Content creation is one of the best ways of marketing yourself and growing your brand. Whether it’s a video, blog post, or podcast, content is king and can help you get more reach and visibility. However, creating content takes time and effort. These are two things that many people don’t have in abundance.
So, what if there was a way to create content without spending hours writing blogs? Enter the podcast. The podcast has become a staple of modern culture. Millions of people tune in daily to hear their favorite shows.
And it’s not just for entertainment. Many business podcasts can help you market yourself and grow your brand.
But what is a podcast, exactly? How do you start one? And how can it help you get more exposure online? Let’s find out.
What is a Podcast?
A podcast is an audio show you can listen to on your computer, smartphone, or tablet. One person (or sometimes multiple people) usually host a podcast. It focuses on topics like business, technology, comedy, and or any topic you can think of.
There are millions of podcasts available right now. Some have millions of followers, while others only have a few hundred per episode.
Why Start a Podcast?
Starting a podcast has many benefits. They include:
Doing What You Love
When you start a podcast, you will do something you love. You can talk about topics that interest or excite you and share your knowledge with others.
Podcasting is a great way to share what matters most in your life with others. You can share stories of your travels or interview experts on business strategy.
Business Ownership and Credibility
Starting a podcast can be an excellent way to build your business. It lets you create credibility and authority in your industry. It makes you become a thought leader.
A podcast can drive traffic to your website or social media accounts. This helps you increase sales and grow your audience.
An Extra Stream of Income
Podcasts can also be a great way to make some extra money. You can sell advertising space on your podcast. If it becomes popular, you may get sponsorships from companies wanting advert space.
This can help offset the costs of creating and hosting your podcast. It’ll pay for equipment upgrades or new equipment altogether.
How to Start A Podcast?
Now, here’s the lowdown on how to get started with a podcast. We’ll cover the equipment and software you need and other details. Let’s dive in!
Choosing a topic and name
Your first step is to figure out what kind of podcast you want to create. This will help you decide on your show’s topic and name. You can choose from many categories: comedy, music, and interview-based talk shows.
Ensure there aren’t too many similar podcasts already out there. It might be hard for you to stand out in such a crowded space.
After selecting the topic, you can start brainstorming potential show names. You’ll want to make sure it’s easy to remember and spell, providing some insight into your podcast.
For example, if you’re creating a comedy show, try using puns or wordplay that relate directly to your show. This will help listeners understand what they can expect if they tune in!
Show and episode format
Once you’ve figured out the theme of your podcast and its name, it’s time to consider the episode structure. You can decide on a strict format. Here, each episode follows a set number of segments repeated weekly.
You can also keep things more flexible and spontaneous. Here, ensure you include the segments in each show with no set order in which they appear.
The problem is that you will have to think of topics and ideas on the spot. To help with this, it’s a good idea to make notes about what you want to talk about in each episode before recording.
This gives you time to plan what points you want to make. Then you can research topics that might crop up during the discussion.
Choosing a podcast hosting service
Choosing the right podcast host is the next step in learning how to start a podcast. Your host helps you create, manage and distribute your podcast episodes. There are many podcast-hosting companies, each with pros and cons.
Factors like price, ease of use, and the availability of features can all affect your decision. If you’re new to podcasting, we recommend picking a free option first. It lets you get used to creating and publishing episodes without financial commitment.
Once you have a feel for how things work, you can then consider upgrading. The average cost of starting a podcast is around $55, though this will vary depending on your needs.
Cover art creation
Cover art is a design that represents your podcast. It can be a logo, illustration, or simple text. The cover art should look not only great but also be able to convey the feel of your show and what it’s about.
Your cover art is a vital part of the podcast’s identity. It’s the first thing listeners see when they look at the episode, so it needs to be well-designed and easy for them to skim.
This helps you attract new listeners. Most new listeners don’t bother listening if they find the cover art too confusing.
There are several options for creating your cover art. You can use GIMP or Photoshop to create something yourself. Or use an online tool like Canva or Visme, or hire a designer to do it for you.
Intro and outro music
Professional podcasters will often use music as their intro and outro. This helps listeners get into the right mindset for listening. It helps them remember that they’re listening to a podcast, not a random audio file. It gives them something fun to listen to while driving or doing chores around the house.
If you want your podcast to sound professional, then you need to have professional music in it. Countless services will give you free music, including Pond5 and FreeMusicArchive.
You can also hire a composer to create music for your podcast. Or use something like GarageBand if you have some experience with music production.
Equipment selection
Now, this is where things can get a little pricey if you don’t already have the equipment. You’ll need a microphone, headphones, and editing software. There are many options for microphones and headphones.
So, make sure that whatever you choose is high quality. This way, your listeners don’t hear any background noise or poor sound quality.
Other equipment you need includes a set of headphones and a pop filter (if you’re recording vocals). It would be best if you had a good pair of studio monitors. The last one is crucial because it ensures that your podcast sounds excellent. This is regardless of the audio problems in certain areas.
Audio recording and editing
The next thing to consider is the recording and editing process itself. If you plan to do all this yourself, ensure everything is set up correctly before recording. Also, if possible, try to find a quiet room where there aren’t any distractions or interruptions.
Make sure your equipment works properly by testing it out beforehand. You can do this with some test recordings. This way, you can make any necessary adjustments before starting your podcast episodes.
Some recording and editing software can also help make the process easier. This is especially if you’re not experienced in these areas.
A good program allows you to edit out any mistakes and reduce the length of your podcasts, so they don’t run too long. This can be helpful if you want to keep your episodes around 20 minutes or less. And that is ideal for podcast listeners.
Promotion tips
After you’ve recorded and edited your podcast, it’s time to promote it. One of the best ways to do so is by creating an episode guide. This will include all the information about what you will cover in each episode when you release it. It also tells listeners how to access it.
This helps people unfamiliar with podcasts to understand your content better. That way, they are more likely to tune in.
Social media and streaming platforms are great places to promote your podcast. You can use your current social media platforms to share your podcast’s information. You can share it with friends and family. Not only that, but you can even create a separate account for it.
Streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music are another excellent option. Many people listen to podcasts through these services. So, posting about yours could help listeners find it more easily.
Final Thoughts
So now, we’ve answered the questions, “What is a podcast,” and “how to start a podcast?” The best way to get started is to think about what you want your podcast to be. You can choose a topic that appeals to you personally or try something new and exciting. Once you’ve decided what kind of podcast you want to make, it’s time to record.
