| Podcasting as a phenomenon has sky rocketed from | | | | are looking for Reality version of things. The |
| something that geeks did a year ago to mainstream. A | | | | anonymous blogger writing from her basement |
| google search yields 124 million hitsputting it at par with | | | | can(and sometimes does) command a loyal readership |
| its sister phenomenon blogging. In fact, podcasting in | | | | that would make the editor of New York Times |
| many cases is used exactly for that purposeaudio | | | | blanch. Similarly, the podcaster can have an audience |
| video blogging. But I am getting ahead of myself. | | | | rivaling political commentators and MTV DJs. Its all |
| Podcasting uses the same technology that most | | | | about the value the podcaster provides to the |
| bloggers use to get exposureRSS. RSS or Rich Site | | | | audience. The meritocracy of internet ensures that |
| Summary/Real Simple Syndication(choose your | | | | only the cream rises to the top. |
| poison) is essentially used to broadcast the blogging | | | | What is required to Publish Podcasts(Podcaster). |
| contents. The RSS is versatile enough to | | | | Some simple steps and you are on your way to be a |
| accommodate image, data, video or audio files. | | | | podcaster: |
| Essentially podcasting is an audio file in the RSS feed's | | | | 1. Record your audio content in a file and post it to |
| enclosure tag. The RSS version 2.0 supports the | | | | your website. |
| current Podcasting specifications and is the widely | | | | 2. Generate an RSS feed containing a link to the audio |
| used format. | | | | file in the enclosure field of a RSS 2.0 compliant feed. |
| The podcast audience gets the latest stuff of their | | | | 3. You are ready to promote your music/thoughts |
| interest on their media player. Its time shifted and place | | | | ideas to the rest of the world. |
| shifted, so they can listen to it at the time and place of | | | | What is required to listen to Podcasts (Podcastee): |
| their choice. This beat radio and even streaming radio. | | | | Three simple steps for web surfers to listen to |
| The technology works with all contents-music as well | | | | podcasts: |
| as audio blogs. Its the latter use which has garnered | | | | 1. Download a News aggregator or RSS reader which |
| the most interest. | | | | is RSS 2.0 compliant. If you are blessed with an IPod |
| In general, the entry fee for the podcasting is low. All | | | | or similar device, even that may not be necessary. |
| one needs is a decent quality microphone to ensure | | | | 2. Insert the URL of the podcast feed into the news |
| quality recording. Of course, one can get fancy, with | | | | aggregator or podcast management software. |
| audio editing software, sound effects, and such, but | | | | 3. When new items appear in the category of your |
| ultimately if the content is interesting/useful one can | | | | interest, you can analyze the narrative and listen to |
| build a loyal audience. Think Craigs list Vs. | | | | what you really find interesting. |
| the-fancy-shmancy-flash-site. | | | | Podcasting as a field is new enough that its still not |
| So why bother with podcasting? Taking the blogging | | | | that difficult to get exposure. A microphone, some |
| analogy ( ) further, the podcasters are a pioneering | | | | diskspace on a server and talent is all you need to get |
| bunch. The main stream talk radio shows have not got | | | | going. Unfortunately the exponential growth of the |
| into the act just yet, just like the main stream media | | | | medium and potential for marketing and advertisement |
| does not use the blogging format(as much as it | | | | ensures that the cacophony of spam may drown your |
| should)leaving the field open for podcasting enthusiasts. | | | | podcasts. Now is the time to create that loyal |
| While a lot of content may not be polished, some of us | | | | audience. Happy podcasting! |