Everywhere you turn these days, it seems like someone is launching or promoting a podcast and for good reason. Podcasts (or Internet “radio” shows) are a great way to provide content to your audience. Instead of simply reading your written words, people can now hear your voice and all of the subtle inflections that go with it. I like that.
Recently, I was launching a podcast for one of my other sites (Living Without Limits) and ran into a lot of questions about the best way to record and distribute the messages, as well as the best equipment to use. That’s why this article is here.
Today, I’m going to share with you the very resources I use for creating my podcast. Some of these resources are free; the others are very reasonably priced. All are top-notch.
RECORDING & EDITING YOUR PODCAST
Here is my Blue Yeti with the optional "pop" filter
Microphone: I just recently purchased the Blue Yeti condenser microphone and I love it. It has four input settings so you can choose how you want to record. For podcasting, I use the “cardioid” mode which allows recording from the front of the microphone. You can also use stereo mode, bi-directional mode (for recording an interview) or omni-directional mode which allows 360 degree recording.
I really like this mic because it gives a rich, warm tone to the recording and, when used with a pop filter, it eliminates a lot of the unnecessary sounds. Plus, it features a headphone jack that allows you to hear what is being recorded in real-time. That is a major plus.
This microphone has been on my “wish list” for the last year, but it recently came down in price so now is the perfect time to add it to your podcast “toolbox.”
Audio Editing Software: In order to record and edit your podcast, on your PC, you’ll need some good audio editing software. I use Audacity. It’s full featured, easy to use and, best of all, it’s FREE! How can you not like free?
HOSTING & DISTRIBUTING YOUR PODCAST
Once you have your podcast recorded, you have to host it somewhere. Chances are you don’t want to host it with your website because it will eat up your bandwidth BIG TIME. Even hosts who promise “unlimited bandwidth” will begin to throttle your account if you use extreme amounts of data transfer. So, what can you do? Well, you can do like I do and use a service such as Audio Acrobat to host and distribute your podcast. It’s a great services and I love it. Best of all, the monthly fee is less than my wife and I would spend on a fast food meal out.
Audio Acrobat features a lot of great tools to create and edit your podcast. You can even use it to record conference calls if you like.
Once your podcast is created, Audio Acrobat offers tools to help you publish and promote it. They’ll even help you get it listed for distribution on iTunes. Awesome.
THAT CAN’T BE IT
Well, actually it can. It doesn’t take a lot to produce a great sounding podcast. Now, if you’re going to have multiple hosts or multiple audio inputs, you might need a mixer or something like that. For most of us, this is all that is needed and it is exactly what I use with my “Living Without Limits” podcast. Why spend money on stuff you don’t need yet? Right?
I hope that this article encourages you to promote your own business, thoughts and ideas via podcasting. I look froward to listening to you.
PS: If you’ve listened to my LWL podcast, you’ve heard the very professional start and ending announcements I use. Can you believe I got those recorded for $5 each over at Fiverr. Who says five bucks doesn’t buy much anymore?!
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