(Note: This is an Audio Blog. Distribution is not my specialty, but here is my 2 Cents.)
You have a podcast. Recorded, In The Can (or the mp3 if you will) and ready to go. Now what to do with it?
There are many options to distributing your PodCast… All of the different options offer different amounts of publicity, and along with that varying amounts of control over your content.
Starting, an RSS Feed
For almost all publishing options, you need to get your podcast in an RSS feed. There are a few ways to do this, but this is in my opinion the easiest.
WordPress.com
You can use wordpress.com to create an RSS feed, and it also works as your first form of distribution.
You do have to purchase a Storage Space Upgrade ($20 for 5GB), which allows you to upload mp3 and m4a files (amongst others). Then, you’ll use this blog to publish ONLY your podcast.
Blog Title= Podcast Title
Post Title= Podcast Title/Episode Title
Post Content= Audio File
Now, the rss feed for this blog will be http://yourblogname.wordpress.com/rss2 .
Now we’re ready use this RSS feed to some sites to distribute the Podcast.
This post at mvldesign.com gives some hints on optimizing your RSS feed Podcasting.
iTunes Music Store
This is by far the most popular source of podcasts. Its built into every installation of itunes, and i believe the number is 90-95% of podcasts are downloaded through iTunes.
If you open iTunes and go to their Podcasting section of the store, there is always a link either in the featured section, or on the bottom left in the “Learn More” section.
Also, just so you know, all podcasts submitted to the iTunes store is subject to review, and may not make it on.
Google
You can also distribute podcasts through google, using your rss feed. It does NOT automatically send the file, but through google’s “igoogle” home page, or google reader, will notify your listeners when there’s a new podcast available.
Example URL: http://www.google.com/ig/add?feedurl=http://yourpodcastrssurl.com
That URL (with your url plugged in) will send a listener to a page with the option to add the feed to Google Reader, or their iGoogle Home Page!
Bit Torrent
This option DOES NOT involve rss, but does involve knowing how to use Bit Torrent, and knowing how to create your own Bit Torrent File.
Basically, you publicize your podcast with your website, and offer a download link to your torrent file.
As all torrent files (legal and illegal) as more people download the torrent, the faster other’s can download the file.
There are many other options to distribute your podcast, but i would say these are three of the most popular ways to distribute the files.
Now keep in mind, iTunes is the only version of distributing your PodCast that i’ve included here, that really offers its own publicity. The Google and Bit Torrent methods all rely on you getting your podcast out there to people.
See Our Post on What You Need to Get Started Podcasting.
