How to Run Your Own Podcast

More than ever before, podcasting is incredibly easy to accomplish. It takes only a few seconds to access one of a dozen free tools that will record audio and upload it to your website. The key is to establish a solid outline of content and good technical tools to record quality audio.

Recording the Podcast

First, you should know how to record a good Podcast. You'll need quality tools that will allow you the freedom to record audio in your own house. It may seem like just another simple Podcast, but people expect to hear you, not your washing machine, so having the right mic and software is important.

One of my tools of choice is the Technical Pro Podcast System (or the Digidesign Mbox for those who can afford something a bit higher end). This standalone recording system will reduce feedback and ambient noise that is unavoidable with a plugin microphone.

It is possible to record your podcast with a standard microphone as well, but don't expect the world's best audio as a result. Sometimes, when starting, this may be necessary, but upgrade as soon as possible to a higher quality, standalone audio device.

Regarding software, there are a number of desktop audio recording software programs that can create MP3s for uploading. My favorites include Audacity (which is free) or Adobe's Audition 3 Suite (quite a bit more expensive).

For an extremely simple option, however, consider one of the many browser based services that can create a podcast and syndicate it at once. Blogtalkradio allows you to record a Podcast with your phone or upload your own MP3 (created with your standalone system).

Other sites with similar services include Gcast.com, Wild Voice Shout, and Podcast Assistant (a desktop tool that creates the XML that will broadcast your Podcast).

What to Have in a Podcast

The hardest part for many people I think, is actually getting a good Podcast in place that listeners will return to on a weekly basis. You don't need iTunes distribution or a major website portal to get those listeners.

You just need quality content that people need to hear. Below are some tips for what listeners will return for repeatedly.

* Interviews - Whenever you can interview an expert in your field, listeners will tune in to listen. It can be hard, especially early in your career, to lean these big interviews, but try to build a relationship early and you'll benefit substantially from it.

* Specific Tips - Offer specific, detailed tips and strategies, not rehashes of things people have heard before. Many times Podcasts are audio versions of free reports floating around the Internet. Develop better, more consistent tips that will deliver value to your readers.

* Questions Answered - Interaction is the key to engaging your listeners. The easiest way to interact is to solicit questions and answer them every week. Leave an email address or a phone number that they can call them in on.

* News Updates - Don't just report news in your niche -discuss how it affects listeners. For example if you're in the solar energy niche and a new system is released by a major company, with higher output ratings, discuss how this can affect someone's home solar system.

The key to a good Podcast is to offer something unique and engaging that your listeners couldn't get by reading your blog or articles. Be entertaining, provide regular value, and update frequently (consistency is very important here), and your podcast will deliver exactly what your listeners are looking for. Internet Marketing - Using Podcasts   Six Benefits of Podcasting   The Benefits of Starting a Podcast   Podcast Transcription: Converting the Spoken to the Written   

Coming Up With New Podcast Subjects

So you're sitting there trying to write your next podcast and what happens? Nada! Nothing! Total blankness! You just can't seem to come up with an idea. You haven't got the glimmer of a subject to talk about.

Has this ever happened to you?

You're not alone. Everyone has blank days. Everyone has points where they just can't think of anything to say. And if your podcast consists of multiple columns in a single recording then the problem is even worse!

So how do you do it?

How do you come up with new podcast subjects?

Well first off you need to realize that ideas are everywhere. No I'm not talking about in the ether -- although that may be true too. I'm talking about everywhere you are and everything you do. They're in the books that you read. They're in the television that you watch. They're in the newspapers and the radio. You just have to open your eyes and your mind to them.

Unfortunately, that means that they won't necessarily appear when you want them. Instead they appear at totally random times. So the first trick that you need to remember is always to have a notepad with you. This can be a little notebook that fits in your pocket. Or it can be a digital memo recorder (your MP3 player often has this built in). How you keep notes is irrelevant. Having something to record the ideas down when they occur is what matters.

Of course there's one source that you may not have thought of. Scary thing is that it's the best source of all. I'm talking about your customers. Or your audience. Or both. Ask them what problems they are having. Look at the questions they are sending you. Surely there are ideas in there. And they'll be the best ideas because they focus on your customer's questions.

The next little trick is to be efficient with your ideas. What do I mean with that? You've come up with an idea -- say "how to create ideas". Cool. One idea, one podcast. Right? Nope. Turn that idea into seven tips (or ten tips or top ten or top five or whatever). Now do a podcast on the overall idea. Do a podcast with the seven tips. Now do a podcast with each of the seven tips. Let's see, that one idea has now turned into nine podcasts. That's efficiency. Want to give away the farm? Add how, why and when to the mix. That works out to twenty seven podcasts. That's a half-year of weekly podcasts! From one idea.

Finally, remember that your podcasts can be turned into segments or columns. You may have an idea that won't give you enough material for a fifteen minute podcast. But what happens if you create a podcast with five six minute segments in it? Yes, you'll need more ideas but each idea will only need six minutes worth of material. That means more of the ideas will be useable. And the podcast will be longer!

Internet Marketing - Using Podcasts   Six Benefits of Podcasting   The Benefits of Starting a Podcast   Podcast Transcription: Converting the Spoken to the Written   How to Begin Podcasting the Right Way