You want to deliver media content on a regular basis

Sure, you can include audio, video, and PDFs content in your blog if you have one. Many bloggers record special media segments and insert them as links into the text of their blogposts. Readers then download the files at their leisure. However, this approach requires manual selection of the content blog hosts want readers to download. What sets podcasting apart from blogging is that podcasting automates that process. A listener who subscribes to your podcast is subscribed to all your content, whenever it’s available. No need to go back to the site to see what's new! Once you subscribe to a podcast, the content is delivered to you in the same way as when you subscribe to a print magazine. New content, delivered to you.

You want to reach beyond the boundaries of broadcast media

In radio, unless it is satellite radio, the number of people who can listen to a show is limited by the power of the transmitter pumping out the signal. Same thing with broadcast television, depending if you are using antenna, cable, or satellite dish to receive programming. Podcasting doesn't rely on or utilize signals, transmitters, or receivers — at least not in the classic sense. Podcasts use the Internet as a delivery system, opening up a potential audience that could extend to the entire planet.

No rules exist (not yet, anyway) to regulate the creation of podcast content. In fact, neither the FCC nor any other regulatory body for any other government holds jurisdiction over podcasts. If that seems astounding, remember that podcasters are not using the public airwaves to deliver the message.

Just because the FCC doesn't have jurisdiction, you're not exempt from the law or — perhaps more important — immune to lawsuits. You're personally responsible for anything you say, do, or condone on your show. Additionally, the rules concerning airplay of licensed music, the distribution of copyrighted material, and the legalities of recording conversations all apply. Pay close attention to the relevant sections in Chapter 5 to avoid some serious consequences. When it comes to the legalities, ignorance is not bliss.

You have something to say

Generally, podcasters produce content that likely holds appeal for only a select audience. Podcasts start with an idea, something that you have the desire and knowledge, either real or imaginary, to talk about. Add to that a bit of drive, do-it-yourself-ishness, and an inability to take no for an answer. The point is to say what you want to say, to those who want to hear it.

Podcasts can be about anything and be enjoyed by just about anyone. The topics covered don't have to be earth-shattering or life-changing. They can be about do-it-yourself projects, sound-seeing tours of places you visit, or even your favorite board games. There are a few rules and guidelines in common practice, but there may be times when you find it necessary to bend the rules. (That can be a lot of fun in and of itself!)

Some of the most popular podcasts are created by everyday people who sit in front of their computers for a few nights a week and just speak their minds, hearts, and souls. Some are focused on niche topics; others are more broad-based.

You want to hear from your listeners

Something that is a real perk with podcasting: accessibility. On average, most audiences have a direct line of contact between themselves and the podcast’s host or hosts. Podcast consumers are more likely to provide feedback for what they listen or watch than for a favorite radio or television show. That’s probably traceable to the personal nature of a podcast. Podcasts offer their audiences — and makers — more control, options, and intimacy than traditional broadcast media can. Of course, the radio is much harder to talk back to than a computer with an Internet connection and email.

When you ask for feedback, you're likely to get it — and from unusual places. Because geography doesn't limit the distance your podcast can travel, you may find yourself with listeners in faraway and exotic places. And this feedback isn’t always going to be “Wow, great podcast!” Listeners will be honest with you when you invite feedback.

Looking for the bare necessities

You need a few things before starting your first podcast, many of which you can probably find on your own computer. For these beginning steps, we’re going to focus on audio podcasts. Here’s what you should keep an eye out for:

• A microphone: Look at your computer. Right now, regardless of whether you have a laptop or desktop model, Windows or Macintosh, your computer probably has a microphone built into it — or guaranteed a USB port for plugging in an external mic. You might even luck out and find an included external mic packaged somewhere among the manuals, cables, and such. Yes, even your mobile phone has a microphone or it wouldn’t be much of a phone, now would it? Many earbuds even have a microphone in the cord with the earbuds.

  Position the microphone in a comfortable spot on your desk or table. If you're using a laptop, it should be somewhere on your desk that allows for best recording results without hunching over the computer like Young Frankenstein’s Igor (That’s EYE-gor.) Check the laptop’s documentation to find out where the built-in microphone is located in the unit’s housing. For the mobile phone, hold the device as if you are making a call, the way it was intended. Speaking in to it end-on or holding it any other way can degrade the audio quality. If you are using the microphone-earbuds set included with the phone’s purchase, you may need to do some experimentation.

