Podcast FAQ

how to start a successful podcast

by Norwood Raynor Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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To start a podcast, at a bare minimum, you need to:

  • Come up with a concept (a topic, name, format, and target length for each episode).
  • Design artwork and write a description to “brand” your podcast.
  • Record and edit your audio files (such as MP3s). A microphone is recommended (more on podcast equipment later).
  • Find a place to host your files (such as a file host that specializes in podcasts, like Libsyn or Podbean ).
  • Syndicate these audio files into an RSS feed so they can be distributed through Apple Podcasts and downloaded or streamed on any device on-demand.

Tips for Creating Successful Podcasts
  1. Keep Your Podcast Focused. ...
  2. Picture Your Target Audience.
  3. Be Consistent.
  4. Plan Your Workflow.
  5. Use Music Segments, but Don't Infringe on Copyrights.
  6. Promote Your Podcast.

How do you start a podcast as a beginner?

  • Set a definite date and time for publishing
  • Have one evergreen recorded podcast (As a backup plan)
  • Mention Website link at the start & end of Show notes
  • Use an animated video overlay and publish your podcast on YouTube.
  • Connect with best minds in your industry by inviting them to be a guest on your podcast show.

How to develop and grow a successful podcast?

  • Listen to your guests. For interview shows, it’s vital to not only come with pre-scripted questions but to allow guests to share the stories they’re passionate about. ...
  • Be consistent. ...
  • Don’t be afraid to promote your show when you appear on other podcasts. ...

How many people do you need to start a podcast?

How to Start a Podcast: Every Single Step for 2021

  1. What's Your Podcast For? So firstly, why do you want to make a podcast? ...
  2. Who is Your Podcast For? So first day, get the big question in: Who are you making this podcast for? ...
  3. Give Them a Reason to Listen Whether you're providing information that will help someone to lose weight (in the case of our personal trainer), or doing a really entertaining ...

More items...

How to start a profitable podcast?

Take a look at several out-of-the-box podcast money-making ideas below:

  • Advertisements-Podcasts that have a vast following are highly sought by advertisers. ...
  • Rely on sponsorships-You can generate thousands of dollars a month if you can find sponsors. ...
  • Establish relationships-When you are able to establish good relationships; you make your podcasts more profitable. ...

More items...

See more

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How much money can I make from a podcast?

As an estimate, if your podcast has about 10,000 downloads per episode, you can expect to make between $500 – $900 per episode in affiliate sales.

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.

Can I make money starting a podcast?

So is it even possible for new podcasts to make money? The answer is yes. By setting up a few automated revenue streams, new podcasters can accrue passive income that grows alongside their audience, giving them time back to focus on podcasting.

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 promote my podcast?

On this pageLeverage your guest's audience.Promote on social media … in a dozen different ways.Release at least 3 episodes on launch day.Convert the audio to a YouTube video.Submit your podcast to podcatchers and aggregators.Transcribe the audio.Throw a two-week ratings party.Run a giveaway contest.More items...

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.

Do podcasts on Spotify make money?

The short answer is: No. Spotify does not pay for podcasts, but fret not! We have good news for you: There are many ways to monetize a Spotify podcast. You can make money on your podcasts through sponsorships, affiliate programs, ads, coaching, and more.

What makes a podcast successful?

Keep the topic simple. A podcast with focus is going to be much easier for potential listeners to understand. You might think a wide appeal will get a wider audience but more often a narrow appeal means there's less likelihood others are doing the same thing. And the listeners you get will be very excited to find you.

How do I get sponsors for my podcast?

4 Strategies to Get Podcast SponsorsReach Out to Sponsors Directly. The simplest strategy? ... Partner With a Hosting Service. Podcast hosting services give your podcast a home on the internet. ... Join a Podcast Network. Some networks let you list your show (sometimes for free) on their platform. ... Use a Directory.

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.

How long should a podcast be for beginners?

