What is a podcast and how can it help my organization reach people online?

At this month's "Get It Online" lunch discussion Richard Harrington will discuss what a podcast is and why both communicators and journalists are increasingly using them to successfully reach niche audiences.

The discussion will begin at noon on Feb. 22 in the National Press Club's Reliable Source's McClendon Room.

This informative session will share secrets on creating professional looking video for podcasting and other video-sharing technologies.

Podcasting is another name for audio and video blogging. The general idea is that you post audio or video content that someone can subscribe to. You are essentially creating a channel, one that you add audio, video, or print content to so it can be automatically downloaded to a subscribers’ computer or media player. All of this can occur without the need for email blasts, people logging onto websites, or expensive shipping bills.

Additionally, podcasting is much more affordable than streaming and web video options. Podcasting uses a distributed model, so instead of everyone coming to your website and clicking (then wanting to watch the video at the same time), podcasts download in the background automatically. This means that podcasts are there, waiting to be watched whenever and wherever the consumer wants them.

Harrington is the CEO of RHED Pixel, a visual communications company. He is a practiced expert in motion graphic design and digital video. Starting his career in broadcast journalism, Harrington has always had great interest in visual communications. His producing skills were recognized by AV Video Multimedia Producer Magazine which named him as one of the Top Producers of 2004. He is a member of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals Instructor Dream Team, and a popular speaker on the digital video circuit. He has been the program manager and technical chair of the National Association of Broadcasters since 2003. He is an internationally published author. His book, Photoshop for Video, was the first of its kind to focus on Photoshop’s application in the world of video. He is also a contributing author for Apple’s Aperture, iLife ’08 and iWork ’08, Final Cut Pro On the Spot, After Effects On the Spot, After Effects at Work, and Producing Video Podcasts.

The "Get It Online" lunch series is open to National Press Club members free of charge by using the promotional code NPCMember or by using the code GetItOnline. Lunch may be purchased in the Reliable Source. A limited number of guests may attend at a cost of $20 per ticket, which includes a lunch buffet. Introductions will begin at 12:15 p.m. and the speaker will conclude by 1:30 p.m. Ample time is allotted for audience questions.