tips for starting a podcast

^{8 Insider Tips for Starting a Successful Podcast}

1. Get the Right Equipment. Launching a podcast that is going to reach as many people as possible requires the right equipment. ...
2. Find Your Niche. Since there are hundreds of thousands of podcasts out there, yours needs to fill a hole in the market.
3. Choose Quality Over Quantity. What makes a good podcast? Sure, you want to be able to produce a lot of episodes, but if those episodes are lacking in quality, ...
4. Listen to Your Audience. You’re going to get tons of listeners that want to give you suggestions or podcast tips. ...
Optimize Your Podcast With SEO. When you’re just starting a podcast, you have to consider how people will find it. ...
Produce Guest Episodes. A great way to spice up your content and entice more listeners is to host guests. ...
Create Consistent Content. If you make an episode every week and then stop for a few weeks, you’re going to lose all of your subscribers.
Partner With People Who Know the Industry. There are businesses out there that can help you set up your podcast for success. ...

What do you need to know before starting a podcast?

• Publish Schedule …what day and when will you publish new episodes for your show?
• Launch Date …an exact start date no matter what on your calendar.
• Length of Episodes… how long is each podcast recording going to be?
• Episode Format …interviews, stories, team approach, topic-based, or a series, to name a few.

More items...

What are some best practices for starting a podcast?

Podcast Best Practices: Creating an Intro and Outro. The intro of any podcast sets the stage. Your intro will either grab your listener’s attention or lose it. Your outro should always wrap up the podcast and leave a call to action. Keep reading to discover the podcast best practices for creating an intro and outro. The Intro

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.

Should you really start a podcast?

How to Start a Podcast

• Step #1: Choose a topic you love. ...
• Step #2: Pick a podcast title. ...
• Step #3: Write a sound description. ...
• Step #4: Get your artwork created. ...
• Step #5: Pre-plan your episodes. ...
• Step #6: Pick your podcast hosting provider. ...
• Step #7: Prepare and make a recording. ...
• Step #8: Publish an episode. ...
• Step #9: Submit to directories. ...

What are the top 5 things to know before starting a podcast?

Know the 'What' and 'Why' from the Beginning. ... Focus on the Value You Bring to Your Audience. ... You Don't Need to Spend a Fortune—But You DO Need a Quality Setup. ... Podcasting Takes a LOT of Planning and Organization. ... Plan to Manage Your Web Presence. ... You'll Get Bad Feedback. ... It's Not Easy to Make Money as a Podcaster.

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.

How profitable is a podcast?

Big names are getting large amounts of listeners and large amounts of ad revenue in return. According to AdvertiseCast, average 30-second CPM (cost per 1K listeners) rates are $18, while 60-second CPMs are $25. The Ringer had about 420 million downloads in 2018, earning $15 million in ad revenue (paywall).

Is starting a podcast a good idea?

Not only is podcasting a new and exciting medium poised to take off exponentially, but podcasts themselves are great for producing or reproducing content. If you already have audio or video classes, you can quickly and easily turn them into podcast episodes.

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.

Should I film my podcast?

If you film a video podcast, you'll have extra footage you can cut into short, sharable segments. You'll also have behind-the-scenes content to share. Creating variety in your marketing can increase engagement and keep people interested. Another benefit of doing a video show is that you can do a live recording.

Does Spotify pay you for podcasts?

Streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts pay out for streams, but the payout tends to be very low. Podcast sponsorships are one way, but for new podcasts, the likelihood of finding a high-paying sponsorship is slim unless you're already a well-established figure.

How much does Spotify pay per podcast?

Every time someone streams or listens to a podcast or music on Spotify, the channel owner receives a small amount. This amount varies between artists depending on their popularity and impact on Spotify. Of course, most artists receive a blanket amount of around $0.00357.

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.

Is it too late to start a podcast 2021?

2021 is the year of the podcast.

