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Podcasting — Let the Experiments Begin

August 11th, 2007

As you know podcasting is simply an audio file that is placed on a website. If it is combined with an RSS file — people can subscribe to your feed, and listen to your words of wisdom at their leisure. This is a good thing, it is getting your words — your voice — your identity to the masses.

Podcasting — Getting Started
Publishing your podcast is simple as well — look to Blogger, TypePad, and then use Feedburner to convert your podcast into a feed.

Simple Way to Make A Podcast
The simpliest way to get setup and to start experimenting with your own podcasting– is to simply get a microphone and of course, free software from Audacity.

Okay, as we all know, not many are comfortable with hearing their own voice — but hey, it’s your voice — and the voice allows your listeners to know that, yes, I am a real human, and not a machine.

Once done, you will need to upload your podcast onto your server. The only limitations I see would be how much, or little space, you have on your server– as well as the bandwidth usage.

Submitting your Podcast to Feeds
To get your podcast out to the masses, you will need to hit the directories that cater to podcasting. Well, one of the quickest way to get this done, is through Feedburner. Just check the “Podcasting button” and you will be directed to a page with all the information you need. In fact, they have a site called “PingShot” that will automatically notify the directories and web-based aggregators when you publish new content — I mention this one, because it is free. No sense, paying for something if you are in the experimental mode, right? But . . .

There is still a learning curve here, and you will need to take a little time to devour some of the info on the different sites to get the information you want, as well as, how to use it. But it looks like podcasting is now the in thing. Will it last? I think it may. But it looks like the next, new and great thing coming to the Internet is the Video Casts. The only thing I see that may keep some from partaking in this media is the bandwidth and storage. But we will see.

Vickie J Scanlon — Visit her site at: My Affiliate Place for a repository of tools, articles, ebooks, affiliate opportunities and information, software, webhost providers and computers for the Afffiliate/Internet Marketing person online. Check out Mill’s book Podcast Secrets Revealed

Free Video On Demand (VOD): Overcome Broadcasting Boundaries and Reach the World

July 14th, 2007

I can see it now…

You were in the shower, taking a walk, driving in your car or sipping a latte’ at Starbucks when all of a sudden - WHAM! - inspiration struck. You were moved. Your emotions were stirred. You felt your creative juices flowing with ideas that quickly transformed themselves into visual images.

You took notes, sketched out a rough storyboard, or just picked up your video camera and started filming. Your creative talents started to evolve the mere idea into video form. What started out as simple words or thoughts were transformed into a ‘living’ entity of visual entertainment.

Not everyone shares your enthusiasm for it. So what. They aren’t the ones you made it for. You made it for the ones like you - the ones who with one glimpse of your video come to experience the same emotional connection that first stirred your soul.

If people don’t ‘Get it’ that’s fine. You simply say, ‘Next’. Because although within walking distance of you there may only be a handful of people who see it the way you do… on the Global stage there are hundreds of thousands if not millions who will embrace your creation with the passion it deserves.

The worldwide marketplace is waiting for you and your video creation.

But there’s a problem isn’t there?

How do you get your video from it’s current point out to all those people? How much will it cost to store it, promote it, allow people to download it, take payments for it?

The real question is… why should you have to care? You’re the creative genius who is best left to creative environments like developing the video experiences.

So where do you turn? Good question.

Several years ago there was only one choice… you found an agent, crossed your fingers and hoped to get a shot at Hollywood. In the past few years you could spend a few thousand, make a DVD and try to sell it yourself - counting anything above ‘break even’ as a success.

The truth… Oldskool ‘broad’casting just doesn’t cut it any more in the digital age of internet opportunities. Let’s examine why.

The Limitation of Oldschool “Broad”casting

If you stop to think about the word broadcast, when it was created back in the oldschool radio and TV days of the 20th century, it was true to its meaning. The word “broad” obviously means a wide range. Reaching out to millions in one nation was considered broad. This is why we have NBC, ABC, CBS, and FOX in nearly every home in America.

