There are three concerns, or questions, you need to consider before adding web audio to your media arsenal. The first question you need to ask is what's the purpose of my recording? Second, you need to decide the proper output format for your audio file. Properly formatting your file will allow the most users to listen. Also, whether you decide to use embedded audio or streaming audio will affect your server requirements. The last, and maybe most important, issue you will need to consider is your audience.

3 Things to Consider Before Using Web AudioBefore you create your audio recording, you will need to decide your recording's purpose. Too many recordings, or podcasts, are created without any planning or foresight. There are probably many topics that you are qualified to talk about. But that doesn't mean you should talk about all of them. Because podcasting is so widespread, your best option is to try to reach and underserved audience or introduce something new—or at least a new take on something old. Instead of trying to reach a massive audience, go for a small and focused group. Smaller audiences tend to be more loyal, especially if you're giving them something they want to hear.

Once you have your purpose, and topic, you'll need to pick an output option. Your choice of file format can greatly impact the quality of the audio. If you're speaking only, the MP3 format is the best. It's the most portable format and one most people are comfortable with. Whichever format you choose, you will need a good microphone and a decent sound editor to create your final product.

Podcasting, although not new, is the latest trend for getting audio files onto the web. It's a great option for adding quality content to your website, if you do it correctly. Of course, as with anything else, there are factors you must avoid if you want to keep people coming back to listen.

4 Mistakes to Avoid in PodcastingStay on Topic

This should go without saying. Don't wander too far from your podcast's title and topic. Amazingly, many podcasters don't use a script. Even for shorter messages, a script can provide a well lit path down your intended message. Short anecdotes related to the content are fine but long stories unrelated will turn people off.

Wings are for Birds

Don't try to wing your podcast, especially for anything longer than 5 minutes. Only excellent public speakers and comedians can make improvisation work. Many people fail to consider the content required to record a decent podcast. While you might be able to sound coherent for five minutes, try it for ten minutes. Putting together a logical and articulate episode is nearly impossible without a plan. Yes, you can delete much of the "junk" later but you'll add considerable amounts of time to your workload.

When you create a web audio file, the microphone you use is critical to getting a professional quality recording. Using the right microphone can mean the difference between sounding like you're sitting next to the listener and sounding like you're sitting across a crowded room.

Before you Record -- Getting the Right Web Audio MicrophoneBuying the right microphone can seem like a mysterious process. There are thousands of options with varying prices, some well over the $1,000 mark. But, there's no need to get wrapped up in the brand names and brand name price tags. Getting the right microphone is more a function of you. Ask yourself, what you are trying to accomplish with your recordings?

The following tips will help you sift through and select the right microphone for you.

A good web audio recording will give the listener the impression that you are in the same room. The most popular microphone, the headset style, keeps the microphone close to your mouth like a telephone and will produce much more even voice tones. Headset type microphones also do an excellent job reproducing your voice in high fidelity.

If you're looking to expand your web presence using audio, you need to select the right audio format for your needs. There's no shortage of formats which is why you need to take the time to choose wisely.

Choosing the Right Web Audio FormatYou may already be familiar with several of the formats listed, but others you may not. Read on to find out more.

RealAudio

This is by far the most common audio streaming format. It was the first streaming technology on the web and its popularity has grown due to its highly accessible features. This server side streaming technology is ideal for showing audio streams to large audiences. The technology allows the stream to match the listener's bandwidth, thus reducing compression while still offering a satisfactory viewing experience for the user. The one disadvantage to this server side technology is the delay between the user's request and the audio's arrival. Because of this, it's more suitable for longer streams.

Windows Media

As you would imagine, Microsoft's streaming solutions are also very popular and are not only limited to audio. They also allow video, animation, and other multimedia to be played back using Windows Media Player. This technology supports most media file types, works very well on Windows, and is easily playable on any machine using the Windows operating system.

Most people think of podcasting as the various independent audio shows that can be downloaded from websites. Podcast topics cover every subject you can think of — from marketing to gardening.

Musings on the Podcasting PhenomenonListening to podcasts is often referred to as radio on demand, similar to on demand television. There are endless options of content and programming. Listeners can decide when to listen, and where to listen, by downloading podcasts to a portable player such as an iPod.

Podcasting is having far-reaching effects on how we get our web content and is being used in new, creative ways. Web audio no longer represents downloading and sharing music files with your friends — as made popular earlier this century. Everyone from politicians to web marketers are now using podcasts to reach their target audience. Families are using podcasts to stay connected with each other while traveling for business or vacation.

