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Based on a report up to date in February 2023 on Neal Schaffer’s web site, 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 nonetheless, couldn’t be farther from the reality. Of the podcasts on-line, solely 450,000 podcasts are lively.
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 once 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 recognition, making this the proper time to learn to podcast.
Now, you is perhaps considering, “Certain, there’s solely 450,000 lively podcasts, however that’s nonetheless rather a lot.”
Nicely, 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 reasonably 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 – easy methods to podcast. On this information, I’m sharing all the things I’ve discovered since my 2019 Podcast Motion convention to this point about easy methods to begin and develop a podcast. Let’s get into it!
Easy methods to podcast — Every thing it’s good to get began
Keen on studying easy methods to do a podcast? Right here’s what you’ll study on this information:
The individuals I’ve met, the classes I’ve attended at varied conferences, programs I’ve taken, and now the individuals I’ve interviewed have taught me a lot about podcasting. We’ve received loads to unpack on this submit, so buckle up since you’re in for an thrilling trip.
So, with out additional ado, let’s dive into easy methods to podcast.
What it’s good to make a podcast
Regardless of who I speak to within the business, it nonetheless appears probably the most extensively debated subject is what tools it’s good to make a podcast.
Some individuals have stated you can simply begin together with your smartphone and a very good sound editor. Others stated you want a growth mic, enhancing software program, a soundproof recording studio and a bunch of different tools.
On the threat of ticking off the lots on this disputed subject, I’m going to attempt to be as unbiased as doable and offer you a number of completely different choices for easy methods 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 very best probability of success. However, it’s additionally necessary to notice that not everybody begins on the professional stage. Generally we enable our want to maintain us from even getting began.
And, most of the well-known gurus I spoke to on the convention acknowledged that irrespective of the way you begin, your first episodes will at all times make you cringe.
Moreover, you would possibly begin and understand you don’t like podcasting in any respect. Isn’t it higher to simply work with what it’s important to check issues out earlier than shelling out a bunch of money? I feel so! You may at all times improve later if you happen to determine 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 of authorities on easy methods 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 in style on-line enterprise homeowners launch podcasts for themselves.
As a result of they have been on the convention, after all I needed to decide their brains on all the things I may within the restricted time we had. Fortunately, since they get a variety of the identical questions frequently, they have been in a position to level me to some superior sources they already had on their web sites.
Pat’s present is known as Good Passive Earnings, and he runs a web 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 Hearth. JLD’s declare to fame is being the primary podcaster to do a each day present interviewing entrepreneurs of every kind. He has almost 4,000 interviews on his web site, and 138,813,200 complete listens as of February 2023.
Beneath is the tools they are saying it’s good to get began.
Pat Flynn says you simply want the next:
- Microphone: He recommends the ATR-2100 USB microphone, or the Samson Q2U if you happen to’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)
- Pc
- Enhancing software program corresponding to GarageBand for Mac customers or Audacity for Mac and PC customers (each of that are free)
You may obtain Pat’s Podcast Cheat Sheet at no cost right here.
JLD says at a minimal you want:
- Pc
- Microphone: No. 1 mic advice is the ATR-2100
- Recording and enhancing software program corresponding to Garageband or Audacity
- Headset or Earbuds
Seize JLD’s free podcasting course right here.
Different individuals I’ve spoken with steered having the next tools earlier than getting began:
- A webcam in case it’s good to do video interviews
- Zoom/Riverside.fm/another video chat service to file 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 growth arm
- Design software program
- An arrogance URL to 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 inner)/cloud storage service
Professional tip: Earlier than buying any tools, do your individual analysis, learn critiques, and be real looking about your finances. You don’t need to go into debt making an attempt 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! Should you ever plan to make any cash on it, you completely want a site to your podcast. And, even when it’s primary, you want your individual web site too!
Listed below are simply three the reason why:
- You don’t personal social media platforms you’ll 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 electronic mail record
- It’s nice for branding
- You may promote affiliate merchandise and your individual services to your viewers
Do you want a separate URL to your podcast?
In case you are launching a podcast of the identical identify as your small business, for instance, you would possibly be capable to get away with making a podcast web page in your present area as Pat and JLD have each completed.
