Wondering how to start a podcast? You have come to the right place.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n There are so many reasons for starting a podcast! Some of those reasons are to grow your business, connect with people in your niche, create a relationship with your audience, and self-fulfillment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As of January 2020, there are over 1 million podcasts<\/a> available, with over 30 million podcast episodes to listen to. These numbers might be intimidating, but armed with the right tools and information, it won’t be difficult for you to carve out a niche for yourself in podcasting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many companies create a podcast<\/strong> to promote their products and services. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, some podcasts succeed, while others are not well-known in the industry. The quality of your show can make all of the difference. Listeners are looking for an engaging and entertaining show that makes them return to it every week for the latest episode \u2013 deliver it, and you can easily make money and find prestige with podcasting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here is a comprehensive \u201chow to make a podcast\u201d guide with all that you need to know, along with some tips for starting a successful podcast<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Below is a list of steps to start your own podcasting journey this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n FirstSiteGuide is a free resource that is 100% supported by readers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Disclosure: If you purchase products through links on our site, we may earn a commission. It comes at no extra cost for you but it helps us to create more useful content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To skip the basic podcasting information, use the link below:<\/p>\n\n\n \n Jump to Step #1: Choose a topic you love <\/a><\/span>\n<\/p>\n\n There are four simple steps to starting a podcast. I\u2019ll explain these steps in further detail a little later, but for now, get familiarized with these steps. Once you\u2019ve mastered these, you\u2019ll be able to start your podcast in a matter of days, maybe even a few hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are the four basic steps to help you to understand precisely how podcasts work:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Way before you ever get into the actual production and technical work, figure out what your podcast will be about. Also, choose an appropriate title, topic, and format right at the start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Each episode of your show will be a separate audio file that can be made available in various formats. MP3 is the best choice as it offers a balance between quality and file size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The podcast host is the intermediary between your podcast and your audience. After providing the description and posting the relevant artwork, the podcast is published on the hosting service. You will receive your podcast\u2019s RSS feed link from the host.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To gain exposure and an audience for your podcast, you can distribute the published audio file (RSS feed) to different podcast directories such as Spotify, iTunes, and others.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n Just like blogging, you need to select a niche for your podcast that provides information that is in high demand with listeners. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But before you choose a topic, you should realize that listeners use podcasts for expert advice, and you must have good knowledge of your niche. While brainstorming for a unique topic, you must take your passions into account, consider who your audience would be, and the type of show that they would enjoy. Pondering over such questions and devising a plan will give you a competitive edge over other podcasters \u2014 and can help expand your audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you have determined the specific niche you want to speak on, you are one step closer to starting a successful podcast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A podcast title can help the listener anticipate the content and purpose of your podcast. We suggest you put some thought into choosing a title for your podcast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You are free to choose a title that best reflects your target audience. Here are a few things you should consider when brainstorming for the perfect title. You must consider key phrases that are relevant to the title. This will help your podcast become more visible on search engines. The title must also be suitable for social media handles and the domain name of your podcast so that your listeners can find you easily on the most popular podcast platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are three main options to choose a title for your podcast:<\/p>\n\n\n\n You must think of an apt title for your show that is catchy yet understandable at the same time. Remember that people should be able to locate it when they search for information about your chosen topic. You must also try to incorporate a description into the title since, without great content, there will be no point in a title, no matter how good it is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It means you can simply name the show for what it is about. For example, a personal trainer\u2019s podcast could be called \u2018The Fitness Podcast,\u2019 which perfectly highlights the niche of the podcast. But you must avoid using long names because you will be saying the name quite often in your podcast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the perfect method of naming your podcast, but only if you already have a large audience. If your podcast is based on a historical topic and you use your name in the title, the audience will think, who is that? And move past your podcast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You should write a descriptive paragraph about the contents of your show to entice listeners. This will help them decide whether they want to stick around and listen to the show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the description, you have complete freedom to play around with keywords and phrases that your target audience might use to find a podcast on your chosen niche\/topic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The description should be appealing so that your audience feels compelled to click and listen to your podcast. You need to start with something that matters to your audience by providing a little information in the description, after which they should be curious enough to sit through the whole podcast. Or you can talk about yourself and make it evident to them that you are someone worth listening to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You are free to add credentials or any other proof that shows your authority on a topic. And feel free to share your credentials on social media if they are worthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You have enough room to explain what your podcast is about and why it is worth the listener\u2019s time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The podcast will require some artwork or a square image that represents your show and the niche it belongs to. Although most podcasts lie in the audio medium, the visual medium is just as important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This will be the first thing your audience sees in the podcasting directory, before choosing to listen to any of your content. The artwork or your logo is the face of your podcast. Make sure that it grabs the attention of your listeners and makes you stand out from the competition. If you are thinking of putting your show on Apple Podcasts, the image will give it a better chance of being featured in the highly visible section of iTunes, otherwise known as the \u2018What\u2019s Hot\u2019 section. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The logo should be a minimum of 1400 x 1400 pixels and a maximum size of 3000 x 3000 pixels in JPEG or PNG format. Optimize your images for mobile devices by compressing the image files.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Invest in a good logo<\/a> for your show to attract more people to your channel. It\u2019s worth it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pre-planning is an essential part of podcasting since creating them can be a very stressful process. Every podcast must be pre-planned with a tailored approach to make sure that the quality remains consistent throughout the entire show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are some things that you must keep in mind when planning an episode for your podcast:<\/p>\n\n\n\n You must be passionate about the podcast topic that you choose so that it can provide value to the audience. Also, you should possess a certain level of knowledge or expertise in that particular niche to market your podcast the right way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To choose a topic that you want to talk about, you should have a general idea of what you plan to discuss. The more you know about that topic, the better the results will be of the podcast. You can research other podcasts by listening to as many as possible and learn about a particular niche, the tone most podcasters choose to adopt, and the sound quality to aim for. You should also consider trending topics and aim to work around them to deliver exactly what your audience wants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The structure of your podcast is critical. Here are a few podcast formats to choose from:<\/p>\n\n\n\n You need to respect your audience\u2019s time and set a reasonable episode length that is consistent throughout the series.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Twenty minutes is generally the ideal episode length for a podcast, as most people listen to podcasts while commuting to and from work. However, if your audience wants more, you can assess the stats and tweak your podcast length. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To keep the audience hooked, choose an entertaining format such as interviewing different people or adopting a different tempo for your podcast. By adding variety to your podcast, the length of an episode will not matter as much since your audience will enjoy your content. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The only thing that determines the length of an episode is the nature and quality of your podcast. So give it some thought before deciding on how long each episode will be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your schedule determines the frequency with which you post new episodes. It is essential for the success of your podcast since it allows your audience to remain connected and eagerly wait for the next episode.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Statistics show<\/a> that a podcast that puts out new shows weekly grows at a much faster rate than those that publish on any other schedule. So you must produce fresh material regularly to meet the expectations of your audience. You must also stick to a calendar that helps you to organize your content to meet the demands of your audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To make your podcast visible in the digital space, you need to sign up with a hosting company. These are platforms that store your files and provide access to your listeners so that they can download and subscribe to your podcast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Podcast hosting platforms provide different features and options, but they all follow similar methods to store audio files. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To select the right service, you need to evaluate five criteria that will help your podcast grow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n These features include: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The cost and subscription fee of each hosting service differs according to the features it provides. For perks like unlimited storage or a web domain, you may have to pay more than the usual fee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are some of the most popular and reliable options for your podcast:<\/p>\n\n\n\n BuzzSprout is simply the best podcast hosting platform out there, which makes things easy for all new podcasters. It has a simple dashboard and interface that allows you to get your podcast up and running in no time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n BuzzSprout possesses all of the features that you need to advertise your podcast content on the Internet. Its basic plan starts at $12 a month. BuzzSprout also offers