Podcasts

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Welcome

Hello everyone. I have returned to bring in another blog about a new topic which is...Podcasts! Merriam-Webster defines podcasts as "a program (as of music or talk) made available in digital format for automatic download over the Internet". 

Podcasts are in a unique sort of category where listen to someone talk about topics they're interested in. It's overwhelming what kind of things they can talk about in podcasts and podcasters can make money from talking about topics they are passionate about, how amazing!



As per usual, I will be doing a break down of some podcasting tools along with their pros and cons. Let's get started! 



First on this list is Captivate! According to the website, Captivate is meant to be pretty user-friendly and easy to use especially for podcasters barely starting out. I was going to give this a try, but I am not exactly thrilled about paying just to give a free trial a shot to simply try it out and I'm trying to use this platform for monetization. 

Pros
  • Includes a 5-step framework that is "jargon free" and easy to follow 
  • Includes podcasts of how to design your very own podcast
  • Includes tips on how to pick a podcast name, cover design tips, where to get royalty-free music, and tips to consider when scheduling your own podcast 
  • Recommends the best quality software and equipment for new podcasters and other good information
  • Personal accounts costs $19 a month or $17 annually with lots of features available and user can upload up to 12,000 downloads! 
Cons
  • No free plan
  • Some equipment might be too expensive for beginner podcasters on a budget or software may not be compatible
  • Once podcaster reaches 12,000 downloads, they cannot add more unless they upgrade their plan to a professional or business account
  • Podcast website is considered too basic and lacks features

Next on this list is Buzzsprout. The website looks really nice and has a minimal look to it that does not look too busy. I was able to register with my own email, it did not take very long to register which is good and I created a free account without too many problems. 

Pros
  • Easy registration
  • Podcast website customization is quite simple. Change profile picture, website background, podcast name and description, and more
  • Share link to podcast website by copying and pasting URL to your social media or share it to directories like Spotify
  • Easy to host multiple shows in one account
  • Affordable audio transcription service 
  • Most affordable plan is $12 a month and you can upload up to 3 hours each month ($4 per hour extra) and add Magic Mastering which correct audio for users for an additional $6 per month 
Cons
  • Free plan only allows user to upload up to 2 hours of podcasts a month 
  • Ads will be posted on podcast website
  • Free plan deletes files after 90 days
  • No unlimited upload plan, must pay additional fees for extra hours
  • Have to upload your own files, cannot record on the platform 
  • The most expensive plan ($24 a month) only allows up to 12 hours of uploads per month 

Lastly is Podbean. I did not use the website platform to sign-up, but I did download the app to give it a shot. The app looks pretty simple and user-friendly. The app design has a dark theme to it which is something that I appreciate a lot. 

Pros
  • Invite co-hosts with a link or email 
  • Beginner-friendly, no need to invest lots of money to get started
  • Various monetization features
  • $9 per month on the unlimited audio plan which includes features from the basic plan plus unlimited storage and bandwidth 
  • Unlimited plus plan ($29 per month) includes the ability to have video podcasts and a patron program for listeners, includes features from unlimited audio plan 
Cons 
  • Free plan only offer 5 hours of storage and 100GB of bandwidth
  • Basic plan does not give the user ability to have multiple channels or monetization options
  • Unless the user has the business plan, the live chat support is quite slow 
  • Podcast website does not offer a variety of customizing options 
  • Podcasters who user Podbean prefer using their own website than Podbean

Please listen to a podcast I created with Wendy Zellers on Library Fines: the Benefits and Alternatives made on Podbean. 



