In line with a report up to date in February 2023 on Neal Schaffer’s website, there are nearly 2.5 million podcasts on Apple podcasts alone. There are greater than 71 million episodes in podcast feeds.
Sadly, due to this, lots of people are afraid to start out a podcast as a result of they concern the market is just too saturated.
The truth nevertheless, couldn’t be farther from the reality. Of the podcasts on-line, solely 450,000 podcasts are energetic.
The Podcast Host defined that there was an enormous surge of wannabe podcasters in 2020 as a result of as everyone knows, we have been all caught at house with nothing else to do. Heck, it’s after I began my very own podcast as nicely.
However now, the world has all however “gone again to regular.” The excellent news is listening to podcasts continues to develop in reputation, making this the right time to discover ways to podcast.
Now, you may be pondering, “Positive, there’s solely 450,000 energetic podcasts, however that’s nonetheless rather a lot.”
Effectively, think about this. In 2023, Demandsage reported there are 455 million WordPress web sites worldwide.
I don’t learn about you, however I’d quite compete with 449,000 different individuals than 454,999,999 for consideration!
With that in thoughts, let’s get right down to what you got here for – find out how to podcast. On this information, I’m sharing all the things I’ve realized since my 2019 Podcast Movement convention thus far about find out how to begin and develop a podcast. Let’s get into it!
The right way to podcast — Every thing it’s essential to get began
Concerned about studying find out how to do a podcast? Right here’s what you’ll study on this information:
The individuals I’ve met, the periods I’ve attended at numerous conferences, programs I’ve taken, and now the individuals I’ve interviewed have taught me a lot about podcasting. We’ve acquired lots to unpack on this put up, so buckle up since you’re in for an thrilling trip.
So, with out additional ado, let’s dive into find out how to podcast.
What it’s essential to make a podcast
Irrespective of who I discuss to within the business, it nonetheless appears essentially the most broadly debated matter is what tools it’s essential to make a podcast.
Some individuals have stated you possibly can simply begin along with your smartphone and a very good sound editor. Others stated you want a increase mic, modifying software program, a soundproof recording studio and a bunch of different tools.
On the danger of ticking off the plenty on this disputed matter, I’m going to attempt to be as unbiased as potential and offer you just a few completely different choices for find out how to do a podcast.
I’ll preface this tools recommendation with this — it’s comprehensible to need to buy the costliest tools on the market to present your self the most effective probability of success. However, it’s additionally vital to notice that not everybody begins on the professional stage. Typically we enable our want to maintain us from even getting began.
And, lots of the well-known gurus I spoke to on the convention acknowledged that irrespective of the way you begin, your first episodes will all the time make you cringe.
Moreover, you may begin and notice you don’t like podcasting in any respect. Isn’t it higher to only work with what it’s important to take a look at issues out earlier than shelling out a bunch of money? I feel so! You possibly can all the time improve later in the event you resolve that podcasting is a medium you need to decide to.
Gear
Pat Flynn and John Lee Dumas are two well-known podcasters. Converse to nearly anybody about podcasting, and odds are they’ve heard of those two males.
They’re thought-about authorities on find out how to make a podcast.
Each of them educate each free and paid programs on the topic, and each have been employed as consultants to assist standard on-line enterprise homeowners launch podcasts for themselves.
As a result of they have been on the convention, in fact I needed to choose their brains on all the things I may within the restricted time we had. Fortunately, since they get quite a lot of the identical questions repeatedly, they have been capable of level me to some superior sources they already had on their web sites.
Pat’s present is known as Smart Passive Income, and he runs a web site of the identical title. His present options weekly interviews, methods and recommendation for constructing a web based enterprise. His present has had greater than 60 million downloads.
John, recognized by most individuals as JLD, runs a present and web site known as Entrepreneurs on Fire. JLD’s declare to fame is being the primary podcaster to do a every day present interviewing entrepreneurs of all sorts. He has practically 4,000 interviews on his web site, and 138,813,200 whole listens as of February 2023.
Under is the tools they are saying it’s essential to get began.
Pat Flynn says you simply want the next:
- Microphone: He recommends the ATR-2100 USB microphone, or the Samson Q2U in the event you’re not in the US
- Microphone stand: He recommends a “Growth Arm” extension
- Shock mount (to scale back vibrations being picked up on the mic)
- A pop filter or windscreen (to scale back the explosive sounds made by B- and P-words, which blow air into the mic)
- Laptop
- Enhancing software program resembling GarageBand for Mac customers or Audacity for Mac and PC customers (each of that are free)
You can download Pat’s Podcast Cheat Sheet for free here.
JLD says at a minimal you want:
- Laptop
- Microphone: No. 1 mic suggestion is the ATR-2100
- Recording and modifying software program resembling Garageband or Audacity
- Headset or Earbuds
Grab JLD’s free podcasting course here.
