Starting a Podcast
Ever tuned into a podcast and imagined hosting one of your own?
Or maybe you’ve come across stories of people earning 5-6 figures every month from this content medium.
Whatever the case, starting a podcast is one of the best things you can do to connect with people from around the world and improve your financial wellbeing.
Podcasting is on the rise. According to a research cited by Statista, 70 percent of U.S. residents now have a good understanding of podcasting and 5 out of 10 have also consumed podcast episodes.
Spanning everything from digital marketing and online journalism to extreme sports and athletic lifestyle, both individuals and companies are utilizing podcasts as a medium to engage audiences with enticing long-form content.
At a glance, podcasting has a bright future ahead, and it’s still a great time to get into podcasting.
Podcasting: The Most Important Pre-requisite
Podcasting can be exciting and lucrative, but it needs one crucial thing on your part.
It needs your commitment.
You should make a full commitment to learning this art and growing your listener base, as you need to do with all the things that are beneficial but require some effort and time.
Unless you’ve the drive to push out weekly episodes, you’re unlikely to be successful. For reaching the top, you have to make a pact that you’re going to do this and do it well.
Enjoy recording every single episode and keep reminding yourself that you’re in it for the long haul (and for achieving the ultimate goal).
How It Works?
Before we dive into the actual steps to starting a podcast, let’s quickly discuss of what’s needed.
The first important thing is the audio file. We recommend using he MP3 format as it offers the idle balance between file size and audio quality.
It’s also critical to come up with some information about the file. This is also known as “tagging the file” or modifying its metadata.
You’ll need to enter this data along with the file so that podcast platforms can display information like artwork, genre, and other important details for the podcast.
We’ll talk where to upload this file later in the post.
Now, let’s get down to business!
The Equipment You’ll Need to Record a Podcast
No podcast-related post is complete without a mention of the necessary tools, so let’s quickly review the equipment you’ll need to start podcasting.
The cool part? The items in the checklist below are pretty much accessible to anyone. Sure you can spend much more renting out a professional recording studio, but it’s just as easy to create a high-quality podcast with nothing but a mic and software.
Let’s look at your options, shall we?
Microphone
The microphones you bought in college won’t help. Neither would the free microphones that came with your PC.
Items like these produce low-quality sound and are known to capture background noise, so the one step you must take is buy a good microphone.
For most aspiring podcasters, the microphones below should be more than enough for their requirements.
This costs around $100 and is ideal for podcasting novices.
Not only does it come with multiple pattern selection, it also provides users with the option to mute and switch signal to noise between 0-100 Db. Plus, it has a USB that’ll connect directly to your PC for mic activation and podcast recording.
You can buy this for $80. The USB mic is great value for the quality of sound it captures. Audio-Technica is a dynamic brand that doesn’t pick up a lot of echo of noise. You also get an XLR output that connects with the traditional mic input for leverage in live sessions.
Recommended by Matthew McLean of The Podcast Host, the Rode Podcaster Mic is known to produce broadcast quality sound. And because it’s a directional microphone, you won’t need to worry about background noise as long as you place it on a front-facing surface. This model, however, costs $200, which makes sense for the quality it provides.
Samson Go Mic is a great fit for digital nomads. It’s a handy portable microphone that can clip onto your travel bag and is great for on-the-go podcasting. It’s also fairly reasonably priced at $40. One option could be to use it for recording quick podcast episodes during your journeys and utilize one of the previous three options as your core microphone.
Headphones
This is another must-have for aspiring podcasters.
The main reason you’d want to purchase a headset is to prevent feedback and reverbs into your mic.
Below are some of the best podcasting headphones that should work well in tandem with your mics.
The manufacturer originally built this mic for calls, but its noise-cancelling ability makes it a great choice for podcasters as well. Use Jabra UC VOICE 550 when you’re podcasting in an unfavorable recording environment. You can get it for $45.
If the main theme of your podcast are interviews, you’ll want to ensure that no echoing is heard by your listeners. This is where the Sony MDRZX110 (also known as Sony ZX) can be a blessing in disguise. It features 30 mm drivers that deliver a full frequency response. The last time we checked, it was retailing for $16.
