Podcasting - what I know
by Jeanette Cates, Internet Strategist
=========================================
Well, it's limited at this point. But I know that if you can produce an MP3 file, then people with "pods" (aka mp3 players) can pick it up and listen to it.
What's the difference between downloading an MP3 as we do with a teleseminar replay and podcasting? Essentially picking it up yourself is a pull technology. Podcasting is a push technology. As soon as you publish the mp3, the pod listeners' aggregator pages are updated. The next time they sync their player with their computer your content is automatically updated on their player.
However, remember that they have to subscribe to your podcast, so you still need to drive traffic to your site.
But if you enjoy recording audio and want to provide good content to a broader audience, pods are definitely a growing market. There are over 25 million players out there already!
So now that I've stumbled through my explanation, let's see if Sharon agrees with me. Sure would be nice to have a teenager around the house to explain all this!
Here's the article...
=========================================
How Podcasting Works
Copyright 2005 Sharon Housley
=========================================
It has been said that in October of 2004 a Google search returned less than 6,000 results for the term "podcasting". Today, a similar search yields more than 857,000 results. Like the blogging phenomenon, podcasting has come out of nowhere and attracted an enthusiastic following.
While some traditional radio talk shows have begun providing podcasts of their regularly-scheduled broadcasts, the bulk of the podcasts that have cropped up tend to be independent broadcasters who have a fascination with technology. As a result, some podcasts are a little rough around the edges. Nonetheless, it is clear that the technology provides a significant opportunity and potential. Even nay-sayers believe that podcasting is more than a passing fad.
Podcasting is RSS that is used to syndicate and distribute audio files. Podcasting contains an audio file in the RSS feed's enclosure tag. An enclosure tag is used in RSS feeds to include certain types of files. The file contained in an enclosure tag can be: an image, a data file, a video file, or an audio file. Podcasting specifically refers to RSS feeds that contain audio files in their enclosure tag. The RSS version that currently supports enclosure tags is RSS version 2.0. All podcasts are currently created using this specification.
The benefit to podcasting is the fact that users can sync content with their media player and listen at a time and a place of their choosing: radio on demand. And while this technology is not limited to music, it seems to be the area that has received the most attention.
Podcasting is generally inexpensive to implement. Investment in a good quality microphone will ensure that the recording is audible. Depending on knowledge and experience, some podcasters invest in audio conversion, compression and audio editing software applications. Also, web space bandwith and software to create the feed for the podcast is needed. All in all, the initial expense is relatively small.
Publishing Podcasts
In three simple steps, independent broadcasters can have
their voice heard:
1. Publishers create audio content, posting it on a website
for listeners.
2. Create or edit an existing RSS feed including a link to
the audio file in the "enclosure" field of an RSS 2.0 feed,
uploading it to a website.
3. Tell the world that a podcast is available.
Listen to Podcasts:
In three simple steps web surfers can listen to podcasts:
1. Download a news aggregator or RSS reader that supports
podcasting or sync a wireless device like an iPod with your
computer.
2. Enter the URL of the podcast feed into the news
aggregator or podcast management software.
3. As new items appear in the aggregator, review the
podcast's description and listen to those that are of
interest.
As popularity increases it is likely many voices will be
drowned out, but for now, an independent broadcaster with a
microphone and unlimited bandwith can make a name, create
an image and change the world.
Useful Tools for Podcasting:
Create podcast feed - http://www.feedforall.com
News aggregator supporting podcasts -
http://www.feeddemon.com or http://www.primetimepodcast.com
See also Podcasting Tools -
http://www.small-business-software.net/podcasting-tools.htm
-----------------------------------------
About the Author:
Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll
http://www.feedforall.com software for creating, editing,
publishing RSS feeds and podcasts. In addition Sharon
manages marketing for NotePage http://www.notepage.net a
wireless text messaging software company.
=========================================
Thanks, Sharon. Good resources. And I'll add more as I go through my notes from the Big Seminar. Plus you can hear more about them from the teleseminar on podcasting through AM2 - http://www.tamertips.com/am2.htm
And one more thing about the Big Seminar. To make sure we had no excuses in getting started with podcasting, they gave each one of us a MUVO MP3 player. Talk about treating us right!
