How To Create a Podcast
Recently we posted some tips for writing a good podcast, intended for those who are already experienced podcasters.
By popular demand, here’s an easy “how-to” on creating a podcast from scratch:
First, you will need some basic hardware. For an audio podcast, all you’ll need is your computer and a microphone. Microphones come in many styles, with the higher end represented well by this Sony noise-reducing microphone (around $100) and cheaper home-use models like the Samson Dynamic Vocal Microphone available for around $10-15. Many laptops and Macintosh computers have built-in microphones, so you may already be ready to go.
Second, you’ll need software. For PC users, the open-source program Audacity (available at http://audacity.sourceforge.net) and its corresponding mp3 encoder work very well, and will even give you tools for editing what you have recorded.
Once you’ve got those two things ready, you need to know what you want to say! If you didn’t read our earlier article on writing a good podcast, check it out now.
Once you’re ready to go, just plug in your microphone, launch Audacity and click the Record button. (For Mac users, the easiest method of recording a podcast is to use GarageBand. Create a RealInstrument track, then record.) If you’ve planned ahead, your podcast will probably need minimal editing, but in Audacity you can select any “ummmmm….” moments in your track and delete them. Go to the File menu and export as “MP” and voila! You have a podcast!
After you’ve recorded your podcast, the easiest way of distribution is to simply upload the file to your web space and provide a link. (Wordpress users, you can upload and link the file the same way you upload an image.) However, the 800-pound-gorilla of the podcast world is iTunes, and it’s so simple to publish there, you only need to fill in a few fields. For a great iTunes tutorial with screenshots, click here.
