n a nutshell, podcasting is the next generation of internet radio. Podcasts are produced and recorded like actual radio programs. Then they are encoded to MP3 format and syndicated on the Internet.
What's MP3?
Those songs your children are listening to on their iPods are in a file format called MP3. Currently, it's the industry standard for sound files distributed on the web.
Syndicated radio for the web, how does it work?
Once the web-radio show has been encoded to MP3 format, it is uploaded to an Internet server. The program is then announced to major podcast registries. That's done through a file called an RSS script. RSS is short for Real Simple Syndication. Freely available programs, called podcatchers, function like radio receivers. Except they're a lot better than plain radio receivers. Imagine short wave radio with digital quality sound! Welcome to podcasting.
Does podcasting have a future, or is it just another dot-com fad?
A year ago, the word podcasting didn't exist. Two months ago, a google search yielded over two million hits. Now the same search produces more than eight million hits. What makes podcasting such a fascinating medium is its creative potential.
Visit a major podcast registry, such as Podcast Alley or iPodder.org. You'll find podcasts on virtually every topic. You'll find material you wish you could find on the airwaves, but can't. Radio is exeriencing a Renaissance – on the internet.
What's just as great, because podcasts can be downloaded to anyone's iPod or portable MP3 player (they can even be burned to CD), listeners aren't shackled to their PCs or laptops. They can listen to their favorite podcasts while driving their car, exercising in the gym, relaxing at the pool ... The possibilities are limitless.
Is it expensive to sponsor podcasts?
Sponsoring a podcast is a much better investment than you think. For one, podcast audiences are precisely targeted. And a thirty second endorsement on Radio Green Siouxland is likely cost less than a business card ad in your church bulletin. Want to know more? Download our media kit.
We recommend these podcast registries:
Podcast
Alley
iPodder.org
Podcast
Pickle
Podcast.net
We recomment these FREE podcatchers: