I’ve recently begun podcasting. It’s not writing related, but I do think podcasting is a great way to promote your writing projects. The different ways podcasting can be used by writers is only limited by their imagination. I’ve been listening to different podcasts. Some writers are broadcasting their poems or reading excerpts from their novels. They may be selling songs, e-books, or audio books to go along with their podcast. Some writers have collaborative podcasts, and use their podcast to announce writing related news and conduct interviews. Others are using podcasts to teach the mechanics of writing or promoting.
It’s fairly easy to start podcasting. You just need a sound card and a microphone. If you have sound on your computer, then you should be fine. If you don’t have a microphone, you can pick one up at Office Depot or Best Buy for under $30. I purchased a great headset at Best Buy for $24, but I saw one online at Office Depot for under $5.
I signed up for an account with podbean.com. Originally, I was using Sound Recorder on my computer, but I didn’t care for it. For one thing, it only allows for sixty seconds of recording time. There is a way around that, and it wasn’t difficult to figure out. However, I didn’t like the sound quality that I ended up with. Even though it was a blank tape, I kept getting some static in the final recording.
I then switched over to mypodcast.com. They have a great recorder that can be downloaded for free when you sign up with them. You can also earn money through commercials that are embedded in your podcast. Unfortunately, their website is confusing — to put it mildly — and not well thought out. I believe it is still in the beta stage, and it shows. I ended up going back to podbean.com. There are many other podcasting sites, and a quick google search will help you track them down. I believe Blog Talk Radio is considered to be the best, but I found it confusing.
If you do decide to start podcasting, there is quite a bit of information online about how to get started. I lack the patience to wade through all of that, so I just jumped in and started podcasting. I found it to be straight forward. Podbean is very user friendly, and I had no trouble getting started. The site is very slow at times, and be sure to save your work frequently or you’ll lose it — especially if it takes several minutes to write out your post.
Your podcasts can even be subscribed to through iTunes. Which I think is pretty cool. You can also share them on Facebook, My Space, and at blogs.
Podcasting is a great way to promote your books and your self, but I find it to be somewhat addictive. I’m not very good at it, but I’m hoping I’ll improve with time. The episodes where I ad lib are by far the best, so it’s probably best to be prepared but still be flexible.
I believe most podcasting sites are free to join. However, if you plan to do quite a few podcasts, you’ll run out of disk and archive usage, so you will probably need to upgrade in order to continue podcasting. It’s inexpensive though, and it might be worth the small investment. I think it could help readers connect to you in ways that your written word might never achieve. It gives voice to your writing.
Interesting concept. I’m not quite this adventurous yet, but I can think of at least one writer – Greg Crites – who does podcasts of his works. It seems to work wonderfully well for him.
And, as you mentioned, this is another medium through which writers can connect to an additional pool of readers. Cool stuff!
Hi Joy. Thanks for reading. Podcasting seems to be used by a lot of writers lately…. and it’s a great idea. Plus it’s fun. I really am awful at it, but even that’s fun. I guess I just like new projects. Thanks again.
I have recently downloaded podcasting software and I hope to try it out more in the future.
ann
Hi Ann, thanks for reading. When you start doing podcasting, let us know. I’d love to hear them. Doralynn
Thanks for sharing info about podcasting. You gave some good ideas. I never would have thought about reading a poem. I’ve thought about podcasting, maybe in the future, but I fear my voice is too dull. I’d have to work on my vocal presentation. I’ll check yours out.
Hi Courtney, thanks! Ooops, I just took down the link to my podcast. Talk about dull! They put me to sleep, so I can just imagine what they do to innocent bystanders. If you listen, the least boring one is probably the one entitled ‘Signs of the Time – False Christs.’ It’s at: http://prophecypod.podbean.com/2010/02/01/a-sign-of-the-times-false-christs/
It’s also the shortest, so that helps.
thanks again. Doralynn
Thank you for the help.
Great Audio info, i’m bookmarking the page for the great content.
How interesting! This is something I never would have thought of. It’s great that you’re doing it. Actually, I listened to Meg Cabot’s podcast and I’ve never forgotten how wonderful it was to hear her voice. She’s as breezy as her heroine in the Princess Diaries and I laughed so hard! I think I’d love doing that.
Thanks a lot for sharing.
Bisi
Hi Bisi, how interesting that you mention Meg Cabot because I was just listening to her “Boyfriend Store” podcast — well… an excerpt. And she does have a really breezy voice.
I’m glad you found the post interesting. Podcasting is easy, so give it a try. I bet you really will love it.
Goodness! I’m just getting used to blogging and now there’s podcasting?
Next year perhaps!! 🙂
Thanks for sharing.
Corra
from the desk of a writer
Hi Corra, for me, podcasting is more fun than blogging. But it is a lot of technology to juggle!
I’m teaching myself to do this! Thanks for the tips.
I need a microphone because my volume quality is not loud or steady enough.
Tirz
Hi Tirz, I was thinking of you because this seems — with your upcoming poetry book — you could also offer it as an audio book… selling it through one of the podcasting sites… or someplace else. Here’s where I originally went, at Office Depot, to look for microphones.
http://tinyurl.com/yj7c4xu
I wasn’t thinking, but if you use Sound Recorder and join a site like podbean, the file type isn’t supported. But you can convert Sound Recorder to an mp3 file by using Switch Sound File Converter… or some other software. However, if you join mypodcast, you can download their free recorder, and it automatically saves your recordings as an mp3 file.
I’m checking sites. I downloaded a free MP3 converter but its a bit honky to use.
I’ll get the hang up of it if I can ever get a free moment.
T
well… good luck finding a free minute. I hope you have better luck doing that than I do.