Begin Your Personal Podcast: A Step-by-Step Information

Your newest water cooler dialog most likely began with the phrase, “so I heard this factor on a podcast.” That’s as a result of podcasts have emerged as one of many largest rising digital channels previously 5 years. However how do you begin one?

Podcasting has been round for nearly so long as the web. The early days of podcasting had been full of impartial exhibits hosted by comedians, writers, or historical past buffs—or simply featured clips from a radio present dumped into an iTunes feed.

Now, it looks like each movie star is beginning a podcast simply to speak with their mates or rewatch a present they starred in. Is it even price beginning a podcast with out having George Clooney’s telephone quantity?

The quick reply is sure. Podcasts are nonetheless one of the vital efficient methods to get your message out. And though the podcasting panorama has gotten extra crowded, the quantity of individuals listening has grown too. 46% of People now hearken to podcasts, and there are projections that world listenership may attain 160 million by the tip of this 12 months.

Like most digital channels, gone are the times of making an concept and folks flocking to you. If you wish to begin a podcast, there are some foundational steps you’ll want to take to get your present to the highest of the charts.

Desk of Contents

Begin a Podcast FAQs

What Makes a Good Podcast?

What Do You Must Begin a Podcast?

How Do You Monetize a Podcast?

How Do You Market a Podcast?

Begin a Podcast FAQs

Don’t Skip: The Greatest Enterprise Podcasts for Entrepreneurs

What Makes a Good Podcast?

Podcasting is a artistic sandbox so that you can play in. There are nearly no guidelines on the right way to construction your podcast. From audio dramas and true crime tales to interviews and information snippets, podcasts vary from world to area of interest. Earlier than you begin your podcast, evaluation among the main podcasting kinds which have made the medium so standard:

• Interview Podcasts: The most well-liked podcast model. It’s so simple as two folks speaking on mics a few sure subject. This may be formal and produced like Contemporary Air or laid again and conversational like The Joe Rogan Expertise or WTF with Marc Maron.
• Topical Podcasts: A twist on the interview format however centered on a selected topic. Usually a bunch has an knowledgeable visitor or panel to debate a sure topic or newsworthy occasion. This may very well be individual-focused like The Tim Ferriss Present or brand-focused just like the Foundr podcast.
• Evaluation or Rewatch Podcasts: These podcasts usually deal with leisure, occasion, or product topics. Reveals like The Workplace Women, Jurassic Pod, and Nonetheless Processing break down motion pictures, TV exhibits, or cultural occasions with insider views and distinctive views.
• Information and Info Podcasts: Conventional information platforms have closely invested in podcasting as a result of it’s a format that lots of them have already mastered. These may very well be day by day experiences from the BBC, market updates just like the Social Media Examiner, or deeper dives right into a topic like Sluggish Burn or 1619.
• Storytelling and Efficiency Podcasts: When radio was first popularized within the Thirties, it was partly as a result of fantastical storytelling artists that created applications utilizing voice actors, music, and sound results. Podcasting has continued that custom and expanded to improv comedy, non-fiction, and historic storytelling. The storytelling nature of exhibits like Serial had been partly liable for beginning the trendy podcast motion.

Earlier than you begin recording a podcast concept you had within the bathe, you’ll want to cease and ask your self the query “why ought to I begin a podcast?” A lot of folks begin a podcast however few make them profitable or sustainable. Fascinated by the “why” is simply as necessary as your first visitor or which microphone to make use of.

Purpose

What’s your purpose for beginning a podcast? Do you need to achieve extra publicity to your consulting enterprise, construct your ecommerce model, or use it as an excuse to discuss with your pals a few shared pastime? Regardless of why you’re beginning a podcast, all the time have a foundational purpose to information the remainder of your resolution making within the manufacturing course of. Listed here are some beneficial targets when desirous about beginning a podcast.

• Networking: Podcasts are a simple technique to join with shoppers and folks in your trade. Constructing relationships over our Foundr podcast is how we’ve landed a few of our most profitable course instructors and model champions.
• Model Constructing: The ability of podcasting is that you could management the message quite than counting on conventional media. Podcasts are an ideal medium to construct upon a standard enterprise or model. Consider it as one other highly effective social channel to share data with out the competitors of swipes and junk e mail filters.
• Income Supply: A podcast can herald sources of revenue by way of sponsorships, subscriptions, or merchandise. Extra tips about monetizing a podcast to come back.
• Neighborhood Connection: The intimacy of podcasting supplies an avenue to talk immediately into the ear buds or sensible audio system of an viewers. Podcasting is usually a medium to attach and construct a neighborhood.
• Transparency: In all industries, being open and trustworthy about your enterprise is important. You would use a podcast as a transparency device for your enterprise, both externally to your viewers or internally to your groups. As a substitute of a dry e mail replace from a CEO or president, you could possibly have a free intimate podcast that builds belief and intimacy.
• Expression: The medium is constructed on the power to be artistic and to have enjoyable. Consider it as an audio weblog. Generally, the one motive to begin a podcast is that you simply need to specific your self or share your ideas.