Priced in the $30-$35 range, the Sennheiser PC 7 offers industry-leading noise cancellation clarity. Combine this with a mic of the same nature and your podcast can be easily understood without you needing to adopt a high pitch.
Other Essentials
You don’t necessarily need any of the following items to record a podcast, but they’d certainly make a nice addition to your podcast equipment arsenal.
Pop filters prevent the clicking noises that come out when your mouth is close to the mic from mixing with the audio. This pop filter from Bee-life retails for $40 and works with all sorts of microphones.
Want to record your voice to n independent device before importing it to your PC for editing? If you answered “yes,” then you’d love the Zoom ZH1 H1. It’s especially built for this purpose, and you can also use it to make podcasts on-the-go.
Recommended Podcast Audio Recording & Editing Software
If you’re going to conducting interviews for your podcast, you’ll need an audio recording software for your sessions. The most recommended options are as follows:
UberConference: This is a free software that enables participants to join through the phone or the desktop. It even allows the moderator to record the session. You can use it on both Mac and Windows to record your calls.
eCamm Call Recorder: This can be your ideal podcast audio recorder if you plan on conducting interviews via Skype. It, however, is specific to the Mac OS. You can buy it for $39.95 or give it a trial run to see if it fits your requirements.
Callnote: Callnote can record Viber, FaceTime, Google Hangouts, Skype, GoToMeeting, WebEx and Zoom conversations on both PC and Mac. The premium version that consists of 30 recordings in a month retails for $9.95/year. For unlimited recordings, you can buy Callnote’s pro version for $39.95/year.
What about audio editing? Well, if you have the budget to hire an independent editor, go for it! If you don’t, there are several tools available that enable you to do it on your own. Good options include:
Garageband: Garageband features on all MacBooks and allows you to perform most types of edits on your podcast. You can also save the recording as .MP3 and capture the audio directly from your mic. The software is free to install and use.
Adobe Audition: If you want something more powerful than Garageband, download Adobe Audition. It has all the bells and whistles and is resourceful enough to support the use of high-end equipment and mixer. You can access it for $20.99 a month.
Audacity: Audacity works on both Mac and Windows and is a great alternative to premium audio tools. It also provides users with a vast range of tutorials to help them learn how to utilize it effectively. Plus, you can use a microphone to record directly into the software.
Auphonic: If you don’t feel like editing the recordings yourself then you can utilize Auphonic or another post-production platform. It’ll take care of everything from volume normalization to audio leveling on your behalf. Prices vary based on the length of the recordings.
Additional Tips for Recording & Editing Your Podcasts
Downloading the necessary tools is just one aspect of starting a podcast. The other essential part is knowing how to record and edit well.
When it comes to recording, it’s always smart to record on two different software simultaneously, just in case your primary recording malfunctions. Another good idea is to store the secondary recording on a digital recorder in case your PC gets stuck mid-way.
Also, while you don’t have to set up a professional recording studio, it’s good to record in a quiet place where your voice can be clearly heard. No listener likes to hear podcasts with heaps of noise in the background. One good idea is to place a carpet in the recording room so that it becomes echo-proof.
In case of editing, make sure to edit your ID3 tags. These are a way to provide .MP3 players with more details about the audio file as we previously discussed. Other than that, make sure you’re exporting audio files at a fixed bitrate (128kpbs is ideal) in the .MP3 format as this offers a low file size without compromising the audio quality. Most editing software comes with features that enable you to do this.
Picking and Validating Your Podcasting Niche
Now that you’ve access to the necessary tools and equipment, it’s time to move onto the next step of podcast creation: determining your podcasting niche.
This might look easy as you probably have dozens of episodes planned in your mind. But it’s important to consider whether people would be actually interested in your shows.
This is where niche validation comes into play.
Assuming you want to create a podcast in a general category or a specific niche, look at the top trending podcasts for that category in Stitcher or iTunes. Now click on the category that’s most relevant to your business. You’d find several options including Arts, Education, Health and more.
