Podcasting: Audio/Video Distribution

Podcasting is the process of recording audio or video files and distributing them online via Really Simple Syndication (RSS) subscriptions, in the same way that blog posts are automatically fed to subscribers. RSS is a popular technology employed by websites and weblogs to push headlines and su...

Podcasting is the process of recording audio or video files and distributing them online via Really Simple Syndication (RSS) subscriptions, in the same way that blog posts are automatically fed to subscribers. RSS is a popular technology employed by websites and weblogs to push headlines and summaries of content directly to users via dedicated RSS readers or web-based services like Google Reader. Also known as web feeds, it saves the user from having to make daily trips to numerous websites for fresh content that is of interest to a person. Audiences can listen to or watch podcasts on a blog or website, or they can download them to phones or portable music players and listen to them later. One of the attractions of podcasting is the conversational, person-to-person feel of the recordings, speaking from an outline and notes rather than a prepared script. Effective podcasts have a clear beginning, middle and end. Podcasting is a good choice to replace existing audio and video messages, such as one-way teleconferences in which a speaker provides information without expecting to engage in conversation with the listeners. For example, Marketing departments can replace expensive printed brochures with video podcasts that demonstrate new products in action. Sales representatives who travel to meet potential customers can listen to audio podcasts or view video podcasts to get the latest information on their companies' products. Podcasts can be distributed in several ways, including through media stores such as iTunes, by dedicated podcast hosting services, or on a blog with content that supports the podcast channel. One example of podcasting on language is "Grammar Girl". If you distribute your podcast on a 148 PWC1010 -- WORKPLACE COMMUNICATION blog, you can provide additional information and use the commenting feature of the blog to encourage feedback from your audience