Then again, if you would like a reputation fully completely different from your small business or weblog identify, it’s a good suggestion to buy a separate URL. Even if you happen to by no means use it, it’s good to maintain it in your again pocket so you could have choices.
I personally personal a number of URLs with GoDaddy simply in case I exploit them for future enterprise, weblog, ebook or different product concepts.
Discover your excellent area now!
What about internet hosting? Do I would like a podcast internet hosting service once I’m simply beginning out?
The brief reply is, sure. You do want someplace to host your podcast episodes as a result of you’ll be able to’t precisely file 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: Strive all of the podcast internet hosting firms you’ll be able to earlier than committing. Lots of them have free trials/plans.
Easy methods 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 typically it’s price it to pay for internet hosting
- Critiques – take a look at the worst critiques, and the very best ones to get gauge of what working with the host shall be like
- Cupboard space (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 consumer expertise: It must be very easy to make use of – particularly at first of your podcasting journey
Easy methods to plan a podcast
Now that you simply’ve gotten the tools below management, what’s subsequent? Planning your podcast earlier than you launch.
There are a number of issues it’s good to think about earlier than you file 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 is going to the title of your present be?
Whereas this will not be your first consideration, you will need to determine what you’ll name your present earlier than you begin recording.
There are a number of choices to 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 fully completely different from their enterprise and private identify corresponding to:
Should you select to do an intro and/or an outro to your podcast, you’ll desire 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 nicely.
You’ll additionally need to think about your present’s subtitle and abstract or description. Your present’s abstract must 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 generate income straight or not directly off of this new enterprise? Is that this merely going to be a interest? Or are you simply studying easy methods to make a podcast to see if you happen to even prefer it?
It’s necessary to ascertain what you need to get out of podcasting earlier than diving in. Like beginning a weblog, making a podcast is just not a quick factor to do.
Sure, you can begin a weblog in lower than half-hour, however truly creating the content material, constructing your viewers and gaining traction with it’s a completely completely different ballgame.
Determining your preliminary targets may additionally show you how to with different choices associated to launching as nicely.
For instance, if this shall be a interest challenge, you won’t want the costliest tools to get began. If, nonetheless, this shall be used as a software in your small business to achieve 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 target market?
This is perhaps based mostly in your podcast targets. Your target market is perhaps the identical as your perfect buyer avatar in case your podcast is launched as a enterprise advertising software. If not, you need to sit down and take into consideration who your perfect listener shall be.
The rationale this issues a lot is you need to by no means go into content material creation making an attempt to attraction to the lots.
Like running a blog, ebook writing and enterprise, if you happen to attempt to attraction to everybody you’re extra more likely to not attain anybody.
Let’s say your podcast shall be about easy methods to practice your canine. Your target market can be canine homeowners who’re eager to learn to practice their canine, and your podcast must be developed and marketed as such.
What subjects will you focus on?
Utilizing our canine coaching instance, a podcast about that topic would possible have subjects together with, however not restricted to:
- Potty coaching
- Educating them to take a seat/keep/come/and many others.
- Easy methods 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 acceptable to create content material round.
Is the present going to be reality or fiction? Sure, there are fiction podcasts!
This was information to me at Podcast Motion! I naively didn’t understand that as with the ebook business, there may be 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 truthfully say I used to be fascinated by the assorted reveals which can be 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 making an attempt to satisfy a publishing schedule.
Not like a novel that’s launched all of sudden, when 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 are usually 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 reside 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
Whilst you don’t need to decide to a strict interview format, consistency is a good suggestion if you happen to hope to construct an viewers.
Among the podcasters I spoke with usually use the interview format, however additionally they have a frequently 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 simply sitting down by themselves with a microphone.
Should you arrange your podcast to be an interview sequence you’ll have to line up individuals for content material creation.
You’ll possible want scheduling software program, you’ll have to create a waiver or authorized launch to your visitors to signal, and also you’ll have to determine easy methods to truly host and file the interview.
Some podcast hosts even require their visitors to have a sure microphone to be on their present to keep up audio consistency and high quality.
Are there branding issues it’s good to take into consideration?
In case your podcast is a interest or new enterprise enterprise, you could be making a model from scratch.
Then again, if you happen to’re treating it as a enterprise advertising software, you’ll want to think about your small business’s present branding, targets, values, and many others.
