Podcasting is one of the many vehicles we can use to get our message across to our audience of readers, listeners, clients and customers. If you're a regular visitor here you probably know about my YouTube channel, but it might come as a surprise to you that I've been podcasting for almost two years. Earlier this week, I made the podcast available to a wider audience and you'll be happy to know that you can download the Ms. Ileane Speaks podcast on iTunes. Yay!
As interest in the audio podcasting format continues to gain popularity, now is an excellent time for you to educate yourself and how you can use it to expand your audience and perhaps grow your business. Take a look at people like John Lee Dumas or James Schramko who are taking the industry by storm, and growing their businesses by leaps and bounds through the use of podcasting.
By definition, (according to Wikipedia) a podcast:
“is a type of digital media consisting of an episodic series of files (either audio or video) subscribed to and downloaded through web syndication.”
One crucial component to starting a podcast which cannot be overlooked, is getting the right podcasting gear. You might find podcasting gear to be one of the most fascinating and down-right fun aspects of the whole concept of podcasting. And just like anything else, you can take the high road and make a huge investment or you can try to do it on the cheap. I started out using a really cheap headset microphone that picked up tons of background noise and hum. I ended up somewhere in the middle of the road with a USB mic from Samson.
Podcasting Gear I'm Currently Using
The Samson C03U is the condenser mic that I've been using since 2010. I admit that when I first started using the mic, I didn't know what I was doing 🙁
I was fortunate enough to meet up with @mediacastguy on Twitter which was a blessing (and one of the reasons Twitter is my favorite social network). When he saw that I needed help with my mic he was nice enough to meet with me on Skype and walk me through all of the settings and explained how each one can be used. Once I got the mic set-up properly and found the “sweet spot” in terms of how far I need to place the mic from my mouth, the sound quality of my recordings was improved 100%.
If you decide to get this mic, let me know and I'll be more than happy to pass along the settings to you. At less than $100.00, this is a great mic if you're not ready to make the huge investment of a professional recording studio and it does a great job of capturing your voice without making you sound like you're in a wind tunnel or an echo chamber.
Podcasting Software
When it comes to software, once again, you can take the high road and invest in professional software or you can take advantage of some of the low cost and in some cases, free alternatives for recording your podcast. I use a two step process, that starts off with Screencast-o-matic and ends with free software called Audacity. I talked about using Screencast-o-matic for recording YouTube videos but did you know you can use it for producing audio recordings also? In this video, I'll walk you through the process and talk more about some other podcasting tools I'm using including the Logitech HD Pro C910 Webcam. Please watch this video I recorded called Podcasting with Samson C03U Mic and Logitech C910 Webcam
What podcasting gear are you using?
Have you started a podcast yet? If not, what's holding you back? If you are podcasting, please let me know what gear you're using so we can compare notes.
Don't forget to subscribe to the Ms. Ileane Speaks podcast on iTunes and give the podcast an honest review and rating in iTunes. I would really appreciate it.
I’ve thought about podcasting, but so far have passed on it. It seems like a much bigger time commitment than blogging when it comes to making a high-quality product. However, it is good to know that if I do decide to make that plunge, I can get decent equipment for around $100.
Josh, if you compare high quality podcasting to creating “high quality” content on your blog or website, there’s not much difference in terms of time. In fact it’s probably quicker to make an audio recording than it is to type up a blog post. 🙂 Give it a try, all you really need is a mic. Thanks for your comment.
Really? How long do your podcasts normally take you to record and edit, and how long do they normally run? Most of my blogs posts take around 30 minutes to an hour and a half (depending on pictures needed and length), so I’m wondering how they compare.
Josh, it’s hard to put a time on how long it takes for me to write a post. The problem is that I never write the whole post in one sitting. I right the first paragraph or so, than I go looking for images or other articles to link out to, then when I come back I find typos or I end up re-writing parts of it….I guess if I sat still it would take any where from 3 – 4 hours. I want everything to be just perfect. With a podcast I just start talking and unless I make a serious blunder I go with it. It only takes about 30 minutes to an hour max for editing.
