So, you want to start a podcast? Well, you’ve come to the right place! In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the entire process of starting a podcast- from coming up with a great idea to publishing your episodes online. We’ll also give you some tips on how to market your show and grow your audience. Ready to get started? Let’s go!
Contents
Which topic will your podcast cover?
The first step to starting a podcast is coming up with a great idea. What are you passionate about? What do you want to talk about? Do a thorough analysis of the podcast market and make sure there’s room for your show. You can look at the podcast charts on Spotify or iTunes to see what’s popular in your genre.
Also be careful to consider whether you can fill in a gap. If you are the 1000th podcast on true crime and bring nothing new or special to the table, it’ll be hard to stand out. But if you’re the only podcast on Peruvian cuisine, you may have a better chance of catching people’s attention. Then again: are there enough people who search for podcasts on Peruvian cuisine? If not, you may want to consider a broader topic.
This process of market analysis takes a bit of thinking, planning, and careful consideration. You can use a so called SWOT-Analysis to help you with this. A SWOT-Analysis is a business planning tool that allows you to evaluate the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats of your project. This can be really helpful in zeroing in on a podcast idea that will be successful.
Once you’ve come up with an idea, it’s time to move on to the next step: choosing a format.
What will the format of your podcast be?
There are a few different things to consider when deciding on the format of your show. Do you want it to be interview-based, or more like a conversation between friends? Will you have guests on, or will it just be you? How often do you want to release new episodes?
These are all important questions to answer before you start recording. Also make sure that you put your podcast on solid legal feet from the beginning. If other people appear in your show, you need to have their permission to use their image and voice. You also want to avoid them to charge you after the podcast has been recorded. All of this is usually done with a release form, which you can get from a lawyer or download online.
Once you’ve decided on the format of your show, it’s time to start thinking about your content.
Plan your content well ahead of time
Once you’ve nailed down the format, it’s time to start planning your content. If you’re doing an interview-based show, start reaching out to potential guests well in advance. It can take a while to get people to commit, and you don’t want your first few episodes to be scrambling to find someone to talk to.
If you’re doing a more conversational show, it can be helpful to come up with a list of potential topics to discuss. That way, you won’t run into the issue of having nothing to say. You can also use this list to come up with potential guests or interviewees.
Once you have a good idea of what you want to talk about, it’s time to start thinking about how you’re going to record your podcast.
Recording and editing your podcast
There are a few different ways to go about recording and editing your podcast. You can do it all yourself, or you can outsource some of the work.
If you’re doing it all yourself, you’ll need to get yourself a good microphone and some recording software. There are a lot of different options out there. Let’s look into these in more detail:
Microphones
There are a few different types of microphones that you can use to record your podcast. The most popular type is the dynamic microphone, which is what most people think of when they think of a microphone. Dynamic microphones are usually more affordable than other types and work well in a variety of environments.
Another option is a condenser microphone. Condenser microphones are typically more expensive than dynamic microphones, but they offer a number of advantages. They’re more sensitive, so they pick up a wider range of frequencies. This can give your audio a fuller, richer sound. Condenser microphones are also less likely to distort at high volumes.
You’ll also need to decide if you want a handheld microphone or a lavalier (or lapel) microphone. Handheld microphones are great if you’re doing an interview-based show, because they give you the freedom to move around. Lavalier microphones are small and can be clipped to your shirt, so they’re less obtrusive. They’re a good choice if you’re doing a more conversational show.
Recording software
There are a few different types of recording software that you can use to record your podcast. The most popular type is the digital audio workstation (DAW). DAWs are great because they offer a lot of features and flexibility. They can be used to record, edit, and mix audio. The downside is that they can be pretty complicated to use, and they often require a powerful computer.
If you’re just starting out, you might want to try a simpler recording program like Audacity. Audacity is free and easy to use. It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of a DAW, but it’s a good choice if you’re just getting started.