Sources:

American Library Association. (2018). The fine line: ethical and intellectual-freedom implications of charging our patrons. Retrieved on July 14, 2022, from https://www.oif.ala.org/oif/the-fine-line-ethical-and-intellectual-freedom- implications-of-charging-our-patrons/

Austin Public Library. (n.d.). Fine-free library FAQ. Retrieved on July 14, 2022, from https://library.austintexas.gov/finefreeFAQ

City of Dallas. (2019). Dallas Public Library goes fine-free for late returns. Retrieved on July 14, 2022, from https://www.dallascitynews.net/dallas-public-library-goes- fine-free-late-returns

Fallows, D. (2020). Why some libraries are ending fines. The Atlantic. Retrieved on July 14, 2022, from https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/12/why- some-libraries-are-ending-fines/621445/

Villarreal, V. (2021). San Antonio Public Library to discontinue overdue fines for all users beginning Oct 1. San Antonio Public Library. Retrieved on July 14, 2022, from https://www.mysapl.org/Events-News/News-Media- Center/News/ArtMID/17281/ArticleID/21506/San-Antonio-Public-Library-to- Discontinue-Overdue-Fines-for-All-Users-Beginning-Oct-1

Garcia, J. (2022, March 16). Best podcast hosting: 13 free and paid platforms tested and compared. Tooltester. Retrieved July 14, 2022, from https://www.tooltester.com/en/blog/podcast-hosting/

iSchool | Syracuse University Logo. (2020, July 20). Five unexpected benefits of eliminating library fines - ischool: Syracuse University. iSchool. Retrieved July 14, 2022, from https://ischool.syr.edu/five-unexpected-benefits-to-eliminating-library-fines/

Kat. (1970, January 1). Creative ways to handle fines. 5 Minute Librarian. Retrieved July 14, 2022, from http://www.5minlib.com/2017/09/creative-ways-to-handle-fines.html

 Walker, M. (2013). Library fees: Is there an alternative? prezi.com. Retrieved July 14, 2022, from https://prezi.com/oxv0iqpmhr3g/library-fees-is-there-an-alternative/?frame=86abe7290cfd8e76e293fd0ea6b0da98448d7040

Comments

  1. I have used Podbean in the past for other assignments but as I studied deeper within the site, I was able to see that there is a team option where you can invite multiple people to join you and have discussions with each other. I only knew about the editing the podcast before publishing it.
    I was thankful for this assignment as I got a further look into the topic and thought about how to utilize it in my school.

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  2. I loved using Buzzsprout in the past; however, I was saddened when I lost my recordings after 90 days because I had the free account. Most recently I tired Anchor and really liked using it. I love the pros/cons that you give with each of the ones you researched, that is helpful to know if I want to try one of these programs in the educational setting. I enjoyed listening to your Podcast over fines in the library!

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  3. Thank you for your recording. I have used Podbean in the past, but I did not know it had the partner option. One of the things that I learned while exploring the different podcasts was that some offer audio correction so that all the speakers have the same volume and I think this tool would be helpful. I also explored Buzzsprout and I really enjoyed playing with the different tools.

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  4. Hi Alexa! I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed working on the podcast and other assignments with you this semester. I feel like I have learned so much about the various ways to utilize technology in the classroom and in the library. Our Podbean experience has taught me that recording podcasts takes practice. Thank you so much for being such a wonderful partner!

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  5. For a previous podcasting assignment in another class, I utilized Buzzsprout and loved my finished product! I especially liked the website customization. As you stated, it was easy to change the profile picture, background, name, description, etc. which gave the entire podcast platform a very personal touch. However, it was not as user-friendly when it came to trying to create a podcast with someone else who does not live in the same area as me. That being said, I went with the platform, Anchor, and was pleasantly surprised with how easy it was to create a wonderful recording. I highly recommend giving it a try!

    You and Wendy chose an excellent topic for your podcast. It was very informative, and I like how you started out by highlighting the different views and perspectives on library fines. I also enjoyed learning about how library programs have altered their library fine policies as well as the benefits to eliminating library fines. You provided excellent options that I plan to use to change my library's policies when meeting with my administration and district library personnel.

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  6. I really enjoyed your podcast, and it has timely information for me! As a new librarian this year I have been going back and forth trying to decide whether or not I want to charge late fees for my students. The previous librarian at the school recommended it to build accountability in students and also to fill the petty cash drawer lol. My instinct, though, is to eliminate the late fees. Your podcast gave me some great information and ideas to help me make that decision! Thanks for that!

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