| Knowing the tools you need to start podcasting is | | | | publishing software is file transfer program that allows |
| important for people who are just beginning to know | | | | you to get podcast files on web server. |
| about podcasts. It is easy to be confused with the | | | | This can be as simple as FTP program or web-based |
| flood of information out there. | | | | file manager in the control panel of your hosting |
| The fact is, getting started in podcasting can be costly | | | | account. |
| if you don't know how to take advantage of free | | | | 4. Blog software |
| resources. I have seen site owners who are trying to | | | | By far the easiest way to publish podcast episodes is |
| sell podcast starter package for several hundred | | | | by using blog software. After installation, all you need is |
| dollars. | | | | typing the notes and click Publish. Much like using email |
| It is critical that every new podcast starts simple | | | | program to send emails. |
| before going to more complex setup if necessary. But | | | | There are hard and easy ways to publish a podcast. If |
| at least get some of the basic tools in place to help | | | | you can get the easiest one for free, why should you |
| you publish and feedback about how well you are | | | | choose anything else? |
| doing with your podcast. | | | | Podcast hosting service offers an integrated blog |
| 1. A good microphone | | | | software for your podcast site but if you don't use |
| This is every podcaster's best friend. A good mic is | | | | one you can install your own for free. |
| not expensive and you can get a decent one for | | | | 5. FeedBurner (or your favorite stats package) |
| about $30. It is the best investment you can make that | | | | FeedBurner, now part of Google, is a stats package or |
| contribute to the quality of your podcast recording. | | | | service that allows you to see how well your RSS |
| 2. Voice recording, editing and mixing software | | | | and podcast feed is doing. |
| Free software such as Audacity works well. You can | | | | How many subscribers do you have? How many |
| choose to upgrade to commercial software with | | | | download to such and such files? How many people |
| ample of features later. There is a learning curve | | | | click through this episode? How many of them use |
| involved in learning such complex software though so | | | | which software? You get the idea. |
| if you want to upgrade, you should spend some time | | | | Podcast advertising service usually also provides |
| learning it. | | | | comprehensive stats about your podcast and podcast |
| Perhaps you want to focus on a few important | | | | feed. |
| features that you frequently use, and then expand | | | | Those are the tools I think every podcaster should use. |
| your knowledge later when you get familiar with it. | | | | Each of them requires no more than a few minutes of |
| 3. Web publishing software | | | | work to install and get in place, but the value is |
| No, I am not talking about any web development or | | | | tremendous to every podcaster. |
| template-based HTML editor. What I refer to with web | | | | |