Podcast Essentials: A Beginners Guide to Producing a Podcast

Every year you’ll find there’s something that you have to own or do to prove that you are as tech savvy as the rest of the geeks you hang out with. I’m thinking this year is the year of the podcast. The podcast is a sound file that you post online to share with the rest of the world. Listeners will download your show and listen to it at their convenience. Think of a radio show, now add the power to change the DJ’s to people you want to listen to and the ability to listen to it whenever it is convenient for you. That’s a podcast.

Making a run of the mill podcast is relatively simple. I’m going to provide you with the information you need to start making podcasts, possibly today if you own the microphone. What you do with the information is up to you. Maybe you’d like to share your crazy conspiracy theory or start reading that poetry for the world to hear?

RECORDING

The first thing you obviously need is a microphone. You can find a nice variety of them at your local Best Buy. Remember that you get what you pay for. I recommend starting with a nice cheap headset. Once you record a few shows, you’ll know if you want to continue. If you do, you’ll likely want to upgrade the ole mic.

There are a number of methods available to you for recording. I won’t be covering every option available, but the ones you see here work very well.

Talkshoe is useful you want to record a show with multiple people from many places. Although I have signed up for this service, I haven’t actually used it as it doesn’t meet my current needs. However, I know that a very popular podcast, Keith and the Girl, has used this service.

CastBlaster recording software has a free version and a paid for version. If your show is going to be short and sweet, and you are recording from one location, then this is the software for you. If you need to record longer, then you may want to consider purchasing the software. It is pricey, but good. The software makes sound effects, intros, and background music incredibly easy to do. Still, this software is only good for recording in one location, I don’t see a way to run it in with other voice programs.

Skype is great for two people shows, especially when you are on opposite coasts. However, when I list it here it is a bit misleading. You can’t actually record in skype unless you purchase additional software such as Pretty May. The purchase fee is reasonable, but again, I would not buy until you know you are planning to continue recording shows.

If you don’t want to purchase Pretty May and are willing to make a slight sound quality sacrifice, then download Gizmo Project instead. There is minimal extra background noise, but the service comes with the recording software. Additionally it has the ability to add sound effects while you are recording if needed.

If you don’t want to sacrifice sound quality, and you don’t care to pay to record your skype, I recommend keeping an eye on GiveAwayoftheDay, occasionally they post software for use with Skype. All the software given away on that site must be downloaded and installed before the day is over.

I’ve only ever used one brand of software, and I recommend you use the same. Audacity is free software for audio editing. The tools in this program are easy to use and the set up is simple. Did I mention the download is free? That’s the really important part. Do you notice how I’m trying to help you do this nice and cheap?

Part of your shows identity is the music you play. I highly recommend a musical introduction and ending as well. Magnatune is great because music downloads for play in a podcasts are legal and free as long as the show is non commercial. There are purchasable versions as well.

As an alternative, there is also the podsafe music network (from podshow)

However, I must say I had trouble purchasing music from this site and gave up on it months ago.

Sound effects can be expensive to add to your show if you are buying the rights. A nice alternative is Soundsnap. Members of this site record and upload a variety of sound bytes to share. Many of the sound bytes are very good quality.

There are a number of sites available to promote your show on. My top recommended site is Podcastalley, the rankings of shows in this site are determined by listener votes. Votes are reset monthly to keep up with the trend of change in popularity. This is also an excellent site to find new shows to listen to.

Again, saving money is a big factor for me. If you use Podbean, that is great. However, I would recommend setting up a Blogspot page for your show to. Blogspot has many more tools available to spice up your site, not to mention the ability to integrate Google adsense and try to get a little revenue. You will also want to embed the Podbean player onto your Blogspot site.

Another great site to help you pretty-up your blog site is Cooltext, this site will create a wide variety of good looking logos for your site. Again, this is a free service, because I care about your financial well being.

Podcastalley

A Podcast A Week

Podiobooks.com

Podcastpickle

Remember to listen to other podcasts. Its the best way to get a feel for what is going on in the podcast world. It will also give you ideas on how to structure your show. Listening to and contacting other podcasters is also a great way to promote your own show.