Different individuals I’ve spoken with prompt having the next tools earlier than getting began:
- A webcam in case it’s essential to do video interviews
- Zoom/Riverside.fm/another video chat service to document interviews
- The Blue Yeti microphone with USB connection (although a number of podcasters disagreed about this) – That is what I personally use for my podcast, and one I host for a consumer
- An adjustable increase arm
- Design software program
- A conceit URL on your podcast’s title — once more this was a subject of great debate
- Microphone stands
- A shock mount
- Microphone cables
- Backup onerous drives (exterior or inside)/cloud storage service
Professional tip: Earlier than buying any tools, do your personal analysis, learn critiques, and be lifelike about your finances. You don’t need to go into debt attempting to launch your present!
Web site and internet hosting suggestions
Do you actually need to purchase a site earlier than you launch a podcast? Sure! If you happen to ever plan to make any cash on it, you completely want a site on your podcast. And, even when it’s primary, you want your personal web site too!
Listed here are simply three explanation why:
- You don’t personal social media platforms you can be selling your present on. An internet site provides you a spot to direct individuals to so you may get them in your funnel or on the very least on an e-mail listing
- It’s nice for branding
- You possibly can promote affiliate merchandise and your personal services and products to your viewers
Do you want a separate URL on your podcast?
If you’re launching a podcast of the identical title as your enterprise, for instance, you may be capable to get away with making a podcast web page in your present area as Pat and JLD have each completed.
However, if you would like a reputation utterly completely different from your enterprise or weblog title, it’s a good suggestion to buy a separate URL. Even in the event you by no means use it, it’s good to maintain it in your again pocket so you have got choices.
I personally personal a number of URLs with GoDaddy simply in case I exploit them for future enterprise, weblog, guide or different product concepts.
Discover your excellent area now!
What about internet hosting? Do I want a podcast internet hosting service after I’m simply beginning out?
The quick reply is, sure. You do want someplace to host your podcast episodes as a result of you’ll be able to’t precisely document some audio and easily load it to iTunes. You’ll want a podcast host to retailer and distribute your audio recordsdata.
The highest ten podcast internet hosting firms are:
Professional tip: Attempt all of the podcast internet hosting firms you’ll be able to earlier than committing. A lot of them have free trials/plans.
The right way to discover the fitting host for you
Listed here are just some issues it’s best to have a look at when searching for a podcast host:
- Pricing – there are many free choices, however generally it’s price it to pay for internet hosting
- Critiques – have a look at the worst critiques, and the most effective ones to get gauge of what working with the host might be like
- Cupboard space (some hosts cost further for storage, and it’s simple to expire of storage quick!)
- Episode size limits (once more, some hosts cost primarily based on the size of your episodes which might really feel actually restrictive!)
- The person expertise: It needs to be very easy to make use of – particularly to start with of your podcasting journey
The right way to plan a podcast
Now that you just’ve gotten the tools beneath management, what’s subsequent? Planning your podcast earlier than you launch.
There are a number of issues it’s essential to think about earlier than you document your first episode, not to mention put it out for the world to listen to. If you start your planning course of, right here’s what it’s best to take into consideration at a minimal:
What is going to the title of your present be?
Whereas this is probably not your first consideration, it is very important determine what you’ll name your present earlier than you begin recording.
There are a number of choices on your present’s title. Some individuals select to make use of their enterprise title for his or her podcast, like Pat Flynn and John Lee Dumas. Others select to make use of their private title.
For instance:
Then there are others who create a reputation utterly completely different from their enterprise and private title resembling:
If you happen to select to do an intro and/or an outro on your podcast, you’ll need a podcast title in place earlier than creating it. It’s additionally a good suggestion to buy your area title when you’ve settled in your title as nicely.
You’ll additionally need to think about your present’s subtitle and abstract or description. Your present’s abstract needs to be 4,000 characters or much less as a result of that’s how a lot room iTunes provides you to advertise what your present is about.
What are your podcast objectives?
Are you hoping to become profitable immediately or not directly off of this new enterprise? Is that this merely going to be a passion? Or are you simply studying find out how to make a podcast to see in the event you even prefer it?
It’s vital to determine what you need to get out of podcasting earlier than diving in. Like beginning a weblog, making a podcast shouldn’t be a quick factor to do.
Sure, you can begin a weblog in lower than half-hour, however really creating the content material, constructing your viewers and gaining traction with it’s a wholly completely different ballgame.
Determining your preliminary objectives can also allow you to with different selections associated to launching as nicely.
For instance, if this might be a passion undertaking, you may not want the costliest tools to get began. If, nevertheless, this might be used as a software in your enterprise to achieve a brand new viewers or yield potential leads, you may need to put extra thought into the way you produce and launch your podcast.
Who’s your audience?
This may be primarily based in your podcast objectives. Your audience may be the identical as your superb buyer avatar in case your podcast is launched as a enterprise advertising and marketing software. If not, it’s best to sit down and take into consideration who your superb listener might be.
The rationale this issues a lot is it’s best to by no means go into content material creation making an attempt to enchantment to the plenty.
Like running a blog, guide writing and enterprise, in the event you attempt to enchantment to everybody you’re extra prone to not attain anybody.
Let’s say your podcast might be about find out how to practice your canine. Your audience can be canine homeowners who’re desirous to discover ways to practice their canine, and your podcast needs to be developed and marketed as such.
What subjects will you focus on?
