"Content is king" in new media--but you have to actually produce content! Podcasting doesn't have to require a lot of money. Learn about the software and services to use to make your voice heard and get your show online, regardless of your budget.
Steve will be at Dragon*Con in Atlanta, GA, September 2nd-5th, 2011, and participating in one panel at the podcasting track: "Podcasting 201 - The Tech Stuff" at 4 PM on Friday, in the Hilton Room 204. If you're at Dragon*Con, come by and say hello!
Are We In A Post-"Podcast" World?
There's been a discussion recently that really struck a chord.
Someone posited a question:
Are we still podcasters? That is, in the age of live streaming, is it really still a "podcast"?
In the strictest definition, a podcast is rich media downloaded automatically via syndication--inherently time shifted, the opposite of live. The words "live" and "podcast" are mutually exclusive; a "live podcast" is technically incorrect. Podcast is really the delivery method, not the media itself.
Many people identify simply as "podcasters," but a show is a show--no matter what the media or delivery method, whether podcast, live, or something else. You want your show to be available for people to tune in in as many ways as possible.
The term podcast has made major progress in penetrating the mainstream consciousness, it's still shrouded in mystique for many people. First and foremost, you are a content creator, the host or producer of a show--no matter how people listen to or watch it. Think beyond podcasting!
Podcasting on a Budget--For (Almost) Free
You don't have to spend a lot of money--or sometimes any money at all--to produce and distribute a podcast. I also don't recommend going out and spending a lot of money on equipment and services when you're first getting started, as this is a lot of work, and might not be for you. You can start of simple and build your way up.
Microphone: USB Headset (~$20-30)
One way or another you're going to need some sort of microphone to record your voice.
One of the best options is with a USB headset, with a microphone on a boom near your mouth, which you might already own, and if you don't, can cost as little as $20 to $30 at most electronics or big box stores.
Another option is the microphone built to your laptop or notebook computer, but beware--this will also pick up room ambience, echo, and background noise, even noise generated by the computer itself.
Software: Audacity or GarageBand
You're going to need some sort of software to record and edit your episode on your computer.
One option for owners of Mac computers is GarageBand, which comes pre-loaded on every machine as part of the iLife suite.
Another option that's open source and cross-platform is Audacity, available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Audacity has a fairly significant user base, which means there are a lot of tutorials and resources online to help you get started.
Be sure to download the newer 1.3 "Beta" version, as it has many improvements over the older 1.2 "Stable" version. Don't let the "beta" tag scare you away; while it's not perfect, it's probably as stable (or even more so) than 1.2.
Web Hosting: Wordpress.com
Wordpress has grown from a simple blogging platform to a full-blown content management system, and is what powers the web site of most podcasts.
There are two variants of Wordpress: There's Wordpress.org, which you download and install on your own web hosting; and Wordpress.com, which is a hosted service. Wordpress.com has the advantage of being totally free, with a domain, but isn't as flexible or customizable with plugins or themes as Wordpress.org.
If you choose to upgrade from Wordpress.com to Wordpress.org, you can export your data in a format that you can then import in to your new site.
Media Hosting: Archive.org
You can't just post your episodes (e.g. MP3 files) directly to your Wordpress.com site--or that,
