Do you have a flair for drama? Or maybe you have a message or vision that you can't wait to share with the world? Are you a frustrated musician or artist? Then let me introduce you to an amazing new tool that might be just the thing to get you noticed. I'm referring to podcasting. The term was created by combining two words, "iPod" and "broadcasting". When you join the power of broadcasting with the convenience of the iPod, you get the hottest communications medium ever created: podcasting.

While the term itself refers to the "iPod", it's not necessary to have one in order to access and listen to podcasts. Other devices like an MP3 player or a computer can also be used for playing podcasts.

Podcasting is a unique new means of spreading your audio files across the Internet. Usually these files are created in MP3 format so that they can be downloaded automatically. Once downloaded, they can be listened to practically anytime and anywhere.

The key factor behind podcasting's success and effectiveness is how it is distributed. You can access a podcast through subscriptions to feeds provided by "podcatching" software. These aggregators automate the somewhat difficult process of both downloading and storing individual podcasts.

Specific types of podcatching programs enable the movement of podcasts to a portable MP3 player. Just imagine starting the day listening to your favorite podcast as you are getting ready for work or school. Are you planning a vacation? Why not take your mp3 player along with you, so you can catch-up on listening to any podcasts you might have missed.

And be sure to bring a portable recording device with you while you're on vacation. That way you can keep a recorded account of your experiences, important events, and thoughts about where you've been and what you've seen. This could be used to start your own podcast.

Maybe you're still having flashbacks about that near death incident on the interstate you experienced as you were driving to work a couple months ago. Have you considered sharing this with the world? It might help other people who are trying to work through similar experiences.

The fact is, practically anyone can create his or her own podcast. When the medium was still brand new, several of the earlier podcasts focused on the concept of blogging. One of the alternate names for podcasting when it was in its infancy was "blogcasting". You see, instead of writing your thoughts in words, podcasting allows you to voice them.

However, thanks to the increasing variety of podcast content, you don't even have to talk. Podcasting content is becoming so inclusive that you can basically put together your own audio masterpiece and then broadcast it over the Internet.

For example, you could play your own original music; record the sound of your dog barking, or frogs croaking, your sister sneezing, the wind blowing, birds chirping. You name it!

Thanks to the marvel of podcasting, you can literally create your very own audio tableau. While this probably won't win you any votes from the millions and millions of podcast subscribers from all over the world, if you consider yourself an artist, then why worry about what anyone thinks?

The number of hits on the Internet for the term "podcasting" is estimated to be in excess of ten million. Which means that a lot of people are jumping on board and taking advantage of this new medium. It's a wave that's flooding the Internet and impacting global communication. Why wouldn't you want to be a part of it? This could be your shot at achieving much more than just "fifteen minutes of fame."

Open-ended questions are always great conversation starters. With that in mind, let's begin with one: "What's your favorite movie?" No doubt as soon as you think of the answer, scenes from it begin to play in your mind's eye.

Now, keep thinking about your favorite movie. Only instead of just picturing it, try to remember listening to it. Next, think about a very exciting or action-packed scene from it. If you're like most people, you're probably almost watching and listening to it again in the theatre as you think about it.

Next question: How do you know for sure that the scene you've picked is an exciting or action-packed one? And no, the answer I'm looking for isn't the action on the screen.

Still stumped? The answer is in the clue I gave you earlier: think about listening to the movie. If your answer is the movie's soundtrack or background music, you're absolutely right! The musical transitions let you know what's happening, or give you a clue about what's going to happen.

Well, believe it or not, you can use the same pattern for each episode of your podcast. After all, while it isn't a movie, your podcast is still a production. And, just like a movie's musical score, you can use music to transition from one segment to another.

There are a couple of reasons for doing this. The first, and most obvious one is that it will make your podcast sound much more professional. Remember, when it comes to marketing, image (even an audio one) is everything.

A second reason is that it helps with the overall flow of the program. In the same way different types of music are used with specific segments of a game show, incorporating a specific type of music bed for each main segment of your podcast will help the listener to follow along.

The third and also fairly obvious main reason for using music beds in your podcast is that it provides a background for your voice. Unless you are a great speaker and your voice is very pleasant to listen to, most people will not want to listen to a podcast that consists of only your voice. The one exception to this is if you are providing "gotta have it" specific, unique content for a "starving audience."

There's a well-known but often little-heeded saying that goes something like this: "If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail." Ever wonder what it would like to build a forty-story building without a blueprint?
It would never be completed because no one would know everything that would be necessary to get the job done.

While there is no comparison between the value of a major construction project and creating a podcast, neither project will succeed unless a plan has been created to guide the process from start to finish. So, although it won't be as elaborate as a construction blueprint, your podcast will need to follow a plan in order to be successful.

