Podcasts are audio or video recordings that are distributed over the Internet, and are usually hosted by individuals who are interested in sharing their knowledge and opinions with other listeners.
The rise of popularity in podcasts, combined with advances in technology, means that there is now a wide variety of podcast hosting platforms available to podcasters (also see, ‘Best Podcast Hosting Platforms’). It has never been easier If you want to start on your first podcast episode.
Podcasting has become an increasingly popular way for people to share their views on various topics, and also offers a great way to make money online if you have something valuable to say.
But how do you start a podcast? This guide will help you understand what it takes to start your own podcast, as well as some of the best ways to monetize it (also see, ‘Monetizing A Podcast‘).
Step 1: Choose A Topic
The first step to creating a successful podcast is choosing a topic that you’re passionate about (also see, ‘How To Choose A Podcast Category‘). If you don’t care about the subject matter, then why would anyone else?
To come up with interesting podcast episodes, you need to be able to talk about the topic at length without getting bored (also see, ‘How Long Should A Podcast Be‘). It should also be one that you can easily research.
For example, if you want to create a podcast about cooking, you might choose to focus on a specific cuisine like Italian food or Chinese food.
Or maybe you want to cover a broad range of topics such as health, fitness, nutrition, etc.
ALSO SEE: How To Find Great Podcast Topics Ideas
If you’re not sure where to begin, here are some ideas to get you thinking:
- What do you love doing? Do you enjoy talking about it?
- Are there any subjects that you feel strongly about?
- Is there anything that you know a lot about?
- What are your hobbies?
- What are the things that you find interesting?
- What are some of the most important issues facing society today?
- What are you good at?
Choosing a topic is one of the most important elements of creating a successful podcast. Once you have decided upon a topic, you can move on to Step 2.
Step 2: Find Your Audience
Once you have chosen a topic and chosen a podcast name (also see, ‘Best Podcast Names‘), you need to decide who your audience is going to be. Are they going to be general audiences or more niche groups?
There are pros and cons to both types of audiences, so it’s up to you to determine which type you want to cater to.
General audiences tend to be less selective, but they’ll listen to almost anything. They may be willing to try out new products or services, and they’re likely to be open-minded.
However, this group tends to be fickle, and they won’t stick around if you aren’t providing them with value.
Niche audiences tend to be very selective, but they‘ll only listen to content and podcast format that aligns with their interests.
They’re often highly engaged, and they’ll be happy to give feedback on your product or service.
You will likely have to be a real expert in your field to target a niche audience, so make sure you brush up on your knowledge if you go down this path.
ALSO SEE: Podcast Name Generators
There are many different ways, particularly social media platforms, to reach your target audience. Here are just a few options:
- Facebook Groups
Facebook groups are a great place to connect with potential customers. Create a page for your podcast, and join relevant groups related to your topic. Post regularly, answer questions, and provide helpful information.
- YouTube Channels
Creating a YouTube channel is another great option for reaching your target audience. Use videos to explain concepts, show examples, and demonstrate how to use your product or service.
- LinkedIn Groups
LinkedIn groups are similar to Facebook groups, except that they’re focused on business professionals rather than consumers. Join groups related to your industry, and post regularly. Answer questions, share useful articles, and promote yourself.
- Twitter Lists
Twitter lists are a great way to stay connected with people interested in your topic. Follow influencers in your space, and follow back those who follow you. Tweet frequently, and engage with other users by retweeting, liking, and commenting on posts.
- Instagram Accounts
Instagram accounts are a great way to build brand awareness and drive traffic to your website. Share images and videos related to your topic, and interact with followers.
Step 3: Find The Right Podcast Hosting Platform
Now that you have an idea of what kind of audience you want to attract, you need to choose a podcast host (also see, ‘Podcast Host Comparisons‘).
This decision should depend largely on your budget, as well as the amount of time you want to invest into each episode. Look around and see what other podcasts are using.
If you don’t have much money to spend, consider using a free podcast hosting service like Anchor.io. It allows you to record audio directly from your computer, and then upload it to your own site (also see, 7 Free Podcast Hosting Unlimited Storage‘).
If you do have some cash to spare, there are plenty of paid podcast hosts available. These include Podbean, SoundCloud, and Blubrry.
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Each one has its own unique features, so take some time to research them before making your final choice.
Once you have selected a platform, you can start recording!
Best Podcast Recording Software?
Step 4: Record Your First Episode
The first step towards creating a successful podcast is to actually create one. To get started, you’ll need to find a microphone and audio recording software that works best for you (also see, ‘Best Audio Recording App For iPhone‘).
Your podcasting equipment needs to be on point. Among all podcast equipment, choosing your mic is important – it needs to be easy to operate, and it needs to produce high-quality sound. If possible, try out several mics before buying, and see which ones work best for you (also see, ‘What Is The Best Dynamic Microphone For Vocals‘).
Next, you’ll want to pick an editing software to process your audio clips. There are tons of options, including Audacity, GarageBand, and even Microsoft Word.
Try a couple, and see which one feels most comfortable for you.
Finally, you’ll also need a good script. You can write this yourself, but if you’d prefer to hire someone else, check out Scripted. They offer professional scripts at reasonable rates.
Once you have all these pieces in place, you’re ready to record your first episode!
Step 5: Publish Your First Episode
After you finish recording, it’s time to publish your first episode. Once you’ve uploaded your file to your chosen podcast app, you’ll have to wait for approval (also see, ‘How Often Should I Publish A Podcast‘).
Depending on the size of your audio file, this could take anywhere from 24 hours to a few days.
Make sure to sign up for your podcast directory of choice, whether it’s Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or Spotify, among others (also see, ‘Stitcher vs Apple Podcasts‘). Podcast directories give your podcast a greater presence and access to more potential listeners.
Make sure you have a good podcast description and artwork to go with your podcast. It is important that you give your audience an accurate representation of what they can expect when they listen to your podcast.
When your episode goes live, make sure to promote it! Make sure you create podcast artwork such as the podcast cover art to attract more attention. Also, don’t forget to promote your podcast on your website, blog, and social media accounts (also see, ‘Best Podcast Promotion Services‘).
Do a podcast launch, post it on social media, send emails to subscribers and leave comments on any relevant blog post.
By promoting your podcast through these channels you will be able to reach even more people than just the ones already in your network (also see, ‘How To Make Your Podcast Popular‘).
Additionally, consider reaching out to industry professionals or influencers who may have an interest in your topic. This could help you gain more traction and listenership for your podcast.
You may not get many listeners right away, but over time, word will spread. Eventually, your podcast will become popular enough to earn sponsorships, and you may even be able to quit your day job!
Final Thoughts
Podcasting isn’t just for big companies or celebrities anymore. Anyone can start a podcast, and you don’t need any special skills to do it.
All you need is a little bit of creativity and a lot of dedication to embark on a successful podcast launch.
In this article, we’ve covered everything you need to know to get started – so have fun creating your first episode!