Now stop and think about all the limitations of traditional “broad”casting. The extensive budgets, actors, contracts, licensing, etc… In the US there are also FCC regulations these broadcasts must fall within. Think about how few channels and how few hours in the day there really are to “broad”cast shows. Even in the age of cable and satellite systems broadcasting hundreds of channels there is still a finite limit.

Typically licensing issues bound the “broad”cast to one nation. The US doesnt broadcast in Canada or across the pond in the UK and vice-versa. Sporting events are more restricted with blackouts in specific regional areas.

Now HDTV is beginning to pick up sales as prices drop yet thanks to DRM technologies the studios are putting a stranglehold on how much control the consumer has over the cotent they have payed for. It is all too limiting.

The consumers are ready for a change. A newer, better way of receiving their entertainment.

Free Video On Demand (VOD) - The New Broadcast Platform.

Residential broadband access has penetrated over 50% of US households. Broadband access is expected to more than double this decade, reaching 71 million US households by 2010.

As more and more households bring high speed internet access into the home studies have shown their viewing habits of television have dropped on average of 3 fewer hours of TV per week. This number is only expected to grow.

More and more people are turning to the web instead of their TV for their entertainment needs. This fact is especially strong with the young teens and twenty-something market who have grown up with computers in the internet age.

The Law of Increasing Audience

With the increase in broadband access and affordable video hardware and software more and more people are creating their own video content. There are a lot of unknown, talented ividividuals out there doing a very good job at creating engaging entertainment. Its crazy when you stop and think about it how new technologies like video podcasting and portable video entertainment are revolutionizing traditional entertainment outlets.

Now anyone can get their message heard or seen with the power of the internet.

Stop sitting on the sideline and letting your video gather dust while others get credit and profits from entertainment far less valuable than yours.

Free Video On Demand allows anyone with a video camera and an idea to achieve their dream of getting their video seen by a world-wide audience.

Podcast Safe Music

June 15th, 2007

Podcasting is the new thing in broadcasting nowadays. Practically anyone can create his own podcast and make himself known to the world. Perhaps the best thing about podcasting is that it is meant to be free. In addition to that, podcasts transcend the boundaries of traditional broadcasting. You may be from the US but anyone with access to the internet can listen to your podcast. A person may be in Timbuktu and yet have access to your podcast.

Music is inherent to the success of any podcast. It adds spice and flavor to an otherwise bland broadcast. That is why a large pool of resources has been developed by people in the podcasting community. Beginners and veterans a like search for the perfect background music or filler sounds for every podcast they make. So how do you go about looking for that spice?

Despite the freedom provided by podcasting, there are some issues you must address before jumping into the bandwagon and creating your own podcast. Copyright and intellectual property rights have been a main concern in all aspects of broadcasting for some time now and podcasting is not exempt from that. As a result, the term podsafe has come into existence. What exactly is podsafe? This term encompasses any material that may be used for podcasts without violating any copyright or license. A special thing about podsafe material is that the very same material might require some sort of license in other media but totally safe for podcasting. Due to the open community nature of podcasting, many songs, music, and other type of materials are allowed to be used for free exclusively for podcasts. While you might have to acquire the permission of the copyright holder for other broadcasting media, with podsafe material, you can use it freely in podcasts.

Some specific kinds of work are inherently podsafe. Works that fall under the public domain or some works with Creative Commons licenses can be used in podcasts without any issues. They are meant to be used, and used freely.

There are some entities on the web that license music especially for podcasts. Their podcast safe music is generally available to anyone for downloading and for use in free broadcasts over the internet. The only restriction they have is for the user to duly acknowledge the source. Anyone may also post music on their sites as long as the piece of work is totally original.

Some sites make their music available for no fee at all. On the other hand there are sites which promote artists – particularly independent ones – and charge a small fee for downloading their songs. Notably, these sites also offer labeled artists and are supposed to split the downloading fees with them.

The important thing to bear in mind when looking for podcast safe music is that most of the groups offering materials make them available to the general public for free. The caveat is that your podcast must not be used for commercial purposes. If that is the case, then you will have no problems finding the right track for your podcast.

Podcastblaster.com supplies a complete podcasting solution including podcast safe music and tips on creating podcasts.