For branding, you need to begin eager about art work together with the picture you’ll use on podcast platforms corresponding to iTunes, in addition to logos and different photographs you could need to use in your web site, social media, newsletters and in all different messaging about your present.
One last branding subject to consider is whether or not to trademark your present’s identify.
Digital lawyer Andrea Sager frequently discusses emblems and copyrights for podcasters, and he or she 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 utility to your model is since you need the utmost safety doable. As soon as your model has a registered trademark, the world could have discover of your registration in the US. It’ll nonetheless be necessary to watch your registration for infringers, however your registration will seem in a TESS database search, which is what many new small companies rely 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 the entire on-line platforms shut the accounts of the infringer, then you could have shut down a web based enterprise with out submitting a lawsuit. This may prevent an unimaginable quantity of time and cash.”
I extremely suggest her weblog if you wish to study extra about your digital rights.
Associated: Trademark vs. copyright: Which one does your small business want?
How lengthy will your episodes be?
The subject of how lengthy a podcast must be was one other heated one among a number of individuals I’ve spoken with over the past 4 years. And once I received residence and researched it I couldn’t discover a definitive reply.
Not like a weblog submit the place the size can have an effect on search engine marketing, a podcast may be as brief as 10 minutes or so long as 90 minutes.
Some individuals I talked to stated your content material must be simply lengthy sufficient to handle your subject. Others swore by conserving it to twenty minutes or much less so that somebody grocery buying, on their commute, or understanding may take heed to a complete episode in a single sitting.
One of the best recommendation I heard is to ask your viewers what they need by way of size.
You may ship listeners a survey in a e-newsletter, or ask on social media. In spite of everything, you’re creating the content material for them, so why not allow them to merely let you know 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 ebook 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 all the things else about your podcast shall be constructed.”
He went on to say that “a normal message received’t be motivating to you or fascinating sufficient to maintain listeners engaged — it’s good to be particular.”
With a view to try this David says it’s good to ask your self a number of questions:
- What are you enthusiastic about?
- The place are you able to add the best worth, and how will you do it in a singular manner?
- What final result would you like for individuals who take heed to you?
David defined that your podcast’s message begins with you, however it’s not about you.
It’s finally about your listener, and what they want and/or need to hear.
In a manner, you’re only a messenger delivering the message.
How usually will you launch new episodes?
You’ve so many choices to 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 per week or twice a month.
Then there’s JLD, who for some time was releasing new episodes each day. He’s since scaled again, however for a number of years his listeners received used to each day episodes of Entrepreneurs on Hearth.
No matter you select to your launch dates, do your self a favor and follow your schedule.
Like I discussed earlier, consistency is a vital think about constructing a brand new viewers. In case your listeners anticipate a brand new episode each Friday and also you instantly take a number of 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 steered launching with a minimum of 5 to 10 episodes with the naked minimal being 3.
The rationale for this is identical cause you need to launch your weblog with that many posts. When you’ve got a brand new customer, you need to give them a couple of factor to eat once they first “meet you.”
Easy methods to create nice podcast content material
Sooner or later, you’ll want to start out planning what is going to truly be recorded in your present. With that in thoughts, listed below are some easy ideas for easy methods to create nice podcast content material:
Profitable at storytelling
At first blush, storytelling might appear to be it’s just for the fiction podcasters, however 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 together with your viewers.
You’ll set the stage with an fascinating 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 tip 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 to your story.
With a bit of luck, 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 to your podcast, there may be an artwork and a science as to what makes for interview.
I’ve to share the brilliance from considered one of JLD’s classes he gave at a convention on high actions world-class podcast hosts take for each interview. Listed below are his finest recommendations on interviewing visitors in your present:
Ask distinctive questions that your visitors haven’t gotten earlier than.
That is sound recommendation as a result of the reality is, the extra in style podcasting turns into, the extra possible your visitors shall be to have heard all of the questions earlier than.
A terrific concept 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 visitors 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 making an attempt 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 truthfully 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 concentrate on the stuff they have to be there for.
Bear in mind this can be a recorded interview and it may be edited.
Should you’re having audio hassle corresponding to 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 certain 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 ebook/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 comfortable, it will provide you with the chance to ask for a share as soon as the episode is reside, and proceed constructing the connection.
