Q and A plus how to pick a domain and webhost for podcasting – PHD-025

Followup from last weeks show.

I did have a chance to listen to more of the podcasts in the list from last week. I have to say, that one of them seem a bit pushy selly. (if that’s a correct term) What I mean is that this show seemed more like an infomercial for consulting, affiliate program links and lacked useful information. I’m not going to call out this podcaster as I may have just caught a show that was more like that than normal. I will keep listening. It was entertaining and well produced, so I’m not saying it was bad or useless, just not my style. Enough on that for now. Film at 11 :)

Val, from the comments for Episode 23 asks:
Q: This all sounds fine…but I am a bit slow.
I have a mp3 file I uploaded to my site how do I get a feed to be able to sent to Itunes? I tried wordpress free version but the powerpress plug-in is disabled. I tried feedburner but it tells me that it cannot find my audio
I missing something??

A: Well, there are a couple of things going on here. The first thing is there isn’t really a good way to to do podcasting from Wordpress.COM (notice I said wordpress DOT COM). Wordpress.com is a service of a company called automatic. They are also the people behind the open source blogging software called Wordpress.ORG (or just wordpress). They are not the same thing. Powerpress will not work with free (or paid) wordpress.com sites. It only works when you buy your own domain name, install wordpress.org on your webhosting account. There are ways to to podcast from wordpress.com, but they are not great.

One thing you could do is get hosting at Blubrry.com. With your media hosting they provide a website. (use my promo code NOBS for a free month) But, as always, I recommend your own domain with wordpress installed on it. You *can* (but not a long term thing) host your media on your webhost if you want. It will work while you are just starting out, but if your show grows quickly, you will want to get the media off your webserver. One place that will allow it is bluehost. They have some good deals on webhosting over there. Godaddy hosting is also a good place. They have tools that make it real easy to setup wordpress.

So, my advice to Val is to get your own domain, install wordpress and powerpress. See episode 1 of Podcast Tech Coach (Podcast Help Desk) for step by step instructions.

From a smart-aleck Jeffrey Powers, from Geekazine Via Facebook comment:
Q: What chair do you use?

A: I know Jeffrey was trying to be funny, and of course, I am in a squeaky chair in Northwest Lower Michigan… But that does bring up a good topic. That is Studio comfort.

If you are uncomfortable or your gear isn’t organized, your podcast won't be as enjoyable to produce. Make sure you chair, desk, table, keyboard and everything else is setup in a way that you are relaxed while podcasting.

Today, I want to start a series on going from zero to a fully ready to go podcast website complete with RSS feed and iTunes and Stitcher listings. I will also be making these into screencast videos which will be available on YouTube and on this site.

Today’s topic: Selecting the domain name and getting web hosting account.
Domain names are the heart of your branding for a podcast. Selecting one is something you should only have to do once

Heil PR40 - $327.00 - my Old standby
Use the promo code "nobs" for a free month of podcast hosting at any level at blubrry.com
The promo code also works for blubrry premium statistics 1 month free by using the promo code nobs.

Followup from last weeks show.

I did have a chance to listen to more of the podcasts in the list from last week. I have to say, that one of them seem a bit pushy selly. (if that’s a correct term) What I mean is that this show seemed more like an infomercial for consulting, affiliate program links and lacked useful information. I’m not going to call out this podcaster as I may have just caught a show that was more like that than normal. I will keep listening. It was entertaining and well produced, so I’m not saying it was bad or useless, just not my style. Enough on that for now. Film at 11 🙂

Val, from the comments for Episode 23 asks:

Q: This all sounds fine…but I am a bit slow.

I have a mp3 file I uploaded to my site how do I get a feed to be able to sent to Itunes? I tried wordpress free version but the powerpress plug-in is disabled. I tried feedburner but it tells me that it cannot find my audio

I missing something??

A: Well, there are a couple of things going on here. The first thing is there isn’t really a good way to to do podcasting from WordPress.COM (notice I said wordpress DOT COM). WordPress.com is a service of a company called automatic. They are also the people behind the open source blogging software called WordPress.ORG (or just wordpress). They are not the same thing. Powerpress will not work with free (or paid) wordpress.com sites. It only works when you buy your own domain name, install wordpress.org on your webhosting account. There are ways to to podcast from wordpress.com, but they are not great.

One thing you could do is get hosting at Blubrry.com. With your media hosting they provide a website. (use my promo code NOBS for a free month) But, as always, I recommend your own domain with wordpress installed on it. You *can* (but not a long term thing) host your media on your webhost if you want. It will work while you are just starting out, but if your show grows quickly, you will want to get the media off your webserver. One place that will allow it is bluehost. They have some good deals on webhosting over there. Godaddy hosting is also a good place. They have tools that make it real easy to setup wordpress.

So, my advice to Val is to get your own domain, install wordpress and powerpress. See episode 1 of Podcast Tech Coach (Podcast Help Desk) for step by step instructions.

From a smart-aleck Jeffrey Powers, from Geekazine Via Facebook comment:

Q: What chair do you use?

A: I know Jeffrey was trying to be funny, and of course, I am in a squeaky chair in Northwest Lower Michigan… But that does bring up a good topic. That is Studio comfort.

If you are uncomfortable or your gear isn’t organized, your podcast won’t be as enjoyable to produce. Make sure you chair, desk, table, keyboard and everything else is setup in a way that you are relaxed while podcasting.

Today, I want to start a series on going from zero to a fully ready to go podcast website complete with RSS feed and iTunes and Stitcher listings. I will also be making these into screencast videos which will be available on YouTube and on this site.

Today’s topic: Selecting the domain name and getting web hosting account.

Domain names are the heart of your branding for a podcast. Selecting one is something you should only have to do once

Heil PR40 – $327.00 – my Old standby

Use the promo code “nobs” for a free month of podcast hosting at any level at blubrry.com

The promo code also works for blubrry premium statistics 1 month free by using the promo code nobs.