One thing I can suggest is to try recording your most popular blog posts as audio files. That’s a quick and easy way to re-purpose your content. In fact I need to take my own advice on that little tip. 🙂
That’s an interesting idea – I hadn’t thought about reading my reviews to be audio files. That does seem like a quick way to make a podcast… I may try that out sometime!
haven’t tried any yet but planning to use one real soon. Thanks for sharing your best podcasting gear.
It’s so easy to get started with services like Spreaker you can even record right from your iPhone or Smartphone. Let me know if you need help getting started.
Podcasting software is great! Liked the post! Go on…
I am not currently podcasting, but I am creating audios for one of my blogs. I use Audacity, and I am quite pleased with it. I still have not learned all I need to know about how best to store and feed the files to my blog, but the reception of the audios has been strong. Thanks for the tips!
Hi Doug, if you have the audios recorded, all you need to do is upload them to Spreaker and voila, you have a podcast! Spreaker has a great recording console but you can also upload mp3 and wav files with ease. That’s how I’m doing it. In CommentLuv I linked to an Audacity tutorial that explains how to generate the wav or mp3 files. Keep me posted.
Great stuff Ileane! I like your mic: the quality and the price. Chris Parillo sells another mic that is top of the line and pricey but it’s probably hard to tell the difference on most podcasts.
I luv podcasting because it usually means I can produce more great content in a shorter time frame than if I blogged it all. Plus, it’s great for Q&A and interviews.
Tom, I find that there are a lot of professional podcasters who are admitted “audio snobs” and they encourage people to make huge investments in equipment. That’s fine if someone can afford it, but there are very affordable options out there and now with services like Spreaker, Audioboo, Cinchcast, Chirbit and others, all you need is a smartphone and you’re good to go.
You’re doing a great job with the audio interviews Tom. Thanks for adding to the conversation!
I listen to many of the podcasts featured in your post and I believe they are a superb way of keeping readers interested, I like to listen on them on the go on my iphone.
Amrik! Thank you so much for saying that. Now I know that I have at least one faithful listener. 🙂
Hi Ileane,
I know and I listened you how wonderful you manage podcast and also video!
I’m still out of this media, but I recognize that is fundamental to have good products or the audio sounds terrible.
I didn’t know about Screencast-o-matic for audio, I’ll explore more about that.
My biggest constrains lately are time and my Spanish accent in the English record. Even, I thought to start podcast in Spanish and when I have more experience go to English, at least the tech aspects will be gone and only will need to improve my speech 😉
Cheers,
Gera
Hi Gera, I’m probably the only one using Screencast-o-matic to produce audio podcasts but I’d love to learn if someone else is doing it that way! I really like your idea about starting a podcast in your native language. I know that Spreaker had a large number of non-English speaking podcasters because the service was introduced in Europe and they had thousands of podcasters before they entered the US market. I would listen to it just to hear your voice 🙂 Best wishes Gera!
Hey Ileane, glad to see your podcasts on iTunes, I’ll be busy catching up on some of your episodes on my iPod shortly, I’ve also given you a 5 star rating. I’ve just started off with podcasting but my setup is on a bit of a budget run at the moment, I’m just using a standard headphone microphone setup but it does the trick for now.
I downloaded Audacity some time ago but never got around to using it properly, but would like to as I’m using Spreaker to record directly at present however you can’t pause recording on there at all I’ve noticed. Anyway keep up the fantastic work as always.
Fabrizio, I was so excited to see that you started up a channel on Spreaker! Congratulations my friend.
Yes, you absolutely should be using Audacity to pre-record your audio and then editing and uploading your file to Spreaker.
The Spreaker console is great for the times when you’re doing a live broadcast or if you want to access any of their music tracks or sound clips from the Spreaker library. However, I rarely do a live broadcast, I use the uploading feature instead. Let me know if you have any questions on using it. Btw – don’t forget you can add links in your descriptions just like we can on YouTube.