For the niche you have in mind, see how many podcasts appear for that particular category. If you only see a few, it’s a clear indication that there’s not much demand for that topic.
Another way to verify your topic is to cross-check its search popularity in Google’s Keyword Planner. To do this, choose a particular topic you want to talk about, then categorize it into sub-niches. For example, if you want to talk about digital marketing, you can use niches such as:
- Email marketing
- Dropshipping
- Social media
Now, put the niches into the Google Ads’ Keyword Planner tool and put the keyword “podcast” at the end.
As you can see, people conduct monthly searches for all three topics, but dropshipping and social media podcasts are more popular than the email marketing one.
Does that mean you should entirely skip low-demand podcasts? No. If you have a big email list, you can still launch a podcast in your niche. But if your list comprises of just a few hundred subscribers, it’d be better to go after a high-demand podcast niche.
Podcast Format: Types of Podcasts You Can Record
Based on your podcast niche, some formats will work better than others. Below is a brief summary of the various types you can record.
Interview podcast
This format doesn’t require a lot of effort on your part except being a good interviewer and having someone to host. Some examples of interview podcasts include Hey, Cool Job!, Entrepreneur on Fire and Smart Passive Income.
Storytelling podcast
This is one of the easiest formats to adopt for a podcast episode. Based on your niche, the podcast can be nonfiction or fiction. Radiotopia’s The Truth and The Writer’s Voice are some real-life examples of storytelling podcasts.
Instructional podcast
If your primary goal is to educate your visitors, whether it’s by hosting a trivia or offering quick tips, then this podcast format is for you. How you opt to make the audience learn, however, is up to you. Popular examples of instructional podcasts include HBR Ideacast and TED Talks Daily. Lengths here vary from 10-minute episodes to shows that can last between 30-60 minutes.
News podcast
This format was craved out of new radio, as the initially produced podcasts were “radio stations” that broadcasted their news service in audio. This American Life is one popular example of the News podcast. However, conducting research and staying on top of stories isn’t always a one-man show. You’re more likely to be successful with a news podcast if you have a team of journalists.
Things To Prepare Before You Start Recording
You need to fulfill a lot of pre-requisites before you can begin recording. Performing the tasks outlined below will set you up for success.
Finalize your podcast title/name
If your podcast title doesn’t make sense, no one will tune in. Don’t be overconfident, and choose a name that you think will sound relatable to your audience.
If you’re a thought leader in your industry, feel free to put your name in the title. Examples include The Time Ferris Show and DarrenDaily On-Demand.
If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, it will make more sense to include the keyword that clearly describes your target niche in your podcast title. For example, The Startup Grind podcast includes the keyword “startup,” which implies that the podcast is targeted towards entrepreneurs running a startup.
Write a compelling description
When a prospective listener clicks on your podcast title, they can see your podcast description and the list of available episodes. A compelling description would get you more listeners.
Make the description compelling by using copywriting best practices. Also, incorporate your primary keyword, and other relevant ones to boost your chances of occupying a good rank in search engines for podcast searches.
Arrange Intro and Outro & Cover Art
Because you have just a few seconds to capture a person’s attention, it’s crucial to ensure your podcast covert art is catching and well-designed.
The good news is that you can hire someone from PeoplePerHour or Upwork to create the cover art for you at a reasonable cost.
Make sure the final file is in PNG or JPEG format as these are the file extensions supported by most podcast directories.
Inside a directory, the cover art will display somewhere in between 50-150 pixels wide. And if you’re going to use text, optimize it for a low-resolution to see how it appears. If it appears well at that size, it’ll look nice in all other places.
Successful podcasts also have catchy intro and outro music. For those who aren’t familiar, this refers to the tune that plays at the beginning and end of every podcast, setting the tone and mood for listeners.
You can find music to use as your podcast intro and outro on sites like the Free Music Archive. Professional-grade tracks are available at Audio Jungle and cost $15-$20 on average.
Recording Your Podcast
When it comes to the actual recording, you just need to plugin a USB mic, launch the recording software and talk away!
Introduce yourself at the start, then share the core information with your listeners. Avoid reading from a script as the audio should sound natural. While it’s okay to read off a few bullet points, it’s always good to practice delivery of speech off the top of your head.
