Blogger now allows Private Blogs

This is not so much about podcasting, but it could be. Just let me explain.

Blogger is now allowing private blogs. The folks reading and participating need Google accounts, but they are free and no one ever need use the other aspects of the account. This is a great improvement on the service for educators, because it means classroom blogs can be set up and limited to only pre-approved users.

This can allow a similar limit for podcasts. You can create audio files, post them to a web server, and place links in your private blog. Now, unless someone is particularly tenacious, the traffic will be limited to only the folks you want to hear.

I still like Wordpress, and that is another option, but the prevalence of Google means that many of your students may already have Google accounts, eliminating some of the initial startup issues.

Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays
Originally uploaded by capn madd matt.

I'll be away from my computer for the holidays, so I wanted to take a moment to wish all of my listeners and readers the happiest of holiday seasons, no matter which holiday you celebrate.

Peace to all!

Podcasting Folks You Should Look For

While you are home celebrating whichever holiday you choose, you should take a little time to check out the 10 Podcasting Movers and Shakers listed at Podcast Free America.

If you haven't heard of all of these people (or companies, as a few are not individuals) you are not deep enough in the podosphere. Since the best way to learn about podcasting is to listen to podcasts, get to it!

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The One Thing I Wish I Had Known Early On- Imaging

When I started as a podcaster so very long ago (less than 1 year), I started with a portable voice recorder, a patch cable, and a hosting service. As Bernies World grew and changed, I went through a variety of formats and iterations before finding my 'comfort zone'. I'm still growing and changing, but the change is coming much more deliberately and slowly.

You see, I've learned that my listeners have come to expect certain aspects of the show, and I want to give them what they expect, with just a little bit of surprise at a sitting. Why? Because for me, it's not about the shock. I don't know all of my audience, but I believe it's the same for them. And if it's not, it doesn't matter. There are a lot of podcasts out there to fill that niche. I have my niche to consider.

The changes between episode 1 and episode 10 are dramatic. The length increased from less than 10 to an average of 30 minutes. The sound quality changed for the better. The format evolved into a 5 segment show interspersed around 4 songs. The content improved- greatly. The production value overall is better. It makes me look back... and wish I hadn't published some of those first shows.

If I had been smart, I would have made a few shows, shared them with friends, and asked them to be brutally honest. My wife would have been a great critic. She would never let me do something half-baked. I didn't, and now principle makes me leave them up there, for you and all to see. The newest, episode 28, is the last with my current recording setup, since I asked Santa for a new recorder. Another change for the audience, but hopefully one to enhance their experience.

All of this leads up to an important aspect of podcasting- Imaging. I'll not steal someone else's ideas, but send you to Podcasting News to hear it straight from them. They do a great job of imaging, and you should heed their advice. I didn't in the beginning, and I may have lost listeners that I'll never regain. It's like having a bad meal at a restaurant. No matter how much they tell you they've changed, you never really want to go back.

graphic courtesy of clipartheaven

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