Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Podcasting

Book description

Has anyone ever told you that you should be on radio? While radio can be hard to break into, podcasting lets you put your voice and talents to work to create your own broadcast to be distributed over the Internet to millions of people. Absolute Beginner's Guide to Podcasting is the aspiring podcaster's handbook. Authors George Colombo and Curtis Franklin will guide you through creating, editing, and syndicating your podcast, from the kinds of equipment you need to how to design a podcast that will reach the widest audience possible to legal issues faced by podcasters. You'll also learn how to:

  • Design a podcast that grabs - and keeps - an audience!

  • Choose the right tools - recording software, microphones, and other equipment

  • Create an engaging show persona - podcasting is more than just talking!

  • Craft your 'cast into a show worth listening to with post-production secrets of the pros

  • Set up a web page and RSS feed that will allow listeners to subscribe to your podcast

  • Efffectively promote your podcast

  • The tips inside Absolute Beginner's Guide to Podcasting will guide you towards creating a fun and successful podcast.

    Table of contents

    1. Copyright
      1. Dedication
    2. About the Authors
    3. Acknowledgements
    4. We Want to Hear from You!
    5. Foreword
    6. Introduction
      1. Welcome to Podcasting
    7. I. The Basics
      1. 1. An Overview of Podcasting
        1. Podcasting Is Radio As You’ve Always Loved It—Only Better
        2. How Podcasting Works
          1. The Basic Steps for Creating a Podcast
            1. Plan Your Podcast
            2. Record Your Podcast
            3. “Groom” Your Podcast
            4. Post and Distribute Your Podcast on the Internet
        3. Getting Inside the Listener Experience
          1. Download and Install “Pod-catching” Software
          2. Find the Podcasts You Want and Subscribe to Them
          3. Listen to Your Podcasts in “The Real World”
        4. The Differences Between Radio and Podcasting
          1. Podcasting Time-shifts the Radio Experience
          2. Your Podcast Isn’t Restricted by Programming Constraints
          3. Podcasts Persist
    8. II. Creating a Compelling Podcast
      1. 2. Guidelines for Designing a Killer Podcast
        1. Begin with Your Listeners in Mind
          1. The First Step in Defining Your Listener
          2. Drilling Down Another Level
        2. Designing a Show That’s Right for Your Listeners
          1. Crafting the Best Overall Sound for Your Podcast
          2. Choosing the Right Length
          3. How Frequently Should You Post Your Shows?
        3. Practice, Test, Practice Some More
          1. Getting Feedback on Your Practice ‘Casts
      2. 3. The Components of Your Podcast
        1. The Voice(s) on Your Podcast
          1. Your Show Host Persona
          2. Do You Need (or Want) a Co-Host?
            1. If Possible, Have Distinctly Different Voices
            2. Don’t Talk Over Each Other
            3. Assume Distinct Roles in the Podcast
        2. Conducting Interesting Interviews
        3. Using Music Skillfully
        4. Sound Effects
        5. Balancing Quality and “Realism”
        6. Unpredictability (Within a Framework)
      3. 4. Strategies for Planning Each Show
        1. The Basics of Show Preparation
          1. It Allows You to Approach Each Show More Confidently
          2. It Improves the Flow of Your Podcast
          3. It Guarantees You Won’t Overlook Something You Wanted to Talk About
          4. It Makes Post-Production Easier
        2. Time-Tested Show Prep Techniques
          1. The ABC Technique (Always Be Clipping!)
          2. Collect More Than You Need (Way More!)
          3. The Usual Suspects
          4. Design the Flow of Your Show
            1. Prioritize Your Material
            2. Mix Up Your Material by Topic
            3. Mix Up Your Material by Tone
          5. Don’t Forget the Funny Stuff
        3. Avoiding the Cardinal Sin of Podcasting
      4. 5. Creating a Positive Feedback Loop with Your Listeners