Why you shouldn't make a podcast?

You think it needs little time. Many people think that podcasting needs a bit of reading and a little bit of speaking, and anyone can record an episode quickly. And such people shouldn't start a podcast, because it is going to demand a lot more of your time.

Do podcasters 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.

What are some good websites to host a podcast?

When you sign up for media hosting, you often get a free website with it too. Buzzsprout, Captivate, and Transistor all give you a simple but decent-looking site for your podcast. If you’re running a hobby show, this is a good option to keep things nice and easy. You might also fancy taking a look at Podpage which can build a great looking podcast website for you in minutes.

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 podcast host academy?

The Podcast Host Academy is our coaching and support community, which includes a huge collection of courses, resources and tools to help you get your show out there.

What is a podcast summary?

Your podcast's description (also known as a show summary) is THE most important thing potential new listeners will judge your show on? That's according to our 2020 Podcast Discovery Survey.

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.

Can you name a podcast after Mike Smith?

Again, you can incorporate this into your show’s name along with something descriptive (‘ Rock Climbing, with Mike Smith ’). But avoid naming the show after you without any other details .

Why do people start podcasts?

That’s just one of the reasons why more and more people are considering starting their own podcast; they want to talk about what they love with like-minded people every week and have a possibility of making money out of it.

What is the most important aspect of a podcast?

Audio is arguably the most important technical aspect of your podcast. In other words, good audio quality is everything.

What is canva for podcasts?

Canva is a very popular tool that you can use to create logos, graphics, as well as a bunch of other marketing material your podcast might need.

What is a podcast host?

A podcast host is basically a place where you store and through which you distribute your files. Your host provides you with an RSS feed (a list of your podcast episodes) that you later submit to other platforms. The most popular podcast host is Transistor, and for a good reason.

How important is it to get your podcast distributed?

Getting your podcast distributed is just as important as the content of the podcast itself. You can pay your hosting platform to do it automatically for you, or you can choose to do it yourself.

Why are podcasts so popular?

Podcasts have become immensely popular over the last few years, and to no one’s surprise. They give people the ability to keep up with their interests in a casual way by listening (or watching) to people they like. It’s a new form of entertainment that only continues to grow as time goes on. The best part about podcasts is probably ...

What editing tools do podcasters use?

This is an extra important step that turns you from an amateur into a professional. One of the most popular editing tools used by many big podcasters is ProTools.

How to make a podcast?

Make sure that every podcast topic and episode is laser-focused on bringing value and entertainment to your audience. Think about what they want to learn in your industry and don't be afraid to talk about things that you don't offer. Focus on their interests and they will stick around to hear the rest. - A. Lee Judge, Content Monsta

What is a good podcast?

A good podcast tells a story audibly but makes you visualize the situation, personal story or character of the narrator or interviewee. When starting a podcast, strive for that personal connection by sharing relatable stories with human flaws that people sympathize with. The audience will feel they truly "know" the person and continue following their story in subsequent podcasts. - Jessica Hawthorne-Castro, Hawthorne LLC

Why do brands create podcasts?

When brands create podcasts, content typically tends to be focused on what’s important for the business. This approach results in each episode having a different target market, which prevents it from building community. Treat podcast episodes like serialized storytelling rather than a single public relations opportunity and you’ll find greater success, increased consumption and engaged listeners. - Carey Kirkpatrick, CKP

How many steps are there in creating a podcast?

The process for creating a podcast can be broken down into nine different steps.

How to differentiate your podcast?

There are thousands of podcasts out there already. So, how are you going to differentiate yours? You need a unique and original idea or perspective. Your best bet is to focus on something affiliated with your personal story or passions — an area which will motivate and excite you to continue the podcast even on those days when all you want to do is lay on the couch and watch Netflix.

What software do I need to record a podcast?