Viewers

For those who’re accustomed to Foundr, you recognize we’re all concerning the viewers. Understanding your viewers is completely essential earlier than beginning a podcast. This can assist information you on all the remainder of the steps of beginning a podcast.

And don’t fear, your viewers will change over time when you launch. Connecting and understanding along with your viewers can be a continuing relationship you’ll have to nurture from episode one to 100.

Area of interest

Podcasting is a medium the place area of interest communities are popping up day by day. You would be into board video games, cricket, Microsoft Excel, or Intercourse within the Metropolis and there are most likely a number of podcasts specializing in the topic.

Though a distinct segment isn’t required, when you’re ranging from scratch selecting a basic subject (sports activities, motion pictures, enterprise) might be going to maintain you misplaced within the shuffle. Ensure that your podcast has a twist on a subject or format. That may very well be so simple as pulling from your enterprise or established model. It may additionally imply specializing in an area market or specialised commerce.

As a substitute of beginning the “River Techniques in Phoenix Podcast,” begin a podcast referred to as “River Techniques in America Podcast” to seize a wider viewers.

As a substitute of beginning “The International Soccer Present,” begin a podcast referred to as “The American Soccer Present” to distinguish and keep away from a saturated market. 

These examples present the tremendous line between area of interest and too broad. Discovering the steadiness will create an engaged viewers with room to develop.

Ensure that to do some market analysis earlier than choosing a distinct segment. Discover out if there are already podcasts just like your area of interest or a possibility to fill a niche within the area. The artwork of specializing in a distinct segment subject whereas not boxing your self in is troublesome, however it should show you how to to construct an viewers in the long term.

Theme and Construction

Now that you’ve a purpose, viewers, and area of interest nailed down, you need to construct the skeleton of your present. Is your present going to be free, the place you activate the mics and begin speaking such as you’re at a espresso store? Is it going to be extra organized with a theme tune and introduction? Listed here are the theme and construction factors to consider as you construct your present:

• Subjects: What are you going to speak about in your podcast? Some exhibits are completely different each episode, whereas others have constant segments. You would begin your episode with trade information or have every visitor do a rapid-fire questionnaire. As your listenership grows, attain out to your viewers to see what subjects and segments they most resonate with. Take a look at, be taught, and be artistic.
• Timing: How lengthy would you like your present to be? There are debates on the optimum timing of a podcast. Whether or not it’s quarter-hour, half-hour, or 60 minutes—the one factor that issues is that the content material is effective, it aligns along with your purpose, and the viewers is receptive to it.
• Define: Whereas most podcasts don’t have their episodes scripted, they most likely have an overview. Consider your favourite 90s sitcom. It most likely had a construction that made it predictable but in addition comforting. Constructing an overview with an introduction and shutting, questions for friends, and advert reads will show you how to and your friends really feel comfy along with your model.
• Manufacturing Stage: The extent of publish manufacturing is important in deciding how a lot time, vitality, and cash you need to make investments into your present. The extra manufacturing worth—dialog modifying, music, sound results, intro/outro, advertisements—the extra time you need to spend modifying. In case your time is extra beneficial than cash, take into account hiring a freelancer to edit and publish the present and/or a producer to assist with reserving friends, formatting, or scriptwriting.

Consistency

The commonest mistake folks make when beginning a podcast is over-committing to what number of episodes they may publish. Like Instagram, consistency is important to constructing an viewers—particularly early on. Audiences anticipate episodes to drop on a sure day and can be fast to unsubscribe in the event that they don’t see a brand new episode in your feed.

Manufacturing burnout is straightforward when beginning a podcast. You could decide to a weekly present, however after a number of months, you could be overwhelmed with the quantity of labor and lack of ROI you’re seeing. Beneath are sensible methods to curb the consistency drawback.