=========================================
Well, it's limited at this point. But I know that if you can produce an MP3 file, then people with "pods" (aka mp3 players) can pick it up and listen to it.
What's the difference between downloading an MP3 as we do with a teleseminar replay and podcasting? Essentially picking it up yourself is a pull technology. Podcasting is a push technology. As soon as you publish the mp3, the pod listeners' aggregator pages are updated. The next time they sync their player with their computer your content is automatically updated on their player.
However, remember that they have to subscribe to your podcast, so you still need to drive traffic to your site.
But if you enjoy recording audio and want to provide good content to a broader audience, pods are definitely a growing market. There are over 25 million players out there already!
So now that I've stumbled through my explanation, let's see if Sharon agrees with me. Sure would be nice to have a teenager around the house to explain all this!
Here's the article...
=========================================
How Podcasting Works
Copyright 2005 Sharon Housley
=========================================
It has been said that in October of 2004 a Google search returned less than 6,000 results for the term "podcasting". Today, a similar search yields more than 857,000 results. Like the blogging phenomenon, podcasting has come out of nowhere and attracted an enthusiastic following.
While some traditional radio talk shows have begun providing podcasts of their regularly-scheduled broadcasts, the bulk of the podcasts that have cropped up tend to be independent broadcasters who have a fascination with technology. As a result, some podcasts are a little rough around the edges. Nonetheless, it is clear that the technology provides a significant opportunity and potential. Even nay-sayers believe that podcasting is more than a passing fad.
Podcasting is RSS that is used to syndicate and distribute audio files. Podcasting contains an audio file in the RSS feed's enclosure tag. An enclosure tag is used in RSS feeds to include certain types of files. The file contained in an enclosure tag can be: an image, a data file, a video file, or an audio file. Podcasting specifically refers to RSS feeds that contain audio files in their enclosure tag. The RSS version that currently supports enclosure tags is RSS version 2.0. All podcasts are currently created using this specification.
The benefit to podcasting is the fact that users can sync content with their media player and listen at a time and a place of their choosing: radio on demand. And while this technology is not limited to music, it seems to be the area that has received the most attention.
Podcasting is generally inexpensive to implement. Investment in a good quality microphone will ensure that the recording is audible. Depending on knowledge and experience, some podcasters invest in audio conversion, compression and audio editing software applications. Also, web space bandwith and software to create the feed for the podcast is needed. All in all, the initial expense is relatively small.
Publishing Podcasts
In three simple steps, independent broadcasters can have
their voice heard:
1. Publishers create audio content, posting it on a website
for listeners.
2. Create or edit an existing RSS feed including a link to
the audio file in the "enclosure" field of an RSS 2.0 feed,
uploading it to a website.
3. Tell the world that a podcast is available.
Listen to Podcasts:
In three simple steps web surfers can listen to podcasts:
1. Download a news aggregator or RSS reader that supports
podcasting or sync a wireless device like an iPod with your
computer.
2. Enter the URL of the podcast feed into the news
aggregator or podcast management software.
3. As new items appear in the aggregator, review the
podcast's description and listen to those that are of
interest.
As popularity increases it is likely many voices will be
drowned out, but for now, an independent broadcaster with a
microphone and unlimited bandwith can make a name, create
an image and change the world.
Useful Tools for Podcasting:
Create podcast feed - http://www.feedforall.com
News aggregator supporting podcasts -
http://www.feeddemon.com or http://www.primetimepodcast.com
See also Podcasting Tools -
http://www.small-business-software.net/podcasting-tools.htm
-----------------------------------------
About the Author:
Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll
http://www.feedforall.com software for creating, editing,
publishing RSS feeds and podcasts. In addition Sharon
manages marketing for NotePage http://www.notepage.net a
wireless text messaging software company.
=========================================
Thanks, Sharon. Good resources. And I'll add more as I go through my notes from the Big Seminar. Plus you can hear more about them from the teleseminar on podcasting through AM2 - http://www.tamertips.com/am2.htm
And one more thing about the Big Seminar. To make sure we had no excuses in getting started with podcasting, they gave each one of us a MUVO MP3 player. Talk about treating us right!
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