  Usually the built-in microphone in a laptop is located close to the edge of the keyboard or near the laptop’s speakers. Some models tuck it in at the center point of the monitor’s base.

• Recording software: Check out the software that came with your computer. You know, all those extra applications that you filed away, thinking, “I’ll check those out sometime.” Well, the time has arrived to flip through them. You probably have some sort of audio-recording software loaded on your computer, such as RecordIt (PC) or GarageBand (which comes preinstalled with many new Macs).

  If you don’t already have the appropriate software, here’s a fast way to get it: Download the version of Audacity that fits your operating system (at www.audacityteam.org), shown in Figure 1-1. (Oh, yeah … it’s free.)

• An audio interface: Make sure your computer has the hardware it needs to handle audio recording and the drivers to run the hardware — unless, of course, you have a built-in microphone.

  Some desktop computers come with a very elementary audio card built into the motherboard. Before you run out to your local computer vendor and spring for an audio card, check your computer to see whether it can already handle basic voice recording.

For tips on choosing the right mic and audio accessories, be sure to check out Chapter 2. Chapter 3 covers all the software you need.

Recording your first podcast

When you have your computer set up and your microphone working, it's time to start recording. Take a deep breath and then follow these steps:

1. Jot down a few notes on what you want to talk about.

   Nothing too fancy — just make an outline that includes remarks about who you are and what you want to talk about. Use these bullet points to keep yourself on track.

   All this — checking your computer, jotting down notes, and setting up your recording area — is called preshow prep, discussed in depth in Chapter 5 by other podcasters who have their own set ways of getting ready to record.

2. Click the Record button in your recording software and go for as long as it takes for you to get through your notes.

   We recommend keeping your first recording to no more than 20 minutes. That may seem like a lot of time, but it will fly by.

3. Give a nice little sign-off (like “Take care of yourselves! See you next time.”) and click the Stop button.

4. Choose File ⇒ Save As and give your project a name.

   Now bask in the warmth of creative accomplishment.

Compressing your audio files

Portable media devices and computers can play MP3 files as a default format. While there are many other audio formats in existence, MP3 is quite common and the preferred format for podcasting. If your recording software can output straight to MP3 format, your life is much simpler. In Audacity’s case, you need to download an add-on file. If you are using a different audio editor and can’t export directly to MP3, another option is Apple iTunes at www.apple.com/itunes. (The iTunes window is shown in Figure 1-2.) It does many things for the podcaster, including converting a wide variety of audio file formats to MP3. Yes, it’s from Apple, but the Apple folks made sure to create a version for Windows also.

After launching iTunes, follow these steps to convert your audio file:

1. Choose File ⇒ Add File to Library.

   Or you can press ⌘  +O (Mac) or Ctrl+O (Windows).

2. Browse for the audio file you want to convert and then click Open.

   Your file is now in the iTunes Library.

3. Find the audio file in the iTunes Library and click to select it.

4. Choose File ⇒ Convert ⇒ Create MP3 Version.

   Your file is converted to the MP3 format. Figure 1-3 shows the progress screen that indicates your file is being converted.

The default file format for iTunes file import is AAC. If your menu doesn’t have a Create MP3 Version option, go to iTunes Preferences (File ⇒ Preferences on a Mac, or Edit ⇒ Preferences in Windows), under the General tab, Import Settings button, and change the Import Using option to MP3 Encoder. The Settings should be at least Good Quality (128 kbps); if you include a lot of audio design in your podcast, select Higher Quality (192 kbps). Now your files will be imported and converted to MP3.

Congratulations — you just recorded your first audio podcast! Easy, isn’t it? This is merely the first step into a larger world, as Obi-Wan once told Luke.

Uploading your audio to the web

An audio file sitting on your desktop, regardless of how earth-shattering the contents may be, is not a podcast. Nope, not by a long shot. You have to get it up on the Internet and provide a way for listeners’ podcatcher software to grab that tasty file for later consumption.

If you already have a web server for your blog, company website, or personal website, this process can be as easy as creating a new folder and transferring your newly created audio file to your server.

If that last paragraph left you puzzled and you’re wondering what kind of mess you’ve gotten yourself into … relax. We don't leave you hanging out in the wind. Chapter 11 covers everything you need to know about choosing a web host for your podcast media files.

