Business Podcasting: MP3 Files and Hosting Audio

Podcasts seem to be taking over the world today. They cover a wide array of topics, giving audience niches everywhere fresh new content to enjoy. If you’re one of the millions of people who regularly listen to podcasts, you understand why they have become so popular. And perhaps you yourself have thought about giving the podcasting game a go. Maybe you are extremely passionate about a specific niche topic. Or perhaps you have insight and expertise you want to share with others. But what do you really need to do to start your own business podcast? What gear and software do you need? Where are you going to record? What kind of format do you want to utilize? Over the next few blogs, we’re going through the ins and outs of podcasting ranging from creating mp3s to hosting your audio.

Catch up on Part One here! And Part Two here!

How to Start a Business Podcast: MP3 Files and Hosting Audio

There are a number of things you’re going to need to consider, learn, and experiment with if you are going to start your own business podcast. Over the next few blogs, we will cover a number of these topics giving you all the information you need to begin. In today’s blog, we will review:

• Making a podcast-ready audio file, an mp3
• Hosting Audio

Step 7. Making a Podcast-Ready Audio File, an MP3

You’ve set up and recorded the audio for your first podcast. And you’ve edited that audio into a ready-to-publish episode. Before you can do that, however, there are a few things we need to do to get it technically ready to become a podcast. The elements that make your file podcast ready include:

• Size
• File type
• Metadata
• Additional tech specs

When it comes to filing size, you want to keep the file as small as possible without interfering with the audio quality. Your goal should be to find a size that is user-friendly in regards to the required bandwidth and fast download speeds. It is also during this step where you will insert metadata or information such as title, podcast name, your name, artwork, etc., into the mp3 file so that certain apps and players will display the specific information about your podcast that you want them to. Mp3 files are the most standard used for audio on the web. Make sure your final audio file to be mp3 encoded so that it’s accessible to all users!

Step 8. Hosting Audio

Where should you put your file online in order for people to get it? Once your podcast file is mp3 ready, you’ll need to make it available online. This allows people to download it, play it via an app, or even find it on your website. During this process, you’ll be able to take several steps in order to make prepping your file easier such as the technical requirements for hosting a file and creating an RSS feed. They will also ensure that your podcast is:

• Reliably available
• Up to date with podcast directory specs
• Quick to download
• Easily shareable
• Properly measured
• Well -supported
• Future-proofed

Opt for Paid Audio Hosting

If you’re someone just starting out in the world of podcasting, do yourself a favor and invest in paid hosting for your podcast. We’re sure you’ve heard of people who host their podcasts themselves or use a free service. You have enough other things on your plate getting your podcast off the ground. Why spend hours being frustrated when you could be using that time to create your podcast content?

There are two recommended options that give users a wonderful experience: Libsyn and blurry. These two platforms are the most user-friendly and seem to be the best for new podcasters. Take a look at both, ask questions, conduct your research, and chose the one that is the best for you.

Business Podcasting Bonuses

Podcasting has a number of benefits for businesses. However, we want to make sure we disclaim that it will take some time and effort. Podcasting requires you to carve out time and invest hours into building your platform and audience. And just like your business, you may find it’s often on your mind.

The good news is that podcasting also comes with its plethora of benefits. They include:

1. It’s an Alternative to Video
2. Helps in Building Better Relationships with an Audience
3. Easy to Create and Start
4. Highly Engaging
5. Great Method for Teaching
6. Creates Brand Awareness
7. Increase Traffic Generating
8. Builds Authority
9. Additional Revenue Stream
10. Vocal and Communication Skills

Strategy Before Tactics with onCOREventures

Strategy is Doing the Right Things. Tactics are Doing Things Right

At onCOREventures, we believe in the method of strategy before tactics. The first step in realigning any marketing approach and establishing a plan is by taking the time to understand your audience. Once a target audience is identified, you can begin uncovering the key issues those audience members face. If you can understand their pains, you can begin connecting with them on new levels based on the trust that you understand their specific challenges and headaches.

Strategy is about picking the right goals and objectives, while tactics are how you go about achieving those goals and objectives. Tactics are much easier to implement if you have a strategy – and that’s because an objective and direction are already defined. While tactics are wonderful and are required for your business’ growth and success, it’s the strategy that focuses on the bigger picture aimed towards results.

It can be extremely difficult to pull back and look at your marketing strategy without any bias. If you feel your marketing strategy could use some tweaking or know you can help more people but don’t know how to reach them, the team at onCOREventures is ready to brainstorm and strategize the best marketing solution for your business. For a FREE Marketing Check-Up report and consultation, click here!