| r /> | | | | This is probably the trickier part. A podcast is |
| Vlogs (video blogs) can prove to be more | | | | actually made out of two distinct parts: the audio |
| expressive than text blogs but they do have | | | | content itself, and a special file called an RSS file. |
| some limitations. First of all, the content | | | | The RSS file contains information about what |
| can’t be indexed by web search engines. | | | | your audio file is, where it can be downloaded |
| Secondly, you can only see a small part of it at | | | | from, how it should be played and so on. |
| once. It's perfectly possible to skim a blog post | | | | What you need to do in this step is to upload the |
| but it's impossible to do the same with a vlog. | | | | podcast you record to a publicly accessible |
| Furthermore, vlogs are more exposed to | | | | location. This can be your own web server. You |
| problems such as accent, stage fright and so on. | | | | must then create the RSS file something |
| People usually feel neutral towards a piece of | | | | which may be a little bit tricky if you are not |
| text, but are quick to judge others by their | | | | technically inclined. |
| physical appearance or voice tone. Advice many | | | | The good news is, RSS feeds can be generated |
| people give is to use a vlog only where you | | | | automatically, using tools like Escapepodder ( |
| absolutely need visual and vocal expression. If you | | | | MyRSS Creator ( or ePodcast Creator ( |
| are an artist selling your own records, for | | | | The files generated by these programs are |
| instance, a vlog may be more valuable than a | | | | usually enough, but if you encounter problems, |
| blog. However, in most cases, a text-only blog | | | | you may want to ask someone who knows his |
| works better for marketing purposes. | | | | way around RSS for help. |
| Podcasting | | | | Once the RSS file has been created, you can |
| Podcasting is one of the newer aspects | | | | simply start distributing it. Your website is a good |
| developed in the Web 2.0 world and unique in | | | | place to start but there are several |
| its own way, because it is strongly linked with | | | | podcasting directories where you should submit |
| hardware development. In fact, the early days of | | | | your podcast. iTunes allows you to automatically |
| podcasting involved Apple's iPod so extensively | | | | submit your podcast to Apple Shop, but you |
| that the technique got its name from it. | | | | shouldn't stop there. Yahoo! Podcasts ( and |
| A podcast is essentially a collection of audio files, | | | | Podcast.net ( make good starting points. |
| available for download and aggregation usually | | | | Using a talkcast is much like using a podcast or a |
| automatically somewhat similar to radio | | | | vlog. You can use it to promote your own |
| shows. They are indeed broadcast, but the only | | | | product in a talkcast about its field (e.g. if you are |
| difference is that they are not live and | | | | selling garden plants, you may hold a weekly show |
| interactive. (Though some live podcasts | | | | about gardening). Talkcasts have the advantage |
| have appeared, and we will cover them shortly.) | | | | over podcasts of interactivity. People are involved |
| Podcasts act essentially like sound blogs. A | | | | through the chat board, and you can get instant |
| podcaster records his own thoughts, polishes the | | | | feedback without interrupting a broadcast. |
| recording and, when everything is ready, makes a | | | | Everyone can still listen to your talkcast, because |
| podcast episode available for download. | | | | it gets uploaded immediately after it is finished, |
| Downloading is usually handled by media players | | | | and can be repeated — while retaining the |
| like iTunes, and many users have these episodes | | | | advantages of podcasts (the format is the same |
| automatically uploaded to their MP3 players. | | | | and people can still listen to your talkcast on their |
| In terms of expressivity, podcasts are | | | | MP3 player). |
| somewhere between text blogs and vlogs. They | | | | Therefore, it is much easier to develop a loyal |
| don't provide the same personal feeling a vlog | | | | audience and since many new accounts are |
| does, but humans have a reasonable ability of | | | | created every day, there is a constant flow of |
| associating persons with voices. Thus, although | | | | new people you can direct to your website. Still, |
| hardly the perfect choice for artists (especially in | | | | the fact that you can get new people to your |
| the case of those for whom physical aspects, like | | | | community is only a side effect the important |
| gesture or setting are important actors for | | | | thing is that you can improve your relationship |
| example), podcasts are the perfect supplement | | | | with your fans, with those who listen to your |
| for a blog. | | | | talkcast every time. Their insights can prove |
| In fact, one strategy that has often been applied | | | | extremely valuable. |
| is podcasting actual blog posts. This is a way of | | | | RSS: syndication at its best |
| overcoming one of the inherent limitations of | | | | The previous paragraphs described a podcast |
| blogs the necessity of being in front of a | | | | having two parts: the audio file and the RSS file. It |
| computer to read them. By podcasting blog posts, | | | | should be obvious what the audio file is this |
| bloggers ensure that people can listen to their | | | | part describes what RSS means. |
| ideas when they are not in front of the | | | | RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is a standard |
| computer, but not doing anything requiring a lot of | | | | format, used to publish frequently updated |