You might end up getting interviewed on being featured on Spreaker like I did. 🙂
Looking forward to your next podcast episode. Cheers!
Hi Ileane,
Your Microphone looks good but I have question for you “why do you use Pro Mic” even though, there are lots of software available use to fix sound. Isn’t that cost you badly?
Ferb, I think I understand your question, but let me know if I’m wrong. This mic is really a basic USB mic. A pro mic would cost around $500 and up! I like this mic and the cost is under $100. Editing audio files is very time consuming and it’s not as easy as it sounds. Let me know if that’s what you mean.
That’s pretty expensive, you shouldn’t bought that’s expensive Mic. I’m using the $30 Mic but I still can set the sound quality exactly like your $500 Mic. 🙂
Super lesson Ileane and I kind of like to believe that I helped inspire this post. 🙂
Either way thanks for sharing your knowledge and I have been practicing with Spreaker. I’ll definitely let you know when I’ve got something live.
Keep inspiring !!
John, I recorded the video and wrote the post based on your feedback and question from the other day. So for me, YOU are an inspiration. 🙂 Thanks so much for pushing me to do something I should have done months ago.
I’m touched Ileane and happy to have provided you some inspiration. 🙂
I think this is the first time I heard about this Pod-casting how I wish I can try this for me to know what is the best benefit using this. I have to admit you have given me a great knowledge I can adopt.
LOL what a preview of your youtube video.
I am not in podcasting, right now. But wish to enter soon.
I’m glad you watched the video, thanks Abhi.
Love your resources here Ileane and bookmarking this so I can come back and make sure I have what I need 🙂
I also will be sharing this with everybody that ask me about podcasting as I get that question a lot!
My first step (and easiest) will be to record some of my popular blog posts into audio format. Oh, and interviews are pretty easy to do as well.
You have sparked some new ideas for me with this post 🙂
~Kesha
Hi Kesha, In a comment here Josh and I had the same conversation about recording an audio version of your blog posts. It would be a great experiment to try it with two different kinds of posts – one that got a lot of traffic and another one that didn’t get much attention. It’s possible that using audio will bring more attention to the slacker . Thanks for sharing the post Kesha. I appreciate you!
I only use FeedBurner, podcasting is a new thing for me, through this article, then I know its use, thanks Ileane
I’m not sure what you mean by using Feedburner but I’m glad you use it. It’s one of the best tools a blogger can have.
hai Ileane Smith ,
This is first time that i’m seeing your real life video with your own voice.very nice explanation 🙂
Hi Sai, are your going to do a video now too so we can see you? 🙂 That would be cool.
I like to think of podcasting as the overlooked, red-headed stepchild in the content marketing family.
It’s rarely shown any love, even though it’s a wonderful tool for your brand and a great addition to nearly any content marketing strategy.
Hi Shamelle, nice to see you here. Have you started up a podcast yet? Please share the link so we can check it out.
Thanks for your comment.
Hi Ileane,
I actually started a youtube channel for my blog, after reading your post about “How To Promote Your Content on YouTube” 🙂
Haven’t started a podcast yet. I guess I am a bit conscious about my accent and how it will be perceived. I am from Sri Lanka and English isn’t my first language.
Yes, one of those limited beliefs, I know I know.
podcasting is in my to do list 🙂 Will get around to it soon.
regards
Shamelle
Congrats on getting on YouTube Shamelle! What is your channel name? I’ll be sure to subscribe.
Well, Ileane, believe it or not, I’ve never tried podcasting. Now that I’ve read your article and I’ve understood how useful it is, I’ll give it a shot using your “tools” 😀 Thanks for sharing and keep up the good work.
Hi James, give it a try and come back and let us know where we can find your podcast. I’m looking forward to it!
