According to the Pew Research Center between 2013 and 2018, the number of podcast listeners rose from 27% to 44% of Americans. 30% of those Americans surveyed like to listen to podcasts at least once a day. 38% of those listeners use a smartphone for listening to their podcasts.
Apple Podcasts is the platform most people use when accessing their podcasts. Most people have discovered their favorite podcasts by word of mouth and when they hear about it on another podcast.
As you can see podcasts have become a popular form of getting information. If you’re wondering how to start a podcast, you’ve come to the right place. Continue reading to find out the steps you should take.
1. Plan Out Everything
The most important step in starting a podcast is making a cohesive plan for it. You’ll want to first plan out what kind of podcast you’re looking to make. You want to choose a specific topic in order to know what target audience you’re trying to reach.
Choosing a name is just as important as it’ll be the thing people hear first when they come across your podcast or hear about it from someone else, make it stand out. Writing a description is crucial as well because it could mean the difference between sparking curiosity in someone or boring them and losing a listener.
Next up you’ll want to figure out the format you want your show to be in. How long does it need to be to get your message across?
Will you have a co-host? Will it be an interview-style podcast? These are all important questions to ask and answer before taking on the next step in the process.
2. You Can’t Forget About the Set-Up
The great thing about podcasting is that there are so many options in terms of equipment and software. You can start as basic as you want to or go full out with a professional studio.
While this might sound a bit expensive, if you’re just starting out in the podcast world, the most important piece of advice you need to hear is that getting a good microphone is crucial. Do some online research and you’ll be able to find a reliable microphone within your budget. Remember that even if you have an amazing podcast, no one will want to listen if you have grainy audio.
In terms of software, a starting point can be the free software you can get on your computers, these will differ depending on whether you have a MAC or PC.
3. It’s Time to Record
If you’re at the beginning of your podcast journey, you’ll probably find yourself recording from home. If you don’t have a professional studio, a makeshift studio can work perfectly. You’ll want to play with setups to find what captures the sound best, some people seem to find that recording in a closet or setting up thick blankets around them work best to block out any exterior sound.
Remember to always start a recording session with a script of the episode so it can flow easily. After you’ve set up your space and equipment, you’re ready to start recording.
You’ll want to keep your microphone at an angle and try not to touch it as you’re recording to avoid unwanted sounds. You can use services like Podcast in a Box to help you get started and to figure out the best strategies for recording an amazing podcast.
4. Production Is Key
If you’re starting a podcast it’ll usually be because you have a lot of great things to say but sometimes it’ll take some time to get all your points across. This is where the production comes in.
One of the best tips for starting a podcast is to give editing as much attention as anything else. No one is perfect and will hit all the points seamlessly on the first try, editing helps cut out the unwanted pauses and times where you’ve repeated yourself or spoken over a guest.
The best format to follow is to record everything in one run and then go back in and edit out all the mistakes. You can also pause the recording and restart to redo a specific section you’ve messed up.
5. Presentation Is Important Too
While podcasts are all about listening, visual presentation matters too. Creating dynamic cover art for your podcast will intrigue people as they’re scrolling and looking for a new podcast to listen to.
The cover art is also the image that you’ll post on social media when sharing news about your podcast and we all know the power of social media in getting the word out. There are many different design platforms you can try out to get the cover art you’re happiest with.
Finding a great intro and outro song is important as well. You want to start off and end with some great music that’ll leave people wanting more. You have the option of asking friends or looking for royalty-free music online but it’s important that it sounds as clean and crisp as can be.
6. Do You Know Where You’ll Publish?
Making a great podcast won’t mean anything if you don’t choose an equally great host provider. It’s important that you choose a platform that will publish each episode of your podcast on a different RSS feed and one that makes it easy to manage.
It’s crucial that you submit your podcast to all the directories you possibly can, this will ensure the most engagement. If you’re wondering how to start a podcast on apple, it’s as simple as making an account on Apple Podcasts and submitting your RSS feed URL.
7. Share Everywhere
The host providers you use for publishing your podcasts can help you create snippets you can share online to get people excited about new episodes of your show. Creating a website for your podcast is also key to building an audience.
Social media is a great tool for getting recognition, make sure you’re talking about your podcast on all platforms. Collaborating with other shows, once you get your feet off the ground, is another great way to find new listeners for your show.
Now You Know How to Start a Podcast
If you’re looking for information on how to start a podcast, we hope this guide has proven helpful. Follow these tips and you’ll be making podcasts like a pro in no time. Check out some of our other blogs to learn more.
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