What is a Podcast?
Podcasts are your very own audio broadcasts that are easily recorded wherever you are. They can be monologues, interviews, music or even dramatizations and storytelling. Podcasts are digital audio files that are downloadable and can be played on personal devices or computers to be listened to at the listener’s timeline. Podcasts are inexpensive to produce.
Traditional radio and television was always time based on live stream but with the takeover of the digital world, access to audio content is now more in the individuals control than ever before. The origins of the word are up for discussion and some say it is a backwards acronym saying it stands for Personal On Demand.
Why Do Podcasts?
Podcasts are a great inexpensive way to broadcast your content. They are good for small business owners to promote their business, promote themselves for good branding and to build your online credibility as an expert. They are easily shared and syndicated. Podcasts are a great way to repurpose written or video content for people who prefer to access information in this manner. Having multiple points of contact allow for a larger virtual footprint which is great for SEO but also great to reach other audiences looking for what you bring to the table.
Recording Podcasts
Essentially, all you need to make a podcast is a microphone or phone and a specific website that allows you to record your podcast. Depending on what you choose there are different free and paid tools available to you.
Free and Inexpensive Podcast Tools and Equipment
You have basically 3 choices of operations. You can do it all from a computer, from skype or your mobile device.
- Computer
When working from your computer you will need a good cross platform editor. Audacity has a free version and is very flexible for both audio and video.
You will also need an MP3 encoder if you want to export this online. LAME will let you do this and you can find information on how to do it for Audacity here.
Whether doing video or audio the most important tool you need is a good mic. If your sound sucks NOBODY will listen or watch. This does not need to be expensive but it is best if it has a USB. Samson has inexpensive condenser mics starting at around $50. If you want to go a little more expensive I have also heard that the Snowball is great.
- Skype
Skype is like IM and has recently been integrated with many of the popular social media platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn. It allows you to speak with people through microphones and you can even call landlines and cell phones directly from your computer for a very small fee. They have video possibility, texting and file sharing as well.
Skype can be downloaded for free.
You will need a mic.
There are a few free software tools you can use for recording the calls. I have used the free version of Pamela and heard that Call Graph was also great.
- Mobile Phone
If recording by phone to podcast technologies you will need a phone and sometimes the ability to make long-distance calls.
Some of the free podcasting technologies available are:
What is great about mobile broadcasting is that there are apps being developed for you to broadcast on location if you so desire. Keeping your audience informed of new events and experiences that may benefit them is a fantastic added value you can offer for those that are elsewhere but want to keep in the know.
Do you listen to podcasts? Which ones do you prefer…monologues or interviews?
Thanks for reading.
Rebecca Happy~The Connector Gal
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