Podcasting/Vodcasting: Using Podcasts and Videos to Promote Library Services Shae Tetterton South Carolina State Library March 2007
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Podcasting/Vodcasting: Using Podcasts and Videos to Promote Library Services
Shae TettertonSouth Carolina State LibraryMarch 2007
Podcasting
From Wikipedia: “A podcast is a media file that is distributed by subscription (paid or unpaid) over the Internet using syndication feeds, for playback on mobile devices and personal computers.” The method of syndication is known as “podcasting.” The term “podcast” is derived from Apple’s iPod music player.Easier explanation: It’s an audio file (WAV, AIFF, MP3) that’s tied to an RSS feed. It is broadcast via the RSS subscription feed or via podcast directories (such as iTunes, PodcastAlley, etc.)
Vodcasting
From Wikipedia: “Video podcast (sometimes shortened to vidcast or vodcast) is a term used for the online delivery of video on demand video clip content via Atom or RSS enclosures (feeds)… Consumers can subscribe using a PC, TV, set-top box, media center or mobile multimedia device.”Most popular site for vodcasting currently: YouTube!
Terminology
From Podcasting FM and Podcasting Glossary:– Channel: “a group of podcast items, each of which represents one
MP3 audio file (or show). When subscribing, you subscribe to a channel.”
– Enclosure: “an addition to RSS that allows multimedia files (such as those used in podcasts) to be included along with each item in an RSS file.”
– ID3 Tag: “an addition to MP3 files that allows data such as the file’s title, performer, category and even cover art to be stored directly in the file” – you see this a lot in iTunes and other Podcast directories.
– Mash (or mashup): “to mix two audio segments or songs together.”
Terminology
Terminology Cont…– Mobcast: “an audio program that can be received on cell
phones or mobile devices. AKA “mobilecast.” There are also “palmcasts” and “punchcasts.”
– Podcatcher: “a program to check podcast feeds and automatically download new items.” – kind of like an aggregator (bloglines).
– RSS: “the XML format used in news feeds. Stands for Really Simple Syndication.” Another definition: “It’s a method of describing news or other web content that is available for distribution from an online publisher to web users.”
Why Podcast/Vodcast?
In general, you will podcast or vodcast something because you have something to say or share.Some ideas: Storytimes; Book Reviews; What’s New at the Library; Offer a virtual tour of a new branch; Interview Interesting People in your Area; Local History Projects; Use Video or Audio to Enhance Something in your Blog; Offer a Podcast/Vodcast of a Training; Talk to Teens about Current Issues, etc…Note that not everyone has the same learning style. Visual and auditory learning is essential for some people. This is a great way to supplement programs and services you already offer.It’s a great way to reach out to patrons who can’t get into the library or who have a disability in which audio and/or video would be very useful.
Let’s Explore!
Podcasts and Directories:– Apple iTunes Podcasts– Denver Public Library Podcasts– Kankakee Library Speaker Podcasts – Lansing Public Library Podcast Page– PLCMC LibraryLoft Podcasts– Podcast Alley: Podcast Lovers Portal– Podcast Pickle: The First Podcast and Vidcast Community– PowWowCast– Sunnyvale Public Library (videos and podcasts)
Let’s Explore!
Vidcasts/Vodcasts and Directories:– Denver Public’s MySpace Page (featuring YouTube contest)– Kenton County Public Library: Off the Shelf– ImaginOn Summer Reading Vodcast (via YouTube)– Vodcasting Station– Vodstock: The Vodcast Directory– YouTube: Broadcast Yourself– YouTube Videos by Nancy Dowd: Why do you love your library?
(great library promo series)– YouTube Video posted by Curtis Rogers: Libraries are
important! (from the grand opening for the new Conway Lib)
Basic Steps to PodcastingProduce the Audio FileEdit the File (depending on the software)Add in Background Music/Sounds (if Desired)Post it to a Blog or Website – Post Show Notes/Transcripts (if Desired)Find a Place to Store the Files…The RSS Feed is Generated HerePromote it Using Podcast Services such as iTunes
Producing the Audio File
Audacity: http://audacity.sourceforge.net/– A free, easy-to-use audio editor and recorder for Windows,
Mac OS X, GNU/Linux, and other operating systems. You can use Audacity to:
• Record live audio. • Convert tapes and records into digital recordings or CDs. • Edit MP3, WAV and other sound files. • Cut, copy, splice, and mix sounds together. • Change the speed or pitch of a recording. • And more! See the complete list of features
RecordingAudacity can record live audio through a microphone or mixer, or digitize recordings from cassette tapes, vinyl records, or minidiscs. With some sound cards, it can also capture streaming audio.
•Record from microphone, line input, or other sources. •Dub over existing tracks to create multi-track recordings. •Level meters can monitor volume levels before, during, and after recording.
Import and ExportImport sound files, edit them, and combine them with other files or new recordings. Export your recordings in several common file formats.
EditingEasy editing with Cut, Copy, Paste, and Delete.
•Use unlimited Undo (and Redo) to go back any number of steps. •Very fast editing of large files. •Edit and mix an unlimited number of tracks.
