Mahalia last time in my podcast asked me to share the secrets of podcasting. Actually its not a secret at all. This is very well known throughout the podcasting community and is just sporadically mentioned everywhere. So I decided to gather them into one post as a guideline for those who want to venture into podcasting just like the ones who already started to venture in it. So here are the secrets:

First Secret: Identity

Think of your podcast theme, logo and overall identity. I mean if you want to podcast as a show, then think of the title of your podcast, the programs and segments that will come with it and logo for your official podcast. Logo helps identify your show and at the same time represent you in various podcasting directories, sites and listings.

Second Secret: Set-up

You have to set up a good audio machinery for your podcast to work. A microphone that is attached to a webcam can be used but I don’t recommend it since it records all of the noise on your surrounding. The best microphone to use is a headset attached to it because it concentrates on your voice alone and it minimizes any other sound coming from your surrounding. Next make sure that your PC has lots of free space and when I say free space, it spells as Gigabytes. The more free gigabyte space your pc has the more you can have enough space to record your own file. And last is an audio recording software. You cannot have a podcast without audio recording software installed on your PC. Windows has a default audio recording software found on the accessories tab on the start menu. But it only records few minutes. So I suggest you use Audacity software to record your voice. It’s free and you can download it in the official site here.

Third Secret: Technical Knowledge

Once you have already have a set up, the next thing you do is to learn how to convert, mix and edit your file. Audacity (at least on the version I use) doesnt export MP3. so wen I record my podcast, the final format of the file when saved is WAV format which is very large compared to MP3. So you need to find a software that is capable of converting your WAV file to MP3. Nero Wave Editor is a good start. The catch is, it only comes with premium Nero Burning Rom software with license. so I suggest you find other alternatives. Mixing your voice with a background music is easy using audacity. Just drag your podcast file (raw voice without bg music) on the software and drag also an instrumental background music, then move the individual file and voila, its already mixed. If the bg sound is too loud, you can adjust the volume by higlighting the area of the file that you want to modulate, then go to effects, choose amplify and then move the cursor to negative if you want it to lessen the volume and positive to make it loud. Editing is also done in the same way in audacity. If you want to cut some of areas of your podcast that should not be included, the only thing you need to do is highlight the area of the file, then choose the scissor icon, then cut. Thats easy as abc. Now you have a theme, a set up and the knowledge when it comes to sounds and audio files.

Fourth Secret: Resources

To be an effective and catchy podcaster, you must also have a lot of resources such as bg music and sound effects. Most of the sound effects are royalty free on the net and can be used freely. Same thing with background music. I recommend podsafe if you want license free music.

Fifth Secret: Be Yourself

Of course you dont want your listeners to fall asleep. Podcast is not a declamation contest or a poetry recital. Podcast should be spontaneous, in-depth, entertaining, catchy and interesting. Studies shows that the success of podcast lies not on the sound effects and bg music, but on the overall performance of the podcaster. You dont have to be someone else. You just be yourself. You can comfortable on your podcast without any pressure by just being yourself. Being yourself liberates you from unnecessary worries of being liked or disliked by your listeners. Remember that listeners rely on your personality. So if you are always scripted, monotonous and void of real human emotion on your podcast, most likely your listeners will be Voltes V, Gundam Z, Voltron, Daimos or the Transformers.

Sixth Secret: Outlines

When podcasting, make sure to make outlines on a sheet of paper. If you are not an a-student and was not born as a promil kid, and just rely on cherifer, then I suggest make a list of the flow of your podcast so that you will be organized and smooth. Podcasts are organized: you cannot say thank you and see you soon on the intro or say welcome on the ending. So make it sure you make a list, including the people you want to mention on your podcast so that you wont overlook anything.

Seventh Secret: Time

Determine also the time of your podcast. Many podcasters out there have a definitive time of publishing their podcast. some pod cast on a specific day, some twice a week and some once a month. This time schedule keeps your listeners tuned in. Because not all listeners can catch up with your episodes because of other matters to attend to. So declare the time and day of your podcast just like any other show on Radio and TV. Setting time also enables your listeners to wait for your next podcast. And always, that helps.

Eight Secret: Length

Set a time limit for your show. Some do a 15 minute podcast others 30 minutes and some extend even for an hour. Listeners would appreciate it if they know the length of your podcast because they can set priority and schedule in listening to your babbling.

Ninth Secret: Host

Find a good host for your podcast. If you are using a free account blogs like wordpress.com and blogspot.com, I suggest you use an alternative hosting site which will host your podcast. This will enable you to avoid consumption of your bandwidth which often leads to suspension of your account. Mypodcast.com is a free site that allows free podcast hosting.

Tent Secret: Download

Make sure you provide a download link for your podcast because some listeners want their podcast to be played on their MP3 players and ipods while driving, commuting or working on their office. A flexible podcast is a potential magnet for listeners.

So thats it. Thats the ten secrets of podcasting. You don’t need a good voice, just don’t let your listeners fall asleep when they listen to you. Podcasting is a liberating experience. It helps humanize the person behind the blog (-Mahalia) and express words that are not expressed in writing. So what are you waiting for? Try podcasting now!