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Podcasting Tools

by: Sharon Housley

Copyright 2005 Sharon Housley

Podcasting is increasing in popularity and, realizing that many are interested in providing audio content in a podcast, we have assembled a collection of tools that make creation, promotion and listening to podcasts a little easier.

1.) Podcasting Tools - Podcasts are simply RSS feeds that contain audio content. By using a combination of RSS and podcast related tools users can use this new communication medium.. The following tools assist webmasters in using RSS and podcasts to maximize their time:

Tools for Listening to Podcasts
Listen to Podcasts -Listen to Podcasts - Many RSS readers now include podcast support. The reader allows the user to view the contents of the cast before making a decision about listening. Podcasts that are deemed important can be flagged or set to auto-download. The following are some tools for listening to podcasts:

Podcast Receiver - Podcast Receiver is a free client used to keep up-to-date on the latest and greatest podcast feeds without any effort. The Podcast Receiver manages podcast subscriptions and schedules automatic scans for new podcasts. http://www.primetimepodcast.com

FeedDemon - FeedDemon is a desktop client that can retrieve and organize RSS feeds from the internet. It comes pre-configured with several news-feeds, and you can easily add your own by adding the URL for an RSS feed of your choice. FeedDemon offers an attractive and easy-to-use interface with integrated web browsing.
http://www.feeddemon.com

Create Podcasts - As podcasts have become increasingly popular, radio personalities and hobbyists have struggled to find a solution to create podcasts, not realizing that podcasts are simply RSS feeds which merely contain an audio component in the enclosure field.

FeedForAll - Desktop software used to create, edit, manage, publish RSS feeds and podcasts. New podcasts and feeds can be quickly and easily created with FeedForAll. Podcast feeds generated by other means can be automatically repaired so that they conform to the RSS 2.0 specification. Existing feeds can be enhanced to contain advanced feed properties, and give them a more professional look.
http://www.feedforall.com/podcasting-tutorial.htm

2.) Podcasting Articles and Tutorials - Articles and tutorials based on podcasting and RSS. The articles are designed to demystify podcasting and Really Simple Syndication for users and publishers.

Podcasting Articles - Podcasting Tools contains a collection of articles related to podcasting and RSS that assist both broadcasters and listeners in deciphering RSS and podcasting. http://www.podcasting-tools.com/podcasting-articles.htm or
the articles can be read in an RSS feed reader. http://www.podcasting-tools.com/podcasting-articles.xml

RSS Articles - RSS Specifications contains a collection of articles related to RSS and news feeds that assist both publishers and users in deciphering Really Simple Syndication. http://www.rss-specifications.com/rss-articles.htm or
the articles can be read in an RSS feed reader. http://www.rss-specifications.com/article-feed.xml

3.) Podcast Directories - Directories make finding podcasts easier.

Podcasting Station - A categorized podcast directory that allows visitors to search for podcasts that are topic-specific.
http://www.podcasting-station.com

Podcast Bunker - Before Podcast Bunker adds a podcast to their list, they first listen to the podcast for audio quality and content. They only list what they think are the very best podcasts. They add new podcasts as they are submitted for review, and as they find them. http://www.podcastbunker.com

Podcasting News -Popular podcasting directory. All podcasts are categorized by topic, making it easier for listeners to find podcasts of interest. http://www.podcastingnews.com/forum/links.php

4.) Podcasting Graphics - Websites that have podcasts available use colorful graphics to indicate to website visitors that podcasts are available for specific content.

Podcast Graphics - Create custom podcast graphics in seconds. If you wish to customize your podcast buttons and are crunched for time or lacking artistic abilities, use this free online podcasting graphic tool that is cabable of creating a podcast button. The button's color and text can be customized to suit the creator.
http://www.feedforall.com/podcasting-graphics.htm or create custom graphics http://www.feedforall.com/public/rss-graphic-tool.htm

Podcast Icons - Pixagogo provides a collection of podcast icons from various sources.
http://www.pixagogo.com/5111825842

5.) Podcasting Blogs - Stay informed about the latest podcasting industry news by monitoring podcast blogs. Daily posts bring readers current news, industry announcements and general podcasting information.

Podcasting Blog - Daily Podcasting Blog and news related to podcasting, RSS, podcast news and aggregation http://www.podcasting-tools.com/blog.htm or access the podcasting blog feed at http://www.podcasting-tools.com/blog-feed.xml

Podcasting Avenue - Blog containing items related to podcasting.
http://podcasters.blogspot.com

6.) Podcast Bandwith Hosting - Audio files can take up a fair amount of storage space and depending on a podcast's popularity, can be expensive to host. Bandwith hosting companies that focus on the podcast understand the needs that are unique to podcasters.

Libsyn - Libsyn is designed for podcasters. They do not require any long-term contracts and there are no surprise over-usage charges. They provide a pay-as-you-go service on stable, secure servers. Every month, media files are archived and hosting space is refreshed. http://www.libsyn.com/

7.) Audio Tools for Podcasting - Managing audio files can be tricky. Software tools allow for audio files to be manipulated, converted and edited, providing a higher quality yet smaller audio file.

Replay Radio - Now you can record hundreds of radio broadcasts from all over the world, listen whenever you want on your PC, CD Player or MP3 player, and even skip over the fluff. It's easy with Replay Radio!
http://www.replay-radio.com

Audio Conversion Wizard - Helps you to convert audio files of supported audio format from one format to another with all possible settings, using easy, step-by-step interface. MP3, WMA 8 (Windows Media Audio), OGG Vorbis and WAV PCM formats are supported, with ID3v2 copying and creation.
http://www.litexmedia.com/audio_wizard/

Helium Music Manager - Allows you to seamlessly handle the different file formats and lets you work and edit music formats. Quickly tag and organize your entire music collection. http://www.helium2.com/eng/index.php

8.) Podcasting Forums - Forums can be a useful for anyone doing business online, both in terms of reading the content and actively participating in the discussions. If you want to learn more about podcasting, consider participating in the following online podcasting communities:

Podcast Alley - http://www.podcastalley.com/phpBB2/index.php

Podcasting News - http://www.podcastingnews.com/forum/

Podstrigs - http://podcastrigs.net/forum/

9.) Submit Podcast Feeds - As more and more people get involved with the Internet and as more Web sites, blogs, news services and other online resources continue to grow in number and variety it becomes increasingly important to maintain high visibility and exposure for the content being generated by closely following the major distribution media. As a rapidly increasing number of content sources, new and old, migrate or add RSS as a key distribution channel, and as more people utilize RSS newsreaders and aggregators to keep themselves informed, the ability to maintain high exposure and visibility is gradually shifted from complete attention to major search engines and content optimization techniques to an increasing awareness of RSS feed directories and search tools.

Podcasting Tools - Submit podcasts to the large list of Podcast directories and expedite your podcast syndication.
http://www.podcasting-tools.com/submit-podcasts.htm

Using podcasting tools broadcasters, publishers and webmasters can increase their audience and reach.

About the author:

Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll software for creating, editing, publishing RSS feeds and podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for NotePage a wireless text messaging software company.

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