EffectsChange the pitch without altering the tempo, or vice-versa.
•Remove static, hiss, hum, or other constant background noises. •Alter frequencies with Equalization, FFT Filter, and Bass Boost effects. •Adjust volumes with Compressor, Amplify, and Normalize effects.
Inserting Background Music
ccMixter: http://www.ccmixter.org/Common Content: http://commoncontent.org/catalog/audio/The Freesound Project: http://freesound.iua.upf.edu/Opsound: http://www.opsound.org/Podsafe Music Network: http://music.podshow.com/
Storing your Podcasts
Libsyn: Liberated Syndication– You’ve created the
podcast… now let the whole world hear it.
– Not free but only $5.00 monthly for unlimited bandwidth. Other pricing available.
– Also, search the podcast directory and participate in the community forum.
OurMedia.org– You must register but it is
free.– Publish and store video,
audio and other media you’ve created.
– Connect to a global community to discover independent media.
– Free storage and bandwidth forever!
• Go to www.libsyn.com
• Read introductory information on this page
• Select “Sign up for service”
• Enter your info indicating the level of service you need (based on storage and quality of podcast files)
• The cheapest service is $5.00 and allows for 100mb of storage. You can cancel at any time.
After logging in, this page will guide you through the process of setting your preferences, uploading your media files and posting them to your personalized blog page.
When you are ready topost your first podcast:
1. Select the Publish tab.2. Click the radio button to post
a “podcast episode”3. Enter the title.4. Select a category (you can
create new categories from here)
5. Upload an image (optional)6. Type your blog into the text
box. Formatting options are available.
7. Scroll down ….
Steps Cont…
8. After typing your blog entry in the text box, select the podcast file by choosing a file that has been uploaded previously or by using the browse button to select a new file on your PC.
9. Click Publish or you can save it as a draft to publish it later.
10. Click on the link to your blog page to see the results and test the file.
Link to your blog page
The “media files” tab is where all files that have been uploaded toyour libsyn blog are stored. From here you can delete files or chooseto archive them. This is the list of files that will show up when youpost a blog entry on the publish tab.
On the “settings” tab, you will start by filling out your basic settings:
• The title of your blog page (i.e. TechTracks Podcasts).• A description of your blog page.• The default author’s email address.• Any copyright information you want to include in the RSS feed (in case you don’t want people to use your podcast).• Language.• Podcast category (this helps when people are searching the libsyn directory for podcasts).• Click the advanced button to get to your advanced settings.
Advanced Settings:• All advanced settings are still being testing (in beta).• Opt in to list your podcast in the libsyn directory.• Your RSS feed that users can subscribe to is generated here.• Answer the questions about public stats and what format you would like them in. • The publishing options ask if you want to ping (send new data) to other podcast directories. This has not been working for me. • Check the options to deter spam and use comment moderation.• The Blogpage area allows you to alter the HTML code associated with your blogpage template.
• On the “settings” tab, select the button for “templates.” Here you can select a background template for your blog page. • This is much like selecting a template for your MySpace or Facebook page. There are limited options.• Another option might be to find a blog template online and paste the code into the advanced settings area. I have not tested this yet.
iTunes Settings:• Under the settings tab, select the button for iTunes.• If you allow iTunes to list your feed, you will still need to submit your feed to iTunes. This only tells iTunes to list your podcast.• Enter the subtitle, summary, category, tags and artwork to add to the iTunes listing.• Enter the website for your blog page, the author, etc... This is all metadata that iTunes will use to list the podcast.• Scroll down and answer the remaining questions about the type of material that will be shown on this podcast/blog page.
The “stats” tab will show you how many hits and downloads have occurred on your various podcast/media files. You can also get some stats on your audience/subscribers. For more complete stats, you’ll use something like Feedburner or Feedblitz.
The Account Tab:
• Change the summary, contact information or password for your account.• Change your service, selecting a different subscription option. This will cost more or less, based on the service you select. You will also have different storage options with each service. • Cancel your service here. You will also need to go through the verification process and cancel your PayPal account.• See your storage quota here to see what you’ve used and how much is left.
The blog page is the result of your settings and podcast postings. You can get to this page by clicking on the “view blogpage” link at the top of each libsyn page OR by clicking on the URL listed at the bottom of each libsyn page:
Promoting your Feeds
Feedburner: – The missing link between
your podcast/vodcast and its distribution to your patrons/fans
– Properly formats your feed so it works with various podcasting directories
– Offers statistics to show traffic, where they’re coming from and what they are downloading.
Other Feed Sites:– Feed2JS:
http://feed2js.org/– Feedblitz:
http://www.feedblitz.com/– Yahoo:
http://publisher.yahoo.com/promote.php
Feedburner is one of several sites where you can promote your feed. Select the register button or enter your feed and check the box for “I am a podcaster” to begin using this site. It is FREE and, once signed up, you can get statistics, promote your feed in various ways and format it so it’s compatible with multiple feed readers.
