(Click Here) to listen to the podcast of this article
Well . . . it’s that time again. I can’t believe the last month went so fast and I can’t believe this one is already in its second day. This month’s book recommendation is a great one for beginners once again. (I know, I know; but you advanced podcasters remember what it was like when you got started, don’t you? My intention is not to ignore you advanced people, I just want to focus for a while on the beginner. You don’t really mind that much, do you?)
It doesn’t take much searching to find there are many books on the market today that are a wealth of information for the beginner podcaster. This one, “Secrets of Podcasting – Second Edition” by Bart G Farkas, is no different. He is the author of more than 90 technology books and strategy guides and has an avid interest in Podcasting. While he goes into specifics about getting started finding and listening to podcasts, he doesn’t bog you down with a lot of unnecessary information and offers many options for you to try.
If you are interested in making a podcast of your own, he gives you a lot of helpful input as far as type of software and hardware to use. (I like the fact that he thinks quite a bit like me. You don’t have to start out with all ‘top-of-the-line’ stuff.) As he makes exceedingly plain, there is enough good stuff out there that functions well and doesn’t cost an ‘arm-and-a-leg’. Now, as I have said myself before, not everything is free, but many things are available and affordable. You can choose your own level of entry; expensive or ‘cheap’.
This book is not limited only to audio podcasting, but also, delves into the world of ‘VODcasting’. (That’s video podcasting for you newbies out there). Although it is the newer part of the podcasting world, vodcasting will ultimately touch all of us in some way, too.
There are interesting tutorials on both audio podcasting and video podcasting. Nothing fancy here, but, interesting and informative, (and they can help you get started and that’s what is most important.)
If you are looking to get started in podcasting, whether listening or producing your own, this book can be a great help to you.
Several people have some sort of criticism about the title choice. They complain that the title, “Secrets of Podcasting” is a misnomer. I believe they miss the point in their criticism. The only ‘deep, dark secrets’ I know of in podcasting is that there are no ‘deep, dark secrets’ to podcasting. It is available to everyone. I believe that was one point, Bart, was trying to get across with the title. With all of the available software and hardware out there, podcasting has never been more simple to enjoy or produce.
The problem will always be whether or not your idea is interesting, educational or entertaining enough to draw people in and keep them coming back for more. In the end, isn’t that what it’s all about anyway. I definitely recommend this book and give it a “five star” rating. Try it and judge for yourself.
See ya next time . . .
