Podcasting For Dummies (For Dummies (Computers)) [Paperback]

Tee Morris (Author), Evo Terra (Author), Dawn Miceli (Foreword), Drew Domkus (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 21, 2005 | ISBN-10: 0471748986 | ISBN-13: 978-0471748984 | Edition: 1

Podcasting is like blogging out loud! It gives you a voice—one that can be heard worldwide on computers, iPods, or other MP3 players. You can podcast to boost your business, promote your passion, share your opinions, or just have fun. The point is to say what you want to say to those who want to hear it. With step-by-step explanations, screen shots, and tons of examples, this guide clues you in on recording, producing, and hosting your very own podcast with info on:

• Finding your voice and your niche, whether you want to talk tech, make your own kinds of music, educate listeners, make people laugh, do soundseeing tours, serialize your novel, or invent a new podcasting genre  
• Getting the bare necessities (if you don’t already have them), including a microphone, recording software, and an audio card
• Audio editing software such as Audacity, Cakewalk for PCs, GarageBand for musicality, and Audio HiJack Pro for Macs
• Recording, including understanding dB (decibel levels), capturing or minimizing ambient noise, and more
• Editing with GarageBand or Audacity, adding bed music, and including intros and outros for a signature finishing touch

You want your podcast to be heard. Podcasting For Dummies helps you launch and promote it with info on how to:

• Downsize your audio files with MP3 compression
• Change bit rates and sample rates in Audacity and iTunes
• Create and edit your ID3 tags in Audacity or iTunes
• Post your show notes using Movable Type or Libsyn
• Simplify the RSS 2.0 feed by using blogging software or a podcast-hosting company such as Audioblog.com, Podcastamatic, and Feeder
• Ping for publicity
• Communicate with your listeners on your blog, through online discussion groups such as Yahoo! Groups or Google Groups, or on online forums

Of course, if you want to be a podcatcher (a listener) and subscribe to podcasts, this guide shows you how to do that, too! Complete with a companion podcast—a free weekly audio commentary that will keep you up to speed on the podsphere—this guide helps you get your message heard, loud and clear.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“…Evo Terra,who wrote the book on podcasting, literally; he was co-author of ‘Podcasting For Dummies’” (Observer, March 2007)

From the Back Cover

Got something to say? It's easy with a podcast!

Subscribe to podcasts, put together your own, and build a fan base

Podcasting really is twenty-first century communication, and you can be a part of it! This book gives you the scoop on listening to, producing, and distributing podcasts, points you toward the best hardware and software for creating one, and makes it easy to turn your computer into a recording suite, plus a whole lot more.

Discover how to

• Decide on a podcast focus
• Find and use the necessary hardware and software
• Record and mix a podcast
• Get your podcast online
• Use a little XML
• Promote your podcast

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 360 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 1 edition (November 21, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471748986
• ISBN-13: 978-0471748984
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #719,404 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The. Best. Book. On. Podcasting. January 29, 2006

By Sublime Dharma

Format:Paperback

I bought this book around 1 month ago because I wanted to set up a Podcast and publish it to the web but had no idea how. The moment I opened the cover this book was helpful, it walks you through everything you need to know to set up and publish your Podcast, choose equipment, do interview over the phone, in the studio, or over Skype/iChat and then recommends other For Dummies books if you want to get really into it (say, Web Design for dummies, or something). It even gives you a simple easy to understand overview of the major technologies involved with Podcasting (RRS, XML, etc.) and shows you what the best hosting options are and how to promote and advertise your show! Truly, this book had me up and running in no time, and is constantly helpful, I haven't come across anything that Podcasting For Dummies hasn't been able to help me with. A great book on Podcasting, I would recommend this to everyone.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Evo & Tee write the Podcasting Gospel November 18, 2005

By Scott C. Sigler

Format:Paperback

There is little doubt that Evo Terra and Tee Morris are experts in the podcasting field. Both of them were early pioneers in the field, and have literally taught thousands of people how to podcast before this book ever hit the shelves. If you can only buy one Podcasting book, this is the one.

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Not What I Expected March 8, 2007

By E. Mason

Format:Paperback

If you are looking for a content and organization guide to start a podcast, then this is the book for you. If you, like me need technical information on the act of podcasting then there are better choices. There is some information on recording and posting, but the book spends the vast majority of it's time on things like structuring your podcast and reaching a wide audience.