Record remotely
If your interview partner is located far away, you might want to consider recording the audio remotely. There are a few different ways to do this.
One option is to use a service like Skype or Zoom. These services allow you to record your conversation while you’re on the call. However, the sound quality is often not as good as if you were recording in person.
Another option is to use a service like Squadcast. Squadcast is designed specifically for podcasts and offers high-quality audio recordings. It’s a bit more expensive than other options, but it’s worth it if you’re serious about podcasting.
Studiolink is another great option for remote recording. It offers high-quality audio and video recordings, and it’s very user-friendly.
Editing software
Once you’ve recorded your audio, you’ll need to edit it. This is where you’ll remove any mistakes, dead space, or other unwanted noise. You can use the same software that you used to record your audio, or you can use a separate editing program.
If you’re using Audacity, there’s no need to export your audio to another program. You can do all your editing right in Audacity.
If you’re using a DAW, you might want to export your audio to an editing program like Adobe Audition. Audition is a professional-grade editing program that offers a lot of features and flexibility.
Once you’ve edited your audio, it’s time to export it as an MP3 file. This is the file format that most people use to listen to podcasts. You can use any software to export your audio as an MP3, but we recommend using LAME. LAME is a free, open-source program that does a great job of exporting audio as MP3 files.
Once you have your equipment set up, you’re ready to start recording.
Outsource some of the work
If you want to outsource some of the work, you can hire someone to record and edit your episodes for you. This can be a great option if you’re not comfortable with the technical aspects of recording and editing, or if you don’t have the time to do it yourself. Just be sure to find someone who you trust and who has experience in podcasting.
Tips on recording your podcast professionally
Here are some tips to help you record your podcast like a pro:
Use a pop filter
A pop filter is a small device that goes over your microphone. It helps to reduce the “popping” sound that can happen when you say certain words. This can be a great way to improve the sound quality of your podcast.
Make sure you record in a “dry” room
One of the most important things to keep in mind when recording is to make sure you’re in a “dry” room. A dry room is a room that doesn’t have any echo or reverb. This can be tricky if you don’t have a lot of space, but it’s important to try to find a room with as little echo as possible.
One way to reduce echo is to use acoustic panels. Acoustic panels are pieces of material that you can hang on the walls of your recording space. They help to absorb sound and reduce echo.
Another way to reduce echo is to record in a closet. Closets are small, enclosed spaces that don’t have a lot of echo. Just be sure to remove any clothes or other items from the closet before you start recording.
Wear headphones
When you’re recording, be sure to wear headphones. This will help you to hear your audio more clearly and it will also help to prevent feedback.
Feedback is a high-pitched sound that can occur when your microphone picks up the sound of your headphones. To prevent feedback, keep the volume of your headphones at a low level. You should be able to hear your audio clearly, but it shouldn’t be too loud.
Test your equipment before you start recording
Before you start recording your podcast, it’s important to test your equipment. This will help you to make sure everything is working properly and that there are no issues with your audio quality.
To test your equipment, record a short segment of audio and then listen back to it. Pay attention to the quality of the audio and make sure there are no problems with echo or feedback.
Don’t forget to plug something
A podcast requires a lot of work and can be a costly endeavour. So ideally you have some way of monetising it. There are a few ways to do this. You can either charge per episode, or have people subscribe to your podcast.
Another way to monetise your podcast is to sell advertising space. This can be a great way to generate revenue, but it’s important to make sure that the ads don’t interfere with the quality of your show. Of course, as long as your podcast is small, it’s not likely that you’ll be able to sell advertising space.
Many people therefore use the podcast to build up a followership on Instagram, Twitter, and to collect the email-addresses of their listeners. This way they can monetise their followership outside of the podcast and build up a true and real relationship with them.
Another way is to use supporter-sites like Patreon. On these sites, listeners can financially support their favourite podcasters if they enjoy the content and want the show to continue.
