What is a PodCast?

I like to think of PodCasts as a Internet Radio Show, that anyone, all over the world, can listen to. To first understand what a PodCast is and start creating your own, you have to listen to a few. I would recommend familiarizing yourself with Apple iTunes. Click the title above download iTunes to your computer. It's free, and easy to do. (If you have any problems doing this, just call me at 949.249.4958 and I'll walk you through it).

Once you've downloaded iTunes, and it's installed, open it up and click on "Podcast" on the left-hand side. Then start browsing the different PodCasts you see on the center of the page. If you want to search for a particular kind of show, then go up to the "Search" button at the top-right-hand side of Apple iTunes. Type in what your looking for, such as women business, business coaching, motivation, funny...whatever you wish..and click "Search". A list of Podcasts will show-up below. Click on one that looks interesting and listen to an episode. When you listen to one you like, click the "Subscribe" button, and Apple iTunes will download the RSS feed* to your Apple iTunes, which will be updated every time theres a new "episode" of that particular PodCast. So, instead of going through the Apple iTunes Store, you will click the "Podcasts" button on left-hand side when you want to listen to a new episode. Subscribe to as many Podcasts as you would like, and listen to them for some ideas on how you would like your OWN PodCast to sound.

Tomorrow, we'll discuss how to start thinking of creating your own PodCast.

*think of an RSS feed as you would your email: you have an email account, and when someone wants to write to you they use your email address. When you subscribe to an RSS feed, your saying that every time that person updates their Podcast or Blog, you want it to go directly to you, just like an email. To "Read" other RSS feeds, you need an RSS reader, such as Google Reader. To try-out a RSS feed from somewhere other than iTunes, check-out Podcast.net and follow their directions on how to add an RSS feed to your Reader, IndrasVoice.com or even CNN.com. Soon, you'll be a RSS pro!