The idea of podcasting can be daunting to some. But it's more manageable if you take it one step at a time. Last week, we discussed affordable and mobile ways of recording and editing podcasts. Now you've got your podcast recorded, edited and ready to roll. But where do you publish it?
Hosting the Podcast on a Podcasting Platform
There are many platforms where you can host your podcast. Did that sentence not make sense? Well, usually, for podcasts, it's not an upload and play situation — unlike video. You'll need to keep all your podcast episodes in one place; this is like giving your podcasts a permanent address to live in. Some popular hosting platforms are Anchor, Buzzsprout, PodBean, Libsyn, Simplecast, and Megaphone.
On these platforms, you have to sign up, create your account, and upload your podcast episodes. Next, the hosting platforms generate an RSS Feed link which is a prerequisite to distribute your podcast. Consider the RSS Feed link as a URL address that's solely linked to your podcast files. Once you have the RSS link, you or your hosting provider has to get in touch with different podcast directories such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher and others. It is a one-time process that can take days. But once your RSS Feed link is registered with the directories, they'll be able to automatically update as you upload subsequent episodes on your hosting platform.
Too much information? Well, worry not for the tech is constantly evolving. What these platforms do is that they automate a lot of processes to make it easier for the users to get started. For instance, on Buzzsprout, you can upload your podcast, and you can directly go to some of the leading directories from the platform itself. With PodBean, your episodes get auto-listed on Amazon Alexa, and you also get social media auto-sharing. Anchor, Spotify's podcasting platform, is another effective host. It is a single-window podcasting solution for recording, editing, hosting, distribution and even monetising. While most platforms are largely similar, each one has varied features you can capitalise on.
Distributing Podcasts
Apple Podcast is the leading podcast directory, followed by Spotify and Google Podcast. While these are the most popular ones, there are tons of other distribution channels for podcasts. Though you'd be covering a substantial user database between these most-used services, there is absolutely no reason why you shouldn't go ahead and register with as many platforms as you can. You can choose which ones you want to enlist from this list of 28 podcast directories.
Once you're on the directories, you can share your podcast links through social media channels, or start a newsletter to distribute your podcast and build an audience.
You can also promote your podcast using a video clip from the recording. But that's only possible if you've been recording video while taping the podcast. If that's not the case, you can use Headliner (for free up to 5 times a month) to generate an image + waveform style promo video for your podcast.
PHmuseum hosted an online mobile photography competition and the entries just blew our minds. Like Buzzfeed reported—and we agree—if you have a good sense of lighting and framing, a mobile phone can capture excellent photos.
Read more about it and check out the winning entries, here.
- Outlook is looking for desk hands with 3-4 years of experience to be part of the news team. The candidate will be responsible for managing shifts, breaking copies, editing reporter copies and curations. Digital experience is must. (Not looking for people with Print experience)
Please send few writing samples and a cover letter to eshita@outlookindia.com.
Business Standard is looking for a news editor for its digital team to work on its website and social media handles. Interested candidates may send their CVs to reetesh.anand@bsmail.in with the subject line ‘CV for news editors’.
Job description:
Editing/rewriting/writing news stories and features
Tracking news agencies and uploading wires
Clearing and publishing stories on the website
Running/overseeing live blogs
Posting on/overseeing official social media handles of Business Standard
Managing desk shifts
Must haves:
A strong news sense
Ability to handle shifts independently
Relevant experience of managing shifts
Willingness to work in different shifts
Good command over English
Proficiency in editing news stories
Experience: 6-7 years
Location: New Delhi
Salary: Industry standards
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