a free option that hosts episodes for 90 days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n PodBean is another podcasting solution with ideal tools to help you in all stages of podcast production. Offering great pricing plans and easy-to-use features for new podcasters, you cannot go wrong with this service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With $9 per month that is billed annually, you get access to unlimited storage and bandwidth, website domain, comprehensive listener analytics, and an iPhone or Android app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is a relatively new podcast hosting company that has quickly made quite a name for itself. Other than hosting your audio files, Transistor has excellent tools for podcast monetization and analytics. In addition to this, you can also host multiple podcasts, customize your player, and create a beautiful website<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With Transistor’s primary focus being on growing your audience, it lets you import your podcast from a different podcasting platform without any difficulty. It also allows you to test their features with a free 14 \u2013 day trial, after which it charges users $19 \u2013 $99 per month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Feel free to check out our best podcast hosting guide<\/a> if you want to explore more options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recording high-quality podcasts require effort and preparation both for the content and to set up audio\/video for a podcast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first thing that you need to do is to figure out a plan for your content. You need to approach the podcast with a focus on making it comprehensive with quality information to keep your audience engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No matter what the format of your show is, you need to understand the type of content that your audience wants. Then, for each episode, you need to assess what questions your listeners are asking, what problems they need addressing, and what information they cannot get anywhere else but your podcast. After devising solutions to these questions, you need to prepare a script for the entire episode.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Podcasters often do not agree on the process of writing a script for a podcast. Whether it should be detailed or provide a simple overview depends on the content of your podcast. A detailed script can help you to create a value-packed episode that covers every single thing with little chance of error. However, it often removes spontaneity and changes the format of your podcast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For a lighter script, just a collection of bullet points is enough to create an engaging podcast. But the downside of a lighter script is that you might forget the key points and start repeating yourself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you ask us, we think a simple solution is to start with a detailed script and slowly narrow it down to make it more meaningful and effective. With practice, you will be able to strike the right balance between your recording style and the type of script you should create.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To record a high-quality podcast, you require the best podcast recording equipment. There are many things you can purchase to create a podcast without spending huge amounts of money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s all that you need to start a podcast:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The final component in the podcast equipment list is choosing the right podcast recording software. The following are some of the best podcast software that you can choose for your podcasting career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Integrating music into the intro of each podcast episode helps to set your content apart and adds a bit of flair to it. These are usually short voice-overs with music that introduce the podcast, the host, or the tagline of your podcast. You can record it yourself or choose any royalty-free music available on the Internet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Publishing episodes means uploading audio files after editing them and providing all the necessary details with them. However, before uploading them onto a podcast host of your choice, you need to take care of a few things:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Editing will vary according to the length of the audio file you have recorded and how many people you had on the show. The longer your recording is, the more time it will take to edit the file properly and put it up on a podcast directory. Once you are done with the necessary edits, you need to polish the intro and outro of your show to ensure consistency across the entire episode. Keep in mind that editing audio requires some knowledge and practice, and in the end, your goal is to prepare the best sound for a podcast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You need to publish your podcasts on a hosting service in an MP3 format, especially on platforms that have bandwidth restrictions. Some podcast hosts charge extra if you post bigger files. Hence, during the export process, you should keep your MP3 files as small as possible without compromising the quality. After exporting the MP3, you need to tag it with metadata, such as your podcast name, logo, description, and website URL. This will make sure that your audience gets all of the information that they need about your podcast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After converting your file into MP3 and selecting the right podcast hosting platform, you need to upload your podcast onto that hosting service. The host is the link between you and podcast directories such as iTunes and Google Podcasts. You can publish the podcast on the host, or you can schedule it to post on a later date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After you publish your podcast, you need to select a podcast directory that helps listeners discover, listen, and subscribe to your podcasts. You need to post an RSS feed link that you get from the podcast host to the directory of your choice. You can select one or more podcast directories depending on your strategy, but you need to choose them wisely. Here are some of your best options:<\/p>\n\n\n\n iTunes is the largest podcast directory, so it