#3 The Length of Your Show Although there are no rules regarding the episode length, it's worth keeping in mind that short episodes will make new listeners more likely to try out your podcast. We recommend keeping the length under 30 minutes when starting out.

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.

What are the benefits of starting a podcast?

Popular content platform because they are easy to consume. Great way to build an audience and build authority. You don’t need experience to start a...

Do podcasts make money?

Popular podcasters can make $25 to $50 for every 1,000 host-read podcast ads. Jeromy Sonne, co-founder of audio advertising service, Decibel , rep...

What are some free podcast hosting sites?

Anchor Acast Buzzsprout Podbean

Can you start a podcast for free?

Yes, you can create and set up a podcast for free by using a free podcast hosting service and free audio software and uploading your shows to sites...

Why do people start podcasts?

Lastly, starting a podcast allows you to position yourself as an authority on your topic. It helps build your audience and also makes it easier to sell your product or service since you're the credible source. Being seen as an authority can help influence potential customers to purchase your products.

How to record a podcast on a computer?

When it comes to how to record a podcast, all you need to do is plug in a USB microphone and open the audio recording software on your computer. Ensure your microphone is plugged in and turned on and that your microphone is the default input device for your recording software.

Why upload podcasts to Spotify?

Spotify is an up-and-coming directory for podcasts because of its popularity with music streaming and ability to make relevant music and podcast recommendations. The directory is growing quickly, so you want to get your podcast in its feed to improve visibility.

How many podcasts are there in 2019?

In 2019, US weekly podcast listeners averaged seven podcasts each week.

How many people listen to podcasts a month?

According to Edison Research, the number of Americans listening to podcasts every week increased 175% over the last five years, with roughly 90 million listening to a podcast each month.

What is a podcast on Stitcher?

Stitcher is the second largest podcast directory and another great way for people to discover your podcast. Basic Brewing Radio, for example, is a podcast on Stitcher that discusses homebrewing beer. Wine enthusiasts, on the other hand, can tune in to the Wine for Normal People podcast.

Why is podcasting important?

If you understand the value of creating content (e.g., blogging) for your business and brand, then you understand the value of podcasting. Creating a podcast allows you to reach a brand new audience: people who might otherwise never find or consume your long-form content because they prefer the audio format.

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.

Why do podcasts have show notes?

Show notes allow people to gain information from your podcast at a glance. They reflect the key takeaways of the episode and might also then delve a little deeper into what was said so people have an action guide and steps they can take next.

What are the factors to consider when choosing a microphone for podcasting?

The most important factors to look for include usability, sound quality, and suitability.

Do podcasts need editing?

Once you’ve recorded your podcast, it will need editing. The editing process stitches together things like your introductory voice-over, theme music, then the actual content of that specific podcast, whether it’s an interview style or a monologue.

How to start a successful Podcast?

This is one of the most common questions I hear from aspiring Podcasters that I work with in my Podcasting Mentorship Programme and I think this is the question that holds most people back to get started with their own Podcast in the first place.

How to start? Where should you even begin?

Today I will share where you should start if you want your Podcast to be a success. It is actually really simple.

It takes 3 simple steps

You don’t need anything for it, no audio recording equipment or fancy microphone, no investment.

3 simple steps to start a successful Podcast

STEP 1 | Take yourself and your ambitions to start your Podcast SERIOUSLY.

What is a successful podcast?

1 – Define a Successful Podcast. First thing's first: success means many different things to many different people. For some, it's about the big download numbers. Others dream of earning a full-time living from their shows. Many business podcasters see success as getting regular sales enquiries because of their content.

How long does it take to build an audience for a podcast?

One podcast tip that many aspiring podcasters don't like to hear is that it can take years to build an audience. And in order to make a successful podcast you need to be prepared to turn up consistently and regularly over the next few years. That doesn't mean that you can't have short-term goals though.

What is the common mistake that podcasters make?

A common mistake many new podcasters make is to build their shows around an audience that doesn't yet exist. If your episodes are built around answering listener questions, or doing live shows, then I'd recommend going back to the planning stages. In the early days it falls on you and you alone to create your content.

