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Once you decide to move forward with podcasting, you will need software to prepare your shows for iTunes. I have listed the software below for your convenience.I use these programs to create my podcast shows, and you will find them helpful in creating your shows, too.
You will need:
- Audacity – a free recording and editing software that’s available for the MAC and PC.
- MP3 Lame Encoder – an extension for Audacity that exports your recording as an MP3 file.
- WinAmp Media Player – free software to encode your ID3 tags for the MP3 file.
- iTunes Desktop software – software that provides access to iTunes, so you can submit your podcast feed to the iTunes store and acquire an iTunes subscription URL for your podcasts.
- Blubrry PowerPress – a WordPress plugin to add an iTunes compliant RSS feed to your blog.
- Gimp – a graphics software program similar to Photoshop to create your podcast cover art.
- WordPress – this is the software needed to install a blog on a hosting account.
How to Use the Software
Naturally, if you want to create a podcast, you need recording and editing software that’s available for the Mac and PC computers. Since Audacity doesn’t have the ability to export MP3 files, you will need to download the MP3 Lame Encoder, which enables Audacity to perform the MP3 export function.
Likewise, if you do have recording and editing software, such as Camtasia 8, GarageBand or Sony Sound Forge, you do not need to download Audacity or the MP3 Lame Encoder. Even though Camtasia is for producing video files, you can also use it to record audio.
You will use the WinAmp Media Player to embed the ID3 tags to your MP3 files. ID3 tags are very important because they display information about your podcast to listeners, such as copyright, show title and track number of your podcast, and your name.
Someone asked if she could use the Logo Creator to make her covert art; the answer is yes. While I suggested downloading Gimp for this purpose, the truth is any graphics program will work as long as you are comfortable using it.
The iTunes desktop software will let you access the iTunes store through your Apple account. If you do not have an Apple account, you can create one to submit your podcast feed to iTunes. A few days later, iTunes will send you a subscription URL through email.
After you receive the subscription URL from the iTunes store, you will need to add it to PowerPress, along with your cover art. You’ll also add a description and title for your podcast show in the appropriate areas of the plugin.
There is work involved to get the software installed and prepared for use. Once you have these programs installed, you can create new podcasts without the need to install them again.
You can overcome technical challenges. If you can follow simple directions, I am positive I can show you how to install the software and use it to record, edit and share your very first podcast show on iTunes.
If you would like easy instructions on how to produce your very own popular podcast, I’m currently creating the “how to” guide and podcast training course. The subscribers on my mailing list get first crack at my help, so sign up.
– OR –
If you would prefer not being on a mailing list, LIKE the Podcast KickStart fan page and you will receive news about the training as soon as I announce it there.
Did you get all the software downloaded? Leave a comment below and let me know!
Thanks for reading,
– Bonnie
P.S. Did you enjoy this message? If so, please share it with your friends so they can benefit from schmoozing. Then, if you want to get more messages like this one, connect with me via my social links below or hop aboard my notification list. I would like to keep in touch.
Hi Bonnie,
And the good news is I have Garage Band 🙂 I also have a free tool I downloaded on my Mac, called Recorder. Or, I’ll use Free Conference Call to record podcasts with my guests.
The other tips you have are awesome. Especially to create my cover art (if needed). The majority of my podcasts will be available exclusively to my Fabulocity members but I may look at iTunes as a potential revenue stream.
Informative post – thanks!
You’re definitely on the right track. Free conference call is easy for guest shows as is Skype.
What is Fabulocity all about, Peggy?
It’s a community for Frazzled to Fabulous where fabulous content, like my podcasts, select eCourses, and eBooks will be made exclusively available to members 🙂
Sounds like a wonderful place where people can grow outwardly! I read “will be made” so I am assuming it’s not ready yet?
The Fabulocity will be available within the week. Until then my Daily Spoonful of Fab is available to everyone!
Thanks for the update, Peggy! I appreciate it!
A few years ago, I taught my 9th grade students to podcast. We used Audacity, and it was so easy. They really enjoyed it and did a great job.
Great info. I shared it with some friends I know are interested in podcasting. Thanks bunches.
When I made the comment the other day that my 7-year old was able to do this, so many people told me it didn’t convince them that they could do it. Somehow, people believe that a 7-year old isn’t as challenged by technical gadgets as adults are. I think it’s just an excuse so people don’t need to TRY something new. 🙂
Thanks for sharing the post with your friends!
Bonnie,
Another great podcast and article! If you’re giving away all these golden nuggets for free, I can’t imagine what’s inside your Kick Start Podcasting product.
Thanks for sharing!
This is just a taste of what will be inside of Podcast KickStart, so if you like this – you will definitely like what’s behind the closed doors. 🙂
So glad you love the series so far, Cynthia!
Great post as always Bonnie. Hosting a podcast is on my list of things to do sometime in the future, so I’m loving all these tips you’re giving. Hopefully I’ll put them to good use someday, lol.
Michael
Thanks Michael. I would love to hear that you have a podcast underway. 🙂
Bonnie – thank you so much for collating all these links and making them easily accessible to us. Your podcast course is going to be great.
Thanks again 🙂
Thanks sweetie, for the vote of confidence. 🙂 I aim to make the podcast course the best I can!
Just got the membership site installed, WishList working with PayPal, and I am adding content to the member’s area now. 🙂
Hi Bonnie, Looking forward to having a go at pod-casting – once I’ve dug myself out from a mountain of other technical problems that are overwhelming me 🙁
Getting a new machine has been good in many respects but the grief I am getting moving my software onto it…..
Will catch up in time!!
Joy
One step at a time, Joy. It’s never a good idea to fill your plate with more work than you can handle!
I think the thing with 7 year olds is that ignorance is bliss and they don’t mind just banging away on buttons and trying things. They haven’t had their creativity banged out of them yet and tend to be more experimental than adults.
Am definitely looking for the step by step instructions ………..
The instructions are underway! 🙂 So glad you’re looking forward to the training, Tamsin!