Make your podcast stand out from the rest.
pea pods with one opened pod image by Yuri Davidov from Fotolia.com
A podcast allows you to speak what is on your mind to an audience of people who are interested in your topic. Your listeners have the option of listening to your podcast episodes when they originally air or they can go back and listen to missed episodes at a time that is more convenient. Producing a podcast is not difficult, on the surface. However, there are a few things you can do to ensure your podcast is one of excellent caliber. The quality of the podcast can entice your listeners to keep coming back for more.
Step 1
Ensure that you have all of the necessary equipment to produce a podcast. You will need a microphone that is capable of recording high quality audio. A condenser microphone is generally recommended. However, if you don't want to invest in a condenser microphone, you can use a USB headset microphone as well.
If you are using a condenser microphone, you should also invest in a pop filter to place in front of the microphone as you speak. The pop filter will eliminate some of the popping sounds that are naturally heard when you speak. You also need professional recording and editing software installed on your computer. Free software that you can use for your editing and recording includes "Audacity" for Windows or "Garage Band" for Macintosh.
Step 2
Decide on a topic or theme for your podcast. The theme for your podcast should give a hint to listeners of what your podcast episodes are about. For example, The "Master Fisherman," "Politics Today" or "Inspirational Moments."
Step 3
Write down an outline for your podcast program. You can write out the entire script for your podcast if you are prone to forget what you desire to say. You can also write down bullet points or short notes instead of an entire script.
Step 4
Launch your recording software. Power on your microphone. Click the "Record" button in the software program to begin recording your first podcast episode. When you have finished recording, click "File" and "Save" to save the recording.
Step 5
Edit your recording to remove any background noises or to delete certain segments of the recording. For the details on how to edit using your specific software, refer to the "Help" option on the menu bar. Be sure to click "File" and "Save" to prevent losing the edits you make.
Step 6
Sign up for a podcast hosting account on a website of your choice. A few websites that offer podcast hosting accounts include PodBean and Podcast Revolution. Once you have signed up for a podcast hosting account, you can set a schedule for your upcoming podcast.
Step 7
Upload your edited podcast recording to your podhosting account. You will likely see an "Upload" button that will allow you to upload new audio. However, the exact wording will vary by site. When uploading your podcast recording, you will also be able to set an air date for the episode. You can air the episode immediately or schedule it for a date and time in the future.
Step 8
Submit your podcast to podcasting search engines/directories so that your podcast can be found. For example, you can submit your podcast to Podcast.Com, Apple iTunes, and Podcast Alley (see Resources). To submit your site you will generally click the "Add Podcast" option. You will then enter the RSS Feed URL (website address) for your podcast. If you don't know the RSS Feed URL for your podcast, contact your podcast host to verify.
References
Photo Credits
- pea pods with one opened pod image by Yuri Davidov from Fotolia.com