Utilizing our canine coaching instance, a podcast about that topic would seemingly have subjects together with, however not restricted to:
- Potty coaching
- Educating them to take a seat/keep/come/and many others.
- The right way to cease them from leaping/barking/chasing/and many others.
- Coaching with treats (or with out)
You get the thought.
When you begin eager about the topic and title of your podcast, you’ll be able to hone in on the subjects, and subtopics, most applicable to create content material round.
Is the present going to be truth or fiction? Sure, there are fiction podcasts!
This was information to me at Podcast Motion! I naively didn’t notice that as with the guide business, there’s a complete style of fiction podcasts. And, like novels, they’re damaged down into romance, crime, horror, and many others.
I used to be lucky sufficient to stumble right into a fiction podcast meetup on the convention, and I can actually say I used to be fascinated by the assorted exhibits which can be in existence proper now.
The most important problem, these fiction storytellers advised me, is that they often hit a inventive roadblock, and that may be problematic if they’re attempting to satisfy a publishing schedule.
Not like a novel that’s launched , if in case you have promised your listeners a brand new chapter or story every Monday, it may be troublesome to proceed a storyline with out hiccups.
That’s to not say that fact-based podcasts should not with out their hiccups.
Many podcasters — each fiction and non-fiction — advised me they plan content material a number of weeks, if not months, prematurely to make sure they may have one thing able to go stay on the times and instances they’ve arrange for his or her listeners.
What is going to the format of your podcast be?
Podcast codecs embody:
- Interviews
- Instructional
- Conversational
- Non-fiction storytelling
- Fiction storytelling
When you don’t need to decide to a strict interview format, consistency is a good suggestion in the event you hope to construct an viewers.
A number of the podcasters I spoke with usually use the interview format, however in addition they have a repeatedly scheduled episode the place it’s simply them both recapping previous episodes or doing a deep dive into a subject on their very own.
Different hosts will dedicate one season to interviews, and one other season to only sitting down by themselves with a microphone.
If you happen to arrange your podcast to be an interview sequence you’ll have to line up individuals for content material creation.
You’ll seemingly want scheduling software program, you’ll have to create a waiver or authorized launch on your company to signal, and also you’ll have to determine find out how to really host and document the interview.
Some podcast hosts even require their company to have a sure microphone to be on their present to take care of audio consistency and high quality.
Are there branding concerns it’s essential to take into consideration?
In case your podcast is a passion or new enterprise enterprise, it’s possible you’ll be making a model from scratch.
However, in the event you’re treating it as a enterprise advertising and marketing software, you’ll want to think about your enterprise’s present branding, objectives, values, and many others.
For branding, it’s best to begin eager about paintings together with the picture you’ll use on podcast platforms resembling iTunes, in addition to logos and different photos it’s possible you’ll need to use in your web site, social media, newsletters and in all different messaging about your present.
One last branding concern to consider is whether or not to trademark your present’s title.
Digital legal professional Andrea Sager repeatedly discusses logos and copyrights for podcasters, and she or he defined you shouldn’t wait to trademark your model.
As she explains, “One of many high causes you shouldn’t wait to file a trademark software on your model is since you need the utmost safety potential. As soon as your model has a registered trademark, the world could have discover of your registration in the US. It would nonetheless be vital to watch your registration for infringers, however your registration will seem in a TESS database search, which is what many new small companies rely on when selecting a reputation.”
She went on to say that registering a trademark provides you “the flexibility to close down a web based enterprise that’s infringing in your registered trademark. If the entire on-line platforms shut the accounts of the infringer, then you have got shut down a web based enterprise with out submitting a lawsuit. This could prevent an unimaginable quantity of time and money.”
I extremely advocate her blog if you wish to study extra about your digital rights.
Associated: Trademark vs. copyright: Which one does your enterprise want?
How lengthy will your episodes be?
The subject of how lengthy a podcast needs to be was one other heated one among a number of individuals I’ve spoken with during the last 4 years. And after I acquired house and researched it I couldn’t discover a definitive reply.
Not like a weblog put up the place the size can have an effect on search engine optimisation, a podcast might be as quick as 10 minutes or so long as 90 minutes.
Some individuals I talked to stated your content material needs to be simply lengthy sufficient to deal with your matter. Others swore by maintaining it to twenty minutes or much less so that somebody grocery purchasing, on their commute, or understanding may hearken to a complete episode in a single sitting.
The perfect recommendation I heard is to ask your viewers what they need when it comes to size.
You possibly can ship listeners a survey in a publication, or ask on social media. In any case, you’re creating the content material for them, so why not allow them to merely inform you how lengthy they need the content material to be?
What’s your message?
One of many podcasters I had an exquisite dialog with was David Hooper. He wrote a guide on podcasting known as “Huge Podcast,” and he says the message you need to unfold along with your podcast “is the inspiration on which all the things else about your podcast might be constructed.”
He went on to say that “a normal message received’t be motivating to you or attention-grabbing sufficient to maintain listeners engaged — it’s essential to be particular.”
As a way to do this David says it’s essential to ask your self just a few questions:
- What are you enthusiastic about?
- The place are you able to add the best worth, and how are you going to do it in a novel method?
- What end result would you like for individuals who hearken to you?
