Create your own podcast

Technical glitches can ruin an otherwise perfect podcast, so start with a few sample recordings to test the software, adjust volume levels, and make sure everything works.

Next, set the sample rates for your recording. In Audacity, for instance, click File > Preferences, then click the Quality tab. If you're just recording voice, anything higher than 44.1KHz and 16-bit sampling is overkill for most noncommercial purposes. If music factors heavily into your podcast, however, consider higher rates, but keep in mind the resulting file will be larger.

Try to keep your show casual, conversational, and continuous. Remember, if you make mistakes, you can always edit them out later.

Some audio-recording programs, such as iPodcast Producer, let you add intro music, sound effects, and other audio in real time. That's usually easier and less time-consuming than adding it later. It goes without saying that if you include music in your podcast, you should respect copyright laws.