I’ll add to this that you simply must also be ready with backup questions on the fly. Whilst you need to give your visitors their questions forward of time, some individuals will give brief solutions and wish a little bit assist. In different phrases, you could discover it’s important to drag the fabric out of some visitors.
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 simply want further 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 visitor launch kind 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 manner, demand fee, drive you to take the episode down, and a complete host of different points. His finest recommendation is to cowl your rear, and defend your self!
Associated: 11 methods to arrange to your first podcast visitor look
Primary manufacturing ideas
Apart from storytelling and interviewing, there are some basic 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 check could also be useful if you happen to haven’t used your tools in a number of days, or if you happen to’ve needed to unplug or restart something.
I met a gentleman who had completed a complete 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 that they examine all of their tools as nicely. That’s why the pre-interview chat is so necessary — it’s an amazing alternative to ensure all the things is working.
Should you don’t have entry to a recording studio, attempt to discover a quiet area to file in.
Lots of the podcasters I’ve met truly recorded of their closets till they might afford higher tools and recording area.
One other technique a number of individuals advised me they’ve used was protecting 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 discovered from Pat Flynn is so easy, however I truthfully by no means would have considered it when researching easy methods to podcast.
He stated, “Should you drift away from the mic and even look away briefly, that may replicate straight within the sound high quality of your episode. The hot button is to remain constant all through the entire recording.”
Don’t start recording with no plan.
You don’t want a complete 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 simply stutter and get tripped up, however a minimum of 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 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 may present higher air help while you’re talking as a result of there may be much less stress 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 to have two separate microphones, and file 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.
Working towards 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 ingesting some water or tea whereas recording. Keep away from soda, milk and occasional, nonetheless, as these drinks may cause coughing, burping and different sound distractions.
Should you’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 a little bit as nicely.
Among the podcasters I met even use a humidifier the evening earlier than they plan to batch file to hydrate their throats.
Perceive that sure subjects shall be tough to debate
Relying on what your podcast is about, you’ll need 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 important 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 staff physician Larry Nassar, and the way for years he received away with abusing a whole bunch of girls 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 sincere, unbiased, and sympathetic in direction of anybody listening who might have suffered the identical manner as Larry’s victims.
Lindsay and Alison stated they’d an intense planning session to determine simply how a lot hand-holding can be crucial for his or her listeners and to ensure this wasn’t only a present about shock and awe.
Slightly 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 corresponding to abuse, range, politics, racism and plenty of others, you’ll have to preserve your viewers and their reactions in thoughts.
It’s necessary to have information earlier than merely leaping into an episode in order to not offend or misspeak. You may’t deliver your individual biases into the narrative — as a substitute, it’s good 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 simply plan forward.
Off-color feedback and jokes can destroy a present and a bunch’s status — and if it’s associated to your small 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 assume,” the truth is your listeners shall be from numerous backgrounds. The way you deal with what you focus on issues.
In fact, there are some reveals that deliberately cross strains and push buttons, however if you would like your present to be a considerate one, that is one thing necessary you need to think about in your content material creation.
The technical facet of podcasting
For probably the most half, all you actually need to do to file your podcast is plug your microphone into your pc, open your audio recording software program, hit file, and begin speaking. Once more, ensure that all the things is working correctly earlier than you sit right down to file a full episode.
It’s OK if you happen to’re nervous the primary time. It’s regular, and with time, you’ll change into extra snug.
Actually, a number of podcasters I met recorded a number of check 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 which will assist calm your nerves is the conclusion that you would be able to edit it. You don’t need to be a professional at first.
As Jared Easley, co-founder and co-organizer of Podcast Motion, says, crucial factor whenever you’re prepared to start out a podcast is to simply begin.
It’s not going to be excellent, and that’s fully fantastic.
Simply begin recording, and packaging your podcast for public consumption. The sooner you try this, the sooner you can begin studying, tweaking, fine-tuning your voice and sound, enhancing your supply, and many others.
Report your intro and/or outro
You would possibly need to rent somebody for this, however nonetheless you select to do it, your intros and outros must be prepared so as to add to your podcast sooner reasonably than later.
Some podcasters wish 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 to your intros and outros, you’ll have to be sure to 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 notice: Among 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 hassle.
One needed to take away each episode, re-edit with new music, and reload them. One other was hit with some fairly severe fines.
There’s a fable that you should utilize seconds of a tune with out getting in hassle for copyright infringement. A number of attorneys that have been on the convention advised me that is fully false.
Don’t threat your podcast, your cash, your small business or your status. Be certain 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 tune for my podcast, and one other to compose the music for a present I host for a shopper.
I’ve lately discovered it’s turning into a typical observe to rent musicians struggling to get gigs, and truthfully, I feel it’s good. Once 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 it will likely be a singular piece you received’t have to fret about copyright strikes with.
Talking of which – ensure that whoever you rent that you simply compensate them pretty and get your authorized geese in a row relating to use. For instance, a few of the musicians on Fiverr cost additional if you’re planning to make use of the music in a podcast. So learn the fantastic 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 features of your podcast!
Enhancing your podcast
Even when you’ll ultimately outsource the enhancing, it’s a good suggestion to get a grasp on primary enhancing methods.
That is particularly necessary when you have a good schedule as a result of if it’s important to publish an episode by Tuesday and your editor is instantly sick with the flu, it would 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 easy methods 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:
Should you aren’t utilizing both of these software program applications for enhancing, there may be in all probability a tutorial for no matter program you could 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 shortly you’ll be able to nail down the method.
The opposite in style software program applications I’ve heard about for recording and enhancing podcasts embody:
- Adobe Audition
- Apple Logic Professional X
- Zencastr
- Hindenburg Journalist
Notice: 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 easy methods to podcast.
A fast phrase on enhancing your podcast with AI
In case you are strapped for time, there are “AI” applications you should utilize that can assist you edit the sound of your podcast. I’ve not used all of the choices obtainable, however two of those I’ve performed with have been truly fairly first rate.
I’ve used each the Descript “Studio Sound” function, 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 stated, 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 change into more and more simple to get crisp sound with out as a lot effort to your podcast.
Finest WordPress plugins for podcasters
Among the plugins beneficial to me are:
Once more, do your analysis, and skim all of the critiques earlier than merely putting in a plugin in your WordPress web site.
What about cellular recording?
I’ve met a number of individuals who file podcasts on their telephones.
They stated the trick for utilizing a cellphone to file 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 commonest criticism I heard about cellular recording is that the audio high quality is rarely nearly as good as utilizing a pc.
Nonetheless, I did study there are SaaS (software program as a service) firms that may take your cellular audio and clear it up, making it broadcast prepared. However once more, I can’t communicate to which of the choices obtainable are the very best for the cash.
Easy methods to publish your podcast
After getting 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 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 last audio file and cargo it to your podcast internet hosting service. That is the place your audio and video recordsdata shall be saved on a server, and from there you’ll be able to broadcast these recordsdata to customers on the Web.
- Together with your podcast host, you’ll be given a singular internet deal with — 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 closely 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”
- After getting adopted the prompts to submit your present, you’ll need to attend for Apple to approve your podcast. This may take up to a couple weeks, however may very well be authorized in as little as an hour to a couple days.
Distributing to different podcast directories
Many podcast directories truly use Apple Podcasts to distribute your podcast, however you could have to load it manually to others. The highest 4 that most individuals recommend including your podcast to incorporate:
For many directories, all you’ll need 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 to your present to get discovered by new listeners!
Should you’re in search of a listing of podcast directories to submit your present to, RSS.com has created a fairly thorough podcast listing record 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 happening the record and have been submitting my RSS feed to every of them over the past couple of years.
Publishing to YouTube
Numerous podcasters are selecting to add their podcasts to YouTube as nicely to extend their attain and faucet into some search engine marketing juice.
You are able to do this considered one of 3 ways:
- Movie your self and your visitors as you file your podcast, and edit the video to load to YouTube – A terrific instance of that is the Creator Assist 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 to your audio
- Merely create a picture to 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 would be able to load to YouTube.
Should you 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 visitors) and a brand.
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 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 finest practices information, that can assist 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 complete web page on their web site devoted to the medium for creators.
Suggestions 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 most important factor conserving so many individuals from launching after studying easy methods to make a podcast. Nonetheless, it may be rewarding, and yield revenue over time.
Actually, with a little bit planning, you can begin monetizing from the second you launch your first episode.
