest and cheapest way to create and publish your own podcast show. But there are still many valuable stuff that you can find about podcasting when you started doing it.
Merry Jazz
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