PodBean
Welcome to creating a podcast using PodBean, a free podcast hosting and social subscribing program. Please use the information below to help begin setting up your podcast. This is a general overview to acquaint you with one of the two podcasting programs discussed in this program, PodBean.
Should you need additional assistance, you can visit PodBean's FAQ page, the Podcast Resources page, contact PodBean, or contact the author/instructor of this instructional program.
You are able to click on each of the images below. There are some images that will expand in size to give you a better view at what is being discussed, or you will be brought to the respective page with a designated URL link.
Step One:
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PodBean can be used by individuals for personal, educational, or business use. In order to join PodBean, you must register. Just like many other programs, a user can select to create podcasts for free or one with cost options. It all depends on how many podcasts you plan on creating in a certain time span. You can also use this website as a blog site where you can customize your theme, manage your settings, add widgets and so forth. For purposes of this instructional program, we are only going to focus on the podcast portion and how to embed it into your own website.
First, you must go to the homepage, PodBean. If you wish to create your podcast, you must use the dark green boxed area to sign up. The light green is for podcast audiences, such as learners. Click "Free Sign Up Now" to join PodBean! Once you sign up, you will be able to begin creating your podcast(s). |
Step Two:
The first step in signing up for your podcast account with PodBean besides clicking "Free Sign Up Now" includes selecting a PodBean membership. As mentioned before, podcasts can be created free of charge or for a fee. It will be determined by how many podcasts you wish to create and how big the files are. To start out, select the Basic version, which is free. You can always upgrade at a later time. Scroll down to begin entering in your personal information as well as account information. To complete the registration process, you must first select a member name. This member name will appear in your domain name also. Next, fill out all of the personal information requested. Notice that there is no password to create. Enter in the security code displayed and click "Sign Up Now." |
Step Three:
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Upon completion, a message will be displayed stating that your registration was successful. In order to login; however, you must check the email you signed up with to retrieve a password. As mentioned before, you did not create a password while entering in your desired account information. PodBean will generate a password for your user name. Once you have obtained your password, you can enter it in and click "Login." If you are on a shared computer, you will want to make sure "Remember me" is not checked. If it is your own personal computer and you wish for the site to remember you, click "Remember me." |
Step Four:
The first time you log on to PodBean, you are presented with a dashboard. There is a welcome section that provides information on how to get started including publishing a new show, setting your site configuration, changing your theme, and inviting friends to view your shows.
The dashboard is a central location where you can see a birds-eye view of what is going on with your podcasts. You can see everything at-a-glance from latest activity, tips, features, feedback, new features, and feedback. The dashboard allows you to see an overview of your podcasts, but focuses on specifics that you wish to focus your attention. In addition to the aforementioned information, you can manage your settings, view overall statistics, publish a post/episode, upload media, and manage pages, posts, and comments from the dashboard. You can also manage sharing your shows through a media player, and upgrade your account. Use the tabs located in the top header or use the links and tabs on the main page to manage specific aspects of your podcasts. After you have used PodBean and come back to your podcasts, you will be brought to the dashboard when you log in. |
Step Six:
When you publish your podcast, you can include your audio file as well as written content.This is called "Write Post/Episode." If you wish to just write content, under publish, you will click "Write Post." Adding written content provides direction in addition to the audio file and informs the learner what the he or she might be able to expect. Search for your audio file on your computer. Once you locate your file, you can save and continue working on your post, save and exit your post, or publish your post. Once you are ready, click "Publish." After you publish your new post/show, you will be displayed a screen that allows you to view your post. Here, you can view the post with your podcast you just created! |
Step Seven:
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You can manage your podcasts with ease. After you have created your podcasts, you can create a playlist of them and embed them into your site through the use of a multimedia player or MP3 player. To create a playlist, first click "My Playslists" located at the top of the page. The next screen you are taken to includes creating a playlist or editing existing playlists. If this is your first playlist, you will want to click "Create a New Playlist." All of your playslists will appear under "My Playlists" once they are created. Click "Create a New Playlist" to begin building your playlist. |
Step Eight:
You will now begin setting up your own embedded MP3 player. There are three steps to creating your own embedded MP3 player. First, select the player you would like. There are four options to select from. Select the one that you wish to use. Once you make your selection, click "Continue." Second, you will be required to add the tracks, or podcasts, you wish to include in your list. If you have uploaded them to your site by publishing a post/show, your tracks will automatically appear in your account. You can use the drop down menu to select the "MP3's in your account" and put them in the order you wish for them to be displayed. In addition to selecting the MP3's, you can also include a title for each. If you have a URL link, you may include that as well. This is great if your podcast is a website that streams content. Once you are done selecting your MP3's for your embedded player, scroll down and click "Save Playlist & Continue." Lastly, you must copy the code shown in the box. Once you copy it, you need to place it in your website where it is appropriate. You must follow your websites instructions on how to embed items into your website. Once you embed your MP3 player and publish your website, your MP3 player will appear, just like below! Each time you create a new podcast, you can manage your playlists and add them and recopy the code into your website! Please note the second podcast used is a podcast retrieved from an educational website. |
Your Podcast Playlist
Step Nine:
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You can also manage the settings of your site including general options, feed/iTunes, media player, comments & share, display, and widgets. As mentioned in the beginning, this website can be used as a blog or website where you can add additional pages and change the themes to customize the site. This instructional tutorial does not focus on the blog aspects of the program, but rather the podcast and embedding abilities.
Below find an overview of the things that can be managed regarding your podcasts. General Options
Feed/iTunes
Media Player
Comments & Share
Display
Widgets
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You now can add podcasts to your website. If you need to, you can increase your data amount by selecting a premium account. It all depends on how many podcasts you wish to include. Regardless, get creative and have fun creating your podcast(s)! Customize your podcasts to meet your needs as well as the needs of your learners! |
Now that you have completed how to begin creating a podcast using PodBean, please participate in the "Podcast Program" Evaluation survey on the next page to provide comments on how this site can better meet your needs. Click the button below to go directly to the evaluation.