Having now undertaken a lot of background reading about creating podcasts (most of it online), I’ve now decided on the process that I’m going to use to produce the podcasts in an efficient manner. This will hopefully end up with the podcasts available on iTunes so that they can be easily found and listened to.

I’ll review the process at the end of production to see if I can simplify it. At this point, the process isn’t intended as a full tutorial, but instead a summary to help me through compiling the Professional Online Presence podcasts. It also isn’t the only way that they can be developed, but rather one which works within the time, equipment and budget I have available – and also my existing skill base.

Step One – Decide On The Theme And Topics For The Podcast

This is already done. Unusually, for a podcast series, this is a fixed length (eight podcasts).

Step Two – Develop The Content For Each Podcast

Again, the content has been predetermined by the existing resources. However, some review to check that the content will work in an audio form is still needed. I also intend to work with some additional notes.

Step Three – Record Each Podcast

I am using Camtasia Studio, which is the same software I use to create videos. I intend to have the PowerPoint slides open and my notes, although I will only keep the audio portion of the podcast.

Step Four – Edit The Podcasts

I intend to do minimal editing. After all, a podcast is rather like a live radio show, so there is no expectation of this being word perfect. I am not going to add music to the podcasts (which can create a “can of worms” in terms of copyright issues) or include guests. The resulting podcast will be saved as an MP3 file.

Step Five – Develop Podcast Graphics

To get the podcast listed on iTunes, a 1400 by 1400 JPEG file is needed. I will probably develop this using my limited graphics skills (although offers to do this for me are welcome). I will either use stock photography from a site such as rgbstock.com, or perhaps a backdrop of my own Professional Online Presences.

Step Six – Host The Podcasts

I will use my own server space to host the podcasts and link them within a WordPress installation using the PodPress plugin, which is recommended in a number of places. I am going to use a new WordPress installation for this, on a separate subfolder of the site. This will be solely to host the podcast feed (which I will publicise in different places). PodPress will produce what I am told is really an RSS feed, which can be submitted to iTunes.

Step Seven – Submit To iTunes

The end result, which I hope will be easily facilitated with the WordPress feed.

Step Eight – Publicise The Podcasts

These will go on the route web address on this site (http://professionalonlinepresence.com – although at the time of writing this post, there is nothing there). I’ve not decided exaclty what form that site will take yet. The main Changing The Learning Landscape project should be able to help with the publicity.

There is some overlap between the steps, as it wouldn’t make sense to submit all eight podcasts in one go. So, some of the development will happen whilst the other podcasts are being developed.

I also don’t expect that this will be as “plain sailing” as the simple process works out, but I’m used to working through technical challenges.