A podcast is a good way to share information with the world. It can cover any topic, and can appeal to a wide variety of audiences. You can create a Podcast simply by using the Audacity recording program and a hosting service. Does it seem difficult to you? Once you learn how to do this, you will be well on your way to having your very own Podcast.
Steps
Step 1. Download Audacity by clicking on this link
Step 2. Think about a topic that interests you, and make a lineup of what you want to discuss
It can really be anything. When you have decided what to talk about, you will be ready to continue with the next step.
Step 3. Start recording
Be careful to keep your voice level close to 0 (center line). As you speak, bars will move according to your tone; try to keep them as close to zero as possible, but speak naturally. If you speak too loudly, the microphone will cause a phenomenon called 'clipping', which makes sounds appear to be propagating through aluminum foil.
Step 4. Correct any mistakes you may have made
Remove background noises, edit parts where you accidentally breathed into the microphone, and other things like that.
Step 5. Save the recording in Mp3 format
Step 6. Upload the MP3 to the net so that it can be downloaded by your listeners
You can turn to paid web hosting services (if they find cheap ones), or you can consider using free group hosting services, such as those offered by Google, AOL, MSN, Yahoo, and others. This second method could be a great idea, in fact it not only allows you to upload your MP3s, but also makes it very easy for the listener to subscribe to the podcast. In addition, all your listeners will be gathered in a database, and every time you upload a new podcast it will be easy to notify them. In fact, all these services use RSS (Really Simple Syndacation). When an individual joins a group, they automatically receive access to their RSS.
Step 7. Continue adding Mp3
Advice
- To save the recording in Mp3 with Audacity, click on 'File' and then on 'Export as Mp3'
- Originality is always an advantage, but also remember that there are many different podcasts dealing with the same topics.
- If you have difficulty exporting the recording in Mp3 format, it may mean that you do not have an Mp3 codec installed on your computer. Audacity should install one automatically, but if it doesn't, download the LAME Mp3 Encoder. After downloading it, copy the lame_enc.dll file in the Audacity folder and in the Windows system32 (usually found under C: / WINDOWS / system32)
- Don't be afraid to ask some artists to share their music with you for use in your podcast. There are many who would be happy to help you.
- Make sure you have a lineup of the topics you want to cover. This is especially useful if there are a lot of things you want to talk about.
- There are many books that tell you how to record and share a podcast. Go to Amazon and search under 'podcasts'.
Warnings
- Make sure you keep the same format every time! You don't have to talk about the same things all the time, but try to keep the same order. A bit like the news, which starts with local news, then talks about international news, and finally about sports. They always talk about different topics, but they always use the same format. Or, another example: talk a little, make a joke, talk a little more, make another joke, and then finish. This is also a format.
- If you plan to use music, make sure you have the rights to it. While they are unlikely to come looking for a simple podcast, if you don't have the rights to use the music you could be sued by the artists involved. The last thing you need is a lawsuit.