Enter Feed URL
Opening page when you sign in. Your feeds to podcasts and blogswill be listed here. Select the one you’d like to view.
The Analyze folder will provide stats about your subscribers, hits, downloads, item usage, etc... and offer you the option to export all stats to Excel or to a comma delimited file. Sign up for a TotalStats account for more comprehensive statistics.
• The Optimize tab allows you to format your feed for various uses and applications.
• One example: Make it browser friendly so people can view it via different feed readers (i.e. My Yahoo, Google, Odeo, Podnova, etc...)
• You can also access your XML source code here if you’d like to edit it.
• Feedburner does a greatjob is explaining each feature. Just click on each option on the left hand menu.
• Using options on thepublicize tab, you can make it easier for users to subscribe and find your feed online.
• One example: Put a link on your website or blog that allows users to subscribe to your podcasts via email. (see example on next screen shot)
• You can also insert CreativeCommons licensing here toallow or not allow users torepublish your material.
• Click on each option on theleft hand menu to see the possibilities for promotingyour feed.
• Under “Email Subscriptions,” you can copy and paste the HTML code that they give you to add a box on your website or blog. • Doing this will offer people a box to type their email into which will subscribe them to all new postings on your blog/podcast. • See examples of what the box looks like on my blog and on my MySpace page.
On my blog
On MySpace
The troubleshootize tab offers FAQs for frequent feed and podcast problems along with the recommended fix. Lots of great tips here!
Posting to Podcast Directories
Apple iTunes: http://www.apple.com/itunes/iPodder: http://www.ipodder.org/Libsyn’s Podcast Directory: http://libsyn.com/directory/OurMedia: http://www.ourmedia.org/Podcast Alley: http://www.podcastalley.com/Podcast Directory: http://www.podcast.net/Podcast Pickle: http://www.podcastpickle.com/
Summary: My Approach
Create file using Audacity– Record the file (using a script – which could be posted with the podcast)– Edit the file, taking out extraneous sounds and the “ums”
Insert a sound file, which I found on The Freesound Project (or some other creative commons music source)Export file (as wav, mp3, etc…)Post it to Libsyn (or OurMedia) and blog about it.Post the feed to:– Other blogs I contribute to such as LibraryTrax or the SCSL CMS Blog (if
applicable)– My MySpace page (using a podcast enclosure)– Podcast directories such as iTunes, PodcastAlley, etc… (Libsyn takes
care of some directory posting for you)
Other Approaches
Use the downloadable version of Wordpress (www.wordpress.org) + the podpress pluginUse the blogging software, Moveable type + the podcasting plugin (http://www.movabletype.org/)Post the podcast enclosure to your MySpace page/blogHost the podcast on your server and post the link to podcasting directoriesUpload the podcast link to your library websiteMake sure you post it several places, not just in one spotAfter posting, make sure you promote it to your patrons!
Basic Promotion Principles
From the Seminar -- Marketing Your Library’s Computer-Based Services as if your Library Depended on it:– Make an educated guess about who will benefit and use this new
service. AND– Target those audiences that you think have an interest in this
technology.– Involve the library user from the beginning. Get their input and ideas.– Cross-promote – use a variety of promotional materials (print and
electronic).– Assume that everyone is a new comer to this technology so market it
and teach them in a way that everyone can understand. Avoid jargon!
12 Ways to Promote Your Podcast
Make your podcast search engine friendly (ID3 tags)Create an email list or offer a link on your blog that allows users to subscribe via emailPress releases
Social bookmarking Interview well known and interesting peopleGuest blog (or comment) on related sitesBuild relationships with listenersGet listed in directories
From: Jake Ludington’s MediaBlab Blog
More Promo Resources
Google BasePodcasting News: Promoting Your Podcast http://www.podcastingnews.com/topics/Promote_Your_Podcast.htmlBooks:– Promoting Your Podcast: The Ultimate Guide to
Building an Audience of Raving Fans– Hands-on Guide to Video Blogging and Podcasting
YouTube and Vodcasting
How to create a vodcast: http://playlistmag.com/features/2005/07/howtovodcast/index.phpVodcast: An overview of how to make a vodcast:http://www.vodstock.com/make/how-to-make.phpYouTube’s Help Center: http://www.google.com/support/youtube/
Basic Vodcasting Steps
Create a movie using a digital camera or video equipment.Download it to a PC.Upload it to YouTube.Post the YouTube enclosure to your blog or to your social networking sites (MySpace, Facebook, etc…).Promote it!
Additional Resources
About Article – Promote your podcast: http://podcasting.about.com/od/promotingyourpodcast/Promote_Your_Podcast.htmHow to promote your RSS feeds (includes long list of feed sites): http://www.press-feed.com/howitworks/howpromotefeeds.phpLibsuccess – podcasting: http://www.libsuccess.org/index.php?title=PodcastingPodcasting 101 from Pbwiki: http://podcasting101.pbwiki.com/Podcast Promos: http://www.podcastpromos.com/programs.php?CatID=19Squidoo’s Videoblogging Resources: http://www.squidoo.com/Videoblogging/
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