What is Podcasting?

When you merge "iPod" and "broadcast," you get the word "podcast." It's an audio file - usually in talk show format - that can be downloaded and listened to on your computer or MP3 player. Today, thousands of people and organizations are publishing podcasts to share everything from their political views to business advice to their favorite jokes. But thanks to Evoca, publishing podcasts is no longer reserved for the technical elite. No more tech lingo, no more complicated programming, no more creating an RSS feed (what's that?) - Evoca does it all for you. And, get this, we'll even help you rake in a little cash.

Who Should Publish a Podcast?

You! If you have any interest, any skill (being funny counts) or any expertise, you should absolutely start a podcast. Let's say that you're a great saxophonist and know lots about jazz. Your podcast might feature different segments on the history of jazz, showcasing different eras each week. You might play some music between segments or highlight some of your favorite bands that are sprouting around the country. You might include a few critiques or invite a few guests to chat about their love of jazz.

Or let's say you are a teacher. You might want to make your students subscribe to your lectures. Or a college student with an itch to spread your theory on global warming. The options with podcasting are virtually endless.

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CREATING YOUR PODCAST

What do I need?

Not much.

1. Computer and Software
   You can use a Mac (G3 or better) or a PC (Pentium 4 Processor or equivalent). Make sure that you have iTunes 4.9. For recording and mixing your podcast, you can use Audacity, the open-source, free sound editor.
2. Microphone
   You have a few options here. You can use a microphone that plugs into your computer (to order one, click here). But if you do not want to be tied to your computer, we recommend that you use a lapel mic (to order one, click here ) - it offers great quality audio input, especially for interviews, it's very flexible, and it's easy to use. For example, if you use a Lapel Mic with your MP3 recorder, you can make your recordings or conduct interviews on the run.
3. Digital recording device
   If your not plugging a mic into your computer, you'll need one of these. We recommend the iRiver.

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Ready, Set, Record!

There's 3 ways you can record your podcast:

1. Capture your voice using a digital recorder or computer sound editor software. When your finished recording, log into Evoca and click "upload my recording."
2. Capture your voice using our in-browser recorder: EvocaMic™. Log into your account and click "Make a recording with your PC mic." Save it, tag it and share it with the world.
3. Call us from your cell or from your Skype™ account and we'll record while you speak! the next time you log into Evoca, your latest recording will pop up on your "My Recordings" tab.

Want to add music?

If you recorded your podcast with a digital recorder or directly onto your PC, you may want to think about animating it with a little bit of music. But before you do, beware of copyright laws that might not let you use certain music. The music you use must be "podsafe" - this just means that the music isn't already under some major label or subject to copyright or licensing laws. We recommend that you surf  PodsafeMusicNetwork.com   or www.opsound.org

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Editing 101

To the seasoned podcaster, editing is crucial - you want to make sure that the sound is clear and fluid to attract maximum listeners. We recommend that you check out Audacity for your editing needs. But no worry, you don't need to edit and create a professional recording to be a Podcaster. The minute you make a recording with the EvocaMic™, you are already podcasting.

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PUBLISHING YOUR PODCAST ON EVOCA

Create a Group for your Podcast

Create a Semi-Public Group to host your podcast - this means that only you can add recordings but that anyone can listen. Give the group a snazzy recording name, and upload a photo (or logo) that your fans will see in iTunes when they download your podcast.

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RSS feed on us!

When you create a Group, we automatically create an RSS feed for you. In fact, we also automatically create an RSS feed for your "My Recordings". (What is an RSS feed?)

So here's how it works: "podcatchers", such as iTunes and iPodder, will detect your RSS feed and let everyone subscribed to your podcast know that a new episode has been released. iTunes will even download the Podcast directly, so that all the listener has to do is plug an MP3 player into the computer and - voila! - the newest episode is ready to roll.

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If you just want to subscribe and listen to a podcast, here's what you do:

• Click on the RSS link on a member's profile or in a group
• We'll take you to a page with the RSS address
• Copy and paste the address you see it into a Podcatcher (iPodder, Doppler, or iTunes)
• Every time a recording is added to the group, your Podcatcher will automatically download the recording without you having to lift a finger.

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Podcasters can make money too!

One of the coolest things about Evoca is that you can charge members to listen to your podcast. Finally, a way for podcatchers to receive some cash flow! Do you have something valuable to say? Just decide how much you think your recording costs (let's be reasonable, now) and enter the fee in your Group Settings. You can even charge for individual recordings, rather every single episode.

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