The right way to podcast — An entire information to beginning and rising a podcast
39 min read
In line with a report up to date in February 2023 on Neal Schaffer’s website, there are virtually 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 begin a podcast as a result of they worry 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 residence with nothing else to do. Heck, it’s after I began my very own podcast as properly.
However now, the world has all however “gone again to regular.” The excellent news is listening to podcasts continues to develop in recognition, making this the right time to learn to podcast.
Now, you is perhaps considering, “Certain, there’s solely 450,000 energetic podcasts, however that’s nonetheless quite a bit.”
Effectively, think about this. In 2023, Demandsage reported there are 455 million WordPress web sites worldwide.
I don’t find out 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 all the way down to what you got here for – find out how to podcast. On this information, I’m sharing every little thing I’ve discovered since my 2019 Podcast Movement convention so far about find out how to begin and develop a podcast. Let’s get into it!
The right way to podcast — Every part it’s essential get began
Involved in studying find out how to do a podcast? Right here’s what you’ll be taught on this information:
The individuals I’ve met, the classes 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 bought loads to unpack on this publish, 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 make a podcast
Regardless of who I discuss to within the trade, it nonetheless appears probably the most broadly debated subject is what tools it’s essential make a podcast.
Some individuals have mentioned you can simply begin together with your smartphone and a extremely good sound editor. Others mentioned you want a increase mic, enhancing software program, a soundproof recording studio and a bunch of different tools.
On the danger of ticking off the plenty on this disputed subject, I’m going to attempt to be as unbiased as doable 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 offer your self the perfect likelihood of success. However, it’s additionally essential to notice that not everybody begins on the professional degree. Generally 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 regardless of the way you begin, your first episodes will at all times make you cringe.
In addition to, you would possibly begin and understand you don’t like podcasting in any respect. Isn’t it higher to only work with what it’s a must to take a look at issues out earlier than shelling out a bunch of money? I feel so! You possibly can at all times improve later when you resolve that podcasting is a medium you need to decide to.
Gear
Pat Flynn and John Lee Dumas are two well-known podcasters. Communicate to just about 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 train each free and paid programs on the topic, and each have been employed as consultants to assist standard on-line enterprise house owners launch podcasts for themselves.
As a result of they have been on the convention, in fact I needed to decide their brains on every little thing I may within the restricted time we had. Fortunately, since they get a number of the identical questions commonly, they have been capable of level me to some superior assets they already had on their web sites.
Pat’s present is known as Smart Passive Income, and he runs an internet site of the identical identify. 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 referred to as Entrepreneurs on Fire. JLD’s declare to fame is being the primary podcaster to do a every day present interviewing entrepreneurs of every type. 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 get began.
Pat Flynn says you simply want the next:
- Microphone: He recommends the ATR-2100 USB microphone, or the Samson Q2U when you’re not in the USA
- 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
- Modifying software program corresponding to 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 advice is the ATR-2100
- Recording and enhancing software program corresponding to Garageband or Audacity
- Headset or Earbuds
Grab JLD’s free podcasting course here.
Different individuals I’ve spoken with urged having the next tools earlier than getting began:
- A webcam in case it’s essential do video interviews
- Zoom/Riverside.fm/another video chat service to report 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 shopper
- An adjustable increase arm
- Design software program
- An arrogance URL on your podcast’s identify — once more this was a subject of great debate
- Microphone stands
- A shock mount
- Microphone cables
- Backup arduous drives (exterior or inside)/cloud storage service
Professional tip: Earlier than buying any tools, do your individual analysis, learn opinions, and be practical 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 website earlier than you launch a podcast? Sure! If you happen to ever plan to make any cash on it, you completely want a website on your podcast. And, even when it’s fundamental, you want your individual web site too!
Listed below are simply three the reason why:
- You don’t personal social media platforms you can be selling your present on. A web site offers you a spot to direct individuals to so you will get them in your funnel or on the very least on an e-mail record
- It’s nice for branding
- You possibly can promote affiliate merchandise and your individual services to your viewers
Do you want a separate URL on your podcast?
In case you are launching a podcast of the identical identify as your online business, for instance, you would possibly be capable of get away with making a podcast web page in your present area as Pat and JLD have each completed.
Alternatively, if you’d like a reputation utterly completely different from your online business or weblog identify, it’s a good suggestion to buy a separate URL. Even when you by no means use it, it’s good to maintain it in your again pocket so you may have choices.
