Podcasting Tools You Need

Now that you know more about podcasting and video blogging, let’s dive right in, and get started with podcasting. Before you start, there are certain tools that you need. Be warned. There are a variety of tools, and many of them are very high priced, but that’s not really what you need.

So, before you rush out and spend a veritable fortune on tools that you really don’t need, let’s take a look at what you do actually need for a successful podcast. Note that there are really two options.

Option 1: This is the easiest option, and only requires you dialing a number and speaking into your phone and pushing a few buttons on your phone. You can record your podcast over the telephone, and this is how many do it the first time, and how many others continue to do it for as long as they podcast.

The only expense here is the cost of the call. You can record for free, other than that cost at sites such as Gabfest, at http://www.gabfest.com or TalkCast at http://www.talkcast.com. Again, the only cost associated with this is the long distance charge.

Simply sign up for a free account at either of these services, and then follow the directions for phoning your podcast in. Once you’ve finished with your podcast, and it is available, download it to your own computer for editing.

Option 2: This is the harder option, but it removes all limitations and gives you the opportunity to create more powerful podcasts. Once you’ve gotten the feel for podcasting with option one, which is very simple, it will be time to start exploring podcasting with your own equipment.

Even with this option, there are many choices, and it does not have to be expensive. Essentially, what you need is a good microphone and some essential software. You can buy a $20 microphone at a discount store. While it does not have to be fancy, it is a good idea to have one that cancels out excess or background noise.

Now, let’s take a look at that software, which you are going to need for either option one or option two, in order to edit your podcast if for no other reason. But for option two, you also need some way to capture the audio (record).

Skype at http://www.skype.com is a free voice chat system, as well as a VOIP type system. You can call skype to skype, which is free, or skype to phone, for which there is a charge. Skype is absolutely excellent for recording interviews and conversations that you want for you podcast. It works wonderfully, it digitizes the recording, so you don’t have to, and it produces very clear audio.

For single speaker podcasts, The Internet Audio and Video Bundle is recommended. This will not only allow you to record, but will also allow you to edit your podcasts, which is going to become essential. You can find this powerful software at http://www.internet-audio-video.com/audio-video-products.htm.

This is a really nice package for podcasters and video bloggers to have, because it also contains Web Audio Plus, Podcasting Made Easy, Podcasting for Fun and Profit, and a Podcast Teleprompter.

Now, again, there are other podcasting tools available, but to get started, and even to take your podcasting to the professional level, this is really all that you need. There are, however, podcasting tools that make it possible to podcast away from your computer and telephone.

Many of the newer MP3 players have microphones installed on them, so that you can create a podcast. You can podcast from your car, in your yard, in another country – even in your bathroom if it suits you. But these devices are not cheap, and they don’t necessarily provide the high quality audio that you really need for a professional podcast.

Also note that even if you can record your podcast in a location away from your computer, it must still be uploaded to your computer for editing, and then to a web server for public access. Therefore, it is really cheaper and easier to just record your podcast either over the phone or through your computer.

Of the two options available here, recording your podcast is the cheapest, but not necessarily the best. Use this as a way to get your feet wet and see if podcasting is for you. If it is, then you will want to upgrade to option two, where you provide your own equipment, and have total control over your podcast.

You will also find that option two offers the greatest quality podcast, simply because you can control volume and output levels. Option one usually won’t allow for much editing or control.

There is a very small learning curve, and you can essentially learn everything you need to know about recording software and editing tools in a day or less. Just set aside one day for learning this, and do it. In the long run, you will be very happy that you did.

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