Anyone run a podcast with Hostmonster?

[Old-Wizard.com]

Hi, everyone. I'm new here, and in general new to podcasting. I've been running a website (mainly a blog with some forums) for about 5 months now, but we want to add a podcast. We use hostmonster, and I was wondering if anyone else runs a podcast off that hosting service and could offer me some suggestions as to the best way to do it. We've recorded our first episode and saved it as an MP3, but are unsure how best to proceed next.

Keep in mind, we are both complete n00bs when it comes to podcasting. What's the best way to start?

Here's as far as we have gotten: We created a folder in our public html called "Podcast" and uploaded our MP3 files there. We have a page set up for podcasts (which is currently blank, containing only our page template) and that's as far as we've gone.

There has been surprisingly little literature online (either that, or we just can't find it) about how best to actually post the MP3 file online once you've gotten this far.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

-The OW crew

[WyethDigital]

Posting your mp3 file to a public directory, like anything else you wan the user to find, is all you have to do. The trick is linking a valid RSS feed to your files. You've already got a blog, which is the easiest way to attach a link to your files and create a podcast. In theory, they all work under the same concept, in that they use RSS to allow subscriptions, but each one has it's own internal set up to handle the allowance of media enclosure tags (which is what separates a podcast feed from a blog feed). Since you don't say what blogging platform you use, it will be harder for people to explain the process to you.

As for your hosting company, I have no clue about whether it's any good. It's probably as good as any other. What you should look for in any podcasting account is the bandwidth and the disk space. High numbers are best in both instances.

For bandwidth, you want a service that at least offers 500 GB of file transfer per month. We use one that offers 5 TB, and we sometimes feel the headroom on that, just to give you an idea. You'll also want to be sure you have at least 5 GB of storage space on your host's servers. All those MP3 files add up quickly.

Eric

[EndGamePR]

Before I try to answer your question, I really urge you to do some research. It sounds like you are starting at ground zero with podcasting, and we're not going to be able to answer EVERY question here. We all did our research, and the information is out there if you look. One place to look is PodcastFAQ (http://www.podcastfaq.com).

Now, regarding your question...

Hostmonster looks like most web hosts -- they give you space and what you do with it is your business. You need to have a way to build an RSS feed, which is how podcasts are distributed. Without it, you can't submit your show to sites like Podcast Alley or to iTunes. Without it, you really don't have a podcast at all ... you just have an online audio file. The most common way to create the feed is to post your file on a blog, which I think you already have.

If you don't feel like bothering with a blog, there ARE other ways to build an RSS feed. There's software out there you can buy. Or, you can use an online solution like Rapidfeeds (http://www.rapidfeeds.com).

[Old-Wizard.com]

Thanks for the replies. We've actually looked into RSS feeds but still have a few questions. These might seem pretty stupid to you guys, but we're a little slow.

1) Do you NEED an RSS feed to listen to your show on your own website? Or do you just need one if you want to submit your show to itunes, or some other such site?

[WyethDigital]

Are you actually being serious here, or are you playing some kind of game? You have a website, surely you must know how to create links, right? Have you never even tried to subscribe to a podcast?

Okay, I'll take you at your word and assume you're starting at ground zero. You don't need to have an RSS feed for people to listen to shows on your site. All you need to do is link to the file, or to embed it into your page.

As for RSS, let's start with the basics: RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication, with "Syndication" being the operative word, here. You only use an RSS feed if you're interested in letting people subscribe via an aggregator -- aka a newsreader or podcatcher (that's the syndication part) -- so they can receive your files automatically; or for letting people know when you have new ones available. And of course, with a valid RSS feed you can increase your show's visibility by submitting it to iTunes, or other podcast directories.

Thanks for the replies. We've actually looked into RSS feeds but still have a few questions. These might seem pretty stupid to you guys, but we're a little slow.

1) Do you NEED an RSS feed to listen to your show on your own website? Or do you just need one if you want to submit your show to itunes, or some other such site?

[Rasheed]

I think before getting into the technical details, the most important thing is that you 1) learn how to subscribe to podcasts 2) learn what podcasting is by listening to a lot of different podcasts. In other words, if you're not a podcast listener already, you should first become one, so you know the culture.

Perhaps, after a while you come to the conclusion that listening to podcasts is not your thing, and you'd rather stick to blogging instead. Blogging is something completely different from podcasting.

My 2 cents.

[WyethDigital]

ha. Saw this article is really good, you write make sense very much. 北京快递公司 北京国际快递

You'd think the Chinese have a little bit more to worry about (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/may/22/chinaearthquake.china1?gusrc=rss&feed=networkfront) than spamming a forum...

[awaisuk]

Hi, everyone. I'm new here, and in general new to podcasting. I've been running a website (mainly a blog with some forums) for about 5 months now, but we want to add a podcast. We use hostmonster, and I was wondering if anyone else runs a podcast off that hosting service and could offer me some suggestions as to the best way to do it. We've recorded our first episode and saved it as an MP3, but are unsure how best to proceed next.
http://l1p.info/img2.jpg
Keep in mind, we are both complete n00bs when it comes to podcasting. What's the best way to start?

Here's as far as we have gotten: We created a folder in our public html called "Podcast" and uploaded our MP3 files there. We have a page set up for podcasts (which is currently blank, containing only our page template) and that's as far as we've gone.

There has been surprisingly little literature online (either that, or we just can't find it) about how best to actually post the MP3 file online once you've gotten this far.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

-The OW crew

I know someone who tried and said that it was working very good.. i suggest you give them a try as they are very good company

[webmast3r]

I would highly suggest going with hostmonster. I've been with them for 2 years and am extremely happy.

http://hostmonster-reviewz.com/signature.jpg

[akash011]

I was wondering if anyone else runs a podcast off that hosting service and could offer me some suggestions as to the best way to do it. We've recorded our first episode and saved it as an MP3,