As with any other part of your marketing efforts, including a podcast, it truly benefits you to be prepared.
Whether you are podcasting for leisure or business you will need a plan.
Planning topics to discuss, possible guest interviews, and the duration of your show in advance will go a long way when producing a professional sounding podcast. Since you'll be recording your podcast in an almost live fashion, you will have the flexibility of going back and re-editing sections before committing your show as "podcast-ready."
Required Technology and Recording Equipment
Before you started, you'll need:
๏ A web publishing tool ( Try Blogger, TypePad, WordPress or Movable Type )
๏ A file hosting service ( Try LibSyn for free, AudioBlogger is also a good choice )
๏ Recording software ( Try Audacity for Window-based PCs or Garageband on Mac - both are free )
๏ Microphone ( Try a good headset microphone or better yet the Marshall Electronics MXL 006 Condenser USB Microphone for only $129 )
Identifying The Theme of Your Podcast
Developing your podcast description is a necessary step in the branding process. When you are brainstorming your podcast description, make sure that it explains the purpose of your show and accentuates the theme of your podcast. This description should be no more than two to three sentences in length.
Personify Your Podcast with a Snazzy Name
When selecting a name, be sure that the name of your podcast reflects the content that you are recording. For example, if your subject matter is about travel, your podcast name should be branded to complement your show. To illustrate, a podcast about travel might be called Globetrotter, Passport Podcast, The Travel Guide, and so on. Make sure that the name you choose is also available as a domain name online. Try to make your name unique but easily understood and recognizable.
A Place to Publish and Host Your Podcast
Once you have picked a name for your podcast, purchase the domain name for your podcast. This is extremely important because interested listeners and inquisitive searchers will be able to find your podcast in Search engines such as Google, Yahoo!, MSN and others. As a reward for consistently branding your podcast, search results will display your website and podcast accordingly.
Alternatively, you can create a subdomain such as http://podcast.yourwebsite.com or a subdirectory such as http://www.yourwebsite.com/podcast. Clearly this is a much easier way to get started and you'll be building on the strength of your existing website.
Recording Session In Progress
There has been plenty written about recording digital audio however the basics as to start with a script or a show outline, then do a short test recording and listen to the results. Make sure your room (be it a conference room or small office) is quiet and that you've minimized background noise. A clean recording can often be achieved by turning off air conditioners, fans or other mechanical items.
If other people, namely business office workers, are the source of the background noise, much is this can be reduced by simply advising others that a recording session is in progress.
By focusing on quality content and a clean recording with no unwanted background noises, you'll have fewer edits to perform and have a podcast that's ready to submit to iTunes.
Get Your Podcast in iTunes
Having your podcast listed in iTunes is critical. Considering that are several hundred million iPods and iPhone and now two million iPads, you'll be able to reach a critical mass of listeners with an iTunes listing.
The submission process is easy and can be found here: How To Submit a Podcast To iTunes. Plus, don't forget to add your show to other podcast directories too.
Assessing Results
After a half dozen shows, the listen comments should be rolling in. You might even have some reviews on iTunes. See these comments as positive feedback and apply those suggestions you believe will improve the quality of the show and keep people subscribed. Here's an action plan for evaluating your progress.
And, here's to your success with your new podcast!
David