If you think about a typical broadcast, you can see that it consists of a number of "building blocks." There is the introduction, the opening comments, perhaps a guest appearance, discussion on one or more topics, maybe a special feature, then closing comments with the broadcast coming to a close. Why should your podcast be any different?

This is a process commonly referred to as "storyboarding." You simply "map out" what you want to do, and in the order that you want to do it. This in turn becomes the "frame" or format for your production. Once you've determined what your podcast will consist of and the order it will occur, you can go back and include specific details for each segment if you choose.

Now, once you've determined the elements of your show, decide on an intro and outro?and theme music for each?and then use it with each show. This will add both professionalism and familiarity to your podcast. Your favorite radio or TV program has these features; your podcast should too.

Next, you need to prepare a "clock" for your show. Each segment should be given a specific time frame that will be the same for every show. Talk shows and news programs do this all the time.

Take the time and thought necessary to assemble these building blocks for your podcast. If you do, you could be well on your way to creating a super successful podcast.

Quick! Tell me what comes to mind when you hear: "DUM Dee DUM! DUM!" Was your answer "Dragnet"? Or how about this one: "Duh Da-Da-Da DUH DUH, Duh Da-Da-Da DUH" Are you thinking graduation and "Pomp and Circumstance"? Right again! Okay, how about this one: "Doo De Doo Doo, Doo De Doo Doo" Did you say, "Twilight Zone"? Wow, you're three for three!

Hold on! What in the world does this little exercise in "Audio Trivia" have to do with Podcasting? Well, believe it or not, the answer is everything. These odd little tunes are easily recognizable by most anyone familiar with American culture. Why? It's because each tune has a specific association that is practically universal within the culture.

Now, just imagine for a moment with me if you will, what if a certain tune or musical "signature" was specifically associated with your podcast? In much the same way that "the golden arches" are associated with McDonald's® restaurants, a catchy opening or closing tune could become the means for "branding" your podcast.

Listen, everyone from Rush Limbaugh to Oprah Winfrey to national news networks uses a theme for their programs. When you hear the opening theme for these programs, there is no question as to what you're about to hear; the theme music lets you know. And that's one reason why they use theme music.
The other main reason you already know: it's another way to brand the program and the host.

So, what are you waiting for? Start finding some royalty-free music beds with a sound that musically describes the name and subject matter of your podcast. If it's electronically or digitally oriented, choose something using a synthesizer or electronic jazz. Or, if you can afford it (or have a good friend who's a musician) have original theme music created for your podcast. A "killer" music theme for your podcast is definitely a key ingredient to help make it a lasting success.

It is absolutely amazing to think that practically anyone, anywhere, using just a couple of electronic devices coupled with a microphone, can create his or her own audio content! Just take a few minutes to browse the huge array of categories on iTunes and you'll see what I mean. It seems like everyone has something to say.

There's no denying the incredible popularity and success of podcasting. Just do a simple online search for the term and you'll find hundreds of thousands of results. Podcasting is definitely a medium that's here to stay.

Of course, due to its overwhelming popularity and appeal, most people are probably thinking seriously about getting on board the podcasting wagon. While this new means of communication does offer tremendous potential, like anything else, there is no guarantee that it will work for you?especially if you don't start off on the right foot.

Wait a minute! Isn't podcasting supposed to be "fun and easy to learn"? That may be the case for most people, but unless podcasting "wannabees" include one particularly crucial step in the creation process, their efforts are doomed to fail.

Let's think for a moment. What is a podcast? It is a portable broadcast. And what is a broadcast? It is what the radio and television industry "does." In short, a broadcast is a product.

With that in mind, doesn't it make sense to create your podcast using a method similar to one for creating a product? Your podcast is literally a production. And every successful radio or TV production has a specific purpose. Unless you create your podcast to fulfill a definite purpose, it will be just another "flash in the pan."

Now we're getting somewhere. So, knowing that your production needs to have a definite purpose, how do you determine what that purpose is? That's right; you start asking questions. Here are a few to get you headed in the right direction:

–What is the end result you wish to achieve with your podcast?
–Is your goal just to entertain, or to introduce listeners to something new?
–Will you use your podcast to generate leads or sales?
–Is your podcast intended to reinforce your company's brand or image?
–Are you using your podcast to introduce yourself to your audience?

These are just a few important questions that need to be answered before you even think of recording the first line of your podcast. Figuring out your objective or purpose is the first and most important step. If you do not determine a purpose for your production, then it will likely have no noticeable focus or direction, which can severely limit its potential for success.