Podcasting

What is a podcast?

At its simplest, a podcast is an audio or video file on the internet.

But what really makes podcasts interesting is that you can subscribe to new podcasts, using programs like iTunes for audio and Miro for video.

When you subscribe to a podcast, it means you don’t have to go back and check if a new episode is up. Your software automatically does it for you. Find out more about how to subscribe to podcasts .

Who uses podcasting?

Podcasts are used by all sorts of people, from educational institutions to businesses to churches to consultants to, of course, radio stations.

Why podcast?

Like blogging , podcasting is a great way to:

It goes even further than blogging, because it allows for conversation. Whether it’s a witty monologue in a conversational tone, or (even better) a genuine conversation between two participants, podcasting can bring the subject matter alive.

How to create an audio podcast

  1. Create an MP3 or MP4 audio file, using recording software such as Audacity or Garageband .
  2. Upload your audio file to your own web site host, a free third-party service like BigPod , or a paid podcast host such as LibSyn .
  3. If you’ve uploaded the audio file to your own web host, and you’re using WordPress for your site, you can use the PodPress plugin to distribute your podcast. If you have the latest version of WordPress, you’ll also need a plugin called No Revisions .
  4. Promote your podcast by submitting it to the iTunes store , Podcast Alley and joining the Blubrry Podcast Network .

As you might have gathered, audio podcasting is pretty complicated, and there isn’t yet a simple service to handle everything.

The good news is, video podcasting is much easier .

Podcasting Resources

Podcasts

There are a wealth of podcasts about social media, including podcasting itself. Here’s a smattering of them:

For Immediate Release – The Hobson and Holtz Report

Jaffe Juice

Six Pixels of Separation

Marketing Over Coffee

Books