• Document Forward: Earlier than launching your present, it is best to have a minimum of 3-4 episodes already produced. That manner you may work forward and never panic in case your editor is taking a trip or a piece emergency calls you away.
• Episodic: Making an episodic podcast means you’re dedicated to basically recording till you die. There aren’t community overlords to cancel you, which suggests you finally make the choice of how a lot content material you produce. A superb suggestion is to align your episode cadence along with your purpose, viewers, and the time it takes to make the present. Inform your viewers that you simply’re releasing a brand new episode each Monday, bi-weekly, or each Friday the thirteenth. Setting episodic expectations for your self and your viewers upfront will show you how to produce successfully with out burning your viewers or your vitality.
• Seasonal: Podcast platforms will let you create seasons of your present, very like your favourite Netflix present. This could will let you construction your present round a calendar or episode purpose. This might imply your present’s season is 20 episodes or every season aligns with the college calendar. A seasonal present can provide you a chance to set targets and check to see in case your podcast is profitable. It’s a lot simpler to decide to a season of 20 episodes than decide to an open-ended podcast of weekly episodes.
• One-Offs: Is your area of interest centered on rewatching all 15 seasons of Supernatural? Is your purpose to report the interval earlier than you launch your first enterprise? Doing a one-off podcast centered on a selected or time-constrained subject is a simple technique to dip your toes into the medium. It may additionally function a technique to increase your podcast community as a spin-off. As all the time, handle expectations by letting your viewers know whether or not they can anticipate a 10-episode present or a season that solely covers the following marketing campaign path.

Time to get to the enjoyable half—recording your podcast.

What Do You Must Begin a Podcast?

Podcasting is likely one of the best and least expensive methods to share your message. In contrast to YouTube, you gained’t should take care of costly cameras, lighting, or worrying about your hair. Right here’s every little thing you want to begin your podcast.

Internet hosting Platform

To ensure that your podcast to be carried on apps like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher, you’ll want to have a platform to ship your audio RSS feed. Web site platforms like Squarespace have already got a podcast RSS feed constructed into their service. There are free podcast internet hosting companies accessible, however it’s price spending the money for ease-of-use and analytics. Listed here are among the hottest podcast internet hosting companies:

• SoundCloud ($30): For these simply beginning a podcast, SoundCloud is perhaps the most suitable choice for you. It permits free podcast internet hosting and lets you distribute your podcast through RSS. Sadly, although, you gained’t have the ability to entry any of their analytics with out paying for his or her professional package deal.
• Libsyn ($5-15): Libsyn is likely one of the oldest devoted podcast internet hosting websites and the go-to alternative for a lot of podcasters, together with Foundr. With Libsyn, we’re capable of benefit from their analytics characteristic and monitor every little thing from the variety of downloads per episode to the geography of our listeners.
• Podbean ($108): Podbean affords a free choice for podcast internet hosting, however you’ll should pay with the intention to entry any of their higher options like analytics. In addition they provide a service the place they will join your podcast with advertisers when you’re seeking to monetize your podcast at a later date.

Further companies equivalent to Buzzsprout, Captivate, and Simplecast are high quality choices.

Podcasting Microphones

Audio technicians debate about microphones like drummers debate about cymbals—it’s subjective. There’s a baseline for getting high quality microphones that may give your present knowledgeable really feel, however keep in mind that the mics don’t make the podcast profitable.

XLR vs USB Mics

This is likely one of the fundamental variations you’ll see between mics available on the market. USB mics imply you may join and energy utilizing a pc. These mics are good when you’re doing a one-person present or conducting your interviews over Zoom.

XLR mics can solely hook up with a recording machine, soundboard, or audio interface. These mics require extra technical talent however they may have higher audio high quality.

Omnidirectional vs Unidirectional Mics

Do you ever marvel why it looks like Dan Carlin is standing proper subsequent to you whereas listening to a Hardcore Historical past episode? It’s as a result of he’s utilizing an omnidirectional mic. These mics seize the sounds immediately in entrance of the machine and block out every other noise within the area. For this reason your voice sounds so clear and why you’ll want to be nearly kissing the microphone for it to work. Most podcast mics available on the market needs to be omnidirectional, however watch out for low cost knock-offs that appear like it.

Unidirectional mics do the other. They seize a variety of sounds 360 levels across the machine. These mics are good for recording sounds or environments within the discipline. Unidirectional mics are conventional standbys for NPR reporters masking an out of doors occasion or a real crime podcaster that wishes to assist the listener visualize the forest the place the physique went lacking.

Podcast Mics for Newcomers

Whether or not you’re seeking to construct a mini-studio to your present or report a Zoom interview tomorrow, listed below are the podcast mics to get began with (pricing in USD).