We’ve been focusing a lot on audio at this point, and we will do that throughout the book. Just remember, though, a podcast media file can be any sort of media file you like — audio, video, interactive PDF. While our primary attention is on audio, you can use all the tips we give here to handle other types of media.

After you upload your episode, you need to have an RSS file (Really Simple Syndication) generated to deliver it. That happens automatically on a blog. The RSS describes where to find the media file you just uploaded. Check your blog software (like WordPress) for the details. Nearly all software for blogging (called blog engines) support RSS, but not all support podcasts. You may need to add a plug-in, a downloadable extension that make podcast support a simple affair. This generated RSS file is your podcast feed. People who listen to your podcast can subscribe to your show by placing a link to this podcast feed in their podcatching client — a fancy term for software that regularly checks one or more podcast feeds for new content.

Yes, we know … this all sounds really complicated. But we assure you it’s not. Some hosting companies such as LibSyn (www.libsyn.com) specialize in taking the technological “bite” out of podcasting so you can focus on creating your best-sounding show. With LibSyn (shown in Figure 1-4), moving your episode to a web server is as simple as pushing a few buttons, and the creation of the RSS 2.0 podcast feed and even the accompanying web page are automatic.

If you want to take more control over your website, podcast media files, and their corresponding RSS 2.0 feed, look at Chapters 11 and 13. In those pages, we walk you through some essentials — not only how to upload a file but also how to easily generate your RSS 2.0 file using a variety of tools.

Grabbing listeners

With media files in place and an RSS 2.0 feed ready for podcatcher consumption, you’re officially a podcaster. Of course, that doesn’t mean a lot if you’re the only person who knows about your podcast. You need to spread the word to let others know that you exist and that you have something pretty darned important to say.

The catcher that started it all: Juice

Juice (shown in Figure 1-5) started life as a product called iSpider, then was branded as iPodder, and later became iPodder Lemon. In November 2005, as if searching for a new identity in the community, the package was rebranded as Juice. Inspired by a script written by the podfather himself, Adam Curry, Juice promotes itself as an open-source (free to use) application that downloads audio files from RSS feeds of your choice directly to your Mac or PC. You can then sync your portable player with your computer’s media player, and now you’re podcasting-on-the-go.

Download Juice from http://juicereceiver.sourceforge.net. After you install it, subscribing to feeds is a simple process.

1. Click the Subscriptions tab.

2. On the Subscriptions pane, click the little green button with a plus symbol on it.

   The Add a Feed window opens.

3. On your favorite podcast website, look for a small icon, typically orange, that says RSS, RSS 2.0, or something similar.

   The icon may not even say RSS, but simply be a symbol like the one in the margin.

4. Right-click the icon to copy the link location.

5. Paste the copied information into the URL field of the Add a Feed window.

   Or, type it in — just be very careful with your typing! If you get it wrong, you won’t get your downloads.

Congrats! You now know how to use Juice to subscribe to any podcasts you happen to come across in the future.

The turning of a corner: iTunes

With the launch of iTunes in June 2005, podcasting went from what the geeks were doing in the basement of the Science Building to the next wave of innovation on the Internet (which was, of course, developed by the geeks in the basement of the Science Building). There was plenty of contributing factors that help push podcasting mainstream but iTunes opening its own directory and allowing for an easier subscription method was a huge step forward. As always, such a step into the mainstream market brought some dismay to the original podcasters, finding themselves overshadowed by larger media entities. Now, recognizable studios like NPR, Disney, ESPN, BBC, and so on dominate the iTunes Music Store podcast directory (shown in Figure 1-6). What about the indie podcasts — the ones that started it all? Would they be forgotten? Go unnoticed? Languish unsubscribed? Well, at first, it seemed that many of the original groundbreakers that the podcasting community knew and loved (Comedy4Cast, Career Opportunities, Coverville, GrammarGirl) might get lost in the stampede. But not yet, as it turns out.

Apple’s iTunes (available for download at www.itunes.com) lends an automatic hand to people who don't know where to find podcatchers, where to find blogs that host podcasts, and which podcast directories list the shows that fit their needs and desires — now they too can enjoy a wide range of podcast choices.

Apple now offers for people’s mobile devices a podcast app simply called Podcasts. If you want your music management and podcast management all on the go and away from your computer, you can search, subscribe, and manage your podcasts from here.