David defined that your podcast’s message begins with you, nevertheless it’s not about you.
It’s finally about your listener, and what they want and/or need to hear.
In a method, you’re only a messenger delivering the message.
How usually will you launch new episodes?
You’ve got so many choices on your launch dates.
Some podcasters select to launch 10-20 episodes without delay so their listeners can binge on them Netflix-style. Others decide to as soon as per week or twice a month.
Then there’s JLD, who for some time was releasing new episodes every day. He’s since scaled again, however for a number of years his listeners acquired used to every day episodes of Entrepreneurs on Fireplace.
No matter you select on your launch dates, do your self a favor and persist with your schedule.
Like I discussed earlier, consistency is a vital consider constructing a brand new viewers. In case your listeners anticipate a brand new episode each Friday and also you out of the blue take just a few weeks off, they could transfer onto one thing else.
What number of episodes are you prepared to decide to earlier than you launch?
Most podcasters I’ve spoken to prompt launching with at the least 5 to 10 episodes with the naked minimal being 3.
The rationale for this is identical motive it’s best to launch your weblog with that many posts. When you’ve got a brand new customer, you need to give them multiple factor to devour after they first “meet you.”
The right way to create nice podcast content material
Sooner or later, you’ll want to start out planning what’s going to really be recorded in your present. With that in thoughts, listed below are some easy ideas for find out how to create nice podcast content material:
Successful at storytelling
At first blush, storytelling might seem to be it’s just for the fiction podcasters, nevertheless it’s actually not.
Storytelling is a vital element for each podcast host. It’s one of the simplest ways to relay your message or share a lesson along with your viewers.
You’ll set the stage with an attention-grabbing topic, you’ll paint an image, after which you’ll inform a narrative that may start with a hook that retains the listener there via the center and till the tip of the episode.
Your story must have a theme or guiding idea — like in fiction, this key thought will give focus and that means to your story.
You want a powerful character taking motion, transferring the story ahead. You additionally want a voice, whether or not it’s suspenseful, impassioned, or comforting, that units the tone on your story.
Optimistically, will probably be so good that listeners will come again for an additional episode to listen to one other story.
Interviewing
If you’re utilizing an interview format on your podcast, there’s an artwork and a science as to what makes for interview.
I’ve to share the brilliance from one among JLD’s periods he gave at a convention on high actions world-class podcast hosts take for each interview. Listed here are his greatest recommendations on interviewing company in your present:
Ask distinctive questions that your company haven’t gotten earlier than.
That is sound recommendation as a result of the reality is, the extra standard podcasting turns into, the extra seemingly your company might be to have heard all of the questions earlier than.
A terrific thought can be to ask your interviewee if they’ve any questions that they’ve by no means been requested earlier than. Do that earlier than recording day so that they have time to consider it, and offer you a stable query and reply.
Give your company the questions forward of time.
Don’t deal with your present as a shock worth information interview. The very last thing you need is your interviewee to be shocked or tripped up by the questions you’re asking. That’s except you’re going for a Howard Stern-vibe or attempting to entrap your visitor.
Chat earlier than you start recording.
Don’t simply dive proper into your interview. Most individuals are nervous to be recorded. So, a warm-up chat helps calm everybody’s nerves and ease into the interview session.
This subsequent tip may actually be my favourite.
Don’t waste time introducing your visitor and studying their bio. You are able to do that in post-production. Use their restricted time to give attention to the stuff they have to be there for.
Bear in mind this can be a recorded interview and it may be edited.
If you happen to’re having audio bother resembling a scratchy mic, background noise, and many others., take a second to pause the recording and make changes and notice when within the interview you paused. It’ll be higher for everybody, particularly your viewers.
Be sure that your visitor’s name to motion on the finish of the interview is obvious and concise.
How can your viewers proceed the dialog with the visitor? The place can they observe them on social media, purchase their guide/course, study extra?
On the finish of the interview, after you’ve stopped recording, interact in a post-interview chat.
As a previous visitor on a handful of podcasts, I’ve been left questioning if I did OK, when it was going to be launched, and what would occur subsequent. Within the post-interview chat, addressing these considerations won’t solely assist your visitor really feel extra comfy, it gives you the chance to ask for a share as soon as the episode is stay, and proceed constructing the connection.
I’ll add to this that you just also needs to be ready with backup questions on the fly. When you need to give your company their questions forward of time, some individuals will give quick solutions and wish a little bit assist. In different phrases, it’s possible you’ll discover it’s important to drag the fabric out of some company.
Consider it just like the individuals you ship a paragraph lengthy textual content message to, they usually ship again “Yep” or “OK.”
You want greater than only a one-word response for interview episode.
Subsequently, put together some follow-up questions for these moments that you just want extra info, clarification, or for lack of a greater phrase “filler.”
Professional tip: Ensure you get a podcast launch kind out of your visitor forward of time.
Lawyer Gordon Firemark has a free podcast guest release form you’ll be able to seize from his web site.
Why do you want a launch? As he says, with out one your visitor may demand you edit their episode a sure method, demand cost, pressure you to take the episode down, and a complete host of different points. His greatest recommendation is to cowl your rear, and shield your self!