Thats awesome that you’re now on iTune Ileane! Well done you 🙂 I’m going to go search for it and download it now. 🙂
Thank you Harriet, I appreciate your support and your comments.
As most commenters said, podcasting do take more time and effort however the results they bring for your online business is awesome.
It brings new readers and audience to your blog that “content” alone cannot.
I think podcasting can be done quickly as long as you don’t spend too much time editing. Yesterday I was editing a podcast and I forgot to save my changes. Oh boy was I sorry for making that mistake. In that case you are right, took all morning to get it done possibly because I kept wanting to kick myself for not saving the first go round.
I have been doing several different marketing tactics and I admit that I thought about doing pod casting as well. It doesn’t look complicated and I believe I could do it with the right technology. It would be discouraging to experience some complications and setbacks during the recording. I am sure your recommendations would make my first podcast memorable and convenient.
Good for your Kimberly, please be sure to come back and let me know how it goes and where I can find your podcast.
Doing a podcast would be a great addition to my marketing tactic. It isn’t as complicated in making a video as well. I like it that you recommended these software tools and devices. This will assure quality when I finally perform one.
Dorothy, I’m glad you are going to start podcasting. I think you’ll enjoy it. Let me know when you’re all set up.
Ryan Diess and Perry Belcher recently spoke about how iTunes is a secret backdoor to traffic so I would be greatly interested in knowing how traffic flows to your podcast there Ileane..
btw, Peace to you to Queen!
Caleb, thank you for your lovely comment and salutation 🙂
I have not started podcasting section yet but its in line for 2012. Nice mic, I will check the other tools and setup mentioned by you. Lets see how it comes out.
Hi Sanjeev, what mic are you using now for your YouTube videos? I think you’re doing a fine job with them. Thanks for stopping by.
Its a regular comp mic, nothing special and does not have any advance feature. I guess it work with video in front.
What type of mics have you tried so far? I’d love to hear about your experience with different the mics you have recorded with. Thanks.
Wow Ileane, I am trying to prepare some videos for the first time. I’ve been blogging for a while but speaking and preparing video its the first. Some of the tips on finding the sweetspot as to how far do you stand from the mic and so on. Your the Podcast go to guru. 🙂
Hi Eddie – now I’m blushing 😉 Thank you!
Right now I’m using my digital voice recorder and audacity for editing. And I’m about to become an affiliate of B & H photo and videos. I love them. I’m about to raise up in 2012!
Hi Marcie, that’s great news! In a few weeks I’ll share my progress with the B&H affiliate program. One thing that impressed me that I got a personal phone call from welcoming as an affiliate. Best wishes with the program Marcie!
Please do because I really enjoy their products and service. I bought my camcorder and digital camera from them a few years ago, and it was a wonderful experience.
Ileane, do you use the free podcast on matic or did you go pro?
I have Screencast-o-matic Pro. All of the awesome editing features are included for only $12 per year. They just added some new features too and I can’t wait to explore them.
Ok, I’m about to make that investment, too! 🙂
Podcasting software is great! Liked the post! thanks for the sharing
This is so interesting to me! You are doing such a wonderful job in sharing your great skills on how to be successful with podcast. It’s important that if we are going to start podcast…we have to do it well! Great post and loved your video ~ Nathalie
Hi Nathalie, after visiting your YouTube channel I see that you have a nice set of gear going too! Thanks for stopping by and stay tuned for some new videos and podcasts coming soon.
Podcasting sowtware is just awesome…. enjoyed the article, great one.
I enjoyed your post. One thing I am curious about is what equipment you use when you record a podcast with another person, in person.
I use an Altec Lansin AHS-515 headset w/mic to record, into Audacity for editing, then into Garageband to combine everything (music, etc) and publish to iTunes via my blog, running on WordPress with the podPress plugin.
Levelator is also a good free program for normalizing the audio levels.
Thanks for the awesome post.. I will follow your podcasting gear article…. but one thing came into my mind that will it takes too much time?