What Equipments Do I Need For Podcasting? What Equipment Do I Need? Podcasting can be as equipment-intensive (and expensive) as you choose it to be. You can start on a shoestring, or – if you‟re the gadget-loving type – you can invest in all the latest bells and whistles and spend a nice chunk of change. CLICK HERE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT PODCASTING That‟s your choice, of course. The good news is that you don‟t need to spend a lot to get started. If you‟re not sure whether you want to podcast, or you want to test it out before you invest in a lot of equipment, or if you just don‟t have the spare cash, you can be up and running for virtually nothing. In fact, there is a free way to start a podcast. Go to http://www.blogtalkradio.com. According to their website: BlogTalkRadio.com allows anyone, anywhere the ability to host a live, Internet Talk Radio show, simply by using a telephone and a computer. BlogTalkRadio’s unique technology and seamless integration with leading social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, and Ning, empowers citizen broadcasters to create and share their original content, their voices and their opinions in a public worldwide forum. Today, BlogTalkRadio is the largest and fastest-growing social radio network on the Internet. A truly democratized medium, BlogTalkRadio has tens of thousands of hosts and millions of listeners tuning in and joining the conversation each month. Many businesses also utilize the platform as a tool to extend their brands and join the conversation on the social web. As you can see, there are benefits to using BlogTalkRadio.com (since tens of thousands currently host their shows there).
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Even the great marketers like Willie Crawford use ithttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/williecrawford It‟s easy and their most basic plan is free. (They offer “premium” plans for a monthly or annual fee.) However, you may wish to have more control over your podcast and, more importantly, keep your listeners on your own blog, rather than sending them over to BlogTalkRadio to hear your message. If you choose not to go with BlogTalkRadio.com, the basics you need are: a. A recording device (a way to record the audio) b. Software to edit your audio or video (unless you‟re planning on publishing it unedited and “raw”) c. A podcast hosting service (a place to store the audios online) That‟s it! Let‟s look at each of those in turn: A Recording Device If you are doing an audio podcast and have a computer that‟s less than a few years old, you‟re in luck! Chances are the computer system you have already has the ability to record audio when paired with an external microphone (Note: though many computers have built-in microphones, these are not particularly clear or of high enough quality for a podcast. You will want to purchase an external microphone if you don‟t already have one). Here are some headsets you might like on Amazon. If you‟re planning to have guests on your show, you might check outAudioAcrobat.com or FreeConferenceCalls.com. Both of these services help you to record your phone calls and will also convert them into mp3s for you and are easy to use. If you‟re opting for a video podcast, first check your computer to see if it has a built-in video camera. If it doesn‟t, some cell phones and digital cameras take passable video. Do a test-run and see what you think. If you need to purchase a video camera, the Flip is a much-loved, popular option for around $100. Click Here To Get Free Instant Access For 4 Traffic Generation Videos
Editing Software You‟re in luck when it comes to software! There‟s no need to sink hundreds or even thousands of dollars into fancy-shmancy editing packages; everything you need is available for FREE. Don‟t you love that? By far, the industry standard for free audio editing software is Audible (available for free download at Audacity.sourceforge.net). If you have a Mac, GarageBand is very similar to Audacity, and is pre-loaded for free. For video editing, we recommend Windows Movie Maker on a PC and iMovie on a Mac for free video-editing software. You‟ll want to play around with these to figure out how to record and edit your podcast, but suffice it to say that it‟s pretty darned simple to do. An hour of research on the Web, and you should be ready to go. A Hosting Service Just like with your blog, you need a service to host your podcast files and serve them to your audience. There are several free and low-cost options, including PodBean, My Podcast, andOurmedia. Basically, these services store your files and allow people to download and listen or view them easily. AudioAcrobat.com also stores files as part of their service. Many podcasters are using Amazon S3 which is a very affordable way to store large files, but it‟s a bit tricky to set up the first time. So, if it‟s intimidating to you, then you might start with the sites listed above. As you become more sophisticated and your audience grows, you may want to upgrade your podcast components and services, but thousands of podcasters have made their mark in the Internet world with just these simple tools. How Do I Refine My Podcasting Skills? There‟s that old joke about the New York tourist who asks a local how to get to Carnegie Hall. “Practice, practice, practice!” replies the old-timer.
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The same advice goes for podcasting: The way to get better is to practice. Nothing substitutes for hours in the seat, working out the kinks, getting used to the equipment and the process. But there are some tips you can implement to help you ramp up to “expert” status faster: 1. Figure out your goals It‟s tough to know what to do to make your podcast better if you‟re not sure what you‟re trying to accomplish, so your first step is to figure out what your podcasting goals are. Do you want to get new customers? Do you want to provide information for your existing customers? Do you want to establish yourself as an expert? Do you want to network with others in your field? Determine your goals so you can monitor your progress and see how close you‟re getting to them. 2. Practice speaking aloud with inflection One of my favorite ways to practice speaking aloud is to read children‟s books – to kids! They are a tough audience and will let you know right away when you‟ve lost them (they start hitting each other or asking for juice). By the same token, you know when you‟ve got „em; they look at you with their mouths slightly agape, totally enthralled. There‟s not a better audience to test your stuff on, anywhere! 3. Ask for input After you‟ve recorded a few test podcasts, ask for feedback from colleagues and friends. What do they think of your volume, inflection, and pace? What about the length and topics?
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If you‟re recording video, what do they think of your demeanor and setting? Tell them you want blunt criticism (and put your shields up – this is no time for being sensitive!). 4. Document the process Write down how you create each podcast, including the keyboard shortcuts and tools you use in your editing software. This way you can refer to this cheat sheet over and over again until it becomes second nature. By writing it down, you also may be able to pinpoint places where you can speed up the process. 5. Listen to great podcasters One of the best ways to learn is to listen to the “masters.” Listen to others in your niche, as well as those in other fields. Some terrific ones include Internet Business Mastery, Planet Money, Grammar Girl, and Cranky Geeks. See what they do, what they don‟t do, how long they are, how they break up segments, etc. What can you adapt to your own podcast? Refining your podcasting skills is an ongoing process. Great podcasters know they‟ve never reached their pinnacle of success, and they‟re constantly trying to achieve the next level of expertise or success. Get used to the “shampoo, rinse, repeat” process; it‟s your real key to success!
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