Audio broadcasting is no-longer confined to expensive recording studios, podcasting is becoming more mainstream.There are a few things you need to get started in podcasting, and I’ve put together my checklist to save you some time.

Podcasting Hardware

You’ll need to record audio. You can use a portable audio recorder. One that has been highly recommended is the Samsung Zoom H2 which is roughly £150.

Or you can record audio on most PCs if you plug in a headset with microphone. You can also plug the headset into the audio recorder so you can record hands-free.

Podcasting Software

Audacity is a great piece of free software that you can use to cut, edit, add intros, music and sound effects before you publish.

Podcast Hosting

If you host on your own servers and the podcast becomes very popular, it could become expensive. Libsyn is specifically for hosting podcasts and charges a set fee, which won’t fluctuate with data usage. This costs roughly $30/month.

Publicising a Podcast

To publicise your podcast, submit the feed to the following Podcast directories:

• iTunes [warning this opens iTunes so you have to submit thought this]
• Feedburner
• Yahoo Podcasts
• Podanza
• Podcastblaster
• iTunestracks

If you’re being thorough, there are a few others here listed here – Masternewmedia.org

This will be a one-time submission – you submit the feed url at the start, and these directories will keep up-to-date with the shows you publish with Libsyn (or whichever host you use)

Other ways to publicise your podcast

• Blog about it – I’d recommend having a WordPress blog specifically for each podcast. You can add slides, images, RSS feed and show notes here. Listeners can comment and ask questions, and it can act as a homepage for your podcast.
• Create a Facebook page – As with a blog, you can add your podcast feed, podcast schedule, notes, etc. Listeners can comment or collaborate.
• Add a note to your email signature.
• Write an online press release.
• Mention it in offline advertising, on-hold music, etc.
• Request feedback from listeners on reviews such as iTunes and Yahoo

Podcast Guides

These links should help for when you get started:

• Guide to all aspects of podcasting
• iTunes shows how to mark up your xml correctly
• Podcast Guide from About.com

The most important tools in Podcasting…

Confidence and practice!

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If you have any recommendations, or opinions let me know & I’ll update.

Thanks!