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Lesson Two: PodCamp Ohio - Almost Free Podcasting

Continuing with what I learned at PodCamp Ohio, the second session I attended was led by Joe Erickson and entitled Podcast 101, How to Do it Free.

It wasn't quite free - the microphone is about $20 - but otherwise, Joe provided resources that would allow you to dabble in your own radio show for free. 

Starting with the recording software, Audacity, which can be downloaded from the Internet.  From personal experience, I know that I needed to do a work around to allow the Audacity files to be saved as an MP3 file.  Life Ledger provided step by step instructions.

So with your inexpensive microphone you can easily record into your computer.  If you want additional hosts - they will each need a microphone. 

Joe suggested setting up a free account with Blip.TV which will upload your video or audio files, distribute and publish by creating an RSS feed and posting to Twitter, MySpace or iTunes.  All for Free.

I went to set up an account but the first thing you have to do is name your radio show.  This name immediately becomes your URL so you'll want to make sure you have a name before getting started. 

You still need a place to store your shows - WordPress allows you to do that on your blog. 

Joe also provided a few tips:

1.  He talked about the pros and cons of having co-hosts - the struggle with coordinating schedules with the co-host and the person you'll interview.

2.  Ask yourself - would I like to listen to this?  If the answer is no, chances are the listening audience will agree - have a topic and present in an entertaining fashion.

3.  Joe has a video blog but cautions that more will listen to an audio program as they can listen while they drive or exercise and aren't required to sit and view a screen.

4.  Joe's opening is consistent:  welcome message, name of the show, name of the episode, who you are, etc.  Listen to other radio shows for examples.

5.  Have a way for people to participate.  He suggested Talk Shoe - callers can leave their comments and you receive an MP3 file that you can edit.

It was an informative session.  Thanks Joe. 

Lesson One, What I Learned from PodCamp Ohio

I’ve been home for a week from PodCamp Ohio and have spent the time absorbing all I learned and determining what I want to do with the new information.

 

Twitter – something I’ve avoided like the plague, has been a vehicle to be a fly on the wall of people I admire.  “What’s the value,” I hear most say, quickly dismissing Twitter has a toy for the bored.  Yet I see it being used to share up to the minute thoughts, URL links to articles and photos and a place for questions to be asked and answered by the hundreds or thousands following along with your daily activities.

 

It’s funny – there wasn’t a session on Twitter, yet it was the action most participants were exploring as they sat at tables taking notes on their lap top and conducting live podcasts. 

 

The age of technology is mind boggling.  In the photo above, participants were putting into practice what they’d learned in the morning sessions by interviewing one of the PodCamp Staff members.

 

The hours and dedication of energy and time the volunteers put in starting months in advance was mind boggling.  Under the direction of Angelo Mandato, the entire team provided a valuable, information packed day.

 

The first session I attended was led by

Akron

native, Dave Jackson in which he used audience members to visually walk us through Podcasting in English.  It was a clever approach and I left the session much more knowledgeable about the process and the tools I needed to actually begin a podcast.  You can find Dave at School of Podcasting.  As soon as I find his presentation slides, I’ll update this post.

 

 

In the meantime, here is his overview based on my notes:

 

1.  Media:  you need something to upload:  audio, video or a PDF file

2.  Media Host:  you need a place to store the media online, so you need a host or server that will store your files.  Key:  look for a server with unlimited bandwidth.  He recommended Libsyn.

3.  Website host:  You need a "face" for your podcast - a place to tell listeners to go like a website or a blog.  He recommended Host Gator.  But (oh, Dave I hope you are reading this) I think if you have a blog at Word Press.org they would serve as the host.  (did I get that right?)

4.  RSS feed - you need the feed that will allow people to subscribe to your podcast to their computer or iPod.  Wordpress automatically creates the feed on your site.

5.  Aggragator or Podcatcher:  iTunes.  It is like a library of your podcasts which allows listeners to download and then listen to your show when it is convenient for them.  Kind of like Tevo for podcasting. 

 

Dave's session referred to resources that COST, but the next presenter, Joe Erickson picked up where Dave left off with the resources that will allow you to dabble in podcasting for very little money. 

 

Stay tuned – I’ll recap Joe’s session next time.