Introduction
Starting a podcast can be an exciting and fulfilling experience for content creators. Not only does it allow you to share your message and connect with your audience on a deeper level, but it can also open up new opportunities for collaboration and growth. Chances are you even know someone who has started a podcast.
The podcast scene became the go-to platform for people to share their views, stories, and relationship advice. Now your Aunt who loves to gossip has started her "spill the tea" podcast and you begin to wonder how hard could it be to start your own. So you decide to grab your mic and set up your old laptop only to learn starting a podcast can seem more daunting than you realized, especially if you're unsure where to begin.
That's where this step-by-step guide comes in. This post covers everything you need to know to start a successful podcast in 2024 and beyond, from equipment and hosting resources to topic planning, online presence, and more. So, whether you're new to podcasting or looking to up your game, let's dive in!
Step 1: Plan Your Podcast Topics
I've seen this happen a lot. A budding podcaster goes and gets tons of fancy equipment, pays for all the software, and even reserves space in their home office for them and their guests only to then realize, they have no idea what to talk about. To keep your podcast engaging and relevant, it's essential to plan your topics. This is the critical first step to any podcast and could end your show before it even begins. Everyone feels like an expert on a topic be it movies, TV shows, or even gaming, until it comes time to speak to the world about it. So here are some tips on how to choose the right ones and keep your listeners coming back for more:
Know your audience: Consider the interests and concerns of your target audience, and choose topics that will resonate with them. Even if you feel well-versed in your selected topic, doing extra research wouldn't hurt.
Stay timely: Cover current events and trends to keep your podcast up-to-date. Even the most niche topics can have new happenings your listeners would love to know about, and hear your take on.
Be consistent: Establish a regular schedule for your podcast, and stick to it. It's easy for us to get distracted or busy in today's society, and I won't lie to you, podcasting can be very demanding once you start. Statistically most new shows don't even reach a tenth episode before they fall into the abyss of unfinished podcasts. So you want to be sure you can allocate the time and resources to running a show because with consistency comes growth as people become accustomed to you and you become their new favorite show.
Step 2: Choose Your Equipment and Record
Before you begin recording your podcast, you'll need to choose the right equipment. It's good to remember that your audience will be more forgiving towards bad video quality than terrible audio. So here are some essentials to consider:
Microphone: The microphone is the foundation of your podcast. The bread and butter so to speak. So it's essential to invest in a quality one. Popular choices include the Blue Yeti, Audio-Technica AT2020, and the industry staple the Shure SM7B.
Computer: You'll need a computer to host and edit your podcast. A laptop or desktop will work, as long as it's reliable and has enough storage space. You don't need to run out and buy the latest PC for your new show. With tons of online editing software (more on that later), recording an entire show on your old laptop is easy.
Headphones: Wearing headphones while recording will help you hear yourself and your guests more clearly, and prevent any echo or feedback.
Recording software: There are many options for recording software so it comes down to your preference, but some popular choices include Audacity, and Adobe Audition. If you are just starting or working with a budget Audacity is a solid way to go, as it's free to use and easy to learn.
Recording hardware: This is more for your "on-site" podcasts with a studio setting. They also can be used for remote podcasts if you so choose. These ensure the best possible quality for your podcast and make the post-editing process less of a chore. A solid option is the RODE Caster Pro 2
Step 3: Editing Your Podcast
Oh boy.
So we have finally reached the second most difficult part of the podcasting experience. The all dreadful editing. This step can make or break your show. Even if you have an amazing topic and tons of listeners already lined up, it can all crumble if your show is poorly edited. Remember what I said earlier: People are more forgiving of bad video quality than terrible audio.
Fortunately, with the boom of podcasts, many places offer editing services to ease the burden of this step. Sites like Music Radio Creative are great places to look for editing services if your budget allows. You can also use a site like Riverside FM which has all the necessary tools to record and edit your show in a monthly subscription.
Or you can outsource to freelancers on sites like Upwork and Fiverr. These are not bad options as you can build a solid professional relationship with an editor who will come to understand your show and what you want in it making the process that much faster and smoother. But for the more do-it-yourself types here are some tips on how to edit your episodes for the best results:
Edit for clarity: Cut out any long pauses, filler words (ums, uhs, etc), or background noise that could distract from your message.
Add intro/outro music: Use music to add a personal touch to your podcast and make it more memorable.
Use sound effects: Consider adding sound effects or snippets of relevant audio to add depth and interest to your podcast.
Our Tip: If you are trying to save time and work, then check out the podcast recording site Riverside. This site records your entire podcast using your Google Chrome browser and saves the files on their server. You can also edit your entire podcast on their site without additional software. Riverside is a subscription-based service but well worth it if you are pressed for time but want to put out episodes consistently. They have also added AI to assist with the editing process making this a powerful tool for anyone entering the podcasting scene.
Step 4: Hosting and Distributing your Podcast
So you have recorded and edited your first podcast episode. But now what? How do you get it out into the world? That's where podcast hosts come in. Podcast hosting sites take your uploaded episode and distribute it to platforms like Spotify, Google podcasts, iHeart radio, etc. While some platforms require you to apply to them directly to have your show appear in their library most hosting platforms can do the heavy lifting for you. Here are some to check out:
Buzzsprout: Offers a user-friendly interface and analytics to track your podcast's performance.
Libsyn: One of the oldest and most well-established hosting services for podcasters.
Podbean: Offers a free plan and paid plans with unlimited storage and advanced features.
Acast: A subscription-based hosting platform that offers some of the best monetizing options and a user-friendly interface. You can also host more than one show under a single plan.
Step 5: Build Your Online Presence
So you have recorded and uploaded your episode, what's next? Well now it's time to attract listeners and promote your podcast, and for that, you'll need to build an online presence. Here are some ways to do that:
Create a website: Use platforms like WordPress or Squarespace to create a website that showcases your podcast and offers information about upcoming episodes. The power of a podcast website should not be underestimated. This very blog is posted on one!
Get social: Use social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to promote your podcast and connect with your audience. Make sure to interact with your community as well. Nothing turns people away faster than the generic "new episode" post every week. Ask questions, be engaging, and mix up your content plan to keep things fresh. Not every post will be a viral hit and that's ok. It's better to have 20 consistent loyal interactions across all your posts than 1 thousand on one post who will never interact with you again after it leaves their feed.
Guest appearances: Appeal to other podcasters and invite them as guests on your podcast, and vice versa. A good place to start is Kitcaster a podcast booking agency that connects podcasts and guests to help build presence and brand connections.
Building an online presence won't happen overnight for most and can take considerable time and dedication. Don't get discouraged if you are not seeing results immediately, as it takes time to get people to recognize your brand, and even longer to trust in it. This is where consistency works to your advantage as the more you put your show out there, the more recognizable you become.
Conclusion
Starting a podcast can be a fun and rewarding experience. Following this step-by-step guide, you'll have all the tools and resources you need to get started. From choosing your equipment and hosting service to planning your topics and building an online presence, these tips will help you create a successful podcast that resonates with your audience. So go ahead and start your podcast in the coming year – the world is waiting to hear what you have to say. Happy podcasting!
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