What happens when you run a podcast?

When you run a podcast, things don't always go to plan. Life can get in the way, hardware and software can break, files can vanish, and there's really no shortage of things that'll test your patience in the long run. When things go wrong, you really need to have a solid core reason for wanting to podcast. One that's big enough that it'll ...

Is it a good idea to run a podcast?

It's definitely a good idea to break down your main ambitions into smaller achievable aims. This can help give you a sense of progression. But hopefully you just enjoy the process of running a podcast. If you do, then you'll stand the best chance of sticking at it and growing an audience.

Is it easier to start a podcast?

After all, it's never been easier to actually launch a podcast. You don't need to spend a lot at all, and there are countless tools out there that can make things really easy for you. Once you've recorded a piece of audio and uploaded it to your media host, you can find your very first episode proudly sitting in places like iTunes ...

Do you care about your podcast before it goes live?

Another uncomfortable truth about your podcast before and during its launch, is that – unless you're famous before your podcast goes live – nobody really cares about it.

Unleash Your Podcast's Full Potential

Too many great podcast ideas never get to see the light of day. And that’s a shame. Because great podcasts have the power to transform lives through the information and stories they share.

Future-Proof Your Podcast

With clear and concise explanations of what works and why, you’ll have all the tools you need to turn your podcasting vision into a reality. Future-proof your podcast by starting off the right way.

Grab Your Ultimate Podcasting Guide

Take your idea and transform it into a hit show. Follow clear and concise steps to turn your podcasting vision into a reality.

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Planning

  • 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

The Benefits of Podcasting

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Podcasting is a great way to build your audience and expertise, allowing you to be seen online and become more searchable. Depending on the guests you bring in, it also allows you to build networks and become more referable. In the interim, podcasting ensures you are seen on new and fresh platforms such as Apple Podc…
See more on thinkific.com

Podcast Planning

  • Pick a topic
    Chances are you already have a topic for your podcast in mind, but it’s important to consider your potential audience as part of the planning process. Ask yourself, who will this type of content appeal to, and why? This will help you shape the format of your podcast and may also help you a…
  • The role of the host
    As the podcast host, your role is to share other people’s stories or educate your market, but you might also opt to include a co-host as well. If that’s the case then great, but you will need to ensure you are on the same page when it comes to the direction each podcast will take, and tha…
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Preparation

  • Create Cover Art
    Like a logo, your podcast cover art is a differentiator between you and other content. Your cover art should reflect the tone, feel, and brand of your podcast, and be readily recognizable as this is the artwork that listeners will identify your podcast with. You can have a graphic designer creat…
  • Get a professional Intro
    A professional introduction isn’t a necessity but is worth considering. Comprising a voice-over and music, it introduces the podcast and its theme. Again, this acts as a readily recognizable feature of your podcast and should reflect the tone and topics of your production. A voice-over introduct…
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Recording and Editing

  • Now you’ve got your studio set up, your microphone on hand and your podcast planned out, it’s time to get down to the nitty gritty of recording. But first, you need to turn your attention to a couple of technical matters, including whether or not you require an audio editor, which platform will host your podcast, and any other software involved.
See more on thinkific.com

Launch!

  • With the technical side of things taken care of, you’re almost up to the exciting bit where you officially launch your podcast and upload that first episode. But first there are a few extra items to take care of.
See more on thinkific.com

Recommended Steps

  • Now your podcast is up and running, the attention turns to growing your audience and value adding. You also want to ensure your podcast is easy to access, easy to digest, and perhaps offers key takeaways or insights in the form of show notes.
See more on thinkific.com

Final Tips and Takeaways

  • Starting a podcast is a great way of showcasing your expertise and building an audience. It’s also a hugely popular form of content that people can listen to wherever they are. If you are planning to start a podcast with a view to building following, it’s important you: 1. Turn up regularly, so people get to know, like and trust you 2. Remember as the host, your role is to inspire, engage and conn…
See more on thinkific.com

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