Podcast FAQ

how to start a podcast 2020

by Valerie Smith Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Let your voice be heard: How to start a podcast in 2020

  1. Identify why you want to start a podcast Knowing your why is just as important as making the commitment. ...
  2. Commit This might sound cliche, but the first step to starting anything is to commit to getting started. ...
  3. Decide on the topic for your podcast After you have made a commitment to yourself and clarified your goals for starting a podcast, decide on the topic of ...
  4. Decide who is your ideal listener Think about your ideal listener. What are they interested in learning or hearing about? ...
  5. Decide on the format of your podcast Think about how you want your podcast episodes to be structured. ...
  6. Start recording your first three episodes After narrowing down the planning phase of your podcast, it’s time to start recording. ...
  7. Setup podcast hosting After you have successfully recorded your podcast, it’s finally time to publish your first podcast. ...
  8. Distribute your podcast Now that you have hosting set up for your podcast, it’s time to select the podcast directories that you would like to distribute your podcast. ...
  9. Promote and market your podcast Congrats! If you have made it this far, you are well on your way to becoming a superstar podcaster. ...
  10. Stay committed and consistent

Part of a video titled How to Start a Podcast 2020: Podcasting for Beginners
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Full Answer

How long does it take to start a podcast?

There are four simple steps to starting a podcast. I’ll explain these steps in further detail a little later, but for now, get familiarized with these steps. Once you’ve mastered these, you’ll be able to start your podcast in a matter of days, maybe even a few hours.

Is it difficult to start a podcast?

Starting a podcast isn’t difficult, but there are a number of steps you’ll need to go through in order to get it launched. In this podcasting tutorial, we’ll walk you through every step of the process:

How many podcasts are there in 2020?

As of January 2020, there are over 1 million podcasts 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.

What do you get in a podcast tutorial?

These video tutorials will walk you through how to start a podcast, defining your audience, your topic and your format. Then, you'll be taken through everything else you need to go live, from recording, to equipment, to editing, to publishing.

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How does a beginner start a podcast?

Table of ContentsChoose a Podcast Topic You Can Commit To.Pick Your Podcast Name.Write a Compelling Podcast Description.Decide on Your Podcast Format.Get Your Podcast Artwork and Music Created.Purchase Your Podcast Equipment and Test Your Podcasting Software.Choose Your Podcast Hosting Service.More items...

How do I start a podcast on my own?

Steps to Start a PodcastDecide why you want to start a podcast.Choose a podcast topic, theme, and name.Select a podcast format and structure.Create podcast branding.Set up your podcast equipment.Find the best podcast recording software.Prepare for your first few podcast episodes.More items...•

How do I start a successful podcast 2020?

Try Shopify for free, and explore all the tools and services you need to start, run, and grow your business.Understand how podcasting works.Identify a podcast theme.Decide on a format.Create your podcast brand.Choose your podcasting equipment.Get recording software.Outline your first episode.Record your podcast.More items...•

How much money do you need to start a podcast?

In fact, if you already have a computer and you're operating on a shoestring budget, you can record, edit, and launch a podcast for less than $200. On the other hand, if you want to use higher-end equipment, starting a podcast can cost a few thousand dollars.

Do podcasts make money?

Sponsorships are the most common way podcasters make money. This is when the podcast promotes the sponsor during the show. You probably hear your favorite shows plug their advertisers a few times in every episode. How much you earn from a sponsor depends on the number of downloads your episodes earn.

How much money do podcasts make?

Assume you're a podcaster and you do the following each month: 1.00% of your audience purchases through your link, earning you $15 for each sale. 0.05% of your audience buys an online course per month for $99. You release about four episodes of your podcast each month.

How long does it take for a podcast to make money?

Relying on the experience of Marc Clair, a podcast host, and producer, it may take as long as 18 months before you start seeing results. That's if you produce a show weekly. In his words, things can be faster than stated if you have luck, a marketing budget, and irresistible content.

What equipment is needed for podcast?

For a conventional podcast, you need at a minimum a microphone, headphones, a computer, recording and mixing software, and internet access.

How do you know people will listen to your podcast?

Read the discussions in online forums dedicated to your podcast's subject, and digest what people say about themselves. Another way to find your ideal listener, or audience avatar, is to look at the geographic reach of your download statistics. Any decent media host will provide this info.

How long should podcasts be?

The length of your podcast also depends on your subject, industry or genre. It could be that around 15-20 minutes perfect for your listeners. But maybe your specific audience wants more in-depth, exploratory information; in which case, 45-90 minutes would provide more value.

How much does it cost to put a podcast on Spotify?

Podcasters will be able to select one of three price tiers for subscriptions through Spotify: $2.99, $4.99 or $7.99 per month. “We felt like rather than put the burden on creators [to set pricing], we should make a recommendation on what we feel are strong price points,” said Mignano.