Amateurs create podcasts on the fly as local, national, and global events unfold. Listeners are getting first-hand information from people who are in the midst of major events — often before the information hits the traditional media.

f you want to add web audio to your WordPress blog, you have several options. WordPress has many plug-ins and widgets available to add audio functionality. Below is a brief description of several of the most popular WordPress web audio add-ons:

Web Audio for Your WordPress Blog -- the Easy WayAngsuman's Del.icio.us mp3 Player is a plugin that makes any MP3 links playable directly on the page (in a post or any other place on your blog). It also allows listeners to easily tag the link on del.icio.us for sharing.

Audio Player is a perfect plug-in for podcasters or others who want to add playable MP3 to their posts. This single-track MP3 player is highly configurable making it easy to customize for your blog.

Automatic WP Player 3.0 is a general music player for your blog. You can use MP3 or WAV file formats. Your listeners will be able to access podcasts from any post or page. Like most plugins, this requires the latest WordPress version to function properly.

DG PlayingNow Updater isn't an audio player. It's a neat little widget that puts a description directly into your blog of what you are playing in your media player at that time.

There's no doubt, web users are expecting more from websites. You must stand out. If you want to stand out, you need to start thinking beyond the norm. If everyone's doing it, everyone's the same. With the development of Web 2.0 technology and cheaper audio and video software, it's now cheap and easy to add sound and video to your site.

In this article I focus on audio only. You have a number of choices when adding website audio. You could find an affiliate radio station and stream it to your website; or you could add a playlist of music you think visitors to your website will like; or you can create your own content.

The best, and most unique, way to catch visitors' attention is to create your own content. Start by exploring your competition. Are they adding interactive content? If so, how often do they update? Is the content informative or is it content disguised as a pitch?

If you want to get famous, or at least viral, focus on content for content's sake. Resist the tempation to sell. You need to establish credibility before you try to lead visitors into your sales cycle. Who wants to listen to commercials? Nobody. Don't make your content into a commercial. In general, the most popular audio content is humorous, informative, or contrarian.

The continued development of Web 2.0 technology has produced new and exciting ways to market your products and services. The ability to broadcast audio and video online has emerged as a beneficial means to get the word out about your business. In particular, I address how podcasting can help you sell more products while helping you connect with your customers.

Essentially, podcast marketing is the art of publishing audio programs on the internet with the intention of raising product awareness, establishing a brand, and, of course, increasing sales.

There are many advantages to podcasts. Namely, most people have a computer or other MP3 compatible device. Since people are spending more time at the computer, rather that in front of the TV, it's easy to hit them right where they sit.

Thanks to cheap digital recording equipment and software, you can record, distribute, and test your podcasting activities that were too expensive and cumbersome only a few years ago.

If you really want to add life to your website, you should consider including audio content. Audio content can range from simple background music to your own seminars or tutorials. You're only limited by time and creativity.

Adding quality web audio to a website, especially streaming audio, used to be a complex process. But now there is excellent software available to lift the audio publishing burden. There are also many services that will host your podcasts and allow them to be streamed or downloaded directly from your website.

When you are choosing audio publishing software, be sure to look for the following features:

You should have several editing options. Options that allow you to add background music, lead-ins, fade outs and full voice recording options.

It should allow you to stream content directly from your website. This can be an automatic start when the page loads or the user may opt to press a play button.

It should also help you find the best balance between sound quality and file size so visitors to your site can listen without interruption. You should also be able to export files to suit various media players.

Today's internet has ushered in an era in which producing and publishing your audio, in the form of a podcast, has never been easier. Only a few years ago, reaching a target audience with audio would have been expensive and time consuming.

What is a Podcast

A podcast is simply an audio file, usually in MP3 format, that users can listen to on their computer or with any MP3 player, not just and iPod. The word podcast was originally associated with Apple's iPod but is no longer specifically associated with the iPod player.

Now, thanks to cheap digital recording equipment and software, you can produce audio from your home at very little cost. And while anyone can publish audio files, a business can use audio to open up communication channels, provide customer support, and establish a niche expertise within an industry. Of course, it takes a certain amount of practice and skill to produce captivating podcasts. But, if you're willing to put in the effort, you'll find that producing videos is exciting and fun. If you have a computer with a microphone, built in counts, and basic audio editing software, you can make your first podcast.