Podcasting Questions and Answers by:Sharon Housley

Podcasting is an up-and-coming and increasingly popular medium for communication

. The following are common questions about podcasting, perfect for those just getting started in podcasting as a communication channel...

What Format Should I Record To?

While other formats are supported, MP3 is by far the most common format used for audio podcasts. Unless there is a specific and compelling reason to use a different format, you should stick with MP3 files for audio podcasts.

What Microphones Are Best For Podcasting?

It depends on the type of recording you intend to do. There is a big difference between portable and fixed microphones. If all of your recording will occur in a studio, you can use a fixed microphone and equipment suited to that environment. If you are taking your show on the road, consider whether you want to use a portable directional microphone, or a microphone that will pick up area background sounds.

What Options Exist For Hosting A Podcast?

First, you need to decide whether you intend to host the podcast on your own server, or whether you wish to use a third-party for your hosting needs. If you an opt for a third-party hosting service, you are giving up some control over the podcast file. While you will likely save in hosting costs with a third-party hosting service, you are also at the host's mercy if they make changes or decide to close their doors.

How Do I Remove Dead Spots From A Podcast?

There are a variety of editing tools available, such as RecordForAll ( http://www.recordforall.com ), that allow you to easily edit audio files and remove any unwanted audio segments. Such editing tools usually also include a variety of other handy and helpful editing features such as fading in, fading out, noise reduction, etc.

Where Can I Get Sound Effects For My Podcast?

There is a wide array of sound effect portals that contain royalty-free sound effects that are suitable for incorporating into your podcast. Here are just a couple of sources...

Digital Sound Effects - http://www.digital-sound-effects.com

More on Sound Effects -http://www.powerpoint-resources.com/sound-effects.htm

Where Can I Get Music For My Podcast?

There are also a variety of portals that contain royalty-free PodSafe music, allowing you to incorporate music into your show without having to pay royalties each time the podcast is played. more on

PodSafe Music - http://www.podcasting-tools.com/where-to-locate-podsafe-music.htm

How Do You Make Your Podcast Ready For Inclusion In Apple's iTunes Directory?

First, you must modify your podcast so that it includes some special tags that are specific to iTunes. You can use software to create an iTunes-compatible podcast, and the software will automatically encode the podcast feed for you. One such product is FeedForAll, available in both Windows and Mac versions, which can be found at http://www.feedforall.com .

There is also a tutorial that will walk you through the process of setting up an iTunes-compatible podcast - http://www.feedforall.com/itunes-tutorials.htm

About the author

Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll http://www.feedforall.com software for creating, editing, publishing RSS feeds and podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for RecordForAll http://www.recordforall.com audio recording and editing software.

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