Associated: 11 methods to arrange on your first podcast visitor look
Primary manufacturing ideas
Except for storytelling and interviewing, there are some basic items it’s best to do earlier than recording your podcast episodes. These embody, however aren’t restricted to:
Examine your entire tools earlier than you start recording.
A take a look at could also be useful in the event you haven’t used your tools in just a few days, or in the event you’ve needed to unplug or restart something.
I met a gentleman who had completed a complete episode into his microphone, solely to comprehend an hour later that although it was being recorded, the microphone wasn’t plugged in.
If you’re interviewing somebody, be certain they examine all of their tools as nicely. That’s why the pre-interview chat is so vital — it’s an ideal alternative to verify all the things is working.
If you happen to don’t have entry to a recording studio, attempt to discover a quiet area to document in.
Lots of the podcasters I’ve met really recorded of their closets till they may afford higher tools and recording area.
One other technique a number of individuals advised me they’ve used was overlaying their workspace with a blanket whereas recording.
For added concepts on lowering background noise, echo, and many others., I like to recommend testing this article.
Take heed to the place your microphone is in relation to your mouth, and preserve that distance all through your recording session.
This tip I realized from Pat Flynn is so easy, however I actually by no means would have considered it when researching find out how to podcast.
He stated, “If you happen to drift away from the mic and even look away briefly, that may mirror immediately within the sound high quality of your episode. The secret is to remain constant all through the entire recording.”
Don’t start recording with no plan.
You don’t want a complete script, however it’s best to have a circulation in thoughts to keep away from rambling incessantly.
Attempt to keep away from “ums” and “uhs.”
Don’t let it scare you to the purpose that you just stutter and get tripped up, however at the least be cognizant of how usually these filler phrases are stated. Bear in mind, this may be edited later.
Remember the fact that your listener solely has audio.
You shouldn’t reference one thing your listener can’t see. They’re not going to care that your co-host or interview visitor is you with a humorous facial features as a result of they’re unable to see it.
Attempt standing when you’re recording.
This could present higher air assist while you’re talking as a result of there’s much less strain in your diaphragm. You’ll additionally come throughout extra confidently in your supply.
Use two microphones.
When you’ve got a co-host or are interviewing somebody, be sure you have two separate microphones, and document the audio of every individual individually when potential.
Sharing a microphone will throw off the sound and make it awkward to speak to one another.
Do some vocal warmups earlier than you begin recording and keep hydrated.
Practising some easy vocal warm-ups can assist clear your voice and get any roughness out of the best way.
You might also need to think about consuming some water or tea whereas recording. Keep away from soda, milk and low, nevertheless, as these drinks may cause coughing, burping and different sound distractions.
If you happen to’ll be recording a number of episodes, honey in a cup of tea could also be a good suggestion due to its soothing results in your throat and vocal cords. Take time between episodes to drink some water and loosen up your vocal cords a little bit as nicely.
A number of the podcasters I met even use a humidifier the night time earlier than they plan to batch document to hydrate their throats.
Perceive that sure subjects might be troublesome to debate
Relying on what your podcast is about, you will have to be cognizant of the truth that some topics will want extra thought than others.
For instance, in case you are mentioning the #MeToo motion, and ladies being sexually harassed or assaulted, it’s important to take a cautious strategy.
One of many periods at a previous Podcast Motion occasion touched on this fantastically. The creators of the podcast “Believed,” mentioned their multi-episode documentary about former USA Gymnastics nationwide crew physician Larry Nassar, and the way for years he acquired away with abusing tons of of ladies and ladies for 20 years.
NPR’s N’Jeri Eaton, deputy director of programming and new audiences, moderated the session with “Believed” co-host Lindsay Smith and editor Alison MacAdam as they advised the story of how the present got here to be.
Earlier than they recorded a single episode, they needed to get clear on the story they have been telling, and the way their viewers would react. The intention was to be trustworthy, unbiased, and sympathetic in direction of anybody listening who might have suffered the identical method as Larry’s victims.
Lindsay and Alison stated they’d an intense planning session to determine simply how a lot hand-holding can be obligatory for his or her listeners and to verify this wasn’t only a present about shock and awe.
Fairly it was a present about serving to listeners relate to the narrative to see how simply one thing like this might occur, and why ladies are scared to inform their tales for concern of nobody believing them.
The reality is with sizzling button topics resembling abuse, range, politics, racism and lots of others, you’ll have to preserve your viewers and their reactions in thoughts.
It’s vital to have details earlier than merely leaping into an episode in order to not offend or misspeak. You possibly can’t deliver your personal biases into the narrative — as a substitute, it’s essential to do some analysis earlier than recording.
Even when your material seemingly has nothing to do with sizzling button points, it’s crucial that you just plan forward.
Off-color feedback and jokes can destroy a present and a bunch’s status — and if it’s associated to your enterprise, it may shut that down, too.
Whereas it’s simple to brush this recommendation off as “worrying an excessive amount of about what others assume,” the truth is your listeners might be from various backgrounds. The way you deal with what you focus on issues.
In fact, there are some exhibits that deliberately cross strains and push buttons, however if you would like your present to be a considerate one, that is one thing vital you could think about in your content material creation.
