There are multiple ways to publish a podcast to the Web. A podcast has three online components: the sound or video file, a web page, and an RSS feed.
| If you do not have access to a Web server, Our Media provides free Web storage for podcasters. |
Sound or Video File
At this point, we'll assume you have already exported the audio as MP3 or AAC or the video as MPEG-4. Next, it's time to upload that file to the web. Most schools have their own web server, but many servers don't generate a podcast RSS feed. For the Blogger & Feedburner method of publishing, we'll assume you can post the sound or video file on a server (and that server does not generate the feed for you). You may need to consult with your school’s technology facilitator or Internet provider for specific instructions. After uploading, note the path on the server so you can know the specific URL of the file. For example, it might be http://www.youschooldistrict.org/teachername/podcast1.mp3. Uploading and knowing the URL takes care for the first component, the sound or video file.
Web Page
The second component is a web page. We'll use Blogger to set up a free blog, which will give you an easy-to-update website. You'll need a Google Account to use Blogger, but that's free as well.
- Go to www.blogger.com to create an account and name your blog. Fill in all of the required fields with information about your blog. You’ll even get to select a colorful template.
- Once your blog has been created, add a new entry. Title the post the name of your podcast episode. In the body of the post, describe the contents of the episode you recorded. You must include a hyperlink to the URL of the sound file you uploaded the the web server.
- Click Publish and view the blog.
- Note the URL of your blog. The URL is like this one: http://thename.blogspot.com.
RSS Feed
Now you have a web page for your podcast. The final component is the RSS feed. Your site at Blogger.com will have an RSS feed, but it won't work well with iTunes. We'll use the free FeedBurner service to redirect and reformat the feed for podcasting. You'll have the added benefit of knowing how many subscribe to your podcast.
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Go to FeedBurner at www.feedburner.com. Enter the URL of your blog in the field. Be sure to check the box next to I am a podcaster! Click Next. 
- FeedBurner will ask you questions about your podcast. Be sure to select the SmartCast option.
- Also make sure you indicate that your podcast is iTunes-ready. You will get to choose part of the URL for your podcast’s RSS feed. The final URL may look like this: http://feeds.feedburner.com/yourpodcastname.
- Test out your podcast by subscribing with iTunes. Copy the new FeedBurner URL. Launch iTunes and select Subscribe to Podcast from the Advanced menu. Paste the URL and click OK. Your podcast should begin downloading and appear in the Podcasts section of your iTunes library.
When it's time for your next episode, upload it and then simply add a new post to your blog where you link to the uploaded file. That's it. You only follow the other steps the first time you set up the podcast.
| You only have to submit your podcast once to iTunes and other podcast directories. After your initial submission, the directory will periodically check your podcast’s RSS feed to see if it has been updated. |
Publicize
Now that your podcast is online and has an RSS feed, it’s time to tell the world about it! You can submit your podcast to the iTunes Podcast Directory.
- Launch iTunes. Click Podcasts from the iTunes Store panel.
- Locate the Submit a Podcast button and click it.
- Enter the URL of your podcast’s RSS feed in the box and click Continue.
- Complete any other questions to submit your podcast. It will take several days for your podcast to show up in the iTunes Podcast Directory.
- You can also submit it to other directories like Yahoo! Podcasts and Educational Podcasting.
- Place a link to the Feedburner RSS feed on your class site and on the Blogger blog.
- Place a link to iTunes on your class site and on the Blogger blog. Here's how.
Now the world can find, subscribe, and listen to your podcast! Because you used free services, it didn't cost a dime.
 Making a Podcast with Blogger and Feedburner is a detailed how-to from Podcasting News.
Mr. Coley has some great instructions for how he uses Blogger and Feedburner to publish his podcast.
Back to Create Podcasts |