• AirPods, or Telephone Recorder: As every new iteration of telephone or headphone is launched, the constancy of the audio has elevated. If you wish to avoid wasting money, use your AirPods or smartphone recording machine to kick-off your podcast. To reinforce the standard, report your present in a closet or a small room with low ceilings.
• Audio Technica AT2020 ($99): A stable USB mic the place all you’ll want to do is plug it into your pc and instantly begin recording.
• Blue Yeti Mic ($133): Blue Yeti mic is the go-to microphone for anybody beginning out within the podcast trade. That is good for a solo present or in case you have one visitor (you’ll should huddle the mic when you solely have one).
• Rode Podcaster Mic ($230): As you get extra skilled with podcasting you would possibly need to begin investing in mics which might be particularly designed for podcasting. That is nonetheless the official mic of the Foundr podcast.
• Shure SM7B ($400): The usual model and microphone of the radio trade for years, Shure microphones will take your podcast from grassroots to skilled.

Nonetheless uncertain? Save a while studying critiques on Amazon and attain out to skilled audio corporations like Sweetwater or B&H. They’ve knowledgeable and quick customer support that may discover the correct mic in your price range and desires.

Podcast Recording Gadgets and Soundboards

There are historically 2 choices to report a podcast. One is to report the present on a tool then add the uncooked recordsdata to an modifying software program. The second is to attach your microphones on to a pc that captures the audio from the microphones. Listed here are podcast recording machine and soundboard choices when you’re utilizing XLR microphones.

• Behringer Xenyx 1002B ($59): For those who purchased a top quality XLR microphone however don’t plan on constructing a studio for friends, that is a simple technique to join your microphone to your pc for recording.
• M-Audio M-Observe Duo USB Audio Interface ($69): One other easy interface that permits for 2 inputs. Excellent for co-hosts seeking to arrange store in a house workplace or on the dinner desk.
• Mackie Mix8 8-channel Compact Mixer ($89): For those who plan to have a number of hosts with a further visitor, you’ll want extra inputs to attach mics. This Mackie soundboard shouldn’t be as intimidating as ones you’ll see at a live performance venue and it lets you program in extra sound results or intro music.
• Zoom H6 Useful Recorder ($350): This all-in-one machine is ideal for a podcaster on the go. It may report on to an SD card or hook up with your pc as an interface. Its attachments will let you rework the machine right into a unidirectional mic or add extra inputs than its base-level 4. For those who’re hoping to create the following Serial, this machine is for you.
• Zoom PodTrak 8 ($550): Zoom’s podcasting-specific soundboard has 8 inputs, 9 sound pads, and 4 banks accessing as much as 36 sound results. Just like the H6, this could report immediately onto an SD card or hook up with a pc. That is the pro-level machine when you plan in your podcast changing into a success.

Modifying Software program

Now that you’ve a mic, define, and a message, you may report your present. That is the place modifying software program is available in. Listed here are extensively praised modifying software program choices:

• Audacity (Free): Accessible for each Mac and Home windows computer systems, Audacity is a good free different to any of the paid or premium audio modifying software program. It’s an awesome device with tons of tutorials on the market so that you can reference. It additionally lets you report immediately from a microphone straight to this system itself.
• GarageBand (Free): Packaged with all Apple units, Garageband lets you do most of what you’re on the lookout for when modifying a podcast. Identical to Audacity, Garageband additionally lets you report immediately onto it and put it aside as an MP3 later.
• Adobe Audition ($20.99 p/m): For those who’re planning on having a number of mics or high-level publish manufacturing, it is best to go along with Adobe Audition.
• Professional Instruments ($29.99 p/m): Much like Audition however with expanded capabilities. This software program is usually utilized by skilled musicians and is perhaps greater than what’s essential to your first podcast. But when your band is beginning a podcast it is a good one-two punch.
• Auphonic (Diversified Pricing): For those who’re not eager on modifying your audio ranges your self then you should use a post-production service like Auphonic, which can handle the leveling, quantity normalization, and different particulars for you.
• Upwork (Diversified Pricing): For those who resolve to outsource your modifying, you may simply discover a good editor over at locations like Upwork.

Headphones

Wish to know a secret? You don’t want a flowery set of studio headphones to make a podcast. Apple AirPods or the headphones you utilize to train with are all you’ll want to report your podcast. Like mics, you may all the time spend extra on headphones. Studio headphones are necessary for when you might have a number of friends, audio inputs, or when you’re recording in an area with noises within the background.

Audio-Technica’s ATH-M30x ($69) or Sony’s MDR-7506 ($99) are good for monitoring audio ranges from a soundboard or mixing machine.

Podcast Cowl Picture

The ultimate step to launching your podcast is to create your cowl picture. Consider this as the emblem to your present. Like YouTube thumbnails, cowl pictures are important to seize an viewers’s consideration.

