Choosing a podcasting platform

[dkotschessaa]

I have volunteered to help an organization get their audio, which they already post to a website, into a podcast format. I'm a huge podcast addict (subscribe to over 100, sadly), but I don't know much about starting from the other end.

I know there is itunes, soundcloud, libsyn, podbean, and a few others. I am a least fan of itunes and soundcloud as they tend to put obstacles towards using other podcast apps.

I know some people perhaps do more than one - usually itunes + something else.

The audio already exists - I just need to get it into a feed. I imagine there is some sort of fee involved for hosting. Advice appreciated.

-Dave K

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

As a user I enjoy casts that use libsyn. How much data space do you need? I would stay away from SoundCloud because they have financial issues atm.

 

[dkotschessaa]

As a user I enjoy casts that use libsyn. How much data space do you need? I would stay away from SoundCloud because they have financial issues atm.

I'm starting to like libsyn as well. Seems the most straightforward.

As for space, well, let's see. At an initial glance - the files seem to be between 50 and 100 MB each, which seems about standard for a podcast.

The podcasts are already available on a website, so would I need to just have the rss link to the site, or is it better to have them host the files as well to avoid taxing the existing server?

If we have them host the files, then I suppose it's a matter of how many episodes to keep in the feed, correct?

-Dave K

 

[dkotschessaa]

hmm.. If the files are already posted regularly and hosted on a website, isn't it just a matter of having the rss feed posted?

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

hmm.. If the files are already posted regularly and hosted on a website, isn't it just a matter of having the rss feed posted?

In general, "podcasting" is just a means of syndication. If an RSS feed is a good enough syndication model, then simply generate a normal RSS feed and maybe use something like FeedBurner for people to subscribe easier. I guess then the question is how do people play the files? Podcast services usually have convenient plug n play scripts for the user to play the audio file in their browser.

 

[dkotschessaa]

In general, "podcasting" is just a means of syndication. If an RSS feed is a good enough syndication model, then simply generate a normal RSS feed and maybe use something like FeedBurner for people to subscribe easier. I guess then the question is how do people play the files? Podcast services usually have convenient plug n play scripts for the user to play the audio file in their browser.

Would a podcast app like Podcast Addict or Itunes not suffice? I think Itunes can play stuff outside of the apple store, if I'm not mistaken. My podcast app, if I give it an RSS feed, will download the files and play them.

Of course I also don't want it to be difficult for potential users either.

-Dave K

 

[jtbell]

I think Itunes can play stuff outside of the apple store, if I'm not mistaken.

Sure. Everything I listen to in iTunes is stuff that I've ripped from my CD collection or downloaded from non-Apple sources.

 

[onoturtle]

I figure most people will listen to podcasts using the default app they have installed on their device. That's what I do. I'm not sure what accepts RSS feeds (at least I have no idea how to add one for Google Play to use). I've listen to podcast RSS links posted on the Patreon and seems like the Patreon app itself plays the audio in Android.

If you're not in any of the below, I think it'll be difficult for people to find and listen to your podcast.

iOS: Podcast app (so post your stuff on iTunes for the search to work)
Android: Google Play
macOS: iTunes

For other OS or devices (e.g. game consoles, smart TV/sticks), I have no idea.