Podcasting Hacks

Build an MP3zine

Create a magazine-style podcast that your listeners can thumb through with their iPods.

MP3zines have all the benefits of print magazines, and all the conveniences associated with MP3 audio, RSS, and the World Wide Web. They have a table of contents, articles, advertisements, letters (or voice mail) to the editor, and editorials. But, they are distributed as podcasts. I am the editor, and one of the contributors, for the Dailysonic MP3zine (http://dailysonic.com). In this hack, I’ll share the philosophies that guide us, and some of the lessons that we’ve learned in building Dailysonic.

Dailysonic’s primary goal is to create unique and engaging content for our listeners. Five key elements work together to create the quality content in our show:

• Having multiple contributors who are willing to challenge themselves and try new things

• Constructing a show with interesting and engaging content, in a way that is easy to understand and navigate

• Using content that balances the elements of familiarity and surprise to keep current listeners and attract new ones

• Harnessing the potential of music/sound’s abilities to transport listeners, connect with the human element, and elicit emotion

• Using the Web and the audio together, to create a complete interactive experience

Once the newness of podcasting’s technology wears off, content will be the only thing that matters. We spend the majority of our time brainstorming, researching, and writing. It is important to have variety among our ...