        1. Don’t Podcast in a Vacuum
        2. Your Show Notes/Blog
        3. Email Strategies
        4. Accepting Audio Feedback
        5. Show Feedback Line
        6. Skype
          1. And Furthermore…
            1. Offer Your Listeners Multiple Options for Providing Feedback
            2. Solicit Feedback, Not Flattery
            3. Put the Feedback You Receive into Its Proper Perspective
            4. Acknowledge Receiving Feedback
            5. Address Privacy Concerns
      5. 6. Setting Up Your Studio
        1. The Hardware and Accessories You’ll Need
          1. Choosing a Computer Platform: Windows, Macintosh, or Linux
          2. Windows
          3. Macintosh
          4. Linux
          5. Headphones
          6. Closed-ear (Isolation) Headphones
          7. Open-ear Headphones
          8. In-ear Headphones
          9. Microphones
            1. Dynamic Microphones
            2. Condenser Microphones
            3. Microphone Patterns
          10. Cables
          11. A Mixing Board
        2. Recording in the Field
          1. Portable Recorders
            1. Pocket Recorders
            2. MiniDisc Recorders
            3. MP3 Player with Recorder
            4. Portable Multi-track Recorders
          2. Accessories for Field Recording
          3. Microphones for Field Recording
          4. Windscreens
          5. Cameras
          6. Working with Ambient Noise
        3. The Software You’ll Need
          1. Recording Software
            1. Macintosh Recording Software
            2. Windows Recording Software
            3. Linux Recording Software
          2. Audio Editing Software
          3. FTP Software
        4. Budgeting for Bandwidth
      6. 7. Recording Your Podcast
        1. It’s Showtime!
        2. Recording Tips and Techniques
        3. Interviewing Guests on Your Podcast
          1. How Long Should You Keep Your Files?
        4. Recording in the Field
          1. Working with Ambient Noise
      7. 8. Processing and Posting Your Podcast
        1. Editing Techniques
          1. Thinking in Tracks
          2. It’s Time to Fade
          3. Building Blocks for a Podcast
          4. Decisions on Edit Points
        2. Mixing Techniques
          1. Extending Our Loops
          2. Building on the Cross-Fade
        3. To Clean or Not to Clean
          1. Cut It Out
          2. Filters for Clarity
        4. What You Need to Know About ID3 Tags
          1. Making Tags More Useful
        5. Using FTP
        6. Services That Will Make Your Podcasting Easier
          1. Liberated Syndication (www.libsyn.com)
          2. Feedburner (www.feedburner.com)
          3. Podshow.com (www.podshow.com)
          4. Odeo (www.odeo.com)
        7. Hosting Companies
    9. III. Distributing Your Podcast to Listeners
      1. 9. Public Syndication
        1. An Overview of RSS
          1. A Bit of History
          2. RSS and Beyond
        2. Enclosure Tags
        3. Thinking About Your Server
        4. Preparing Your Podcast for Syndication
        5. Getting Listed
      2. 10. In-House Syndication
        1. Secure Distribution to a Targeted Audience
          1. Controlling Access to the RSS Feed
          2. Your Own Private Network
        2. When In-House Syndication Is Appropriate
          1. Education
          2. Customer Communications
          3. Faith-based Organizations
          4. Political Organizations
        3. Simple In-House Syndication Strategies
          1. Security Through Obscurity
          2. Limits on Limitations
          3. Privacy Matters
    10. IV. Day-to-Day Issues You’ll Face As a Podcaster
      1. 11. Promoting Your Podcast
        1. Get Your Podcast Listed
          1. Getting Listed in iPodder
          2. Podcast Alley
          3. iPodderX.org
          4. Beyond the First-tier Directories
        2. Tap into the Podcasting Community
          1. Hang Out Around Podcasting’s Virtual Water Cooler
            1. Reduce Your Learning Curve
            2. Learn Best Practices
            3. Get Creative Inspiration
            4. Pay Your Dues by Giving Back
            5. Gain Exposure to Centers of Influence
