15-minute Lightning Talk presentation at WordCamp Asheville 2016 by Tony Zeoli, founder of Digital Strategy Works, a WordPress, content marketing, social media, and SEO agency in Asheville, NC.

1. PODCASTING & LIVE
STREAMING
WORD CAMP ASHEVILLE LIGHTNING TALK

2. INTRODUCTION
• @tonyzeoli
• Digital Strategist,
@MtnBizWorks
• Founder, Digital Strategy
Works, @dswks
• Founder, @Netmix
• House Music DJ
• DJ Podcasts: Netmix Global
House Sessions

3. WHAT’S A PODCAST
• Way to distribute audio or video content.
• Usually audio files, but can “podcast” video or even ePub or PDF files
for those who like to read.
• Originated by former MTV VJ Adam Curry and Dave Winer, who
worked on developing early RSS (really simple syndication)
standards
• Podcast feature integrated into iTunes in June 2005
• 17% of Americans listen to podcasts
• https://codex.wordpress.org/Podcasting

4. WORDPRESS SUPPORT FOR
PODCASTING
• By default WordPress includes “feeds.”
• Read more at:
https://codex.wordpress.org/WordPress_Feeds
• Your RSS feed in XML format is usually located at
your blog URL with “/feed” appended at the end.
• Ex. http://netmix.com/feed

6. PODCAST BASICS
• Media files are downloaded to users device, unlike streaming
• Keep file sizes manageable. Take into consideration people
have finite bandwidth and storage.
• Compress raw formats for podcast distribution:
• AVI > MP4: h264 (.m4v, .mp4)
• .aiff/.wav > MP3 (.mp3)
• Do not convert to AAC, will not playback on some devices

7. RECOMMENDED FILE FORMATS
• Spoken Word Shows:
• Stereo Bit Rate: 192 kbps (In Mono this gets cut in half)
• Sample Rate: 44.1 kHz
• Channels: Mono
• Music Shows:
• Stereo Bit Rate: 128 kbps
• Sample Rate: 44.1 kHz
• Channels: Stereo
• Stereo Mode: Joint Stereo
• DO NOT use Variable Bit Rate. You want your MP3 files to be CBR (Constant Bit Rate). VBR
= Bad. CBR = Good.
Source: http://support.libsyn.com/faqs/recommended-file-formats/

8. VIDEO
• Mpeg 4 with H264 Compression
• The H264 is an efficient and widely compatible format. This should be
h264 video within the mpeg 4 container. If you utilize the quicktime
container (.mov) you are limiting the playback compatibility and
distribution points. Quicktime may play in the ipod, but there is no
guarantee that it will work properly in other h264 compatible devices
or flash based web players.
• ”.m4v” and ”.mp4” are both appropriate extensions. Both are
compatible with our system. We do generally recommend mp4 over
m4v for best compatibility across all destinations and platforms.
Source: http://support.libsyn.com/faqs/recommended-file-formats/

9. BIT RATE VS LENGTH
• Here is a quick rule of thumb for file size based on Bit Rate vs length of recording:
• 64 kbps = 0.5 MB per minute
• 96 kbps = 0.75 MB per minute
• 128 kbps = 1.0 MB per minute
• Note: Sample Rate does NOT affect file size so do not change the 44.1 KHz
sample rate to a lower setting thinking it will save on file size – it will not. We
would not recommend going below a Bit Rate of 64 kbps as most people will
start to hear digital artifacts in the recording. Also there is no reason to go above
128 kbps because most people will not be able to tell the difference in a 128
kbps file vs a 320 kbps file. Our recommendations are 96 kbps for Spoken word
podcasts and 128 kbps for podcasts with lots of music.
Source: http://support.libsyn.com/faqs/recommended-file-formats/

10. RECORDING
iPhone
audio recorder
Blue Yeti USB
Microphone
Windscreen
for popped “p’s”
Boom Arm
Zoom Audio Handhelds
Lavalier Mic

11. BEHRINGER XR18 X

12. DIGITAL AUDIO WORKSTATION
Pro Tools
Garage Band
Audacity

13. PODCASTING PLUGINS
• Lisbsyn
• Blubrry PowerPress
• Seriously Simple Podcasting
• Smart Podcast Player
• Podlove
• Cincopa
• Podcasting Plugin by TSG
https://www.elegantthemes.com/blog/tips-tricks/7-top-plugins-for-podcasting-with-wordpress

14. BLUBRRY

15. PODCAST PANEL IN POST

16. LIVE STREAMING
• A stream is not a download
• Take into consideration other network traffic on the
network your using when recording your live stream
• Today, we predominantly use third-party services for
live streaming
• Embed players, don’t host video on your web server

17. AUDIO

18. NETMIX LIVE STREAM

19. YOUTUBE LIVE STREAMING

20. GOOGLE HANGOUT
https://managewp.com/embed-live-google-plus-hangout-wordpress

21. OTHER LIVE STREAMING
SOLUTIONS
• Livestream
• uStream
• Brightcove
• WordPress Video Connect Plugin by 10UP
• Kaltura
• Video Whisper
• WordPress Plugin features BuddyPress Group Channel integration
• Red5 (open source streaming server)

22. PODCAST DISTRIBUTION
• iTunes: podcastsconnect.apple.com
• Google Play: g.co/podcastportal
• Stitcher: stitcher.com
• TuneIn: tunein.com/broadcasters/

23. LICENSING
• Music > must license music directly from the label or copyright owner
• A podcast is NOT a stream, streams fall under DMCA compulsory
rates
• Music in a podcast is downloaded and considered a copy of then
original file (like a CD)
• Fair Use for a review or interview
• Interviews (audio/video)
• Ask subject to sign release or record verbal authorization.