Oct '05 Tools

A Podcast can be a terrific marketing tool that you can upload and make available to your clients on your web site.

Podcasting is a new technology for publishing audio broadcasts via the Internet. The basic requirements for podcasting are a computer (PC or Mac), podcasting software and an Internet connection. For portability, an iPod or other MP3 player is needed.

Podcasts are MP3 audio files that are downloaded using a podcasting application. The word "podcasting" combines the words "broadcasting" and "iPod" which can be misleading as neither podcasting nor listening to podcasts requires an iPod or any portable music player. With podcasting, you can listen to audio files on your computer or you can load them on to your MP3 player and take them with you.

Podcasting software lets listeners subscribe to feeds that will periodically check for and downloads new content automatically. Many content providers offer podcast feeds at no cost. These feeds deliver audio broadcasts to your desktop.

How can you get started? Simply download and install podcasting software onto your computer. Although applications vary, each will provide instructions on how to add podcast feeds to your list. Then all you'll need to do is just check for the new podcasts and MP3s of your selected programs that will be on your computer and, if you are set up for it, on your MP3 player.

iPodder is a free program that runs on your computer to download audio files, usually MP3's, directly to your MP3 device. Other devices are supported through Windows Media Player. Any device that can exchange files with Windows Media Player will work with iPodder.

Creating your own podcast is easy and relatively inexpensive. All you need is a microphone - which you can purchase at your local computer electronics store - and a software recording program like Audacity. Audacity is a free, easy-to-use audio editor and recorder for Windows, Mac OS X, GNU/Linux, and other operating systems. Just record your podcast into a computer, then export the recorded .wav file as an MP3.

Most Podcast are typically 10 to 20 minutes in length. Because they can also be emailed, MP3 files are an excellent way to communicate with your clients. You can record complete sales presentations or detailed product descriptions for your clients to download and listen to. Or perhaps you have important industry related information you could record that would be useful to your clients.

Where can you find Podcasts? Three places to start are Podcast Alley, Podcast Net and Apple iPod & iTunes.