Podcasts, from which the term Podcasting is derived, are a form of media that can be found online. Podcasts can be either video or audio, though the current trend leans toward audio. In essence, Podcasts work much the same way as radio and television. Think of a Podcast as a show, either radio or television, and your computer as a receiver. You are able to access different Podcasts with the computer at your leisure. Now, Podcasts is used to refer to the actual ‘show’ or the media form overall. Podcasting often means the act of making a Podcast.

(more…)

Generally speaking, the software required to listen to Podcasts is already on most newer models of computers. As long as you are able to play sound or video, you will be able to listen or watch Podcasts. Many websites host Podcasts, so that you do not even need to download or subscribe to listen.

(more…)

As the technology and popularity for Podcasts increase, more and more uses are being developed. After all, Podcasting was only really developed in 2004, so the medium has a lot of room to grow and advance. Creative individuals are coming up with new ways and methods of using Podcasts. The uses for Podcasts are only limited by the user’s and creator’s imagination.

(more…)

The first and major step is to determine what on earth your Podcast will be about. This is entirely up to you, but it is advisable to make the podcasts about something you enjoy. This will ensure that you will actually want to keep up with making the Podcasts. Consistency is important here. There’s no easier way to make people take you less seriously than if you have content that is supposed to update on a regular basis, such as weekly, but never seems to show up on time. If you find yourself not wanting to update your podcast because the material isn’t interesting you, and you end up being several days late each time, it might be time to select a new topic. However, try not to limit your topic to something you think would be popular. The internet is so expansive that there’s someone interested in virtually any topic you can think of, no matter how niche or seemingly bizarre. In fact, if you’re able to tap into a market so niche that no one else has done so yet, you will have an immediate audience. There is an audience for pretty much any topic, so just do what you like. You can even host radio shows on the Podcasts which is a popular format for many.

(more…)

There is truly a Podcast for everyone, so finding one to suit your likes will not be hard. There are several methods of finding a Podcast that you want to listen to, from search engines to sites specifically designed to catalog different Podcasts.

(more…)

One of the newest venues for Podcasts is in the education arena. Since Podcasts share information and ideas, why not put it to an educational use by sharing school related content? School age children spend countless hours behind the computer monitor so it only makes sense to appeal to them on a level that they are familiar and comfortable with. Podcasts and education are a team with limitless possibilities.

(more…)

Businesses, especially those that operate solely over the internet, find it difficult to advertise to the group that would benefit most from their services and products. Most of the time it hit or miss with online advertisements. However, by creating and syndicating a Podcast, businesses will finally be able to target the groups they want.

(more…)

RSS feeds are a way to syndicate all forms of content such as video, text, and audio like Podcasts. RSS feeds are a great tool that allows users to provide listeners with a brief description of Podcasts and a way to keep up to date with any new content that comes up on the site. RSS feeds are denoted by an orange icon on the address bar or on websites or by an XML button.

(more…)

Radio and Television are the precursor to Podcasts, dating to before the introduction of the internet. In fact, Podcasts work much the same way as radio and television, by broadcasting content so that anyone with an internet connection will be able to download and listen or watch to the Podcasts, usually for free. The podcasts tend to support themselves with the help of advertisements.

(more…)

Many would argue that advertising on Podcasts is simply unacceptable, but from a business standpoint, Podcasts create a new and never before exploited way of reaching a very specific target audience. The key, of course, is to know who you are talking to through the Podcasts and making an advertisement that will excite the senses and not bore them to death (or cause them to hit the mute button).

(more…)