I personally personal a number of URLs with GoDaddy simply in case I take advantage of them for future enterprise, weblog, e-book 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 may’t precisely report 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 corporations are:
Professional tip: Strive all of the podcast internet hosting corporations you may earlier than committing. Lots of them have free trials/plans.
The right way to discover the fitting host for you
Listed below are just some issues you need to take 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 – take a look at the worst opinions, and the perfect ones to get a superb gauge of what working with the host can be like
- Space for storing (some hosts cost additional for storage, and it’s simple to expire of storage quick!)
- Episode size limits (once more, some hosts cost based mostly 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 at first 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 think about earlier than you report your first episode, not to mention put it out for the world to listen to. Once you start your planning course of, right here’s what you need to take into consideration at a minimal:
What’s 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 identify. Some individuals select to make use of their enterprise identify for his or her podcast, like Pat Flynn and John Lee Dumas. Others select to make use of their private identify.
For instance:
Then there are others who create a reputation utterly completely different from their enterprise and private identify corresponding to:
If you happen to select to do an intro and/or an outro on your podcast, you’ll need a podcast identify in place earlier than creating it. It’s additionally a good suggestion to buy your area identify when you’ve settled in your identify as properly.
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 offers you to advertise what your present is about.
What are your podcast targets?
Are you hoping to earn a living instantly or not directly off of this new enterprise? Is that this merely going to be a pastime? Or are you simply studying find out how to make a podcast to see when you even prefer it?
It’s essential to ascertain what you need to get out of podcasting earlier than diving in. Like beginning a weblog, making a podcast just isn’t 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 targets might also enable you to with different selections associated to launching as properly.
For instance, if this can be a pastime mission, you may not want the costliest tools to get began. If, nevertheless, this can be used as a instrument in your online business to succeed in a brand new viewers or yield potential leads, you would possibly need to put extra thought into the way you produce and launch your podcast.
Who’s your audience?
This is perhaps based mostly in your podcast targets. Your audience is perhaps the identical as your superb buyer avatar in case your podcast is launched as a enterprise advertising and marketing instrument. If not, you need to sit down and take into consideration who your superb listener can be.
The rationale this issues a lot is you need to by no means go into content material creation making an attempt to enchantment to the plenty.
Like running a blog, e-book writing and enterprise, when you attempt to enchantment to everybody you’re extra prone to not attain anybody.
Let’s say your podcast can be about find out how to prepare your canine. Your audience could be canine house owners who’re desirous to learn to prepare their canine, and your podcast needs to be developed and marketed as such.
What subjects will you talk about?
Utilizing our canine coaching instance, a podcast about that topic would doubtless have subjects together with, however not restricted to:
- Potty coaching
- Educating them to sit down/keep/come/and so on.
- The right way to cease them from leaping/barking/chasing/and so on.
- Coaching with treats (or with out)
You get the concept.
When you begin fascinated with the topic and title of your podcast, you may hone in on the subjects, and subtopics, most acceptable 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 understand that as with the e-book trade, there may be a whole style of fiction podcasts. And, like novels, they’re damaged down into romance, crime, horror, and so on.
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 varied exhibits which are in existence proper now.
The largest problem, these fiction storytellers advised me, is that they generally hit a artistic roadblock, and that may be problematic if they’re attempting to fulfill a publishing schedule.
In contrast to a novel that’s launched unexpectedly, if in case you have promised your listeners a brand new chapter or story every Monday, it may be tough 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 are going to have one thing able to go stay on the times and instances they’ve arrange for his or her listeners.
What’s going to the format of your podcast be?
Podcast codecs embody:
- Interviews
- Academic
- Conversational
- Non-fiction storytelling
- Fiction storytelling
Whilst you don’t should decide to a strict interview format, consistency is a good suggestion when you hope to construct an viewers.
A number of the podcasters I spoke with usually use the interview format, however additionally they have a commonly 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 collection you’ll must line up individuals for content material creation.
You’ll doubtless want scheduling software program, you’ll must create a waiver or authorized launch on your friends to signal, and also you’ll have to determine find out how to really host and report the interview.
Some podcast hosts even require their friends 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 take into consideration?
In case your podcast is a pastime or new enterprise enterprise, you might be making a model from scratch.
Alternatively, when you’re treating it as a enterprise advertising and marketing instrument, you’ll want to contemplate your online business’s present branding, targets, values, and so on.
For branding, you need to begin fascinated with art work together with the picture you’ll use on podcast platforms corresponding to iTunes, in addition to logos and different photos you might need to use in your web site, social media, newsletters and in all different messaging about your present.