So there are a lot of options for monetising your podcast. It’s important to find the option that works best for you and your show. And to produce the podcast with that in mind from the very beginning.
Start recording
Once you’ve tested your equipment and you’re ready to start recording, press the “record” button on your recorder or software and start talking.
Remember to speak clearly and slowly. This will help your listeners to understand you and it will also make it easier to edit your audio later on.
Ending your recording
When you’re finished recording, press the “stop” button on your recorder or software. Congratulations! You’ve now recorded and exported your first podcast episode. Depending on your podcast, you might want to produce a few episodes in advance so that you have a buffer of content to release.
Producing a podcast can be a lot of work, but it’s also a lot of fun. Once your episodes are recorded and edited, it’s time to start thinking about how you’re going to publish them.
Publishing your podcast
There are a few different ways to publish your podcast. The most popular option is to use a hosting service, which will store your episodes and make them available for people to download. There are a lot of different hosting services out there. Let’s check the most known ones in more detail:
Libsyn
Libsyn is one of the most popular podcast hosting services. They offer a variety of plans, starting at $5 per month. With Libsyn, you get access to detailed stats about your episodes, and you can also password-protect your episodes so that only people who have the password can access them.
Podbean
Podbean is another popular podcast hosting service. They also offer a variety of plans, starting at $9 per month. Podbean offers unlimited storage and bandwidth, and you can also password-protect your episodes.
Spreaker
Spreaker is a podcast hosting service that offers plans starting at $6 per month. With Spreaker, you can record your episodes directly in the software, and you also get access to detailed stats about your show.
Simplecast
Simplecast is a podcast hosting service with plans starting at $12 per month. Simplecast offers unlimited storage and bandwidth, and you can also customize your podcast’s RSS feed.
Buzzsprout
Buzzsprout is a popular podcast hosting service with plans starting at $12 per month. Buzzsprout offers unlimited storage and bandwidth, and you can also password-protect your episodes.
There are a lot of other podcast hosting services out there, but these are some of the most popular ones. Once you’ve decided on a hosting service, you’ll need to create an account and upload your episodes. Most hosting services have pretty straightforward instructions on how to do this.
Submitting your podcast to directories
Once you’ve published your episodes, you’ll need to submit your show to directories like iTunes and Stitcher. This will make it easier for people to find and subscribe to your podcast.
To submit your podcast to iTunes, you’ll need to create an RSS feed for your show. Most podcast hosting services will provide you with a link to your show’s RSS feed. Once you have the link, you can submit your show to iTunes by following these instructions.
To submit your podcast to Stitcher, you’ll need to create an account and then submit your show. You can find instructions on how to do this here.
Once you have your RSS feed set up, you’re ready to start promoting your podcast.
Promoting your podcast
There are a few different ways to promote your podcast. The most obvious way is to share it with your friends and family. But you can also promote it through social media, online forums, and by submitting it to directories.
Some other ideas include:
- Creating a website for your podcast
- Creating social media accounts for your podcast
- Creating promotional materials like flyers and business cards
- Reaching out to other podcasters and asking them to promote your show
- Speaking at events and meetups about your podcast
The most important thing is to be creative and to get the word out there however you can. The more people you can reach, the better.
Also keep one wisdom from website SEO pros in mind: in order to have a website rank well in Google, you need to have at least 200 high quality posts. While the number won’t be 200 in podcasts, the same principle applies – the more episodes you have, the easier it will be for new listeners to find you. And the more algorithms will favour your show.
So keep producing great content, and promoting your podcast, and you’ll be well on your way to growing your audience. Thanks for reading!
Podcasting can be a great way to connect with your audience and build a community around your show. If you put in the time and effort, you can grow a large and loyal following. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start podcasting!
Conclusion
Podcasting is a great way to connect with your audience and build a community around your show. If you put in the time and effort, you can grow a large and loyal following. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start podcasting! Thanks for reading!