Which platform is best for podcast?

What are the Best Podcast Hosting Platforms?Fusebox. ... Blubrry Podcasting. ... Spreaker. ... PodcastWebsites. ... Audioboom. Best hosting platform for taking your podcast to the next level. ... Libsyn. The most reliable podcast hosting site. ... Soundcloud. Best platform for audio content creators. ... Podomatic. Best freemium podcast hosting platform.More items...•

What is a podcast host?

Media or Podcast hosts are services that store your audio and allow your listeners to listen, download, and subscribe to your podcast. One common misconception when learning how to start a podcast is that you upload your podcast to places like iTunes. This actually isn’t the case.

What is the point of a podcast?

The whole point of a podcast is that people listen to it, so give them a reason to click on one of your episodes. Make it clear to people what they will get from listening to your show. If you look on any podcast directory you will see shows with titles like “How To…”, “Five Tips For…” etc.

How many episodes of a season of podcast?

When you start a seasonal podcast, each season will usually have a theme. You might create episodes based on that theme or topic for 6-12 episodes, then have a break. After a month or two, you’ll launch a new season (with another theme/topic) and repeat the process.

What is a podcast page?

Podcastpage is a website builder and hosting all-in-one made specifically for podcasts. Kind of like Wix but designed for the needs podcasters. No coding is necessary. You just choose one of their themes, customize to your liking, and optionally integrate email marketing or Google Analytics.

Is it easier to start a podcast with a co-host?

It can be much easier to start podcasting if you have a co-host. You will naturally have a more engaging conversation if you both share your points of view on a topic . It can also be helpful to have someone to keep things on track. Plus, you can split additional tasks of editing, promoting, and more.

You want to start a podcast?

You came to the right place! We are here to help you jump start your podcast efforts from ground zero all the way to publishing your first episode right here, in this ultimate guide on how to start a podcast! Now, before we get started…

How to start a podcast in 8 steps

Here is the TL;DR (too long; didn’t read) of this ultimate guide to podcasting:

Why should you choose to podcast?

Most podcasts are listened to when the listener is doing something that does not require outside attention which helps secure the ability for the experience to be your voice directly into their ears, usually with headphones, in a car, while mowing the lawn, showering, doing the dishes or even working.

What is the message your podcast is promoting?

Before we get to the technical end of podcasting we need to start with the basics. We need to get you thinking about what is…

Why you need to be niching your podcast down

Remember that there is only one rule in podcasting: THERE ARE NO RULES! and you will find that out as you move through your podcasting journey. It all starts with figuring out what you want your podcast message to be about.

Who is supposed to listen to your podcast?

Sometimes it is easy to get caught up in making a show that you would love to listen to. Which is great if you are engineering the podcast to attract more people like yourself to your platform. If you are trying to craft your show to attract more clients and business then you need to be thinking about the following.

How to pick your podcast show structure

Now that you have your topic that you want to focus your show around, in this example, it will be Dog Care to help Sally Fox bring in more clients to her veterinary practice. It is time to put together the show’s structure.

What is the first thing people see when they listen to a podcast?

Your podcast’s logo and branding is the first thing people will see. Your audience will be browsing on their app, see your logo and then read your description and tagline. If your logo is bad and doesn’t catch the eye, they will just keep scrolling.

What is a DAW for podcasts?

Your DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) acts as the central hub for everything to do with audio in your podcast, including the recording and post-production process. Some programs are available free or come with your computer and others are paid.

What is affiliate marketing?

Affiliate marketing is when you promote third party products or services in return for a commission. Basically you need to get your listeners to click on an “affiliate link” which takes them to the 3 rd party website that is selling the product or service.

How much does John Lee Dumas charge for podcasting?

Some podcasters, like John Lee Dumas charge guests a fee for appearance. On his “ Entrepreneurs on fire ” podcast, he charges $3500 to appear ! I hope you are starting to see the real potential of podcasting.

Is Google search good for podcasts?

Google search is an excellent free source of traffic for a website and podcast. However, getting your podcast and website showing up at the top of Google’s search results does involve a bit of work. This is where “SEO” comes in. SEO stands for “Search Engine Optimization”. SEO is essentially making sure that your website is in a format that google can read and understand in order to include it in its search results.

Can you set up a Patreon account?

You could set up a Patreon account and request donations from listeners. This is a great choice for entertainment and commentary channels, because you can offer your audience premium or exclusive content.

Where to Start

Starting a podcast can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. You can launch a podcast for your business or as a hobby. You should know that the average podcast takes time to build an audience. Getting these basic things down can help you grow in your niche and clearly define your target audience.

Recording and Preparing Your Podcast for Launch

So you’ve narrowed down your topic, figured out your niche audience, and have a format for your podcast.

