Podcasting for Preachers: Recording

I started podcasting my sermons about six months ago, and since I have helped a number of friends set up their own podcasts. Rather than continuing to repeat the same info as other people ask, here is a guide: Podcasting for Preachers.

Ok, not just for preachers. Podcasting 101 for everyone. But the people who ask me about podcasting tend to be pastors or other church workers. And I'm a pastor.

Step 1: Record your sermon
There are a number of ways to record your audio, with two determining factors to consider: cost and quality. The least expensive solution is to record straight to your smartphone, using the built in microphone. If you do this, you will need an app like GarageBand or something similar. While this is the cheapest solution, it also produces the lowest quality recording.

I recommend getting a digital recorder. You can invest as little as $50 and as much as $500 on one of these, so do some shopping. I personally use a Tascam DR-05, with an 16 gig micro SD card (about $100 total).

If your digital recorder has a built-in microphone, you can use this to record your sermon. Set it on the pulpit, or somewhere that it can pick up your voice well, hit record, and there you have it. It will be better quality than just your phone, but still will have some imperfections.

For the best quality, run a line out from your sanctuary sound board, and plug it into your digital recorder. This will give you a nice, clean signal to for your recording. If you have a sound board with an output signal, this is the method I recommend.

My recording set-up.
Digital recorder plugged into soundboard

Step 1a: Edit your recording
Plug your digital recorder or phone into your computer, and move the file. Ta-da! You now have yourself an mp3. But once you have a recording, what do you do with it?

Some preachers may want to run it through a editing software. Using a program like GarageBand (Mac) or Audacity (PC) you can tweak your recording, run it through filters, or just trim it up some of silence and pauses. I have used Audacity to make a recording slightly louder or slightly quieter.

Many preachers / podcasters do not do this. It isn't necessary.  But if you find it helpful, the option is there.

Now you have a nice, clean, mp3. A digital recording of your sermon. How do you become a podcaster? Keep reading in part 2 - Podcasting for Preachers: Broadcasting.

Podcasting for Preachers: Broadcasting

In a separate post, I provided a guide for recording your sermons. First a clarification. You can take this digital recording of your sermon and post it on the church website. That is nice and helpful - but it is not podcasting.

Podcasting is providing a way for people to have your latest audio recording it delivered directly to their mobile device.

You've got your sermon as a digital recording - as an mp3 file - that is the first half of the process. Next up, getting your audio file onto the mobile devices of your listeners. (go back to the previous post if you don't yet have this first step).

Step 2: Find a Host
You will need a host. Someone who can store your audio files. If you have a sermon blog hosted by Wordpress, you can upload your mp3 directly to your wordpress site. This is an ok way to get your post online, but it adds some steps.

A better option is to use a podcasting service. I personally use Buzzsprout, and am extremely happy with the service. Many people also use Libyn, which is another good service. You can google "podcast hosting" and you will see that there are many options, with a variety of services provided. Some are free, and some charge a nominal fee.

Protip - Who Owns Your Sermons? Many pastors choose to host their podcast exclusively through their congregation. I understand why. It makes it easier to integrate into the congregational website, and the congregation can pick up the tab in the communications budget. I would advice that you pay for your own hosting service. That way, whenever you leave the congregation for a new call, your sermons come with you rather than remaining at your previous congregation.

Step 3: Provide a Feed
Whether you use Wordpress, Buzzsprout, or another host, your host will provide you with what is called an RSS feed. It should look something like this:
http://yourwebsite.com/feed
http://yourhost.com/feed.rss

Many podcasters use Google's feedburner service as well. You give feedburner your RSS feed, and it cleans up the feed and makes it easier for people to subscribe. Go to http://feedburner.google.com, and enter your RSS feed into the "Burn my feed this instant" box. Tell feedburner that you are a podcaster, and they will give you options to optimize your feed. The final product looks something like my sermon feed:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/HansenSermons

Now you have a podcast feed. But you still need people to know about it.

Step 4: Publicize
How will people know that you have a podcast?
The best and most widespread way is through iTunes. Open the iTunes application. Go to iTunes Store. Navigate to "Podcasts" at top menu, then "Submit Podcast" on right menu. They will walk you through the next steps. (Note: Many podcasting host sites will submit to iTunes for you - which is very convenient!). People will be able to seach iTunes and find your sermons, and you can also point people to your iTunes page.

Share the link to your iTunes page, as well as to your RSS feed, in all of your networks. Have your webmaster integrate it into your congregational website. Check with your podcast host - many of them will provide a podcast player that you can insert in your website. (Here is what our podcast player looks like on the St. John website).

Are you podcasting your sermons? Provide a link in the comments - I love listening to other preachers!