Before we dive into what you need to start a podcast, it is pertinent to state that starting a podcast might seem like a fun idea until you begin. First, you must know that having a passion for a topic is not enough for your podcast to have a high SEO ranking than the competition. You need to take concrete, actionable steps. Although you have fewer people to compete with as a podcaster than a blogger, you still have to perform better than millions of other shows competing for the top 10 space on the Search Engine Result Page (SERP).
The introduction of podcasts as part of a search engine result by Google in 2019 has made it possible for podcasters to give their show the visibility it deserves. Nonetheless, you cannot achieve this without an Audio SEO as people rarely read beyond the first few results of a search engine. The question is; what do you need to start a podcast that ranks?
As of April 2022, there are over 2 million podcast shows worldwide, and it is predicted to continue to grow. However, you can make your mark by capitalizing on the 424.2 million podcast listeners, which will grow to more than 500 million by 2024.
So, let’s ow discuss what you need to start a podcast that ranks?
Choose a Topic
Every podcast starts with an idea, a need and a drive. You might have the knowledge you want to share with the world or an experience you know people will benefit from; audio content is a way to document it. However, you need a title that captures the idea you are trying to pass across to your audience.
As a rule…
Selecting a podcast title randomly because it suits your fancy will not maximize your SEO. Your title should not be too broad that it will not have a target audience. In contrast, it should not be too narrow to limit how much you can cover in each episode. Rather, it should be reflective of your podcast content and be able to stand the test of time. You do not want your podcast to fade out after just six months. Most importantly, you need to identify your niche and ensure it is something you can commit to for a long time.
Choosing the right topic and niche is part of what you need to start a podcast that ranks.
Find the Right Keywords
Keywords are essential in podcast SEO. Before deciding on the title of your podcast, carry out keyword research. Ubersuggest, Google Keyword Planner, Google Trends, and Ahrefs are some of the most used keyword research tools. You can choose one or use a combination of tools to maximize your search. Insert the keywords while making a podcast name, in each episode of your podcast, description, and segment. More importantly, do not “stuff keywords” as this can negatively affect your SEO ranking instead of boosting it.
By using keywords relevant to each episode, you are ensuring the episode can rank competitively. In addition, since the audience is central to your podcast, naturally inserting organic keywords into your show makes it easy for potential listeners to discover. If your podcast adopts an interview-style, you can easily find questions to ask your guest using the right keywords.
Transcribe Your Audio Content
You have produced a beautiful podcast using the right voice, equipment, and sound quality. And you naturally expect it to be at the top of SERP. You might be disappointed to find that it does not rank as high as you want. While Google has the right AI to transcribe your audio content into written words automatically, it is better to do it by yourself.
Converting your podcast into words might seem like an extra task, especially if you have an hour-long episode. However, it gives you control over what your podcast will look like. There are many transcription software you can use for quick audio-to-text conversion, after which you can do a thorough check on the result.
Transcribing your podcast allows you to remove the ‘hmms, ‘uhs’, and pauses in your audio. This makes it more readable for people and discoverable by search engines. Also, you can add more keywords that were not present in the audio to the transcribed text. Transcription gives your podcast the right SEO ranking.
Create a Website for Your Podcast
You might be wondering why you need a website for your podcast when it is audio content. The notion that you do not need a site to start a podcast is wrong. If you want to rank your podcast SEO, you need a place to direct your audience. A website is your little corner on the internet that makes discoverability by search engines easy. What is more? You can post new podcast episodes on your site for people to find and share.
A podcast with a website allows you to input the right keywords for your show which is great for your SEO. You can also control what people talk about in your niche by answering frequently asked questions as a blog on your website and your podcast. You can compile a mailing list to connect with your podcast’s true fans through your website.
Add a Written Description to Each Episode
A written description answers the question; what do I need to start a podcast? Episode description is a strategic way of inserting the relevant terms to increase your podcast SEO ranking. Before people listen to your show, they want to know what its all about. Therefore, writing a simple, concise, and easy-to-understand podcast description will give your audience a glimpse into what they are about to hear.
You can also use episode descriptions to grab the attention of new listeners and enhance the status of your podcast on SERP. As a part of the description, add show notes to summarize the episode, introduce the guest and describe the resources used in the podcast. The best place for your podcast show notes is on your website.
Ask for Ratings and Review
Encourage your audience to give feedback. Feedback gives you an idea of what your listeners want from your show. To increase audience participation, ask for reviews at the end of each episode. Always respond to questions and comments about your show as a way of audience engagement.
You can also ask them to rate your show favourably if they like it, giving you an advantage over other podcasts in the same niche. More so, high ratings direct new listeners to your show and it’s one of what you need to start a podcast that ranks.
Leverage on Social Media
You can use your social media accounts to engage existing listeners and acquire new listeners by posting video teasers. This will give insight into the content of your podcast.
You can request your listeners to like, comment, and share your podcast through your social media. Your website will also witness more traffic if you have more engaged followers on social media platforms.
Final Words on What You Need To Start a Podcast that Ranks
We provided this piece to answer a common question of “what do I need to start a podcast”. Whether you are a seasoned podcaster with years of podcasting at your back or just starting, the goal is to get your show at the top of SERP. While the available data will boost your confidence in your intent to start a podcast, creating an audio SEO might be challenging.
By following this guide, you will be equipped with all what you need to start a podcast that ranks.
