Podcasting How To FAQ

Getting your Podcast in the iTunes Music store is easy with these 5 steps:

1. Step 1: Create a podcast episode (either audio or video format, but remember that iTunes only supports .mp3, .mp4, .mov and .pdf files).

   Tips –

   1. Our recording software recommendation is Audacity. Audacity is free, open source software for recording and editing audio. It is available for Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, GNU/Linux, as well as some other operating systems. Learn more about Audacity...
   2. Always prepare a podcast logo to be displayed in iTunes, as this is a selling point for potential listeners and will be displayed in iTunes. iTunes recommends images that 600 x 600 pixels JPG that can also look good when scaled down to the thumbnail size of 50x50 pixels.
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   3. Embed artwork into your MP3 files
      • You can embed an image file into your MP3 file which will be displayed as the artwork in iTunes. (see below)
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      • To embed the image:
        • First, import your MP3 file into iTunes:
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        • Next, under Library - Music, Right Click the imported file and select "Get Info" in the pop up menu.
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        • Then fill in your MP3's info in the "Info" section.
        • Now add the image file into the MP3. A 54x54 image is recommended to be used as the artwork.
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2. Step 2: Publish your podcast episode. An iTunes supported RSS Feed will automatically be generated for you in Podbean. Your Feed URL will be http://yourname.podbean.com/feed/
3. Step 3: Configure your iTunes Options Podbean provides an easy-to-use iTunes Setting preview page. You can easily change all iTunes related options on this single page by clicking on 'Settings' in the main menu, then selecting 'iTunes/Advanced', as shown below.

   

4. Step 4: Testing your Feed.
   1. Launch iTunes.
   2. In the Advanced menu, select Subscribe to Podcast.
   3. Enter your feed URL(http://yourname.podbean.com/feed/) in the text box and click OK.

   iTunes will display your Podcast play list, which will show all of the podcasts you have subscribed to. Next to the new podcast subscription, you should see an orange circle, which indicates that iTunes is downloading your most recent episode. When the orange circle disappears, you should be able to see your podcast title; a list of all the episodes referenced in your feed; a check next to the most recent episode - indicating that it has been successfully downloaded. Double-click on the episode to play it in iTunes. If you can successfully play the episode, then your feed is working and you can submit your podcast to iTunes.

   However, if the orange circle is replaced by an 'i' in a black circle, iTunes encountered a problem with your feed or episode, and you will need to troubleshoot in order to find the problem before re-submitting your episode and feed. Please do not submit your feed until you can successfully subscribe using the 'Advanced' menu.

5. Step 5: Submitting the RSS Feed URL to iTunes. Make sure you have iTunes 4.9 or later installed. You can click here to add your podcast as iTunes will launch and take you to the right page, or you can follow these steps:
   1. Launch iTunes.
   2. Step 1: Click 'iTunesStore' located in the left navigation column to enter the Music Store page.
   3. Step 2: Click 'Podcasts' in the left navigation column of the iTunes Store to enter the Podcast page.
   4. Step 3: Click the "Submit a Podcast" icon in the middle of the page to submit your podcast.
   5. Then follow the instructions on the Submit a Podcast page.