One closing branding concern to consider is whether or not to trademark your present’s identify.
Digital lawyer Andrea Sager commonly discusses emblems 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 doable. As soon as your model has a registered trademark, the world can have discover of your registration in the USA. It’s going to nonetheless be essential to observe your registration for infringers, however your registration will seem in a TESS database search, which is what many new small companies depend upon when selecting a reputation.”
She went on to say that registering a trademark offers you “the power to close down a web-based enterprise that’s infringing in your registered trademark. If all the on-line platforms shut the accounts of the infringer, then you may have shut down a web-based enterprise with out submitting a lawsuit. This will prevent an unbelievable quantity of time and cash.”
I extremely suggest her blog if you wish to be taught extra about your digital rights.
Associated: Trademark vs. copyright: Which one does your online business 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 over the past 4 years. And after I bought residence and researched it I couldn’t discover a definitive reply.
In contrast to a weblog publish the place the size can have an effect on search engine optimisation, a podcast could be as quick as 10 minutes or so long as 90 minutes.
Some individuals I talked to mentioned your content material needs to be simply lengthy sufficient to handle your subject. Others swore by maintaining it to twenty minutes or much less so that somebody grocery procuring, on their commute, or understanding may take heed to a whole episode in a single sitting.
The most effective recommendation I heard is to ask your viewers what they need by way of 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 a beautiful dialog with was David Hooper. He wrote a e-book on podcasting referred to as “Huge Podcast,” and he says the message you need to unfold together with your podcast “is the muse on which every little thing else about your podcast can 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 be particular.”
With the intention to do this David says it’s essential 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 singular approach?
- What end result would you like for individuals who take heed 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 approach, you’re only a messenger delivering the message.
How typically will you launch new episodes?
You could have so many choices on your launch dates.
Some podcasters select to launch 10-20 episodes directly so their listeners can binge on them Netflix-style. Others decide to as soon as every 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 bought used to every day episodes of Entrepreneurs on Hearth.
No matter you select on your launch dates, do your self a favor and keep on 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 instantly take just a few weeks off, they might transfer onto one thing else.
What number of episodes are you keen to decide to earlier than you launch?
Most podcasters I’ve spoken to urged launching with at the least 5 to 10 episodes with the naked minimal being 3.
The rationale for this is identical purpose you need to launch your weblog with that many posts. You probably have a brand new customer, you need to give them multiple factor to eat after they first “meet you.”
The right way to create nice podcast content material
Sooner or later, you’ll want to begin planning what is 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 part for each podcast host. It’s one of the simplest ways to relay your message or share a lesson together 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 by means of the center and till the top of the episode.
Your story must have a theme or guiding idea — like in fiction, this key concept will give focus and that means to your story.
You want a robust 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.
Hopefully, it will likely be so good that listeners will come again for one more episode to listen to one other story.
Interviewing
In case you are utilizing an interview format on your podcast, there may be an artwork and a science as to what makes for a superb interview.
I’ve to share the brilliance from one among JLD’s classes he gave at a convention on high actions world-class podcast hosts take for each interview. Listed below are his greatest tips about interviewing friends in your present:
Ask distinctive questions that your friends haven’t gotten earlier than.
That is sound recommendation as a result of the reality is, the extra standard podcasting turns into, the extra doubtless your friends can be to have heard all of the questions earlier than.
An awesome concept could 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 strong query and reply.
Give your friends 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 until 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 would possibly 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 deal with the stuff they should 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 corresponding to a scratchy mic, background noise, and so on., take a second to pause the recording and make changes and observe 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 evident and concise.
How can your viewers proceed the dialog with the visitor? The place can they observe them on social media, purchase their e-book/course, be taught extra?
On the finish of the interview, after you’ve stopped recording, have interaction 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. Whilst you need to give your friends their questions forward of time, some individuals will give quick solutions and wish somewhat assist. In different phrases, you might discover it’s a must to drag the fabric out of some friends.
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 a superb interview episode.
Due to this fact, 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.
Legal professional Gordon Firemark has a free podcast guest release form you may 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 approach, demand cost, drive you to take the episode down, and an entire host of different points. His greatest recommendation is to cowl your rear, and defend your self!
Associated: 11 methods to arrange on your first podcast visitor look
Fundamental manufacturing ideas
Other than storytelling and interviewing, there are some staple items you need to do earlier than recording your podcast episodes. These embody, however aren’t restricted to:
Examine all your tools earlier than you start recording.