With its June 2005 edition, iTunes became a one-stop shop for all your podcasting needs; subscribing to a podcast with iTunes is just as easy, if not easier than with Juice. Follow these steps to do so:

1. Select Podcasts from the drop-down menu located on the left side in the top section.

2. Find the podcast of your choice.

   You can do that by

   • Browsing the list of iTunes top episodes and podcasts featured on the right side of the iTunes window.
   • Clicking See All on any category or listing.
   • Searching by using the Search box in the upper right. Note, make sure you select Store in the top center so you aren’t just searching your own library!

3. When you get to the podcast page (and available podcasts) in iTunes, click the Subscribe button.

   After your podcast finishes downloading, you can find the new episodes by going to the Podcasts section in the left column of iTunes. The new episodes are marked to let you know that you have fresh content waiting for you, and iTunes remembers where you left off in a podcast if you pause or zip over to another podcast or playlist.

Podcatching on the go: Stitcher

As smartphones and tablets became more and more prevalent, the notion of having “an app for that” grew in demand. Finding and subscribing to podcasts in the early days of iTunes on a mobile device was possible, but a bit clunky. The stage had been set for a new kind of podcatcher that was just as easy and elegant to use on your mobile device as it would be on a computer.

Enter Stitcher, shown in Figure 1-7.

Stitcher Radio (www.stitcher.com with an app available for both iPhone and Android) debuted in 2008 and has quickly become a must-have for not only podcasts, but for radio shows coast-to-coast and around the world. On the app or on their computer, members of the Stitcher community “stitch” together on-air feeds from radio stations and podcasts both from professional and amateur studios into personalized stations all readily available on your mobile devices. Stitcher has become so popular, it joins Pandora as part of featured entertainment options in newer model cars.

Once you set up a free user account on Stitcher, finding a podcast for your personal feed is only a few taps away:

1. Launch Stitcher on your mobile device.

2. Find the podcast of your choice.

   You can do that by

   • Tapping on the Search icon in the top right corner.
   • Tapping on the Menu option in the top-left corner and tapping Browse Shows, which offers a variety of categories and sub-categories of interest
   • Swiping up through the offered feeds on your Front Page. (The more you use Stitcher, the more shows matching your interests will appear here.)
3. When you get to the podcast page (and available podcasts) in Stitcher, click the Listen button.
4. When the podcast plays, you should see a plus sign (+) to the right. Tap that, and the podcast now appears on your Favorites Playlist (see Figure 1-8).

Now you have your podcast feeds on a mobile device that can either play through your device, or through the media center of your car. Stitcher makes the portability of podcasts a piece of cake. It’s an app you should have on your mobile device in order to make podcasting happen anywhere.

Podcasting with the G-man: Google Play

As mentioned earlier, Apple iOS users have their own app specifically dedicated to listening to podcasts. Not to be outdone, the diversified search engine service Google, along with Google Drive, Google Docs, and Google Voice, which we discuss later on, offers Google Play (at https://play.google.com/store with an app available from the same location) for Android users. It’s just as good as it sounds: Google Play is Google’s version of the iTunes Music app and the Pocasts app, all in one (see Figure 1-9).

Google Play works with the Google Play Music app to bring podcasts to you in the same way Stitcher and Podcasts do. There are a few extra steps involved in getting podcasts subscribed and playing on your phone. Once you download Google Play Music and sync it up with your Google account:

1. Launch Google Play Music on your mobile device, and then tap on the Menu option in the top left of the app screen.
2. Select Podcasts from the options.

3. Find the podcast of your choice.

   You can do that by

   • Tapping on the Search icon in the upper-right corner.
   • Tapping on the All Categories option to reveal the top-rated podcasts of categories and sub-categories of interest.
   • Swiping through Top Charts, podcasts that are either promoted or popular. This is the main page of Google Play Music’s Podcasts directory.
4. When you find the podcast you want to listen to, click the Subscribe button.
5. Google Play Music will then offer a series of options for you to complete before subscribing.
   • Select Auto-download if you want the latest content to update automatically.
   • Opt-in for a push notification when new content downloads.
   • Select a Playback Order if you want podcast episodes to go from oldest to newest, or newest to oldest.
6. Tap Subscribe again.

As seen by the Subscription process, Google Play Music’s app is like many of Google’s apps — it’s a work-in-progress. With more people podcasting, there will probably be future editions of Google Play Music that will be smoother in their execution. Granted, if your loyalties are not to one operating system, Stitcher works for both iOS and Android users. Regardless of which app best suits you and your digital lifestyle, it’s good to know options are out there and available for you.