Podcasts
What is a podcast?
A podcast is a series of audio or video files you subscribe to and download either to your computer, MP3 player, Blackberry, or other portable device. Once you subscribe to a podcast, you receive continual updates via web syndication technology. In other words, you find a podcast, subscribe to it, and then it’s constantly downloaded (“synched”) to your computer or portable device, in the form of daily, weekly, or monthly updates. For instance, if you subscribe to an iTunes music podcast, the podcaster—a person who makes a podcast—will send you new “casts” on a regular basis, keeping you up-to date. In this sense, podcasts are like a constant download that keep you informed on information that is important to you.
A podcast is a series of audio or video files you subscribe to and download either to your computer, MP3 player, Blackberry, or other portable device. Once you subscribe to a podcast, you receive continual updates via web syndication technology. In other words, you find a podcast, subscribe to it, and then it’s constantly downloaded (“synched”) to your computer or portable device, in the form of daily, weekly, or monthly updates. For instance, if you subscribe to an iTunes music podcast, the podcaster—a person who makes a podcast—will send you new “casts” on a regular basis, keeping you up-to date. In this sense, podcasts are like a constant download that keep you informed on information that is important to you.
Check out "Podcasting in Plain English" by Common Craft:
Receiving Podcasts
Although it can seem intimidating at first, receiving a podcast is an easy procedure. First, you need to find a “feed aggregator,” which is a software tool that enables you to search for podcasts, sign up for them, and then synch them with your computer. The most popular feed aggregator is Apple’s iTunes, which started the podcast revolution through the famous iPod. Other aggregators include Microsoft’s Zune Marketplace and Mediafly; google “podcast aggregators” and you will find hundreds of options. Once you have found an aggregator and wish to use it, you have to download it.
Note: some podcasts do not require you to download aggregators or subscribe for continual updates. You may find that web sites have their own podcasts that you can download immediately as a one-time deal. However, having an aggregator and familiarizing yourself with its use and search functions makes managing podcasts easy and enjoyable.
The next part is simple—you click on “podcasts” and start searching. Depending on what podcast software you are using, searching for podcasts will vary. For instance, if I am using iTunes, I would go to the left navigation menu and click “Podcasts.”
After clicking, iTunes takes you to your podcast library. If you already have podcasts, they will show up; if not, click on “podcast directory” in the lower right corner, and select from the many choices on the following page. At this point, it’s a matter of finding what you want, clicking on it, and then subscribing.
Once you have subscribed, you will download—either on a daily, weekly, etc., basis—the podcast. However, you do not have to worry about constantly downloading the podcast. This is because, once you subscribe, the podcast automatically downloads itself to your computer every time there is a new “cast.” Think of it as episodes of a show: every time there is a new show, the podcast you have subscribed to downloads it and alerts you. Then, you can either leave it on your computer, or transfer it to your portable device, such as an MP3 player. Or, if you are using a portable device such as a Blackberry, then the podcast goes right to your Blackberry—and is instantly portable.
The majority of popular podcasts are for music, which people tend to download to their portable MP3 players (like the iPod); however, after some searching, you will soon see that there are thousands of different podcasts.
Making podcasts
Of course, podcasting technology can be valuable for the charitable sector as it can help you spread your organization’s cause, keep up-to-date on trends and issues that affect your charity, and engage in active online audiences. Many charitable organizations have taken the first step towards podcasting by experimenting with RSS technology (see “RSS”). If you wish to learn more about podcasting, it’s first good to familiarize yourself with synchronization technology and try to create an RSS feed for your web site or blog.
Of course, podcasting technology can be valuable for the charitable sector as it can help you spread your organization’s cause, keep up-to-date on trends and issues that affect your charity, and engage in active online audiences. Many charitable organizations have taken the first step towards podcasting by experimenting with RSS technology (see “RSS”). If you wish to learn more about podcasting, it’s first good to familiarize yourself with synchronization technology and try to create an RSS feed for your web site or blog.
There are many online resources that explain how to make a podcast. If you are already familiar with synchronization software and are eager to make your own casts, search for podcast tutorials on the internet and chose the best one. You can make either video or sound podcasts; thus, it’s best to know what you are hoping to achieve before setting out. Ask yourself: am I hoping to engage subscribers with visual demonstrations, or am I hoping to just get the message out, like an audio PSA?
For charities, the advantages of making podcasts are great. A podcast could help you:
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Jump into the podcast market, which now makes up a huge portion of the online community
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Establish an interactive community online and worldwide
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Take advantage of a new demographic—most notably youth, who are the majority of podcast users.
Like other forms of online technology, the success of using and making podcasts depends on the way in which your charity operates. What is important, however, is getting used to using podcast software, subscribing to podcasts, and understanding how this synchronization technology is being used not just as text-based RSS feeds (such as blog updates, etc.) but also as portable, dynamic media. So, subscribe to some podcasts, synch them from your computer to your MP3 players, and get used to the idea of having up-to-date information with you whenever you go—especially when you are on the go.