A take a look at could also be useful when you haven’t used your tools in just a few days, or when you’ve needed to unplug or restart something.
I met a gentleman who had completed a whole episode into his microphone, solely to appreciate an hour later that although it was being recorded, the microphone wasn’t plugged in.
In case you are interviewing somebody, ensure they verify all of their tools as properly. That’s why the pre-interview chat is so essential — it’s an incredible alternative to verify every little thing is working.
If you happen to don’t have entry to a recording studio, attempt to discover a quiet area to report in.
Most of the podcasters I’ve met really recorded of their closets till they might afford higher tools and recording area.
One other methodology a number of individuals advised me they’ve used was masking their workspace with a blanket whereas recording.
For extra concepts on lowering background noise, echo, and so on., I like to recommend trying out this article.
Take heed to the place your microphone is in relation to your mouth, and hold that distance all through your recording session.
This tip I discovered from Pat Flynn is so easy, however I actually by no means would have considered it when researching find out how to podcast.
He mentioned, “If you happen to drift away from the mic and even look away briefly, that may replicate instantly within the sound high quality of your episode. The bottom line is to remain constant all through the entire recording.”
Don’t start recording with out a plan.
You don’t want a whole script, however you need to have a circulate 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 typically these filler phrases are mentioned. Bear in mind, this may be edited later.
Take into account 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 taking a look at you with a humorous facial features as a result of they’re unable to see it.
Strive standing when you’re recording.
This will present higher air assist if you are talking as a result of there may be much less strain in your diaphragm. You’ll additionally come throughout extra confidently in your supply.
Use two microphones.
You probably have a co-host or are interviewing somebody, be sure you have two separate microphones, and report the audio of every individual individually when doable.
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.
Training some easy vocal warm-ups will help clear your voice and get any roughness out of the way in which.
You may additionally need to think about ingesting some water or tea whereas recording. Keep away from soda, milk and low, nevertheless, as these drinks could 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 chill out your vocal cords somewhat as properly.
A number of the podcasters I met even use a humidifier the evening earlier than they plan to batch report to hydrate their throats.
Perceive that sure subjects can be tough to debate
Relying on what your podcast is about, you will want to be cognizant of the truth that some topics will want extra thought than others.
For instance, if you’re citing the #MeToo motion, and girls being sexually harassed or assaulted, it’s a must to take a cautious method.
One of many classes at a previous Podcast Motion occasion touched on this superbly. The creators of the podcast “Believed,” mentioned their multi-episode documentary about former USA Gymnastics nationwide group physician Larry Nassar, and the way for years he bought away with abusing a whole bunch of ladies and ladies for twenty 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 the direction of anybody listening who might have suffered the identical approach as Larry’s victims.
Lindsay and Alison mentioned they’d an intense planning session to determine simply how a lot hand-holding could 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 worry of nobody believing them.
The reality is with sizzling button topics corresponding to abuse, range, politics, racism and plenty of others, you’ll have to hold your viewers and their reactions in thoughts.
It’s essential to have information earlier than merely leaping into an episode in order to not offend or misspeak. You possibly can’t carry your individual biases into the narrative — as an alternative, it’s essential do some analysis earlier than recording.
Even when your subject 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 number’s status — and if it’s associated to your online business, it may shut that down, too.
Whereas it’s simple to brush this recommendation off as “worrying an excessive amount of about what others suppose,” the truth is your listeners can be from various backgrounds. The way you deal with what you talk about issues.
In fact, there are some exhibits that deliberately cross traces and push buttons, however if you’d like your present to be a considerate one, that is one thing essential you could think about in your content material creation.
The technical aspect of podcasting
For probably the most half, all you actually need to do to report your podcast is plug your microphone into your pc, open your audio recording software program, hit report, and begin speaking. Once more, ensure every little thing is working correctly earlier than you sit all the way down to report a full episode.
It’s OK when you’re nervous the primary time. It’s regular, and with time, you’ll turn into extra snug.
The truth is, 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 might get used to being behind the microphone.
One other factor that will assist calm your nerves is the conclusion you can edit it. You don’t should be a professional at first.
As Jared Easley, co-founder and co-organizer of Podcast Motion, says, an important factor while you’re prepared to begin a podcast is to only begin.
It’s not going to be excellent, and that’s utterly effective.