Cowl pictures are sq. (1080×1080), so that you gained’t have a lot area to get your message throughout. Embrace the title of your present in daring lettering with a further graphic or icon that can be immediately recognizable when your viewers opens up their podcast feed.

Add your picture to your most popular internet hosting platform and your podcast is stay.

How Do You Monetize a Podcast?

For those who’re making a podcast to get wealthy, you’re most likely within the flawed medium. Making a self-sustainable or worthwhile podcast requires technique, funding, and time to nurture a strong viewers. However when you’re simply making an attempt to cowl the price of your gear, freelancers, or workers time, there are some easy methods to monetize your present.

• Sponsorship: There was a interval when each single podcast was sponsored by a mattress firm or meal subscription service. Now, increasingly advertisers are moving into the podcast world. A sponsor to your podcast continues to be a simple manner to usher in constant money to your present however watch out to curb sponsor expectations versus the purpose of your present. Discover sponsors which might be simple to work with and resonate along with your viewers or theme.
• Subscriptions: Apple Podcasts is the newest platform to make use of a subscription or premium mannequin to permit podcasts to supply unique content material to listeners who’re keen to pay further. Patreon is one other platform that may provide a extra strong subscriber mannequin and might join with community-building platforms like Discord.
• Podcast Community: Giant podcast networks like Ringer, Wondery, or Luminary assist produce, create, and promote podcasts. However when you’re simply beginning out, platforms like Anchor provide a better entry right into a community. Networks can join you with sponsors that wish to promote in your area of interest. As your present grows, attempt pitching impartial networks which might be on the lookout for contemporary expertise. As well as, platforms like Buzzsprout are actually providing promoting alternatives for customers with a sure variety of subscribers. That is just like YouTube’s view + advertisements mannequin. Tread calmly and bear in mind your unique purpose for beginning a podcast. Becoming a member of a community goes to require you to surrender both artistic management, a monetary payment, or the precise rights to the content material.
• Merchandise: When you’ve constructed up a big sufficient viewers, begin providing merchandise to your listeners by way of platforms like Redbubble. You can even use your podcast to promote and promote your present merchandise.

Preserve Studying: Get Podcast Sponsors Earlier than Airing an Episode

How Do You Market a Podcast?

Podcasts are accessible to anyone on this planet with an web connection or smartphone. However that doesn’t imply they may discover your podcast—even when they’re curious about what you’re speaking about. Listed here are the important methods to market your podcast and achieve listeners.

• Video: We all know that video is important to constructing a enterprise or model. Prior to now 2 years, increasingly podcasts are recording their episodes on video or concurrently streaming through YouTube or Twitch. Zoom lets you simply report an interview or you should use an inexpensive service like Wavve or Veed that may create and caption audio clips and switch them into digestible movies. See under for an instance of how we adapt our podcast episodes for video.
• Social Media: Podcasting continues to be at an early stage on the subject of analytics and listener monitoring. Making a social media presence to your present is one other avenue to your viewers to attach with you and different listeners of the present. You can even use Fb Adverts to advertise your present to a audience that may most probably hearken to your podcast.
• Company: The only most necessary technique to develop your podcast shortly is by getting high quality friends—belief us, we constructed Foundr on the mannequin of interviewing friends. Pitching and interviewing friends will show you how to develop your viewers and provides legitimacy to your present.
• Opinions and Rankings: Till Apple Podcasts construct a PPC mannequin, critiques and scores are how platforms and potential listeners can validate your present’s reputation. Use artistic giveaways to inspire your viewers to evaluation the present or learn out critiques on the air as a technique to thank your supporters.
• Present Titles and Notes: Identical to e mail topic traces and naming YouTube movies, the title of your podcast episodes can catch the attention of a possible listener. Most podcast search engines like google and yahoo are primary, however that doesn’t imply you shouldn’t nonetheless optimize your title and present notes for related key phrases that your viewers can be trying to find.
• Partnerships: The podcasting world could seem saturated and aggressive, however you’ll be shocked what number of different exhibits and hosts are identical to you. Companion with a like-minded present for a crossover episode or recruit material consultants to create mini-episodes that stay in your feed. In case your viewers is wanting extra, construct a mini-network beneath the identical model with a number of exhibits with completely different hosts or topics.

Able to Construct Your Model By means of Podcasting?

Is your mic scorching and is the recording button purple? Trying to develop your model past a weekly podcast? We’ve got a various choice of free coaching programs to assist develop your enterprise from ecommerce to mastering Fb advertisements.

Be a part of our free masterclasses and be taught actionable recommendation from those that’ve been there.