            6. Create and Distribute Promos For Your Show
            7. Record Show Intros for Your Favorite Podcast
          2. Promote Podcasting
        3. Nail Down Your Niche
        4. The Power of Public Relations
      2. 12. Double-Enders: The Secret Technique for Remote Interviews
        1. The Insiders’ Secret Technique for Remote Interviews
        2. Recording Your Double-Ender
          1. Eliminate As Much Ambient Noise As Possible
          2. Check Your Recording Levels
          3. Get Connected on the Phone
          4. Hit the Record Button and Start Talking
          5. Save Your Partner’s Recording in an Appropriate Format
        3. Transferring Files That Are Too Large for Email
        4. Mixing Your Double-Ender
      3. 13. Generating Income with Your Podcast
        1. Get Ready to Generate Revenue
          1. Build Up Your Audience
          2. Understand Precisely Who’s Listening
        2. Four Basic Revenue Models
          1. The Associate/Affiliate Model
          2. Donations
            1. The Tip Jar (or Donation Button)
            2. The Pledge Drive
          3. The Sponsorship Model
            1. Sponsorships Must Be Sold
            2. Creating a Media Kit
            3. Classic Sponsorship Versus Commercial Placements
            4. The Aggregator Approach to Sponsorship
          4. Distribution to Paid Subscribers
        3. Choosing the Right Business Model
          1. Does it suit your personal skill set and inclinations?
          2. Is it appropriate for the format and content of your podcast?
          3. Does it match the requirements of your audience?
        4. Other Revenue Opportunities for Podcasters
      4. 14. Music and Intellectual Property
        1. What Is a Copyright?
        2. Royalties
        3. Podsafe Music for Your Podcast
        4. Fair Use
        5. Resources for Understanding Royalties and Copyrights
        6. Links to Royalty-Free Music
      5. 15. Protecting Your Content Through Packaging
        1. Wrapping Your Podcast in a Good Website
        2. Podcasts with Pictures
        3. Alternate Packaging—Passwords and More
      6. 16. Letting Your Podcast Go—Taking a Wider View of Rights
        1. Maybe You Can Just Let Go
        2. Creative Commons
    11. V. Appendices
      1. A. Glossary
      2. B. Resources for Podcasters
        1. Audio Software for Podcasters
        2. Pod-catching (Aggregator) Software
        3. Audio Equipment Manufacturers
        4. Podcasting Directories
        5. Online Resources for Podcasters
        6. Online Suppliers of Audio Equipment
        7. The Podcasting Community Online
        8. Web Hosting and RSS Feed Software and Services
      3. C. 30 Podcasts You Should Definitely Check Out
        1. The Daily Source Code
        2. WGBH Morning Stories Podcast
        3. The Point Podcast
        4. New York Minute
        5. Ultimate Podcasting
        6. Reel Reviews
        7. The Cubicle Escape Pod
        8. The Dawn and Drew Show
        9. Science @ NASA
        10. Inside Mac Radio
        11. The President’s Weekly Radio Address
        12. One America Committee
        13. Off The Record
        14. Catholic Insider
        15. Slice of Sci-Fi
        16. IT Conversations
        17. Geek News Central
        18. Caribbean Free Radio
        19. The Podcast Brothers
        20. Endurance Radio
        21. Grape Radio
        22. Coverville
        23. MacCast
        24. Marlaina By Ear
        25. The Beatles Chronicles
        26. Battlestar Galactica
        27. How To Do Stuff
        28. Engadget
        29. The Bitterest Pill
        30. Autoblog
      4. D. iTunes
        1. Introducing iTunes 4.9
          1. iTunes Offers One-Click Subscriptions
          2. iTunes Allows Listeners to Manage Music and Podcasts from a Single Application
          3. Getting Your Podcast into the iTunes Directory
          4. The Good News and the Bad News
          5. The Bottom Line

    Product information

    • Title: Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Podcasting
    • Author(s): George Colombo, Curtis Franklin Jr.
    • Release date: October 2005
    • Publisher(s): Que
    • ISBN: None