Are you trying to get your church podcast online but don't know where to start? Have you been reading how-to sites and now you're more confused than when you started? Well, not to worry there is an easy way to get your podcast up and running. It's called podcast hosting.

There are several companies who have taken the technical challenges out of creating a podcast. In most cases, all you have to do is record the audio of your podcast.

For most churches this is the easy part since sound systems and audio recording have been around for a while. However, the audio recordings have to be in a digital format in order to work with your podcast.

Audio Recording Options

This simply means that your recording is in file format on your computer. Recording to cassette tapes alone will not work for podcasting.

One of the easiest ways to get your recordings into digital format is to purchase a digital pocket audio recorder. This is a small device that will fit into your pocket and records audio through a built in microphone. Some models even have a line in jack which allows you to connect it to your sound system.

These devices do not use tapes because they have built in memory much like a computer. Your recording is stored in the devices memory, and can be copied onto your computer.

Another recording option is to have a computer running sound recording software. The computer would be connected to your church sound system and would store the audio on the hard drive.

How Your Podcast Host Works

Once you have the audio recorded in digital format you simply go to your podcast hosting website and upload the file. You will be required to fill out some basic information about your podcast first. Then, once your information is saved the podcast is online and ready to go.

Most podcast hosting services will provide html code that allows you to place an audio player directly on your church website. If you do not maintain your website then provide this information to your website administrator and they can place the code online for you.

Your podcast host will also provide you with a podcast feed url. This url will be used by people who subscribe to your podcast. There are several programs that people use to subscribe to podcasts. All you have to do is make this podcast feed url available to them on your website and they will know what to do with it.

Many people are using Apple's iTunes to subscribe and play podcasts. You may want to submit your podcast feed url to iTunes. This will list your podcast in the iTunes directory where people can subscribe directly using iTunes.

Church Podcast Hosting Providers

www.altarcast.com
www.podpoint.net
www.praisecast.com
www.pulpitpodcast.org
www.sermoncast.com
www.sermondrop.com
www.sermonpodcasts.com
www.sermonshout.com

About the Author:

Raymond Brady is a church podcasting expert, and has a personal blog ministry. You can find out more about Raymond at his website: www.BuildYourHouseOnTheRock.org