The technical aspect of podcasting
For essentially the most half, all you actually need to do to document your podcast is plug your microphone into your pc, open your audio recording software program, hit document, and begin speaking. Once more, be certain all the things is working correctly earlier than you sit right down to document a full episode.
It’s OK in the event you’re nervous the primary time. It’s regular, and with time, you’ll turn into extra comfy.
In reality, a number of podcasters I met recorded a number of take a look at episodes which have by no means seen the sunshine of day simply so they may get used to being behind the microphone.
One other factor which will assist calm your nerves is the belief that you may edit it. You don’t need to be a professional to start with.
As Jared Easley, co-founder and co-organizer of Podcast Motion, says, crucial factor if you’re prepared to start out a podcast is to only begin.
It’s not going to be excellent, and that’s utterly high-quality.
Simply begin recording, and packaging your podcast for public consumption. The sooner you do this, the sooner you can begin studying, tweaking, fine-tuning your voice and sound, enhancing your supply, and many others.
Document your intro and/or outro
You may need to rent somebody for this, however nevertheless you select to do it, your intros and outros needs to be prepared so as to add to your podcast sooner quite than later.
Some podcasters wish to have a special intro each time, whereas others select to make use of the identical one.
If you’re planning on utilizing music on your intros and outros, you’ll have to be sure you are utilizing music legally.
The music you employ should be royalty-free, purchased and paid for by you, or an authentic creation by you. Do your analysis into the music you might be utilizing earlier than utilizing it. It’s higher to be overly cautious and protected.
Facet notice: A number of the podcasters I’ve talked to on-line and on the convention used freelancers discovered on websites like Fiverr and Upwork for his or her intros and outros solely to get hit with authorized bother.
One needed to take away each episode, re-edit with new music, and reload them. One other was hit with some fairly critical fines.
There’s a delusion that you should use seconds of a tune with out getting in bother for copyright infringement. A number of attorneys that have been on the convention advised me that is utterly false.
Don’t danger your podcast, your cash, your enterprise or your status. Be sure that no matter music you employ in your podcast is authorized.
As for what I did – I requested for referrals and commissioned a musician to compose an intro and outro tune for my podcast, and one other to compose the music for a present I host for a consumer.
I’ve just lately realized it’s turning into a typical apply to rent musicians struggling to get gigs, and actually, I feel it’s sensible. If you rent a musician as a substitute of a random individual on a freelancing web site, not solely will they be thankful for the work, however will probably be a novel piece you received’t have to fret about copyright strikes with.
Talking of which – be certain whoever you rent that you just compensate them pretty and get your authorized geese in a row concerning use. For instance, a number of the musicians on Fiverr cost further in case you are planning to make use of the music in a podcast. So learn the high-quality print earlier than buying commissioned music and blindly utilizing it in your podcast!
Backside line: Watch out who you rent, and the music that’s utilized in all facets of your podcast!
Enhancing your podcast
Even when you’ll ultimately outsource the modifying, it’s a good suggestion to get a grasp on primary modifying methods.
That is particularly vital if in case you have a decent schedule as a result of if it’s important to publish an episode by Tuesday and your editor is out of the blue sick with the flu, it is going to fall on you. It’s higher to have some understanding of what to do.
Whereas we clearly can’t go right into a full lesson right here on find out how to edit your podcasts, Pat Flynn has created a free tutorial for modifying in each Audacity and Garageband. You will get them on YouTube right here:
If you happen to aren’t utilizing both of these software program packages for modifying, there’s most likely a tutorial for no matter program you have got.
Examine YouTube and the web site of the software program you’ve acquired. Study the ins and outs, and also you may simply shock your self with how shortly you’ll be able to nail down the method.
The opposite standard software program packages I’ve heard about for recording and modifying podcasts embody:
- Adobe Audition
- Apple Logic Professional X
- Zencastr
- Hindenburg Journalist
Be aware: I’ve solely labored with Audacity, and haven’t personally used any of the opposite packages, so I can not attest to their high quality. I’m merely relaying info from these I’ve met on my journey of researching find out how to podcast.
A fast phrase on modifying your podcast with AI
If you’re strapped for time, there are “AI” packages you should use that will help you edit the sound of your podcast. I’ve not used all of the choices accessible, however two of those I’ve performed with have been really fairly first rate.
I’ve used each the Descript “Studio Sound” characteristic, and Riverside.fm’s background noise remover and “Normalize Audio Ranges” options. Each did improve the sound high quality of my podcast episodes, and saved me vital modifying time.
That stated, I additionally then ran my recordsdata via Audacity to finish the processing of my episodes and get them prepared for publication. Nonetheless, as AI tech continues to enhance, it’s going to turn into more and more simple to get crisp sound with out as a lot effort on your podcast.
Finest WordPress plugins for podcasters
A number of the plugins beneficial to me are:
Once more, do your analysis, and browse all of the critiques earlier than merely putting in a plugin in your WordPress web site.
What about cell recording?
I’ve met a number of individuals who document podcasts on their telephones.