Where to Host Your Podcast and How to Prepare for Launch

So, you’ve recorded the first couple of episodes of your podcast. You’ve edited them in your software. Now you’re ready to upload to iTunes, except, you can’t actually upload your podcast straight to iTunes or Spotify directly from your computer. iTunes and other podcasting apps need an RSS feed submitted to them.

How to Submit Your Podcast to iTunes and What to Do after

Now that you have recorded a couple of podcasts, feel comfortable on the mic, edited your episodes, chose an audio hosting platform, have cover art, and established your social media presences, you are ready to upload your podcast to iTunes, Spotify, and other platforms.

What do you need to know before starting a podcast?

These were some of the key steps that need to be remembered before starting a podcast. As mentioned before, the formation of a podcast requires lots of patience and determination. It is a fairly complex procedure but if done with proper planning and management then there can be no replacement for the experience of creating the podcast.

What is the prerequisite to start a podcast?

One of the prerequisite steps in starting a podcast is that the person is clear about the topic around which he/she wants to work on. There are varied kinds of podcasts that we get to witness around us today. The idea of collecting materials usually connotes the gathering of proper sources and information around which the research will be done.

What is the most important part of a podcast?

Here comes the most important part of the entire podcast production process that is to finally record what all has been planned. The recording is the key element among all the processes involves in forming a podcast. It has to be dealt with great attention and need extra concentration. The recording of the podcast is not one simple and easy process. This entire idea of recording is incorporated with various other steps such as draft records, sound, and quality checks. Let us see some of the important details about recording the show.

What is the detail of a podcast?

The detailing of the podcast includes selecting the editing process and deciding the details about the episodes. The details about the podcast have to be decided before the content is recorded. The episodes are of extreme importance to the podcast as a whole. The entire planning about the minute details of the episodes plays a key role in the podcast. Let us see what is usually included in the planning of the podcast details.

What is the next step in building a podcast?

Once a person is done framing and working around the aforementioned steps, the next step is about building the podcast socially. The planning of the content formed so far is of extreme importance. In the planning section, the key role is played by the website and social media. The website created for the podcast is necessary to attain the fame that is expected out of the podcast. Some of the key factors that should be remembered while planning the show are as follows:

Can I monetize my podcast?

It is always recommended to monetize your podcasts once it becomes famous among the people. There are multiple ways in which a podcast can be monetized. Some of the ways which can be of great help to you are mentioned below.

1. Pick a KILLER Show Idea

The style of your show is going to dictate the individual format of your podcast episodes, along with the ways you can actually monetize the thing.

3. Podcasting Gear and Equipment

This is probably the first thing on everyone’s mind. To share your voice with the world, you need the right equipment.

4. Launch and Market

Make no mistake, the marketing strategy will literally determine the success of your show. If you do it right, you can make a splash onto the scene and start building momentum.

How long should a podcast be?

Determine the podcast length. You need to respect your audience’s time and set a reasonable episode length that is consistent throughout the series. Twenty minutes is generally the ideal episode length for a podcast, as most people listen to podcasts while commuting to and from work.

Why do podcasts need to be pre-planned?

Every podcast must be pre-planned with a tailored approach to make sure that the quality remains consistent throughout the entire show.

What is a podcast host?

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’s RSS feed link from the host.

How much does BuzzSprout cost?

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.

How to make your podcast visible?

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.

What is a personal trainer's podcast called?

For example, a personal trainer’s podcast could be called ‘The Fitness Podcast, ’ 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.

What are the different types of podcasts?

The structure of your podcast is critical. Here are a few podcast formats to choose from: 1 Interview style – This is the most popular format these days as each episode introduces the listener to exciting and inspirational people from a specific niche. The format is generally unscripted and free-flowing and requires minimum editing. 2 News and current events show – This format focuses on sports, politics, technology, or any other hot topic that lets you provide non-stop fresh content to your listeners. 3 Multi-host show – A podcast with more than two people creates intrigue and can be highly entertaining with a conversational tone. There will be less pressure on you since the responsibility of presenting great content to your audience is divided among all hosts. 4 Solo style – In these podcasts, you can tell a story in each episode that is relevant to the topic of your podcast. It could be in any tone as long as the content is educational or motivational. By occasionally inviting a guest on the show, you can entice the audience and engage them in your podcast.

How To Launch A Podcast In 2021 - The Ultimate Guide

This post details exactly how to launch a podcast on 2021. If you don't have a podcast... read this, if you do have a podcast, still read this!

STEP 1: CHECK EVERYTHING IS PREPARED

First, go back to the previous post to ensure you have everything you need to launch and then more importantly… sustain the growth of your podcast.

STEP 2: CREATE A TRAILER

You want your audience to immediately understand what is in it for them.