You’ll need a device for recording with enough space to hold all your recorded podcasts, i.e. a laptop or computer. Just as important, though, is the software used for recording and editing your recordings. Popular recording/editing software programs Garageband and Audacity offer free versions and allow you to record live audio, edit files, change the speed/pitch, cut and splice, and output your podcast to a digital sound file. If you’re looking for additional or expanded functionality, you can choose to use a software program such as Pro Tools , Alitu, and Adobe Audition, all of which require a paid subscription.

What app to edit podcasts?

Here are some helpful tutorials on how to record and edit a podcast on: Garageband , Audacity , Adobe Audition, and Alitu .

Why are podcasts so popular?

With their ability to create an intimate connection between speaker and listener while on-the-go, podcasts as a medium increase in popularity with each passing day. These episodic audio series offer a space to broadcast a vast variety of content, from murder mystery stories to world conversation updates, interior design knowledge, and much more. It is easy to understand why half of all U.S. households claim to be fans of at least one podcast with 22% of all podcast fans considering themselves “avid” fans .

What is an outro in a podcast?

An outro is needed for each episode as well, to act as a call to action for your listeners — a way to keep them engaged and interested in listening to future episodes.

Why is story telling important in podcasts?

Storytelling, for example, is a crucial part of podcasts because it is intriguing and captivating for the audience and there is always another story you can share.

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 ...

When things go wrong, do you really need to have a solid core reason for wanting to podcast?

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 never be overshadowed by any of the above.

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.

Can you quit a podcast?

But a huge amount of podcasters give up after just a handful of episodes, and that's a by-product of how easy it is to launch. If something is created without much thought or genuine purpose, then it's also easy to quit.

How to choose a topic for a podcast?

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 .

How do podcasts grow?

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.

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 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 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.

Why do podcasts have titles?

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. 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.

Podcast Trends in 2021

While podcasts have been around for a while, but the content format has only begun to rise to its popularity in more recent years.

1. Choose a topic you are passionate about

Choosing a topic or niche is one of the most important decisions you have to make when you start your podcast.

2. Know your audience

It’s easy to get paralyzed in the decision-making process when there are so many creative ways you can go about your podcast. However, if there is one north star that should be guiding the direction of your podcast, that should always be your audience.

3. Make your podcast SEO-friendly

According to Podcast Insights, there are now over 43 million podcast episodes as of January 2021, and the numbers are continuing to climb daily.

4. Plan your content ahead of time

C onsistency is key if you are looking to build a successful podcast. To achieve that, you need to have your podcasting duties scheduled into your content calendar .

5. Go after reasonable interview guests

The highlight of a podcast is often the interview guest featured. It can make for healthy interaction and often is a valuable factor in the success of podcasting.

6. Practice your interview skills

But before you get all excited and invite a guest for a podcast interview, here are a few important pointers.

2. Then, Think about the How

Similarly, decide on your content’s style, structure, and tone before beginning. The more you know about what your podcast will be like and how you’ll get it done, the less bumpy the road will be as you get started.

4. Know Your Target Audience

Next, take a minute (or several) to determine who you’ll be speaking to. Don’t try to appeal to everyone; if you do, you’ll end up appealing to no one. After all, there’s a reason why a buyer persona is so commonplace among marketers.

5. What Value Do You Provide?

Once you know your target audience, ask yourself what needs your listeners have that your content fulfills.

9. Decide How Long Your Episodes Should Be

And don’t forget to think about your average episode length. How long will you shoot for?

10. Organize Your Workflow

All the best podcasters have an established structure for each podcast and an established structure for how they produce an episode. Creating a podcast episode takes several steps, including:

11. Stick to a Consistent Release Schedule

Decide how often you’ll produce episodes, whether that’s daily, weekly, or every couple of weeks. The right release schedule for you depends on several factors, including how frequently you can (sustainably) create new episodes.

12. Get The Tech You Need

If you don’t have the right equipment, there’s a limit to how good your podcast can be. You’ll need to invest in: