Forget about the hassle of logging in to Facebook just to post updates on your latest podcast episode. Simply install the RSS Graffiti app on your Facebook page (NOT profile) and it will automatically retrieve any recent post from your podcasting site.

The setup is quick and easy and will only take less than 5 minutes. Also, you only need to provide your URL feed to get it to start working.

So you have created your podcast and have it listed in iTunes. Now gett your podcast out there with these helpful tips:

1.       Promo Spots
You should have a 15 to 20-second promo spot so listeners and viewers will hear more about your work. Do target podcasts that could provide overlap with your audience and contact the other podcasters if they want to swap promo spots with you.

2.       Blog Buttons
Install blog badges or buttons and provide free downloads from your website. You can also hold contests or any other promotional activity to engage your audience.

3.       Signature lines
Get a simple tag line or signature line and provide a link for downloading your podcast.

4.       Podcast directories
Submit your podcast to as many directories as possible aside from iTunes to expose your work to a greater audience.

5.       Forum
Sign up in podcasting-related forums where you can engage in discussions with other posters who are likely to be interested in listening to your work.

6.       Ratings on directories like iTunes
If you have your podcast in iTunes and other directories, encourage your audience to rate your work because top-rated podcasts shows up on top of searches. Also, take time to reply courteously to your audience when you receive any direct feedback from them.

7.       Image on directories
Make a small avatar for your podcast and submit it with your podcast listing. Great visual graphics attract attention.

8.       Business card
Aside from promoting online, you should be promoting your podcast offline as well. Place links to your podcast in your business cards so you can maximize the opportunity to get more followers anywhere you go.

9.       Signs
Create a sign or symbol to represent your podcast and strategically post it in places similar to your niche. If you have a podcast about music, then promote it at a music store, or if it’s about fitness, post signs on gyms and fitness centers.

10.   Ads
You can put up an ad on local newspaper which is an inexpensive way to spread the [printed] word about your podcast.

11.   Press release
You could have a press release written about your podcast for newspapers, magazines or local radio/TV stations. You could also hold live interviews for more audience exposure.

12.   Demo CD or DVD
Make demo CD’s or DVD’s of some of your podcast episodes or their excerpts and give them away as limited releases for free.

Franklin McMahon of Creative Cow Podcast and Media Artist gives us a very helpful tutorial on how to write an RSS feed starting from scratch, with the programs you need, the correct iTunes tags, and how you can confirm your feeds.

To launch the video tutorial, please click on the image.

The most common question among first-time podcasters is how to process the record for better and professional-sounding voiceover. As long as you have a mic and clear voice delivery, you can use any DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) to meet your standards since they all basically have the same functions for editing.

Consider also the following:

1. You should identify which audio part you would like to edit.
2. Select that part.
3. Edit the specific region of audio.
4. Listen to the playback and choose the best takes and compile it into one.

 Finding the Room Tone

The location plays a vital role in recording a podcast. Find a room that has natural sound temperature so there would be good acoustics once you begin recording. You may require some editing and splicing works if sounds overlap.

Automatic Dialog Replacement (ADR)

ADR is re-recording specific lines that can’t be done in editing. To get the way you want it, retake the lines with the same tone and approach you did in the previous take, using the same mic setup so it will match the original.

 Editing Tools

There are many DAW’s on the market today and they all have same basic functions and tools so you can use any of these for editing. Just select the one that you’re comfortable working with.

 Selector

By clicking or dragging the cursor to the audio track waveform, it will select the range you want to edit.

 Grabber

It lets you move the audio region you want to edit into a new location by simple click-and-drag technique.

 Trimmer

It allows you to easily cut or expand the audio region. To shorten, click the cursor at the right or left of the region you wish to cut then drag it to the center – this will trim off the region until you release the mouse button. If you want to lengthen it, click the cursor on the edge of the region then drag it outwards. The more you drag it the more it expands until the region is restored to its original size.

 Zoomer

If you click on this tool, the cursor turns like a mini magnifying glass. It gives a greater detail of the track as you click and drag.

For a clearer voice quality output, you may also do these tips:

1. Add a Noise Gate to remove unwanted noise while you record.
2. Cut the lows and boost the highs in your EQ.
3. Employ a light compression. A small amount can bring great output but don’t apply compression you don’t need it.
4. To make sure that there’s no clipping, add a little limiting in the limiter, tweak the EQ and fine tune gate controls. They add extra volume that will definitely get the listeners’ attention.

You’ve got your own podcasting platform, your listeners, and your topics. You may have been podcasting regularly, but with a few tweaks like those mentioned below, you can still upgrade your podcast quality – and perhaps increase your audience. At the very least, you can increase your existing audience’s interest in your material. Good luck!

1.       Microphone

Invest in a professional mic for better sound quality. There are a number of entry-level professional mics that provide smooth sound output yet won’t strain your budget. Besides, most of these models come from the same companies that produce pricier and high-end recording gear as alternatives to suit everyone’s needs and budget constraints.

2.       Music

Music adds more color and depth to your work. An intro and outro may sound professional but before you take on clips of your favorite song, be wary of copyright laws that cover it. You don’t want to get sued for copyright infringement right?

Instead of using label-owned music, you can use available soundtrack samples from recording software. You may want to check out Royalty Free Music, Freeplay Music , Music Bakery, and Shockwave for podcast-friendly music.

3.       Sound Adjustments

You should learn how to work with editing software. Invest time in it so you can have total control over factors like sound levels, dead air, speaker volume – left and right channel, sound output balance, fading in and out into your intro and outro soundtrack, etc. Good editing can greatly improve your work’s final output and make it sound professional. The same applies to creating videos for your podcast.

4.       Filtering

A microphone screen – or even a piece of nylon stocking stretched over a loop of wire – can help reduce and filter out unnecessary and annoying sounds like popping (loud P’s and B’s) and breathiness in your recordings. You may not notice your little exhalations when you speak, but your listeners can.

5.       A Dedicated Website

Move your podcast from a free service platform to your own blog site. Using a more dedicated website leaves a more professional and authentic impression on your listeners and visitors. Also, this gives you more freedom to include upcoming shows, iTunes subscription links, contact information, events, promos, free downloads, show notes and RSS, all of which can be very attractive to your existing and potential audience.