should be your number one priority. With its powerful search ability and category system, iTunes is becoming increasingly popular for podcast distribution. It can showcase your podcast to new listeners and allows them to rate and review your show. Not only does it feature popular podcasts, but iTunes also provides rankings on new podcasts daily. This makes it an essential directory for your podcast show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To learn more about the process of submitting your podcast to iTunes, you can refer to the FAQs below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is another popular podcast platform that hosts many podcasts. Since there are so many people that already use Spotify for music, the podcasts that are submitted on Spotify have more chance of gaining traction and amassing a huge audience over time. It also gives you a great overview of who your audience is and what they are streaming, which will help you to plan your future episodes. Spotify was created for podcasters to get discovered, and with constant updates, this platform makes sure that more people listen to your show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since you already learned how to create a podcast, check our FAQ\u2019s below to learn how to upload your podcast to Spotify.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stitcher is the second-largest podcast directory and another excellent platform to allow for your podcast to be discovered by people. It is a mobile app only, therefore, to listen or publish podcasts here you need to have the app on your mobile device. Stitcher will give you access to millions of listeners and a chance to download statistics such as listening time or monthly active users. Many people listen to shows on the platform, making it key to your growth if you plan to stick with podcasting for a while.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is a podcasting community that gives podcasters the power to make money, reach more audiences, gain access to listener analytics, and share audio or video podcasts. Blubrry has a remarkable digital interface where you can submit your podcast, and listeners can listen and subscribe to it. Listing your podcast on this platform will be considered beneficial, and even if you do not decide to get their services, you can make use of their free consultation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is another platform tool for giving your podcast more exposure since it reaches 200 million unique listeners around the globe across all devices and platforms. SoundCloud has an agile player and subscription model that works perfectly for a podcaster trying to increase their audience. If your podcast is centered on a community and you get lots of interaction, this platform might be a good place to start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pocketcasts sets itself apart from other podcast directories with over 300,000 shows for listeners that can be searched by the name of the author. It has invested a lot in designing the platform to make the process of discovery easier for listeners. Moreover, it has done a great job of offering new options for podcast listeners who continuously look for unique shows. Therefore, as a podcaster, the platform provides the potential to gain access to a massive number of listeners and help listeners discover your content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Starting a podcast can be a daunting task. So, to put your mind at ease, let\u2019s debunk the three most common podcasting myths that keep people from making their own podcast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Podcasts are free to create and listen to. You don\u2019t have to buy the best podcast recording software or the most expensive equipment to start your podcasting career. If you want to start quickly, all you need is a microphone, headphones, and audio editing software to produce a quality podcast. When you start to become more experienced, or your podcast starts to attract a larger audience, you can upgrade to better equipment. You can use free editing software like Audacity and choose a free podcast hosting platform to get started on your journey without breaking the bank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not at all. You don\u2019t need to be a tech expert to know how to start a podcast. With the advancements in technology, our smartphones and computers can pretty much do everything for us. For a beginner, creating a podcast is not that difficult. All you need is some familiarization with your gadgets, and off you go! You can educate yourself about the process and make a checklist of essentials before making a podcast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You should not start podcasting with the sole purpose to amass a huge audience. If this is the goal of your podcast \u2013 to attract more listeners and earn money \u2013 then you are setting yourself up for disappointment. You should be passionate about your podcast and excited to share your knowledge and ideas with the world. Do not let the fear of not reaching out to more people stop you from doing something you are excited about. By putting more effort into your podcasts and providing useful content, you can attract a bigger audience in no time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A podcast is a series of digital audio files that are based on a specific theme or topic, posted on the Internet for people to listen to. Unlike radio shows, you can listen to podcasts whenever and wherever you want. They can be accessed on a computer, tablet, or smartphone by streaming or downloading the file. Also, you can subscribe to various channels and get a notification each time a new episode is uploaded.<\/p> <\/div> Podcasts are an excellent way to reach out to people and connect with an audience. Even the most mundane topics can be converted into exciting learning experiences through a podcast. Although it sounds like a complicated process, podcasting requires very little investment and is easy to take up. A podcast allows you to provide more quality information to your audience than any other digital platform. It presents a massive opportunity for podcasters to showcase their expertise and skills in front of the entire world. If you have the right equipment and you have figured out the podcast hosting platforms and the directories you want to submit to, a podcast setup can be completed in a few days. The timeline depends on you and how early you want to set it up.