STEP 4: LAUNCH WITH 2-4 EPISODES

Ideally we would be launching with two to three episodes AND the trailer mentioned above. In terms of the episodes to launch with, we want to ensure that the guests we are launch with are:

STEP 5: SUBMIT TO APPLE PODCASTS & SPOTIFY

When you have this launch date, you then need to ensure that you submit your podcast to both Apple and Spotify prior to launch, details on how to do these can be found here:

STEP 9: CHECKLIST

OK we’re nearly there, please move through the following checklist to ensure that you have everything prepared for the big day:

STEP 10: GO HARD

OK so you have two weeks to get into New & Noteworthy so it’s time to go HARD.

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Planning

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This is the initial (often overlooked) stage to make a podcast. You’ll want to spend a good amount of time here before you move on. Feel free to get out a notebook or a whiteboard so you can start planning your podcast like a pro.
See more on podcastinsights.com

Preparation

  • Now that you’ve written down your topic, format(s), and secured a domain name, we’ll need to get a few things prepared ahead of launch…
See more on podcastinsights.com

Recording & Editing

  • Alitu
    If you haven’t used editing software before, even simple actions in GarageBand or Audacity can be quite intimidating. It’s understandable: audio production is completely full of jargon! If that’s the case, then Alitu might be the way to go. It’s a ‘podcast making’ tool that automates a lot of the c…
  • GarageBand
    I’m going to show you how to use GarageBand for recording and editing. Other audio editing software is similar but most have more advanced features that you don’t need when getting started. Popular options are Adobe Audition & Audacity(both work with Mac & PC). You can als…
See more on podcastinsights.com

Launch!

  • Get A Podcast Host
    I use and highly recommend Buzzsprout podcast hostingafter trying many different companies over the years. Plus you’ll get a free $20 Amazon gift card after you sign up for a paid plan! Feel free to check out our complete podcast hosting guide if you want to see other options, but anoth…
  • Upload Your First Episode
    If you use Buzzsprout, this process is super simple. If not, it’s possible you need to mess with things like embedding ID3 tags into your MP3. Sounds confusing and unnecessary – let’s not do that. You’ll just need to click the “Upload” button: and they’ll apply some magic processing to you…
See more on podcastinsights.com

Recommended Steps

  • Your job isn’t done once you start a podcast. Here are my recommendations to help make your show more appealing and easier to grow:
See more on podcastinsights.com

Planning

  • What is the goal ofthe podcast?
    Goals are a really important thing to think about because theyadd purpose and direction. You may be focused on one overarching goal, but ifyou really ask yourself, you’ll probably find you have a lot of other goalstoo. A good way to start mapping these out is by starting reallybroad and then …
  • Choosing a topic for the podcast
    You want to befairly certain on the topic you choose. From the very first episode, you’rebuilding a relationship with your audience and defining yourself. If, down theroad, you discover you’ve chosen the wrong topic – you’ll be stuck with it fora while. Remember, you’llbe spending hours r…
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Podcast Recording Equipment and Hardware Guide

  • In this section, Icover the hardware needed to record a podcast. I discuss software in a separatesection later in the guide. There are two mainways to organize your set up. You’ll be recording either directly through the computer or with hardware using an interfacethat’s connected to thecomputer.
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Planning and Recording An Episode

  • Now that you’vegot your hardware, let’s go through the steps for actually planning andrecording your podcast episodes.
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Podcast Audio Recording and Editing Software

  • Your DAW (DigitalAudio Workstation) acts as the central hub for everything to do with audio inyour podcast, including the recording and post-production process. Someprograms are available free or come with your computer and others are paid. Generally, yourDAW will support audio recording, editing, effects, mastering and even musicaland visual elements, including MIDI and v…
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How and Where to Publish and Distribute Yourpodcast

  • When you think ofdistributing a podcast, you’re probably imagining iTunes, Google Play andSpotify, right? Well, technically you are correct. That is where they end upbut it’s not where they initially go! These platformsare known as podcast directories – nothing is actually stored with them, it’sonly directed to them. Instead, all yourepisodes are stored on what’s called a podc…
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How to Promote Your Podcast

  • Once you’re readyto publish, you’re ready to promote. A surprising number of steps you can takewill cost you nothing and will actively build your audience.
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How to Make Money from Your Podcast

  • There are a lot ofopportunities to make money from your podcast as you grow your audience, buteven new podcasts can start monetizing too. Here are some common methods:
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Conclusions and Next Steps

  • Podcasts are a fantastic, ever growing medium to tell storiesand connect with people that share your interests. You don’t need tobe an expert to get your podcast going. Along with this guide, all you reallyneed is the interest and some time! I hope that thisguide on how to start a podcast helped you. Feel free to share a link to it onsocial media.
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