They stated the trick for utilizing a cellphone to document is to make use of a excessive sound high quality microphone made particularly for recording audio along with your smartphone and set up an app made for podcasting on the go resembling Anchor or Audioboom.
The commonest grievance I heard about cell recording is that the audio high quality isn’t pretty much as good as utilizing a pc.
Nonetheless, I did study there are SaaS (software program as a service) firms that may take your cell audio and clear it up, making it broadcast prepared. However once more, I can’t communicate to which of the choices accessible are the most effective for the cash.
The right way to publish your podcast
After you have recorded your episodes, it’s time to distribute it to the assorted podcast directories for the world to listen to.
Distributing to Apple Podcasts (Previously iTunes)
Apple Podcasts is the preferred podcast listing to hearken to podcasts, so it’s best to begin there. Listed here are the steps for publishing your podcast to Apple Podcasts:
- First, take your last audio file and cargo it to your podcast internet hosting service. That is the place your audio and video recordsdata might be saved on a server, and from there you’ll be able to broadcast these recordsdata to customers on the Web.
- Along with your podcast host, you’ll be given a novel net handle — an RSS feed — of your podcast.
- Moreover, Apple requires the next for submission:
- Ensure you have an Apple ID
- Give your podcast a title
- Write your description
- Load your paintings
- Select the class that most closely fits your podcast—many podcasters advocate selecting as much as three
- Choose the language of the episode
- Mark whether or not the podcast is “Express” or “Not Express”
- After you have adopted the prompts to submit your present, you will have to attend for Apple to approve your podcast. This could take up to some weeks, however might be accredited in as little as an hour to some days.
Distributing to different podcast directories
Many podcast directories really use Apple Podcasts to distribute your podcast, however it’s possible you’ll have to load it manually to others. The highest 4 that most individuals recommend including your podcast to incorporate:
For many directories, all you will have to do is create an account, add your RSS feed, confirm possession, after which press publish. Click on every of the directories talked about above for his or her directions.
Professional tip: Distribute your present to as many podcast directories as potential.
Every itemizing is one other backlink to your web site or on the very least your podcast. The extra hyperlinks, the higher as a result of each podcast listing is one other alternative on your present to get discovered by new listeners!
If you happen to’re in search of a listing of podcast directories to submit your present to, RSS.com has created a fairly thorough podcast directory list together with tutorials for a lot of of them. I personally used it as a place to begin to get my present on the market by taking place the listing and have been submitting my RSS feed to every of them during the last couple of years.
Publishing to YouTube
Lots of podcasters are selecting to add their podcasts to YouTube as nicely to extend their attain and faucet into some search engine optimisation juice.
You are able to do this one among 3 ways:
- Movie your self and your company as you document your podcast, and edit the video to load to YouTube – A terrific instance of that is the Creator Support podcast. Hosts Colin and Samir movie their episodes, then strip the audio and launch it as a podcast.
- Use a service like Audiogram or Headliner to create a transferring picture on your audio
- Merely create a picture on your podcast, convert the MP3 to an MP4, add the picture as a static graphic, and voila! You’ll have a video model of your podcast that you may load to YouTube.
If you happen to select to go the static picture route, the picture ought to embody your podcast title, the title of the episode, who’s featured on it (i.e. the host and/or company) and a emblem.
Some podcasters select so as to add an extra graphic to this static picture that represents what the present is about, or who’s showing on the episode.
For instance, if I used to be interviewing an ice cream store proprietor, my static picture may need a picture of the proprietor, their store, or a scoop of ice cream.
In fact, to transform your audio to a video file and add a static picture, you’ll want video modifying software program. From what I’ve realized most PC customers can get away with utilizing Home windows Film Maker and Mac customers can use iMovie for this step.
As of 2023, YouTube has been doubling down on that includes podcasts on their platform. The corporate has even launched a best practices guide, that will help you get extra out of podcasting on YouTube with out growing your workload an excessive amount of.
If you wish to study extra about podcasting for YouTube, the platform has an entire page on their website devoted to the medium for creators.
Suggestions for monetizing your podcast
At this level, you may be pondering, “Wow, this can be a LOT of labor.”
And, the reality is, it’s.
The work concerned is the largest factor maintaining so many individuals from launching after studying find out how to make a podcast. Nonetheless, it may be rewarding, and yield earnings over time.
In reality, with a little bit planning, you possibly can begin monetizing from the second you launch your first episode.
Listed here are some concepts and ideas you should use to monetize your podcast:
Crowdfunding
Patreon sponsors quite a lot of podcasting conferences, and at a previous occasion the crowdfunding platform supplied some attention-grabbing insights:
- Have a timeline to launch and a plan for the way you’ll ship rewards to people who find themselves donating cash
- Begin your donations at a minimal of $2
- Make it scalable so that you just aren’t doing quite a lot of work
- Restrict patrons to make it extra unique
- Solely provide recurring month-to-month donations as a substitute of one-off donations so as to proceed incomes earnings
Patreon’s recommendation for the best and most scalable rewards have been:
- Early entry to episodes (24-48 hours previous to it going stay for others)
- Livestreams of your podcast
- Particular Q&A periods after the episode is over
- Shoutouts of your donors in episodes
- Try extra of Patreon’s ideas podcasters can offer fans.
