author podcasting
Podcasts: The Why, The How, The Who
September 27, 2011
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by Jessica Marpe
The Why
Podcasts have grown so popular in the past few years that they now cover every topic under the sun, from technology to comedy, from family fun to business. And it’s no wonder so many people choose this medium to amplify their message—podcasts are a quick, portable, and oftentimes free way to reach an audience and spread your opinions and thoughts.
They’re also a valuable tool in growing your platform and diversifying your content, so if you have something to say, you should consider recording it in a podcast. A simple Google search reveals that several thousands of people have chosen to take that route.
Luckily for you, the hardest part of making a podcast isn’t in the technicalities. The difficulty comes in cutting through the clutter and reaching your intended audience. To do so, it is vital that you provide quality content and execute your podcast in a way that intrigues the public. Whether your intention is to put together a series or a one-time recording, a simple tool like an outline will help you gather your thoughts and keep you on-topic. Other things that you should keep in mind while brainstorming your podcast’s content include the following:
- Make sure your objective is clear and your content differentiated.
- Let your personality show. If you want to grow your audience, your listeners have to feel like they’re getting to know you.
- Keep a steady pace. Don’t rush through what you have to say. If you want to go longer than the typical thirty- to sixty-minute runtime of a podcast, split it into two podcasts.
- Consider fielding questions through email or social media and then addressing them in future podcasts or in other content you produce. Use the podcast to familiarize yourself with the kinds of questions your audience wants answered and the kind of content they find helpful.
The How
While recording and broadcasting may seem like a daunting undertaking, there are several resources that provide software and instructions to record, broadcast, and market your podcast (quite a few of which are free). The easiest way to jump into the world of podcasting is to employ one of these resources and start recording.
Here’s a selection of services you can use to help you with your podcast:
Audacity is an open-source program that has many sound recording and editing capabilities. It allows you to record voice tracks, include music in your recording, and edit and manipulate what you have recorded. Audacity.sourceforge.net
Podbean is a one-stop shop for podcasting. You can use it to create and host your podcast, and it also offers special features like statistics, an iTunes preview, and opportunities to generate revenue from your podcast. Podbean.com
BlogTalkRadio is marketed toward users that want to create their own radio station. If you are looking to host a long-running series and are willing to buy into one of their packages, this may be a good option for your podcast. BlogTalkRadio offers features such as show scheduling, live interaction with your audience, and podcast hosting. BlogTalkRadio.com
All three of these services provide an easy-to-use interface and instructions that will walk you through the production of your podcast. You can also get a detailed how-to at Podcasting News.
The Who
After all the technicalities of the production of the podcast have been tied up, you will need to upload your file to a hosting site. The hosting site will be the place where people can go and listen to your podcast. The site will also provide you with a link that you can share on your website and through your social media channels. If the service you choose to produce your podcast includes hosting services, you shouldn’t have any problems following the instructions provided. If you choose to use software, like Audacity, that does not include hosting capabilities, you will need to choose a website that best fits your hosting needs.
There are several sites that can host your podcast. Most hosting sites will give you a small amount of bandwidth for free with a simple registration. If you’re aiming to produce a series, you may need a larger amount of space than is provided and need to pay a small fee. Figure out how much bandwidth each of your shows will take up and then gauge which site offers the best deal for you.
Here are some podcast-hosting services:
Easy Podcast takes you through three steps that get your podcast tagged, set up with a customizable RSS feed, and uploaded to your website.
Libsyn offers different amounts of monthly storage at different prices. If you’re looking for professional help in managing your podcast, they also offer a service called LibsynPro.
For maximum exposure, submit your podcast to search engines and podcast subscribing sites. The resources mentioned below are all great ways to market your podcast.
iTunes provides access to thousands upon thousands of podcasts and is one of the most popular destinations for podcast listeners. Because iTunes has established itself as a go-to destination for podcasting, there is an approval process and stipulations that need to be followed in order for your submission to be complete. For a complete rundown of how to get your podcast on iTunes, check out its FAQ for podcast makers.
Feed Shark operates by “pinging” services that target blogs, RSS feeds, and podcast promoters to spread the word about your podcast. It’s an efficient, easy way to reach out to a large number of sources.