| attention either. | | | | content. That is, people use RSS feeds (or files) |
| Another important advantage podcasting has is | | | | to share their headlines or summaries of their |
| the fact that it's very cheap. Creating a good vlog | | | | latest blog posts through syndication. It should be |
| is not an easy job you need a decent | | | | noted that RSS is not the only standard (in fact, |
| camera, some care with the lights, a closely | | | | there are several RSS standards the latest |
| rehearsed text (unless you want people to see | | | | one being RSS 2.0). |
| that you are reading) in other words, some | | | | However, many professionals consider that the |
| effort. | | | | newer ones, like Atom, are just one extra hassle |
| Podcasting is that much easier, because users | | | | which confuses users even further. We will only |
| have no way of seeing what you do. | | | | cover RSS here because it's very common and |
| STEP 1: Get the gear | | | | easy to use but you may want to check on |
| Although podcasts are cheaper than vlogs, you | | | | the other standards to see if any of them fits |
| still need some equipment in order to record | | | | your needs better. |
| yourself. You will obviously need a computer with | | | | An RSS file uses a markup language called XML to |
| a soundcard. In addition to this, you will need: | | | | describe the data it contains. Generally, RSS feeds |
| 1.A microphone. Many laptops come with one | | | | contain small pieces of data and links to larger |
| incorporated, but the sound quality is very poor. | | | | pages. For instance, a local newspaper may use |
| The best choices are headsets with microphones | | | | RSS to distrib-ute lists of the latest headlines. A |
| and USB microphones. A decent microphone can | | | | click on the headline in the RSS file will lead to the |
| be bought for about $25. | | | | full article. |
| 2.Sound recording software. Most podcasters use | | | | The most popular solution is using a feed along |
| Audacity ( a free, Open Source program available | | | | with a blog. Every time you write a new post, the |
| for many platforms. Some Mac fans use | | | | blog is updated. With this at the user's disposal, |
| GarageBand, but it's not free. | | | | there's an important chance all your readers will |
| 3.An encoder, if your recording software doesn't | | | | come back once they are subscribed. They no |
| provide one. You need it in order to convert your | | | | longer need to remember your blog's address and |
| recording to a compressed format like MP3. The | | | | check it every once in a while to see if you have |
| LAME MP3 Encoder ( ) is the most widely used, | | | | written anything new. |
| but many programs, like iTunes, can automatically | | | | Another popular usage of blogs is re-aggregation. |
| convert your sounds to MP3. | | | | Remember what we said about the consistency |
| STEP 2: Write what you need to write | | | | of the RSS format and how it can be used? |
| No matter how spontaneous you are, try to | | | | Re-aggregation refers exactly to that: combining |
| understand that a podcast is still not a live radio | | | | several feeds to form one which is distributed. |
| show. Any podcast with ah's, umm's and ugh's will | | | | For example, you can re-aggregate news from |
| sound unprofessional. However, bear in mind that | | | | the field of your product. If you are selling |
| you are not at school. Try to read with a natural | | | | computer software, for instance, you can use |
| tone. | | | | five or six RSS feeds from large websites |
| The script should not be very formal and it should | | | | (freshmeat.net, etc.). You can take only the text |
| sound just like natural speech, so it isn’t | | | | of the news, and add these news items to your |
| very obvious that you are actually reading. If you | | | | RSS feed, which already includes a few words |
| need help with it, you may want to ask a writer | | | | about your product. |
| to help you. | | | | This way, your clients will be thankful not only |
| STEP 3: Postprocessing | | | | are you providing them with news from a field |
| Postprocessing is a must of every successful | | | | they are interested in, but they can also keep in |
| recording. Fortunately, most recording software | | | | touch with your product. |
| allows you to perform postprocessing tasks easily | | | | One other useful thing you can do is allow others |
| through automated wizards. | | | | to place banner ads in your feed. Small, |
| Common postprocessing tasks include removing | | | | unobtrusive banners placed at the bottom of |
| background sounds and adding slight reverb | | | | every feed can generate some income for you, |
| effects when the sound feels too dry. One | | | | without disturbing your client. The procedure |
| thing to remember though: you are recording a | | | | works the other way around as well: you can |
| podcast, trying to inform your clients and | | | | place your banner in the feeds others distribute |
| promote your product. You are not playing | | | | as long as everyone agrees. |
| psychedelic rock. | | | | All in all, RSS feeds can prove to be very useful. |
| If, after adding an effect, you need to listen twice | | | | The only basic disadvantage they have is the fact |
| to understand what you are saying, the effect is | | | | that they are not a form of active communication |
| bad. If you have trouble understanding your own | | | | only one of the parties is actively involved (i.e. |
| voice, imagine what your listeners must be going | | | | you are sending the message, but others can only |
| through. | | | | read it). |
| STEP 4: Publish it | | | | |