Podcasting Beth Cherry

WHAT IS PODCASTING?

Definition A podcast is a syndicated audio or video communication distributed via the Internet. Podcast = syndication No syndication != podcast

Definition Continued A podcast can be played on any device that plays digital audio files (your computer, your MP3 player, etc.). A podcast DOES NOT require an ipod. Apple did not originate podcasting and does not own “podcasting.”

Definition Continued Podcasting IS NOT webcasting. It doesn’t stream It isn’t live It is personal (one to one), not a performance (one to many) that might be regulated by the FCC Learn more from Doc SearlsLearn more from Doc Searls

Benefits On-demand content (no click wait); Consumer is “program director” Serialized content Automated, direct distribution Most subscriptions are free Doesn’t require full attention and permits multi-tasking

Detractors Distribution uncontrollable Bandwidth consumption high DRM = Digital Rights Management (prohibitive)

Brief History

Why is it important to you? Opportunities for early adopters to gain mind-share in a relatively new space Alternative method for communication and self-promotion

WHY?

It’s fun.

Also…

It’s your final.

How is this final useful to you? Learn about university resources Improve your presentation skills Improve your interviewing skills Figure out some things about audio

So take notes.

Let’s get to it What do I record in my podcast? How do I record my podcast? How do I syndicate my podcast? How do I promote my podcast? What is my final assignment?

WHAT DO I RECORD IN MY PODCAST?

General Format Intro music/ Introduction Sponsor Recognition Segment 1 Segment 2 Segment 3 Thank you for listening/ feed plug Exit Music *Typical duration ranges from 3 to 45 minutes

Podcast content examples Guest appearances Audience Q&A Media reviews (books, movies, etc.) Music interludes Banter “Soundseeing” from on location Get fancy fancy

Copyright Most podcasts are talk radio, because record companies haven’t provided an easy, affordable way for podcasters to license songs. Creative CommonsCreative Commons Learn more from Linux Journal Learn more from Linux Journal

Copyright Continued Is your music podsafe? When in doubt check with the artist or label before you assume something is podsafe. Podsafe Music Network Music Network Podsafe Audio Audio Read more on how to find podsafe musicRead more on how to find podsafe music

Sample Podcasts KCRW Good Food/ Morning Becomes Eclectic Chinese Pod Diggnation

HOW DO I RECORD MY PODCAST?

Equipment A personal computer, a preamp, and an external drive (flash drive and/or ipod can also be helpful for file transfer/ testing) Audio software Headphones, a mic, and a pop filter An Internet connection Server space & lots of bandwidth

Recording Methods Audioblogger - Phone it inAudioblogger Portable recorder/ DAT 1.Low Quality - PC/ Mac (internal mic) 2.Higher Quality - Mac at school (better mic + preamp) 3.Dual location - Mac (can do on PC; slightly different process/ software)

Lower Quality Record

Audacity - built for PC or Mac LAME - MP3 Encoder iTunes

Higher Quality Record Reserve an audio suite on the eighth floor of the KU at least six hours in advance.audio suite Check out mics, a DAT, a mini recorder, a pop filter, or other recording equipment from the 9th floor of the KU. Make reservations online two days in advance.Make reservations online See Dave at the DT lab to find out what equipment you can borrow from DT.

Higher Quality Record

Dual Location Record - Mac What you need: Soundflower + Soundflowerbed + Soundflowerbed Line-in Skype Sound Studio or GaragebandSound StudioGarageband

Other dual location methods Do it on a PC ($40) it on a PC ($40) Do it with ichat search&start=0&start=0&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:officialDo it with ichat

HOW DO I SYNDICATE MY PODCAST?

Syndication Technology Informal Specifications: RSS 1.0 RDF Site Summary Extensible (outdated) RSS 2.0 Really Simple Syndication (xml based) Easy to code by hand Formal Specifications: Atom - standardized

Which should you use? Most aggregators can read all three. iTunesiTunes iPodder.netiPodder.net FeedreaderFeedreader Odeo Odeo

Okay, but how do I setup the feed? Write the code yourself Write the code yourself (generally best) Cheat (as long as it works) Feedburner Feedburner

Feed dos and don’ts Don’t: Include HTML mark-up in your feed Do: Identify entries (rdf:about, guid, or id) Fill out your ID3 Tags Validate feeds (

How do listeners subscribe? Click on subscription link Highlight it in the address bar Paste it into your aggregator

HOW DO I PROMOTE MY PODCAST?

Podcast promotion Link to the feed on your site Register your feed with directories Tell your friends Read 12 ways to promote your podcast

Podcast Directories Indie PodderIndie Podder Podcast.netPodcast.net Podcast AlleyPodcast Alley

WHAT DO I DO FOR MY FINAL?

Final Requirements 3 Podcasts Duration: 1-3 minutes each Link to syndication feed Upload files to your Parsons site, and send the link to this gmail account by this date. DO NOT send the subscription link. Send the HTML link where your user can access the subscription link. There should be some description of what your podcast is about on this page.

Podcast Themes Best or worst lecture and why Best or worst book in class and why Best or worst lab module and why Take any bit of lecture or lab module and talk about it in detail Create a “sound tutorial” or “how to” that would be related to C&C Review a book, site, or organization not mentioned in class that would relate to C&C

Judging Criteria Assignment completion on time + followed the requirements Everything works (syndication, files, etc.) Sound quality (good volume levels, attractive and interesting voices/ sound/ music) Content quality (creative, structured, on topic)

HAVE FUN.