Podcast Alley is a podcast directory as well as a wonderful resource for viewing tutorials and accessing information on podcasts. The site will index your podcast and make the link available to people searching for the particular topic or genre your podcast falls under.
Happy podcasting!
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Malaya Torrence
from Malaya Torrence on Fri, 2011-12-09 08:52Very informative blog article. Really Great.
Anabelle Winton
from Anabelle Winton on Tue, 2011-12-06 13:56I appreciate you sharing this article. Great.
Marisa Whitcomb
from Marisa Whitcomb on Mon, 2011-12-05 06:22Great blog.Really looking forward to read more. Really Great.
Regina Ledoux
from Regina Ledoux on Tue, 2011-11-29 12:57I truly appreciate this blog.Really thank you! Fantastic.
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The Ultimate Guide to Podcasting
August 25, 2006
by GreenleafBookGroup
According to a Pew poll, six million adults—almost a third of the number who own personal audio players—have downloaded podcasts. A lot of people are listening. A podcast is a self-published online radio show available to download from the Internet. Although the concept was only born four years ago, Apple’s iTunes directory currently lists more than fifteen thousand podcasts available for download and receives more than a thousand podcast submissions each week.
One of the reasons for the podcast’s quick rise to popularity is how easily one can be created. Desktop programs like Apple‘s iLife ($79) include everything you need to record your own. You can get a detailed how-to at Podcasting News or listen to a podcast about how to podcast at Apple’s iLife tutorials. Of course, unless you have your own recording studio, using do-it-yourself programs will make your podcast sound like you did it yourself. If you are trying to sound professional and want your podcast to reflect that professionalism, then you should look into a company that will help you record and edit.
Here are the essentials to make sure your podcast rocks the trend and ensnares faithful listeners everywhere:
Hook ’Em: No one is going to download “Bob’s Random Thoughts Podcast.” Why should I care what Bob thinks? But if Bob had a clearly defined thought, I might be persuaded to download. That clear thought is the hook, the promise that gets a listener interested in your message. Your hook should involve a catchy title that immediately tells your audience why they’d want to listen, and content that’s useful and interesting enough to get your downloaders to click that “Subscribe” button on their iTunes. The Three N’s help you craft a hook: Need, Novelty, and Newsworthiness.
- Need: Like I said before, people need a reason to download your podcast. Regardless of what your targets are looking for, there is a reason they want the information. Whether they’re curious about what Tim Gunn thinks about the new episode of Project Runway or looking for sound stock tips, your audience is drawn in by information relevant to their lives. If you clearly define what you are podcasting about and show their need for it, people will be more apt to download it.
- Novelty: We all gravitate to the original, the new, and the unusual. Spread your message in a different and unique manner. If you are podcasting on a popular subject, make it your own. Your podcast should reflect who you are and how you want your message to be heard.
- Newsworthiness: This does not mean your podcast should focus on the hard-hitting, late-breaking news, but it does mean your podcast should be timely. Choose a hot topic—if “Bob’s Random Thoughts Podcast” became “Bob’s Predictions on the Final Harry Potter Book” or “Bob’s Snakes on a Plane Exposé” people would download it, because both subjects revolve around hot, newsworthy topics.
Where It’s At: No matter how good your hook is, as with any type of promotion, visibility in the marketplace is critical to delivering your message to the most people. Your podcast should be listed on every podcast directory out there. The most important is iTunes; they have top-of-mind awareness, and if your podcast offers creative material and a fresh outlook, they might even feature it on their podcast homepage. Besides iTunes, there are several other directories where you should list your podcast: Odeo, podcast.com, Juice, and iPodder. To build a successful following, try to release one show every week. Keep your audience coming back for your latest installment.
Work It: If you hook an audience and have high market visibility, then you can work the advertisers. Just like you have space for rent on your website, you have advertising space on your podcast. With advertisers and sponsors you can increase your visibility and expose your podcast to more listeners. For example, if you were podcasting about jogging as a sport and a pastime and developed a strong following, why not approach Nike or Gatorade and pitch a cross-promotional deal? If you can present them a built-in audience, you’re offering a great place for them to promote their products.
TIP: Go to iTunes and browse their podcast directory for inspiration; see what everyone else is talking about. For examples of the podcast done right, check out the podcasts “Ad Age Audio Reports,” “Authors on Tour Live,” and “The New York Times Headlines.”
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