Steinar Knutsen» start-a-podcast

Audio and Video: How to podcast from your iPad or iPhone and publish on WordPress and iTunes

Steinar — Tue, 04 May 2010 14:53:20 +0000

It’s finally here … Mobile Podcaster. Since January 2011 I’ve been podcasting on from my iPad and publishing to WordPress and iTunes without ever touching my blog or a computer. It’s a really awesome system. I’m really proud of it and it’s now available for you too, so if you’re interested check out Mobile Podcaster.

MOBILE PODCASTER USER GUIDE: I’m also going to let you download the complete instructions for Mobile Podcaster so you can see exactly how it works.

WORDPRESS INSTALLATION GUIDE: One more thing … here are complete instructions to install WordPress to host your podcast.

Audio and Video Description of Recording and Creating a Podcast on my iPad with Audioboo

The process I’ve outlined below with Audioboo is also perfectly good, but Audioboo is limited to 5 minutes, so keep that in mind.

The iPad serves many purposes, but for me it’s about marketing and finding new and different ways to leverage mobile technology to grow my business and engage my market online. New media has been especially interesting and I’ve confirmed the iPad is great for recording audio to create podcast episodes which can translate into new WordPress blog posts.

Audio is a great format to communicate with your readers for several reasons:

audio blog posts are much faster to produce
audio blog posts do not require extensive editing
you can easily set up a separate RSS feed for audio posts and let readers subscribe via iTunes (see my sidebar)
audio blog posts can be created while driving – much like talking on the phone
audio blog posts are great for interviewing people
audio blog posts are a great way to differentiate your blog and add variety

My solution satisfies the following criteria:

post audio to WordPress from my iPhone without logging into WordPress
blog posts must contain a flash audio player that is user friendly for desktop users
blog posts must contain a direct link to the raw mp3 file so that audio is mobile friendly
audio posts must publish automatically without any further editing or logging into WordPress
Any social networking notifications stem from my blog and direct users to my site, not some 3rd party site.

Installation and Setup

Here are the steps to post audio directly to WordPress from your iPhone:

Install the AudioBoo app on your iPhone (Audiobook is limited to 5 minutes. For longer recordings, check out Mobile Podcaster)
Install WP-o-Matic plugin on your WordPress blog
Install Podcasting plugin on your WordPress blog

AudioBoo

No custom settings are required. Just set up an account, go to My Boos, and copy the RSS feed address from the Address Bar.

WP-o-Matic

Set up a new Campaign
In the Basic tab, give your campaign a name, activate it, and provide a slug. I use “audio.”
In the Feed tab insert the RSS feed address from AudioBoo
In the Categories tab, indicate your preferred category. I use “podcast.”
Leave Rewrite tab blank
In the Option tab create a custom post template with the code below.

- Set Frequency at no less than 1 per hour to determine when new feeds should be checked.
- Select Published when you’re ready to go live. Choose Private or Draft while testing.
- For Max Items, I select one(1) since I do not want more than one audio post per day. You could do more if you like.
In the Tools tab, do nothing.

Podcasting Plugin

The only option I recommend you modify is the Player Width under Audio Player Options so that it fits horizontally within your post appropriately. I use 480px on my site for example.

How to Use

Open the AudioBoo app on your iPhone
Record your audio, give it a title, and publish
Your MP3 will now appear as a new post, based on the frequency you selected in WP-o-Matic Options.
After post has published you may add text to the post. If you want the ability to add text prior to publishing, change the WP-o-Matic Options back to “Draft,” but this defeats the purpose for me – the ability to publish audio to my blog without logging into WordPress at all.

What do you think? Does this work for you? There are other solutions – what are you using?

A popular subject – How to Podcast from your Mac

Steinar — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 21:25:32 +0000

Based on the traffic, comments, and backlinks I’m seeing, my series on how to podcast from your Mac is relatively popular. The numbers aren’t staggering but nearly 1000 visitors have come here to learn exactly how this all works.

So, here’s a summary of where we are in the series and what’s next.

You can also watch these on my YouTube Playlist: How to Podcast from Your Mac.

In upcoming episodes, I’ll cover:

How to host your podcast on WordPress and publish to iTunes
How to publish a video podcast from your Mac
How to include video, audio and pdf’s in your podcast
How to publicize your podcast on other podcasting networks beyond iTunes

Any other topics you would like me to explain on this subject?

Also, please subscribe to my RSS feed and newsletter to stay informed when these new episodes release.

Part IV – How to Podcast from Your Mac (iWeb and iTunes)

Steinar — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:39:36 +0000

In our last episode of How to Podcast from Your Mac with Skype I discussed how to record Skype conversations for your podcast and today I’ll show you how to publish your podcast using iWeb so that it is available on iTunes. This episode assumes you have a MobileMe account, but you can still achieve the same results with your own domain.

