Again, being new to the blogging world, what is a podcast?
Yesterday I answered a question about finding your podcast feed and one of the comments was the question above. Used to regularly podcast on this blog and figured it just may be as easy to show it as it is to write it.
A podcast is a series of audio or video digital-media files which is distributed over the Internet by syndicated download, through Web feeds, to portable media players and personal computers. Though the same content may also be made available by direct download or streaming, a podcast is distinguished from other digital-media formats by its ability to be syndicated, subscribed to, and downloaded automatically when new content is added.
Using WordPress blogs it is easy to add an audio file into your feed using a simple plugin like Podpress which is what I use. It now allows me to have an audio here that you can get from..
The feed
Listen to it right here
Download it from here
Download it directly from some of the directories like ITunes
This allows you to give people another media to get your information.
As always your questions and comments are welcomed.
Mike Paetzold
P.S. The traffic series is stalled again for lack of comments - hint, hint
P.P.S. Podcast will only show on actual post not the main page
I have recently starting adding podcasts to my blog posts, using the Pod Press plugin, as you recommended. Now, I’d like to submit my podcasts to different directories, but don’t know how to do this. I keep getting asked for my podcast link, but all I know how to do is to link to the post - not directly to the podcast. Basically, I’d like to get my podcasts some more visibility.
Using Podpress the plugin will create your feed. If you are in the dashboard click on Podpress. When that opens you will see the following.
Under standard setting you will be given the url for your podcast feed. You should click the validate feed just to test it and make sure everything is working properly.
You can just copy and paste that url into the various podcast directories to get your feed listed.
Now you can do the major ones like ITunes, Yahoo et al from the top links.
Click the service then click submit to this directory. Follow the instructions for each directory and once you have done ITunes add your ITunes ID into the proper box and update so it gets sent each time you add a podcast.
As always your questions and comments are welcomed.
Hey Mike–I have a question about podcasting. I noticed when looking through your archives you added a podcasts to some of your posts. What steps could I take to start using podcasts, and are there any services you recommend?
Personally, I use podpress to handle my podcasts and host my own files.
Podpress will allow you to put out a feed that is compatible with ITunes and the other major directories.
It is easy to use. Just create an mp3 file and upload it to your site.
Now to edit and make the mp3 I use a free tool called Audacity. Even if I use a teleconference line I can use Audacity to edit the file first. Each week when Steve and I do the podcast for Amplification Marketing News we call into the conference line, download the pieces and edit it all together to create the podcast.
I enjoyed your squidoo podcast with Bob. How to do this?
That podcast was a teleseminar that Bob and I did. The service I was using then is free and they record it for you . You can get an account at The Basemenet Ventures.
I then downloaded the mp3 from them of the recording and uploaded it to my blog. I use the Pod Press plugin to create the buttons and to be able to allow it to play on the site or be downloaded. Created the page and added the media file and now it is available.
If you are going to do a podcast like I do most days here you don’t need to use a conference line. If you have a microphone and an audio editor you can record your own mp3. I use a free program from SourceForge called Audacity.
To make the podcast today here is what I do. Open Audacity and import my intro music. Push the record button and start talking. If I make a mistake I can just edit it with Audactity and once I am happy with the recording I just export it as an mp3. Then I will ftp the file up to the upload folder of this blog. Write my post and then click the add media file button and add the info for this podcast and then publish the post.
So easy even this Old Bald Guy can do it.
Also, a quick note - the next free WordPress Q and A Call will be April 1st. You can click on the link and leave your questions now then stop back on Tuesday for the answers.
As always your comments and quesstions are welcomed.