<\/p> <\/div> There is no clear answer as to what your podcast will cost you since it depends on the type of equipment needed for the podcast you choose, the hosting platform, and the podcast directory you select. As long as you have a computer, you can buy everything you need for less than $100 and produce a high-quality podcast. For the best equipment and an expensive hosting platform, you can expect to pay around $200 \u2013 $500 for a quality podcast set up. It all depends on your requirements, so don\u2019t let the cost of podcasting hinder your decision to create a podcast. Remember, it is your content that matters in the end.<\/p> <\/div> You can start a free podcast if you already have a computer, laptop, or smartphone, and an Internet connection. All you need to do is to plan your podcast, choose a title, start recording with the equipment you have, write a fantastic description for it, record your first episode, and edit. After that, you can distribute your content to a free podcast hosting service such as Anchor, which will then spread it on a podcast directory. You can then monetize your podcasts through sponsorship, advertisements, affiliate marketing, crowdfunding, or donations.<\/p> <\/div> The necessary equipment you need for a podcast includes microphones, headphones, and a computer. You need to invest in a good microphone that can connect to your computer or laptop through a USB port. Headphones are required to check the quality of sound and to edit out any irrelevant sound bites from your podcast. Other than these essentials, you can buy mic stands, shock mounts, headphone amplifiers, and mixers.<\/p> <\/div> If you want to produce daily content, the maximum length of your podcast should be between 10 \u2013 15 minutes, but if you plan to upload weekly, make it 60 \u2013 90 minutes.<\/p> <\/div> If you want your podcast to be heard by the world, you\u2019ll need to pick a hosting platform where you can upload it. Different podcasters use various hosting services because each offers unique services, pricing, and marketing capabilities \u2014 there isn\u2019t a one-size-fits-all approach. You need to understand the purpose of a podcast feed before following the difference between a host and a directory. Top podcasts can easily make more than a million dollars a year. The Daily Podcast by The New York Times grossed over $10 million in advertising in 2018. Going by the fact that businesses spent $497 million<\/a> on podcast advertising, there is no denying the huge money-making potential of a successful podcast. The Joe Rogan Experience podcast makes around $75,000 per episode<\/a>, while \u2018This American Life\u2019 bags at least $50,000 per episode.<\/p> <\/div> Promoting and distributing your podcast on the best podcast platform is the key to a successful podcasting career. Stats show that 70% of listenership<\/a> comes through iTunes and other native apps. So for starters, make an effort to get your podcast on iTunes and Google Podcasts.How to Start a Podcast in 9 Easy Steps<\/h2>\n\n\n
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A quick primer \u2013 How to start your own podcast<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Start with preparation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Record the episode\/audio file<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Upload files to your podcast host and promote your RSS feed<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Submit your RSS feed to podcast directories<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
Step #1: Choose a topic you love<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Step #2: Pick a podcast title<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The clever name<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The descriptive name<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Using your name<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Step #3: Write a sound description<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Step #4: Get your artwork created<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Step #5: Pre-plan your episodes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Pick a podcast topic<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Choose a podcast format<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Determine the podcast length<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Podcast schedule<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Step #6: Pick your podcast hosting provider<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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BuzzSprout<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
PodBean<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Transistor<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Step #7: Prepare and make a recording<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Preparing a plan<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Creating an episode script<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Recording equipment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Recording and editing software<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Getting music<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Step #8: Publish an episode<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Edit the episode<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Export your MP3<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Publish the episode<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Step #9: Submit to directories<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
iTunes<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Spotify<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Stitcher<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Blubrry<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
SoundCloud<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Pocketcasts<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3 Common podcasting myths<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Podcasting is expensive<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
To podcast, you have to be a tech person<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
No one will listen to your podcast<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
FAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n