Basic Steps to publish your podcast from Your Mac using iWeb include:

Create your audio in Garageband and either Share with iWeb or save to a file
Open a new Site in iWeb, choose a theme, and choose the Podcast template
Change the name of your Site, Page, and entry to include the title of your podcast and any keywords to reflect your subject
Update the podcast page title, description, and image. This is information captured in the iTunes store for your podcast name and cover art
Update the podcast episode entry title, description and image
Import the audio and image for the episode (this is automatically done is you started in Garageband Share with iWeb)
Open Inspector>RSS>Podcast and update the podcast series and episode author, email, parental advisory, and Publish to iTunes Store settings
Update your site publishing settings to MobileMe (or other destination depending on your preference)
Publish the entire site
Choose File>Submit Podcast to iTunes, check settings and select Publish and Submit.
To add an additional episode, create your audio in Garageband and Share with iWeb to automatically create a new entry on your site.

At this point you will get a confirmation email from Apple that your podcast submission request is being reviewed. Within 24-48 you will get notification that it has been accepted or denied. If accepted, Apple will provide a link to your podcast on the iTunes store, which you can begin to share immediately on your website, email, Facebook, etc. Your podcast will begin to show up in search results on iTunes within another 24 hours.

Congratulations! You now have a podcast on iTunes that people can subscribe to and enjoy for free!

Just getting started with podcast on your Mac? Check out previous episodes:

What do you think? Does this process make sense and is this an easy approach to podcast from your Mac with iWeb? Let me know how it goes!

Part III – How to Podcast from Your Mac (Recording Skype Conversations and Interviews)

Steinar — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 02:56:04 +0000

As I reviewed in Part II – How to Podcast from Your Mac, using Garageband to record a simple podcast is pretty straightforward. I hope you got a chance to try out the process I outlined in that video and found it rather easy to get started.

For most new podcasters, the challenge is finding a certain level of comfort in front of the microphone. It is a funny thing, considering we have no problem talking throughout the day, either in person or on the phone.

A great technique that many podcasters find appealing for their listeners is to record a conversation or an interview over the phone. Traditionally this would require a phone tap of sorts or a paid recording conference service.

Today it’s much easier with Skype. I f you’ve never tried Skype it’s basically an online phone service that let two people talk over the Internet anywhere in the world for free. You can also purchase blocks of minutes and call people on their land line from your computer.

WARNING: it is against the law to record a phone conversation without mutual consent. You must disclose the fact that you are recording the conversation and get verbal agreement from all parties that this is acceptable before you proceed with the recording.

The beauty for podcasters is that you can record Skype calls and the quality is generally very good.

Install Skype and Recording Plugin

Visit Skype.com and download the free application
Sign up for Skype Out if you plan to call people who do not have Skype. I highly recommend this even as a backup security measure should they have trouble connecting with Skype. Calls are only $.02-$.03 per minutes.
Download ECamm Call Recorder – this plugin let’s you record calls and split the tracks for editing in Garageband.
Get a good headset. Skype has a number of models they recommend. You can also use a mic like the Samson CO1U (aff) and a separate set of headphones. In either case I recommend the mic inputs are USB rather than using the mic input jack. Check out Part I – How to Podcast from Your Mac (Equipment and Software) for more tips on this.

When you first install Skype, you have the option to make a few free test calls. I also recommend you find a friend to also install Skype and familiarize yourself with how Skype works before you start doing any recording. Of course, I just dove right in and learned the hard way, though I must say Skype is simple to use.

Skype Recording Preferences - Click to Enlarge

Once you install Call Recorder, you have the option to modify its setting from within Skype, but you will be fine with the default settings. Personally, I set the recorder to record by default so as not to miss something by accident.

Once you’re ready to record, there are a few things to keep in mind:

Minimize any background noise. Turn off the ringer on your phone and any other machines that make white noise (fans, printers, etc). Close the door and put a sign outside if necessary – you don’t want someone barging in and ruining your great recording.
Click the red record button on Call Recorder when you are ready and let the conversation begin.
You might want to start off with an introduction of yourself and anyone else on the line.
Keep it conversational and do not read from a script. You may find a list of leading questions helpful, but try to talk as if you were have a regular discussion.
Speak clearly and ask open ended questions – those that require more than just a simple yes or no response. This will help keep the discussion going.
At the end of the call, ask your guest how people can find them (website, contact info, etc)
Thank your guest and finish the call.

At this point Call Recorder will stop and save the recording to the default folder. You can change this folder in Preferences.

After the recording is complete you have a few options:

Save the recording as is.
Open in QuickTime Pro and split the tracks. Save both tracks and import into Garageband, so you can tweak individual tracks
Open the recording in Garageband and edit or add some intro music and other elements.

In my upcoming posts, I will review how to send this new podcast episode to iWeb or WordPress, among other details for making your podcast public.

What do you think? Have you tried recording calls with Skype for your podcast? How is that going?

Part II – How to Podcast from Your Mac (GarageBand)

Steinar — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 03:22:42 +0000

This is part two in a video series on how to podcast from your Mac using GarageBand. In this episode I walk you through the steps of recording your voice, inserting a jingle and an image, and some simple editing to create your first podcast episode. Check out Part I: Podcasting equipment and software for the Mac if you missed it.

Basic Steps to podcast from Your Mac using GarageBand include:

Open GarageBand and select the Podcast template. Name your podcast.
Import artwork into the Podcast track from iPhoto or other location on you computer
Highlight the Male or Female Voice tracks and hit the record button at the bottom of the control panel
Hit record or play to stop the recording an rewind to review your audio
Insert a jingle or other audio clip in the Jingle menu by dragging pre-built jingles from the Media Bar off to the right
Adjust the timing of your audio track and the jingle by selecting the track and dragging it to the appropriate location
Rewind and play to review your finished podcast. Record new segments that you’re not happy with.
Save the GarageBand project and export as you wish.
To create a MP3 from GarageBand, export to iTunes and then convert in iTunes.

What do you think? Did this work for you? What questions do you have about how to podcast from your Mac?

How to start a podcast quickly, easily and without spending a fortune

Steinar — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:49:12 +0000

Listen or Download

Starting a podcast is easier than ever these days. You can use some of the free tools that come with virtually every computer these days or make a few modest purchases to improve the quality of your podcast. I recommend you focus on content creation before buying a bunch of unnecessary equipment.

Here’s are some of the basic elements to consider when launching a podcast for the first time:

What is a podcast? There’s some argument over where the term came from and who produced the first podcast, but i use the definition: audio & video “portable on demand”. Essentially, this includes new media content that’s available for consumption in iTunes (or another leading podcast hub), directly on your website, or via a mobile device, such as the iPhone.

What microphone should I use for my podcast? Since a podcast obviously involves audio communication, I recommend you use the best quality microphone you can afford or one that at least offers a level of quality your listeners will find acceptable. I’ve done podcast episodes using my Mac internal mic and my iphone, but when I’m in the office I use the Samson CO1U USB Condenser Mic.(aff)

Where should I deliver my podcast? Any website or blog can have its own podcast. By definition, a podcast doesn’t need to be on iTunes so don’t let that misconception stop you from publishing audio content. For example, sign up with AudioBoo and record a show – then paste the html or script into a blog post or a web page. This is an example of a very simple approach. You could also set up a WordPress blog, install one of many podcast plugings, and upload audio files from your computer. I prefer to use the Podcasting plugin, but there are several other WordPress plugins available.

What should I say on my podcast? All of us have something to say; however, podcasting is not for everyone. My suggestion is that you find a subject you are passionate about and make a list of potential topics you could discuss. What are the top 5 questions people ask you about your topic? What are the top 5 questions they should be asking? There’s content for 10 episodes right there.

Should I do all the talking on my podcast? Some podcasts are run by a single person who does all the talking, while others are two or more people engaged in a conversation. Some are discussion style, while others are more of an interview. It really depends on your subject, what you have to share personally and who else you know that can help liven up the discussion. Ask your listeners what’s working for them and change as needed.

Is there a show format I should follow? I recommend you establish a consistent format or ageneda for your podcast episodes or shows. The reason is that a consistent format puts the listeners at ease and builds a certain level of expectation over time. For example: 1)intro music 2) introduction 3) topic one 4) topic two 5) pick of the week 6) closing remarks with call to action and 7)closing music. That’s just an example — the possibilities are unlimited.

What file format should I use for my podcast? MP3 is the most widely accepted audio file format, but most podcasting hosts will accept a variety of file formats.

How do I get my podcast on iTunes and how much does it cost? Podcast distribution on iTunes is free. Just be sure you’re using the correct RSS format. To learn more open iTunes and go to Store>Podcasts>Submit a Podcast. You may also have readers subscribe to you podcast through iTunes without actually publishing to iTunes. Of course, this does not make your podcast available to the general public but is a convenience.

How to Podcast with Garageband and Publish on iTunes

Are you thinking of starting a podcast? What’s holding you back? Is there something I can help clarify to get you started?