Podcasting, the relatively new method of downloading and listening to audio clips from the internet, is so popular that some stores can't keep up with the demand for the iPod devices that make it all happen. This explosive technology has also spawned a new cottage industry of being a "podcaster." In other words, operating a radio station of sorts on the internet. Most of the stuff that's offered so far is free but some podcasters are discovering that there's money to be made. So a new breed of entrepreneurs is about to be part of the American business scene. How about you?
iPods are everywhere these days. Just visit any college campus for example
and you’ll see an endless stream of kids with earphones stuck in their ears.
Maybe they’re listening to their lecture notes from chemistry class. Fat
chance! They are most likely tuned into their favorite songs downloaded on
their sleek iPods. Steve Jobs and Apple have certainly hit a home run with this
little goodie, each priced between $100 and $400, resulting in sales topping
20-million units. This doesn’t include a huge array of accessories also readily
available. And internet music libraries such as iTunes have earned $500-million
so far. Not bad for something that was launched barely two years ago. Speaking
of songs, the average number downloaded on an iPod is 2,000 and counting.
From Blogging to Podcasting
Besides iTunes there are many other sources for both music and talk and it’s
all on the internet in the form of podcaster websites. This is an evolvement
from “blogging” which means that virtually anyone can get on their virtual
soapbox and say what they want and post it for the world to read. Tens of
thousands of blogging websites are on the Web. If you wonder how effective they
are, consider that Dan Rather had to take early retirement from CBS after his fictional
news story about President Bush and his National Guard Service was exposed by
online bloggers. The popularity of the written word (blogs) has now evolved in
an audio form (podcasting).
How To Start
Anyone can be a podcaster. All it takes is a microphone hooked up to a
computer, with some free software to create audio content and post on a website
and you’re in business. The minimum investment is about $100. Once you’re
listed on Shoutcast or some other podcasting search engine, you’re right there
with everyone else. Those interested routinely scour the sites looking for
something they want to hear. And with their iPod software they “subscribe” to
what you offer and download it for their listening pleasure. It should be
pointed out that people don’t just listen as they walk around. With accessories
they can listen in their cars. And this doesn’t count the millions of PC users
who would rather listen on their computers.
So far so good, but we’re not talking about getting rich just yet. By the
way, earlier this year there were an estimated 4500 podcasting websites, now
that figure has mushroomed to over 8000; and next year that number is expected
to double, demonstrating that a lot of people are really getting into this new
technology.