Associated: Prime 20 crowdfunding platforms of 2019
When you’ve got a knack for gross sales, you possibly can begin asking manufacturers to sponsor on your present. To start with, you may not be capable to command a lot cash, nevertheless it might be sufficient to at the least offset your tools, area and internet hosting charges.
I extremely advocate studying Entrepreneurs on Fire’s Ultimate Guide to Podcast Sponsorships if you wish to go this route.
Affiliate marketing online
That is by far the quickest and easiest method a number of the podcasters I spoke with have monetized their podcasts.
They write present notes for each episode, and within the notes they embody a piece for merchandise talked about with affiliate hyperlinks to these objects. I’ve additionally seen individuals add a piece on the backside of their present notes for his or her favourite podcast instruments, tools and companies — all with affiliate hyperlinks, in fact.
If you wish to use affiliate marketing online for monetization, it’s important to take a look at “Pat Flynn’s Epic Information to Affiliate Advertising,” which you’ll obtain at no cost here.
Associated: The right way to begin affiliate marketing online in your weblog
Pitch your enterprise companies on the finish of each episode
Let’s say you’re a coach or a photographer, and your podcast is a advertising and marketing software for locating new shoppers. You would monetize your podcast by delivering a call-to-action in your episodes that you’re taking up new shoppers, with a hyperlink to your web site.
Cost your company to seem in your present
Whereas that is definitely not standard amongst podcasters, I did meet and study of some within the business who really cost look charges for his or her company. How a lot to cost is definitely open for debate, however some cost primarily based on how massive their following is.
If you’re simply beginning out, this may not be possibility for you, however in attempting to be unbiased on this put up, I’m sharing precise methods I’ve heard individuals utilizing.
Promote premium content material for “after the present”
Some episodes merely aren’t lengthy sufficient to dive deep into the topic you’re discussing in your podcast.
Consequently, you may need to think about creating digital workshops or prolonged episodes that you just promote for obtain to your viewers.
For instance, let’s say you’re discussing find out how to get extra mentions within the media. Your premium content material might be a digital workshop you promote in your podcast that breaks down the precise methods somebody can use to get within the press.
The right way to get extra podcast listeners
As soon as your podcast has lastly been launched, how are you going to get extra listeners? Actually, it’s the identical method you’ll get the phrase out about some other enterprise you’re engaged on — you market and promote like loopy, and then you definately preserve doing that even after you begin gaining a big viewers.
Primarily, you’re going to need to market your podcast ceaselessly to continue to grow. Listed here are some concepts that will help you do this with out breaking the financial institution in promoting prices:
- Begin by telling family and friends: Inform everybody in your e-mail listing and in your circle about your present and ask them to share it.
- Share it on social media: Use related hashtags when you’ll be able to, and share it to all of the locations.
- Weblog about it: It is best to create a weblog on your present, and have a put up for each episode full with present notes so as to reap the benefits of search engine optimisation.
- Go to podcast conferences and meetups to satisfy individuals within the business: I don’t actually have a podcast and I got here house with tons of of enterprise playing cards to take a look at and podcasts to search for.
- Get on different podcasts: One of the simplest ways I’ve realized to develop your podcast is to hijack different individuals’s audiences. Attempt to turn into a visitor on different podcasts, and in your call-to-action on the finish, inform individuals find out how to discover your podcast. Visitor podcasting is the brand new visitor posting — so many individuals with and with out podcasts are utilizing it to achieve new audiences.
- Discover a method into the media: If you happen to can set your self up as an professional in your subject, leverage that experience to turn into a supply on your native media shops.
Like I stated, advertising and marketing a podcast is lots like advertising and marketing some other enterprise, so I extremely advocate testing these GoDaddy posts for additional advertising and marketing assist:
Conclusion and subsequent steps
We’ve lined lots on this put up. From the analysis I’ve completed thus far into find out how to podcast, I do know firsthand how overwhelming all of this info might be. Right here’s a short abstract of what we’ve mentioned right here at this time:
- Get some recording tools, however don’t pull out the bank card simply but. It’s OK to start out with the cheaper tools and improve as you develop your podcast.
- Plan forward for all facets of your podcast — just like the title, matter, format and content material — earlier than recording a single episode.
- Document the podcast, edit it, and get it prepared for publication.
- Load it to your podcast host, and share the RSS feed to podcast directories, beginning with Apple Podcasts (because it’s nonetheless the preferred).
- Use crowdfunding, sponsorships, affiliate marketing online, and many others. to monetize your present.
- Turn into buddies with different podcasters, collaborate with them, and promote like loopy to develop your present.
There you have got it, of us. The down and soiled information to find out how to podcast. I hope this has impressed you to think about making a podcast for your self or your enterprise.
I do know it has personally impressed me to start out my very own, which I launched on April 1, 2020. Yep! I launched it on April Idiot’s Day in order that if it sucked, I may say it was a joke.
To shut issues out, listed below are some extra instruments and sources to think about as you analysis and put together to launch your personal podcast:
Books:
Movies:
Fb Teams:
Concerned about testing Ashley’s personal podcast? Catch her on “The Bloggy Friends Show!”
