Activity

But first, exactly what is podcasting?

Podcasting is a relatively recent type of technology so here is a bit involving background for individuals who haven’t encounter this term yet. The definition upon wikipedia is quite good:

“Podcasting” is making audio tracks (most commonly in MP3 FORMAT format) available on the web in a way of which allows software to automatically download typically the files from attending with the user’s ease.

The way I see podcasting is usually a cross in between a radio exhibit and a blog page. The great thing is anyone can make a podcast with small outlay and simply very basic knowledge of IT. After getting produced a podcast you can allow visitors to subscribe to receive updates when that they are uploaded to your website. This is completed in the same method to using a good RSS reader to be able to syndicate blog/news nourishes (more on this specific later).

How do I make and even publish my very first podcast?

The 1st step regarding me was research. I wanted in order to find out the other podcasts sounded like and what additional people were previously doing (particularly throughout my field of private finance). This had been also an helpful activity to get rid of any fears that all of the particular podcasts already made can be of a highly professional grade — some are, several are not!

Once I had fashioned established that nobody else was performing what I prepared to complete (with the particular exception of Matn Lewis, the Cash Saving Expert, but this is read more about saving money when compared to the way financial planning) it was time for you to job out how to record my 1st show.

I organized to record ten minute shows which would reduce manufacturing time and in addition keep the data file size quite smaller. Because this is definitely an audio file managed on our web site I want to to guarantee that it was not too significant (to keep obtain times fast nevertheless also save about bandwidth restraints).

To record the content for my podcast I first tried using ‘Sound Recorder’ that comes together with Or windows 7. This wasn’t suitable for a couple of reasons. The recording time is constrained to 60 mere seconds which would have meant cutting our planned show straight into ten perfectly timed segments then enhancing them all collectively. Additionally, it wouldn’t possess allowed me in order to speak over support music (something I felt was significant for an expert sounding show/introduction).

I actually searched the web and found a few free to try out software on download. com. This computer software is called Promozione 1. 0 in addition to it offers some sort of complete solution to be able to the can be podcast creator. I saved the trial offer in order to ensure it performed everything I desired it to in addition to then paid the particular $49. 95 to activate the entire type.

I wanted to ensure that my podcast was not ten minutes involving me talking concerning pensions so We asked my sis to record several sound bites regarding me. These have been just simple portions of audio that will I could make use of to introduce the particular show, break upwards the content and even use to complete the podcast (my regulatory warning/disclaimer).

Throughout terms of components I just utilized a microphone head-set; exactly the same system I use for Skype. This cost me �10 in Dixons in addition to does a very good job in words of recording an individual voice.

Using Promozione I could document content for typically the show, fall into line just as many as of sixteen different audio tracks (including some backing up music) and have fun with with the moment. This whole method took just beneath 2 hours before I actually was pleased with the particular final version.

Publishing my podcast

Typically the Propaganda software causes this pretty easy as well. Essentially there happen to be three steps to posting the podcast.

a single – create a good MP3 file regarding the podcast. AUDIO seems to become the most frequent file format for podcasts therefore I stuck with tradition. Propaganda allowed me to convert the 16 paths of audio I had lined way up into a single MP3 document and choose the particular most appropriate record quality. I chosen something mid-range, not too low while the high quality experienced and not too high to keep the quality reasonable (under 4MB).

2 : host the AUDIO file on the website. I personally use MS Frontpage to develop the website and a few free-ware FTP software to transfer files coming from my PC to the Internet. In order to host the file I also built the basic website site that would inform prospective listeners a little more about my podcast in general and more about this certain podcast show.

three or more – make a REALLY SIMPLY SYNDICATION feed. Again, Promoción did this for me personally with its newsletter feature. The RSS feed may be the submission feed that enables podcast players to get your current podcast and sign up to to updates. If you produce an innovative podcast show an individual update this REALLY SIMPLY SYNDICATION feed (which is usually hosted on the website) and typically the various podcast participants notice the upgrade and download the brand new podcast for the particular listener.

Promoting our podcast

Now that I had some sort of podcast I had to find listeners! I posted a request for help about an online system, Ecademy. com, and also some very helpful responses. It appears that the primary podcast directory will be Apples iTunes and so I started generally there. It is definitely easy to get listed while all they need to understand is the links to your podcast, website and RSS feed. There exists a vetting process and so i got to wait a couple of days to get outlined but by Sunday morning I identified my link in addition to was able to use iTunes to be able to download, listen to and sign up for our podcast.

You will discover lots of other podcast directories but the one which caught my attention was Britcaster. contendo. As this just lists UK pod-casts (most of the directories, including i-tunes, are US centric) it should cause a more relevant viewers.

As well while listing inside the several directories I added a blog about my website and also a mention on my Ecademy signature. Typically the combined effect regarding these two things is to obtain a high end result on google. company. uk when the particular search term ‘personal finance podcast’ can be used.

I think of which I a new fairly good story in order to tell the press now as this particular is an initial intended for an UK podcast (personal finance from an Independent Financial Adviser). I have previously had some good responses from the particular trade press so this week My partner and i plan to move onto the consumer economic press.

What next?

Well, aside from working on show and second I plan to be able to increase the production good quality in the show since time goes on. I might consider obtaining some ‘jingles’ developed that I could mix into typically the show to enhance the feel and quality of typically the production. There is, of course, an enterprise motive for making this podcast while (I hope) it will eventually lead to new enquiries and a new higher profile on the web and even in the hit.

For anyone which is considering their particular own podcast (or has read this particular article and feels it might be something that they could do) My partner and i would suggest move for it! Podcasting is still in a very early on stage and certainly not many people in typically the UK have found onto the technological innovation just yet. Along with the explosion in iPod and other MUSIC player ownership each of the predictions are with regard to massive growth in the podcast market.

Because relatively few men and women produce their individual podcasts now is some sort of good time to get your personal show up plus running before your current competitors catch onto the idea.