Simply begin recording, and packaging your podcast for public consumption. The quicker you do this, the quicker you can begin studying, tweaking, fine-tuning your voice and sound, enhancing your supply, and so on.
Document your intro and/or outro
You would possibly 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 prefer to have a special intro each time, whereas others select to make use of the identical one.
In case you are planning on utilizing music on your intros and outros, you’ll must be sure you are utilizing music legally.
The music you utilize should be royalty-free, purchased and paid for by you, or an unique creation by you. Do your analysis into the music you’re utilizing earlier than utilizing it. It’s higher to be overly cautious and secure.
Facet observe: 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 fable that you should use seconds of a music 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 online business or your status. Be sure that no matter music you utilize in your podcast is authorized.
As for what I did – I requested for referrals and commissioned a musician to compose an intro and outro music for my podcast, and one other to compose the music for a present I host for a shopper.
I’ve just lately discovered it’s changing into a typical observe to rent musicians struggling to get gigs, and actually, I feel it’s good. Once you rent a musician as an alternative of a random individual on a freelancing web site, not solely will they be thankful for the work, however it will likely be a singular piece you received’t have to fret about copyright strikes with.
Talking of which – ensure whoever you rent that you just compensate them pretty and get your authorized geese in a row concerning use. For instance, among the musicians on Fiverr cost additional if you’re planning to make use of the music in a podcast. So learn the effective 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!
Modifying your podcast
Even when you’ll finally outsource the enhancing, it’s a good suggestion to get a grasp on fundamental enhancing methods.
That is particularly essential if in case you have a good schedule as a result of if it’s a must to publish an episode by Tuesday and your editor is instantly sick with the flu, it’s 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 enhancing 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 applications for enhancing, there may be most likely a tutorial for no matter program you may have.
Examine YouTube and the web site of the software program you’ve acquired. Be taught the ins and outs, and also you would possibly simply shock your self with how rapidly you may nail down the method.
The opposite standard software program applications I’ve heard about for recording and enhancing podcasts embody:
- Adobe Audition
- Apple Logic Professional X
- Zencastr
- Hindenburg Journalist
Word: I’ve solely labored with Audacity, and haven’t personally used any of the opposite applications, so I can’t 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 enhancing your podcast with AI
In case you are strapped for time, there are “AI” applications you should use that can assist 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 enhancing time.
That mentioned, I additionally then ran my recordsdata by means of 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 skim all of the opinions earlier than merely putting in a plugin in your WordPress web site.
What about cell recording?
I’ve met a number of individuals who report podcasts on their telephones.
They mentioned the trick for utilizing a telephone to report is to make use of a excessive sound high quality microphone made particularly for recording audio together with your smartphone and set up an app made for podcasting on the go corresponding to Anchor or Audioboom.
The most typical grievance I heard about cell recording is that the audio high quality isn’t pretty much as good as utilizing a pc.
Nevertheless, I did be taught there are SaaS (software program as a service) corporations 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 perfect for the cash.
The right way to publish your podcast
Upon getting recorded your episodes, it’s time to distribute it to the varied podcast directories for the world to listen to.
Distributing to Apple Podcasts (Previously iTunes)
Apple Podcasts is the preferred podcast listing to take heed to podcasts, so you need to begin there. Listed below are the steps for publishing your podcast to Apple Podcasts:
- First, take your closing audio file and cargo it to your podcast internet hosting service. That is the place your audio and video recordsdata can be saved on a server, and from there you may broadcast these recordsdata to customers on the Web.
- Together with your podcast host, you’ll be given a singular net tackle — 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 art work
- Select the class that most accurately fits your podcast—many podcasters suggest selecting as much as three
- Choose the language of the episode
- Mark whether or not the podcast is “Specific” or “Not Specific”
- Upon getting adopted the prompts to submit your present, you will want to attend for Apple to approve your podcast. This will take up to some weeks, however may very well 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 you might must load it manually to others. The highest 4 that most individuals counsel including your podcast to incorporate:
For many directories, all you will want 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 doable.
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 searching for an inventory of podcast directories to submit your present to, RSS.com has created a reasonably 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 record and have been submitting my RSS feed to every of them over the past couple of years.
Publishing to YouTube
Lots of podcasters are selecting to add their podcasts to YouTube as properly 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 friends as you report your podcast, and edit the video to load to YouTube – An awesome 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 you can load to YouTube.
If you happen to select to go the static picture route, the picture ought to embody your podcast identify, the title of the episode, who’s featured on it (i.e. the host and/or friends) and a emblem.