Listed below are some concepts and ideas you should utilize to monetize your podcast:
Crowdfunding
Patreon sponsors a variety of podcasting conferences, and at a previous occasion the crowdfunding platform supplied some fascinating 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 simply aren’t doing a variety of work
- Restrict patrons to make it extra unique
- Solely provide recurring month-to-month donations as a substitute of one-off donations as a way to proceed incomes revenue
Patreon’s recommendation for the best and most scalable rewards have been:
- Early entry to episodes (24-48 hours previous to it going reside for others)
- Livestreams of your podcast
- Particular Q&A classes after the episode is over
- Shoutouts of your donors in episodes
- Take a look at extra of Patreon’s concepts podcasters can provide followers.
Associated: Prime 20 crowdfunding platforms of 2019
When you’ve got a knack for gross sales, you can begin asking manufacturers to sponsor to your present. At first, you won’t be capable to command a lot cash, however it may very well be sufficient to a minimum of offset your tools, area and internet hosting charges.
I extremely suggest studying Entrepreneurs on Hearth’s Final Information to Podcast Sponsorships if you wish to go this route.
Internet affiliate marketing
That is by far the quickest and simplest way a few 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, after all.
If you wish to use affiliate internet marketing for monetization, it’s important to take a look at “Pat Flynn’s Epic Information to Affiliate Advertising,” which you’ll be able to obtain at no cost right here.
Associated: Easy methods to begin affiliate internet marketing in your weblog
Pitch your small business companies on the finish of each episode
Let’s say you’re a coach or a photographer, and your podcast is a advertising software for locating new purchasers. You may monetize your podcast by delivering a call-to-action in your episodes that you’re taking up new purchasers, with a hyperlink to your web site.
Cost your visitors to seem in your present
Whereas that is definitely not in style amongst podcasters, I did meet and study of some within the business who truly cost look charges for his or her visitors. How a lot to cost is definitely open for debate, however some cost based mostly on how huge their following is.
Once you’re simply beginning out, this won’t be choice for you, however in making an attempt to be unbiased on this submit, 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 would possibly need to think about creating digital workshops or prolonged episodes that you simply promote for obtain to your viewers.
For instance, let’s say you’re discussing easy methods 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.
Easy methods to get extra podcast listeners
As soon as your podcast has lastly been launched, how will you get extra listeners? Actually, it’s the identical manner you’d get the phrase out about every other enterprise you’re engaged on — you market and promote like loopy, and then you definitely preserve doing that even after you begin gaining a big viewers.
Primarily, you’re going to need to market your podcast without end to continue to grow. Listed below are some concepts that can assist you try this with out breaking the financial institution in promoting prices:
- Begin by telling family and friends: Inform everybody in your electronic 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’ll be able to, and share it to all of the locations.
- Weblog about it: You need to create a weblog to your present, and have a submit for each episode full with present notes as a way to reap the benefits of search engine marketing.
- Go to podcast conferences and meetups to satisfy individuals within the business: 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 search for.
- 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 change into a visitor on different podcasts, and in your call-to-action on the finish, inform individuals easy methods 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 manner into the media: Should you can set your self up as an professional in your area, leverage that experience to change into a supply to your native media shops.
Like I stated, advertising a podcast is loads like advertising every other enterprise, so I extremely suggest testing these GoDaddy posts for additional advertising assist:
Conclusion and subsequent steps
We’ve lined loads on this submit. From the analysis I’ve completed to date into easy methods to podcast, I do know firsthand how overwhelming all of this info may be. Right here’s a quick abstract of what we’ve mentioned right here in the present day:
- Get some recording tools, however don’t pull out the bank card simply but. It’s OK to start out with the inexpensive tools and improve as you develop your podcast.
- Plan forward for all features of your podcast — just like the identify, subject, format and content material — earlier than recording a single episode.
- Report 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 internet marketing, and many others. to monetize your present.
- Change into buddies with different podcasters, collaborate with them, and promote like loopy to develop your present.
There you could have it, of us. The down and soiled information to easy methods to podcast. I hope this has impressed you to think about making a podcast for your self or your small business.
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 further instruments and sources to think about as you analysis and put together to launch your individual podcast:
Books:
Movies:
Fb Teams:
Keen on testing Ashley’s personal podcast? Catch her on “The Bloggy Mates Present!”
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