Briefly, podcasting is a new format for distributing audio and video content via the Internet. Actually, podcasting is just multimedia content enclosed into an RSS file. Podcasting is a new technology that is sure to become more and more popular taking all the best from the following ways of transferring data: Internet, radio and television. The most popular program for reading podcasts is iTunes from Apple. It is available in two editions: for Windows and for Mac. Besides, many RSS readers support podcasts. Various methods are used to create podcasts. You can choose between an online service and a desktop application.
How to create a podcast
A usual podcast differs from an RSS feed because it has enclosures that can be either audio or video files. If an RSS feed uses iTunes extensions, the corresponding fields must be filled for every enclosure (descriptions, keywords, duration). Of course, after you create a podcast, the RSS feed and enclosure files should be uploaded to the web server for podcast listeners to be able to access them.
The process of creating a podcast includes the following steps:
1. Recording (or choosing) files for the podcast. Most often, it is audio files recorded with a microphone or a special recording tool and saved in the mp3 format.
2. Creating an RSS feed where each item contain a link to its enclosure file.
3. Uploading the feed and enclosure files to the server and creating a link to the RSS feed on website pages.
To create such an RSS feed, we recommend that you use special software that will allow you to create a podcast as quickly as possible and help you avoid errors:
Feed Editor (http://www.extralabs.net/feed-editor.htm) – is a program for creating, editing and publishing podcast.
Audacity (http://www.audacity.sourceforge.net/) – can record your voice from microphone.
Podcast Wizard (http://www.extralabs.net/podcast-wizard.htm) – step by step podcast creation.
LemonzDream (http://www.lemonzdream.com/) – podcast creator for Mac.
How to Promote a Podcast
Recording, editing, and uploading a podcast is simply not enough to get it heard. Attracting listeners will take a great deal of promotional techniques. It will also take a bit of imagination, and perseverance, but in the long run, it will pay off and your site ‘hit’ counter will increase considerably.
Submit your content to specialized podcast directories.
Send the URL of your podcast also to major search engines.
Seek out forums on subjects similar to your podcast and join in on the conversation.
Contact the webmasters of sites of your subject matter and offer to exchange links.
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