Some podcasters select so as to add a further 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 enhancing software program. From what I’ve discovered 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 can assist you get extra out of podcasting on YouTube with out growing your workload an excessive amount of.
If you wish to be taught extra about podcasting for YouTube, the platform has an entire page on their website devoted to the medium for creators.
Ideas for monetizing your podcast
At this level, you is perhaps considering, “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. Nevertheless, it may be rewarding, and yield earnings over time.
The truth is, with somewhat planning, you can begin monetizing from the second you launch your first episode.
Listed below are some concepts and ideas you should use to monetize your podcast:
Crowdfunding
Patreon sponsors a number of podcasting conferences, and at a previous occasion the crowdfunding platform offered 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 a number of work
- Restrict patrons to make it extra unique
- Solely supply recurring month-to-month donations as an alternative of one-off donations in an effort to proceed incomes earnings
Patreon’s recommendation for the simplest 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 classes 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
You probably have a knack for gross sales, you can begin asking manufacturers to sponsor on your present. To start with, you may not be capable of command a lot cash, nevertheless it may very well be sufficient to at the least offset your tools, area and internet hosting charges.
I extremely suggest studying Entrepreneurs on Fire’s Ultimate Guide to Podcast Sponsorships if you wish to go this route.
Internet affiliate marketing
That is by far the quickest and simplest way among the podcasters I spoke with have monetized their podcasts.
They write present notes for each episode, and within the notes they embody a bit for merchandise talked about with affiliate hyperlinks to these gadgets. I’ve additionally seen individuals add a bit 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 internet affiliate marketing for monetization, it’s a must to take a look at “Pat Flynn’s Epic Information to Affiliate Advertising,” which you’ll be able to obtain free of charge here.
Associated: The right way to begin internet affiliate marketing in your weblog
Pitch your online business 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 instrument for locating new shoppers. You possibly can 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 friends to look in your present
Whereas that is definitely not standard amongst podcasters, I did meet and be taught of some within the trade who really cost look charges for his or her friends. How a lot to cost is definitely open for debate, however some cost based mostly on how large their following is.
Once you’re simply beginning out, this may not be a superb choice for you, however in attempting to be unbiased on this publish, 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.
In consequence, you would possibly 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 may very well 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? Truthfully, it’s the identical approach you’d get the phrase out about every other enterprise you’re engaged on — you market and promote like loopy, and then you definately hold doing that even after you begin gaining a big viewers.
Basically, you’re going to should market your podcast ceaselessly to continue to grow. Listed below are some concepts that can assist you do this with out breaking the financial institution in promoting prices:
- Begin by telling family and friends: Inform everybody in your e-mail record and in your circle about your present and ask them to share it.
- Share it on social media: Use related hashtags when you may, and share it to all of the locations.
- Weblog about it: You need to create a weblog on your present, and have a publish for each episode full with present notes in an effort to benefit from search engine optimisation.
- Go to podcast conferences and meetups to fulfill individuals within the trade: I don’t actually have a podcast and I got here residence with a whole bunch of enterprise playing cards to take a look at and podcasts to lookup.
- Get on different podcasts: One of the best ways I’ve discovered 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 succeed in new audiences.
- Discover a approach into the media: If you happen to can set your self up as an knowledgeable in your area, leverage that experience to turn into a supply on your native media retailers.
Like I mentioned, advertising and marketing a podcast is loads like advertising and marketing every other enterprise, so I extremely suggest trying out these GoDaddy posts for additional advertising and marketing assist:
Conclusion and subsequent steps
We’ve lined loads on this publish. From the analysis I’ve completed to date into find out how to podcast, I do know firsthand how overwhelming all of this info could be. Right here’s a quick abstract of what we’ve mentioned right here right now:
- Get some recording tools, however don’t pull out the bank card simply but. It’s OK to begin with the inexpensive tools and improve as you develop your podcast.
- Plan forward for all facets of your podcast — just like the identify, subject, 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, internet affiliate marketing, and so on. to monetize your present.
- Grow to be mates with different podcasters, collaborate with them, and promote like loopy to develop your present.
There you may have it, people. The down and soiled information to find out how to podcast. I hope this has impressed you to contemplate making a podcast for your self or your online business.
I do know it has personally impressed me to begin 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 assets to contemplate as you analysis and put together to launch your individual podcast:
Books:
Movies:
Fb Teams:
Involved in trying out Ashley’s personal podcast? Catch her on “The Bloggy Friends Show!”
