Social Media: How to Podcast

Tweet

According to Wikipedia, a podcast “is a series of digital media files (either audio or video) that are released episodically and often downloaded through web syndication.  The word usurped webcast in common vernacular, due to rising popularity of the iPod and the innovation of web feeds.  The mode of delivery differentiates podcasting from other means of accessing media files over the Internet, such as direct download, or streamed webcasting. A list of all the audio or video files currently associated with a given series is maintained centrally on the distributor's server as a web feed, and the listener or viewer employs special client application software known as a podcatcher that can access this web feed, check it for updates, and download any new files in the series.  This process can be automated so that new files are downloaded automatically.  Files are stored locally on the user's computer or other device ready for offline use, giving simple and convenient access to episodic content. Commonly used audio file formats are Ogg Vorbis and MP3.”

The definition above seems a bit complicated but podcasts are fairly easy to produce for personal or business purposes.  Here’s what you will need to create audio podcasts from your home or office.

1. You will need a computer with active internet connection, a microphone, and audio recoding software such as Audacity which is available for free download and is compatible with both Macs and PC’s.  Be sure to download the associated mp3 encoder from the Audacity website.
2. Record, edit and save your audio file using Audacity.  You may consider creating an “intro” for your podcast series – this can be a script that you recite at the beginning of each podcast or music (look for royalty free music) that plays before your podcast starts.
3. Upload your podcast file to an online hosting service – OurMedia.org offers a free hosting service for podcasts but you can find other free podcast hosting sites with a simple search on Google. If you have an existing website hosting service where you can store your mp3 podcast files, you may still want to consider using a free service like OurMedia.org to store your files if you do not have an unlimited hosting plan.
4. Next you will need to create an RSS feed for your blog, you can use Google's FeedBurner for free if you have a blog that links to your mp3 podcasts but there are software programs available to help you create the XML files needed to create an RSS feed.
5. Submit your podcast’s RSS feed to iTunes and online directories to reach potential listeners.  Be sure to add a button or widget on your website or blog to allow people to subscribe to your RSS feed.
6. Publish your podcast:
• Check with your web hosting provider or web designer to find out how to add podcasts to your website
• Podcasting with Blogger
• Podcasting with WordPress
• Podcasting with TypePad

If you want to have the opportunity to interact live with an audience in real-time, you may want to host a live-call in webcast using a service such as BlogTalkRadio requiring you to have only a computer and a telephone (with good reception, of course!).  The benefit - shows are streamed live but are also archived as downloadable podcasts that you can publish via RSS feed!

For info on creating a video podcast (also know as vodcast) check out:

• MacWorld's How to create a vodcast for Macs
• Georgia State Univeristy's instructions on creating a video podcast, using a Windows PC

Here are some great tips from Apple on sharing podcasts via iTunes:

•  How to publish to iTunes
• Tips on Podcasts from iTunes

Social Media: Importing a blog into Facebook's Notes

Tweet

Facebook users can share their blogs by importing their blogs into Facebook as 'Notes."  Importing your blog to Facebook pulls in the full content of each blog which means that readers no longer need to visit your blog.  So if your goal is to increase trafffic to your blog - especially if you use your blog to make money - then we suggest using the Networked Blogs app in Facebook which just gives a thumbnail view of each blog post and requires readers to visit your blog in order to view full content.

WordPress users, watch this tutorial to learn how to import your blog into Facebook:

This week's tech tips and news

Tweet

We hope your week is off to a great start!  Check out some great tech tips and news below.

TIPS

• Hacking/Online Security
  • Use Word Association to Create Secure Password Hints
  • What to Do If Hackers Steal Your Online Accounts
• Top 10 USB Thumb Drive Tricks
• The Master List of Hotmail Keyboard Shortcuts
• How Can I Move an Individual Application and Its Settings to Another Mac?

 

NEWS

• Facebook now lets you Download Your Information
•  How to Collect Your Verizon Refund

Social Media: Blogging for your business

Tweet

Blogging is yet another way you can tap into social media to market your business and engage with current and potential new customers.  You can incorporate a blog into your company's existing website or have a stand alone blog (some companies just opt for a blog instead of a website).  many opt for a free blog hosted by Google's Blogspot (Blogger), TypePad or WordPress.   The key thing to remember if you start a blog for your business is this - content is king - so be sure to keep it interesting, keep it informative and keep it relevant!

Below are some short tutorials that we found to help you get setup with a new blog using Blogger, TypePad or WordPress.


Blogger



Word Press



Type Pad

Social Media: Do your customers geo-location tools to "check-in" when they visit your business?

Tweet

According to a study conducted by the Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project, 81% of cell phone owners use their phones to report where they are or to check someone else’s location.  The same number of survey respondents indicated that they use their cell phones to coordinate where they are to meet someone. 

If you own a store, restaurant, professional offices or any business where customers can visit your establishment, tapping into this trend may be a profitable way to market your business.   Using a geo-location or "check-in" services and mobile applications such as Foursquare, Gowalla, Brightkite, Loopt, Shopkick, Facebook Places and even Twitter may help new customers discover your business.  In addition, your loyal customers can leave invaluable positive feedback (yes, you do open yourself up for some negative feedback as well!) and you can further engage with them by offering discounts and other benefits.  Many of these services are "geo-social," combining social networking with their "check-in" service like the fast-growing Foursquare which give "mayorships" to the person checking in most often to their business and even offering freebies - with competition for "mayorships" and rewards to be had,  no wonder Foursquare is so popular.

Check out these articles to learn more about how you can use geo-location tools to market your business:

• Geolocation 101: How it works, the Apps, and Your Privacy
• Ways Small Businesses Can Offer Location Based Deals
• Cellphone in New Role: Loyalty Card
• How to Leverage Foursquare for Business
• How Powerful is Foursquare for Local Businesses?
• Use Facebook Places to Boost Business and Life Sales
• The Video Guide to Facebook Places for Business
• 3 Reasons Why Twitter's Geolocation Feature is Cool