Podcasting

What is a podcast? The term comes from the combination of two words: iPod and broadcast. According to PEW, as of 2005: More than 22 million American adults own iPods or MP3 players and 29% of them have downloaded podcasts from the Web so that they could listen to audio files at a time of their choosing. That amounts to more than 6 million adults who have tried this new feature that allows internet “broadcasts” to be downloaded onto their portable listening device or computer.

What is a podcast? A podcast is an audio file sometimes with video that can be downloaded automatically to your computer, using RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feeds to your computer.

How is podcasting different? Podcasting differs from broadcasting or webcasting because listeners subscribe to podcast feeds. You don’t need an iPod to listen to podcasts. You can listen to them from your computer.

History of Podcasting Dave Winer and Adam Curry developed iPodder and RSS 2.0. The term podcasting was coined in February 2004 by Ben Hammersley, in an article in the Guardian. Some have criticized the term podcast because it makes it sounds like it is the exclusive domain of the Apple iPod.

The Differences Between a Radio Show & Newspaper Podcast A news radio program must be listened to when the program is being broadcast. Newspaper podcasts, on the other hand, can be downloaded and listened to whenever it is convenient. A news radio program may be part of a news radio station, where the same information is repeated throughout the day. This may make it difficult to know when there is any new information. A newspaper podcast, on the other hand, can update its podcast whenever there is new information.

Differences between radio and newspaper podcasts Radio programs and podcasts can both be listened to on portable devices, but they may need different devices. A podcast will require an MP3 audio player. A news radio program will require a portable radio. Some devices contain both elements in the one package.

Differences between radio and newspaper podcasts A newspaper podcast has the potential to reach more people. A news radio program can only reach people in its area of broadcast, but a podcast can potentially reach people all around the world. This also means that people can find and listen to specialized news that they would otherwise not have access to. For instance, someone who moves to another country can still receive the news from their home town.

Types of newspaper podcasts Reading a summary stories from the day A weekly podcast that provides a summary of the news stories of the week (sometimes with talk back and interviews with experts) A podcast that combines news with informative segments and music A news podcast that is aimed at a particular section of the community.

Types of newspaper podcasts Foreign language news podcast Journalists reading out their own stories Commentary on news stories Regular updates on particularly newsworthy stories (for example, sporting events or murder trials) Video news podcasts

Types of podcasts Check out iTunes News organization like CNN, NY Times, etc. have podcasts Podcasts are also produced for educational, entertainment, etc. purposes.

Producing your own podcast Be creative Select a topic/focus/format Content? Will you do the show alone or with others? Length? How often will your show run?

Producing your own podcast Ask yourself: How many shows a week will people want to listen to? How many other shows are being created with the same subject? Can I find fresh material? Budget? Time?

Producing your own podcast Remember to be consistent Stick to format Include day and date, preintro, intro music, full intro, Web site location, closing remarks, etc.

Producing your own podcast Write a script or outline (talking points) Record podcast

Recording Tips Slow down. Your natural speaking speed will be too fast for a listener to take in everything you are saying. Make every word matter. Read a script with confidence and say every word evenly. Don't trail off at the end of a sentence or swallow the ends of words. Pretend you are talking to one specific person.

Recording tips Smile. It makes you sound more friendly. Anyone who can speak slowly and clearly can present, no matter what your accent or pitch (high or low).

Recording tips Wear headphones Be sure interviewee is "on mic." Microphone should be pointing at the speaker's mouth from about six-inches away. Avoid P-pops and sibilance. Listen carefully as you're recording and adjust mic position if the speaker is popping their P's or hissing their S's. Try pointing your microphone slightly off to the side of the speaker's mouth to avoid catching air blasts from P's and S's.

Recording tips Avoid "microphone rustling." The person recording should keep his/her mic hand steady. Any movement of the microphone or the mic cable is likely to be picked up on the recording. Watch your levels. Recording levels should be strong, but not hot. Stay away from "the red." Also, avoid weak levels. Always monitor recording levels during interviews and adjust as necessary.

Recording tips Avoid hums and buzzes. Sometimes computers, refrigerators, fluorescent lights or ungrounded electric outlets can introduce hums and/or buzzes in a recording. If recording sound elements, or ambience, be sure to record for at least one minute without interruptions. In general, recording at least 30- seconds of "room tone" before all interviews can be helpful during editing.

Interviewing Interviewing is an essential ingredient of a radio report. Your interview might be the focus of your item, or part of the overall piece.

Interviewing Before the interview Think carefully about why you want to interview your guest and what you want to know. An interview is not a conversation. It should have an aim and it should be structured. Do your homework. Prepare your guest before you start recording. Chat with them to put them at ease. Explain why you are doing the interview, what you would like to cover and who the audience will be.

Interviewing During the interview Take charge. Make sure your guest is sitting near enough to the microphone. Switch off any background music and tell people nearby to be quiet. Beware of passing traffic and banging doors. Try to avoid closed questions. Listen to the answers. Use body language. Always make eye contact with your guest and let them know they have your full and undivided attention.

Interviewing During the interview Do not "um", "er", or "mmm" while your guest is talking as this distracts the listener and makes your interview difficult to edit. Record your guest introducing themselves and saying their job title. That way you'll know who they are when you listen back to your recording later on. It's also a useful way of introducing them in your finished report. Before parting from your guest, check that the interview has recorded properly. This is crucial.

Final stages Editing (Garage Band, Audacity, etc) Distribution (News organization, iTunes, etc.) Promotion

Podcasts and journalism Be familiar with radio and online journalism Be familiar with broadcast techniques for the Web Be familiar with the law gal_Guide.pdf To learn more about podcasts, as a class we’ll examine specific media podcasts and break down content.