| Everywhere you turn online these days you hear | | | | a special text file with an RSS extension |
| the word "podcast" or "podcasting." No, it's not | | | | that also includes a particular enclosure tag. |
| some broadcasting method used by Martians, even | | | | For step by step directions on making a feed |
| though it might sound like it. A Podcast is just | | | | file see this site: also a great tutorial on RSS here: |
| an audio file that is syndicated via an RSS feed, | | | | Once your audio and RSS files are completed |
| that you download and listen to with your computer | | | | you'll need to upload both of them to your |
| or a portable device such as an iPod.What makes it | | | | server/website.If you'd like to read more here are |
| different from an ordinary RSS | | | | some more |
| feed is the audio component included in the | | | | online sites to help guide you.Make Your First Podcast |
| "enclosure field." Think of it as a feed that | | | | Podcasts Using Your PC |
| talks to you.Podcasting is increasing in popularity. | | | | you don't want to do all this work manually |
| According | | | | there are software tools specific to podcast |
| to Forrester Research, by 2010 podcasting should | | | | creation.ePodCast Creator |
| have about 12.3 million listeners. That's a pretty | | | | Producer |
| big audience. For more info see | | | | it. Wasn't that simple? Remember, you |
| to a talk radio show, podcasts can also take | | | | can't get subscribers if people don't know |
| the format of an interview. Topics range from | | | | about your feed, so make sure you add it in |
| business to hobbies; even rants and obsessions. | | | | a prominent place of your site. You want to |
| Lengths vary, but a typical podcast will run | | | | make it easy for them to subscribe and add |
| anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, but I have seen | | | | your feed to their news reader.Audio files are rather |
| some longer. So far, there are not many music | | | | large and can take up |
| podcasts due to the red tape and cost of music | | | | a lot of space on your server, so make sure |
| licensing -- although musicians and/or small | | | | you won't run out of bandwidth. If you're |
| record labels bypass that issue by utilizing their | | | | tight on space you can always farm it out |
| own recordings.Before you think you need some | | | | to a third party service such as |
| special device to | | | | . For only $5.00 they'll |
| listen to a podcast, let me assure you that you | | | | give you 150 MB of storage space with no |
| don't. Most RSS readers have the capability | | | | bandwidth limitations. Your domain will |
| built in to play podcasts. Any software that | | | | look like this: nameofyourshow.podlot.comIf you think |
| can play a sound file can play a podcast. If you | | | | you're going to have a hit |
| want to take them with you to listen to while on | | | | on your hands and want to try to generate |
| the road you'll want to invest in a portable MP3 | | | | cash from your podcast, check out |
| device like an iPod.Like other RSS feeds, you decide | | | | . They |
| which ones you | | | | provide a system that allows you to charge |
| want to subscribe to and you can unsubscribe at | | | | for your shows and also include private |
| any time.Online business owners should think of | | | | access to them, track who is listening |
| podcasting | | | | and more. You can try them out for a four |
| as yet another avenue for promoting your products | | | | day trial for only one dollar.Once your podcast is live |
| and services. Like an ezine or the RSS feeds you | | | | you'll want to make |
| already use, it's a simple inexpensive method of | | | | sure you list it with the various directories |
| syndicating your audio files online. It would appear | | | | that exist for just this purpose. You'll find |
| that a podcast is a bit more personal. Instead of | | | | a nice list here: Bunker |
| just reading, like an ezine, people can listen to | | | | Media Network |
| the sound of your voice and make a more personal | | | | Station |
| connection.Now that I have your attention you may be | | | | Good has a huge list at |
| wondering "How do I create a podcast?" | | | | now that you see how easy it is to create |
| Well, it's really pretty simple if you follow | | | | a podcast, what's stopping you? Remember, this |
| the easy steps below:1) First you'll need to use | | | | is a great tool to add to your marketing mix |
| software to | | | | and if you're a bit on the creative side this |
| record your own audio file. A good free | | | | might be just the ticket. Have fun with it, |
| one is Audacity which you can download | | | | experiment and you'll become an expert podcaster |
| at | | | | in no time.By Merle- Want to Know the SECRETS of |
| While there, you'll also need to download the | | | | Article |
| Lame MP3 Encoder which allows MP3 exportation.2) | | | | Promotion? Discover everything you need to know |
| Once your audio is recorded you'll need | | | | in this brand New Ebook, "How to Use Articles to |
| to create an RSS feed file which is simply | | | | Drive Website Traffic". |