Get Your Podcast Listed


Remember back in Chapter 1: We were talking about finding interesting podcasts to subscribe to and we mentioned that the place to start was with the directory maintained by iPodder.org. Just as you began your quest for interesting podcasts with the iPodder directory, so will many of your potential listeners start there, also. As a result, the first and most basic step to promote your podcast is to make sure it's there when potential listeners are browsing through iPodder. Keep in mind, though, that while iPodder may be the most authoritative podcast directory out there, it's certainly not the only one. You'll want to be listed in as many as possible.

Podcast directories differ considerably when it comes to how listings are accepted. For some directories, once you've filled out their online form, you're in. For others, there is some degree of human interaction. iPodder, for example, has volunteer editors who are responsible for the listings in each category.

Getting Listed in iPodder

Let's begin your promotional efforts right now by getting your podcast listed in the iPodder directory. Begin by going to the home page at ipodder.org. As you scroll down, on the right side of the page you'll notice a column that contains the various major categories into which podcasts are assigned, as illustrated in Figure 11.1.

Figure 11.1. iPodder categories are listed in a column on the home page alongside corresponding file folder icons.


Look through the column and find the category into which your podcast will most closely fit. You shouldn't have too much trouble finding an appropriate category. As of this writing, there are 69 major podcast categories and more are being added all the time. When you find the right category, click on the file folder icon next to it.

At this point, you might possibly see another column of category names and file folder icons. That means that the category you selected is further divided into subcategories. If that's the case, once again select the one that fits best and click on the file folder next to it.

You will arrive, finally, at a current list of podcasts in the category (or subcategory) in which you want to be listed. Each podcast will have a small icon of a globe accompanying it. At the bottom of the list, you'll find the name of the category editor, some statistical information about the category, and a link that says, "Suggest a link." Click on this link and you'll come to a form like the one in Figure 11.2. Filling out this form is all you have to do to get your podcast listed.

Figure 11.2. This short form is your ticket to a listing on iPodder, the most used directory of podcasts on the Internet.


The folks at iPodder point out that there's no guarantee your listing in the directory will be accepted, but they have no interest in arbitrarily curtailing listings. They're primarily interested in making sure that the information in the directory is credible and useful for users.

Once you've filled out the form, click the Submit button. That's it; you're done! Your listing in the iPodder directory will be posted as soon as it's cleared by the category editor.

Podcast Alley

The next significant directory listing you'll want is in Podcast Alley. Let's get started with your listing there by pointing your browser to podcastalley.com.

At the top of the home page, you'll notice a link that says "Add a Podcast." Click on that link and, once again, you'll be taken to a form. This time, it will look like the one in Figure 11.3.

Figure 11.3. Podcast Alley will add your podcast to its directory when you provide the basic information for your listing.


More than any other podcasting site on the Internet, Podcast Alley has evolved into the meeting and greeting place for the podcast community. Your inclusion in this directory will get your podcast exposure among the podcast community's movers and shakers (not to mention many media outlets doing research on podcasting).

iPodderX.org

iPodder X is the last of the independent first-tier directories in which you'll want to be included. Currently, iPodder X is targeted primarily at the Macintosh community, although it has announced plans to broaden its reach into the world of Windows users. Even so, Macintosh users are a disproportionately large segment of the podcast-listening population, so taking the time to make sure you're listed in this directory is well worth your time.

Beyond the First-tier Directories

The iPodder and Podcast Alley directories are two of the most visible listings you can secure for your podcast but there are several others, as well. Since registering your podcast is free, there's no reason not to register in as many directories as you can find. Beyond the two top-tier directories, here are several others you should visit:

  • http://www.podcastdirectory.com

  • http://www.penguinradio.com/podcasting/

  • http://www.podcast.net

  • http://www.podcastingnews.com

  • http://www.castregister.com

  • http://www.digitalpodcast.com

  • http://www.podcastpickle.com

One final directory-type site that deserves your attention is Podshow.com. Although the details of this offering from Adam Curry are not public at the time of this writing, the general direction of Podshow has been discussed by Adam and his partner, Ron Bloom (most notably in a legendary two-hour podcast that roiled the podcasting community in May of 2005).

The general design of Podshow includes an entry-level tier with a bundled set of free services for neophyte podcasters. Podshow will integrate with CastBlaster to make the podcast creation process as seamless as possible. (CastBlaster is a software package for creating podcasts, published by the same people who run PodShow.) PodShow also promises to open up its design to other applications, allowing for similar integration. The overall concept is end-to-end integration for the beginning podcaster.

For the more serious podcaster, Podshow has promised a more robust set of offerings designed to support podcasts that have progressed past the point of "casual" podcasting. For many brand-new podcasters, Podshow.com (shown in Figure 11.4) will likely be an appealing, "one-stop-shopping environment" solution that facilitates the entire podcasting process end-to-end.

Figure 11.4. PodShow.com is positioned as a nexus for podcasters, listeners, and advertisers.




Absolute Beginner's Guide to Podcasting
Absolute Beginners Guide to Podcasting.
ISBN: B001U8C03Q
EAN: N/A
Year: 2004
Pages: 167

flylib.com © 2008-2017.
If you may any questions please contact us: flylib@qtcs.net