After the audio is recorded, import the ID3 tag-filled file into your editing software. You might have several clips of podcast content. See each clip’s profile and edit them side-by-side or separately. Highlighting a clip’s portion allows you to move parts around at your will. With so much flexibility, it won’t take much time to produce an episode.
The last step is to export the file. This will save the file as .MP3. Also, you may get another popup that enables you to tag the .MP3. These are the same ID3 tags. Enter these and you’re ready to go!
Best Podcast Hosting Platforms
If your objective is to scale your podcast, then it would be in your best interest to leverage a podcast hosting website.
These sites are created on media severs that have the bandwidth and ability to accommodate large media files like podcast episodes. The main reason for using them is that most web hosts don’t have the resources to handle the stream or download requests that most MP3s create.
While there are several podcast hosting sites in existence, we recommend using the following ones:
Podbean: This website offers a free feature for hosting podcasts, but advanced options like analytics require a payment. Users can also get in touch with advertisers to monetize their podcasts at a later date. Pricing is around $9 a month.
Libsyn: This is one of the oldest podcast hosting platforms around. With Libsyn, you can track everything from the demographic of your listeners to the amount of downloads per recording. Pricing starts at $5 a month for 50mb space and goes up to $75 for 1,500mb.
SoundCloud: For podcast beginners, this platform might be the ideal option as it offers cost-free podcasting and allows uses to distribute their episodes through RSS. However, analytics and other features cost $16 a month to access.
Submitting Your Podcast to Top Directories
After you’ve picked your desired hosting platform, you can list your podcast on a directory. The podcast just needs to be added once, after which the RSS feed and the directory will update automatically as you upload episodes (your host will provide you with your RSS feed).
Several directories require that you upload at least a single episode on RSS, but we recommend you to have a minimum of five to make it look populated. Top directories include Stitcher, iTunes, Blubrry and Google Play Music.
Marketing Your Podcast
Now that your podcast is live, you need to promote it to the world. Below are some quick ways to get the word out.
Repurpose On Social Channels
Try re-purposing some part of your episodes on social. Putting your content on a range of channels can work wonders to boost your podcast’s discoverability. An easy way to do this is to upload your recording on YouTube.
Another option is to create a blog post and highlight some of the things you discussed in your episodes. Generate traffic by adding link references to your podcast throughout the piece.
Email The Interviewee
If you’re creating an interview podcast, you should certainly follow-up with the guest after your podcast goes live. This may look simple on paper, but the reality is that not many experts endorse the podcast they were mentioned in.
The secret to getting influencers to tweet about or endorse your podcast is to send follow-up emails. You can even create a sample copy for the endorsement like “I suggest posting the image on LinkedIn and writing in the link: Mynamepodcast.com.”
Offer Show Notes for Your Episodes
If you have a site where you can offer show notes or transcripts for your podcast, you’re already in the driving seat. The most common solution is a WordPress website. Many podcasters use the PowerPress WordPress plugin to input their podcasts’ RSS feed inside the CMS, and then attach show notes to the episodes.
You can create show notes manually by writing out your podcasts or use a service such as Speechpad to get a professional show note done. Overall, show notes give your audience a much better idea of the podcast’s content, enabling them to decide whether or not they want to tune in and stick around.
Post in Groups
Rather than waiting for an audience to tune into your podcast, get active and take your episodes to them. See what online groups your target audience participates in and become an active contributor yourself.
Look for relevant groups on social media websites like Reddit, Facebook, and LinkedIn, but don’t immediately talk about your podcast. Develop a reputation first, then begin to introduce your content by giving occasional references to your podcast show or episodes.
Conclusion
By now, you should have a complete understanding of what it takes to launch a podcast. As a first step, start thinking about the niche you’re going to target and begin listening to podcasts that are similar to your objective.
And if you already have access to a mic, why not record a test podcast today? It’ll give you an idea of how you sound and enable you to get comfortable.
The internet age and low-cost equipment has made it possible for anyone with good internet and $100 to start a podcast. So get your podcast out there quick!
