In today’s digital age, podcasting is a powerful medium to share your voice. You might think starting your own podcast requires a lot of technical know-how, but that’s not true. This article will guide you through how to make a podcast and help you on your journey to becoming a podcaster. We’ll cover essential steps such as planning your podcast, choosing the right podcast equipment, recording, editing, publishing, and marketing.
But, before we get started, did you know most podcasts fail? According to Apple Podcasts, a staggering 82% of podcasts are inactive. Many podcasters quit before they hit 100 podcast episodes. Why does this happen? Maybe they lack clear goals or find the process too challenging.
This doesn’t have to be your story. This article will help you create a podcast you’re proud of. Let’s discover good podcast ideas and get started.
Planning Your Podcast
Every successful podcast starts with careful planning. What’s your niche? Who is your ideal listener? Are you doing interviews or hosting it solo? It all starts with a concept.
Finding Your Niche and Target Audience
Focus on podcast topics you genuinely enjoy. Passion keeps you going even when challenges arise. After choosing a topic, consider your target audience. Who will benefit from your podcast? What are their interests and needs?
Are they beginners seeking a crash course or seasoned enthusiasts eager for expert insights? Jot down podcast ideas to get your creativity flowing. This will set you up for success and help this feel less like a daunting task.
Choosing Your Podcast Format
You have many podcast format options. There’s the interview format, where you invite experts to have conversations around your topic. Solo podcasts give you more freedom to explore your ideas at your own pace. Co-hosted podcasts with a close friend or colleague can bring dynamic energy.
Phil Lichtenberger, host of Scanner School, says, “I find solo shows are best when trying to teach a very specific subject that doesn’t lend itself to having guests.” Each format has its benefits. As your podcast evolves, you may experiment with different formats to keep things fresh.
Determining Episode Frequency and Duration
How often will you release new episodes? Aim for a sustainable publishing schedule. Starting with one episode a week allows consistency without getting overwhelmed. It can take over two years of weekly releases to gain traction. Don’t get discouraged by this fact because most podcasts stop after just 8 episodes, according to Podmatch.
What about episode duration? It all depends on your content. The length doesn’t have to be exact, but try keeping it within a general range. For instance, Federico Spiezia, the host of Design is Marketing, opts for a shorter episode length. “So my episodes are around 30 minutes, which is on the short side for similar shows. When editing my episodes, I do a lot of trimming down.”
Remember that listeners value conciseness as much as they do value content.
Equipment and Software
Contrary to what you might think, making a high-quality podcast doesn’t require a large financial investment. Creating a great podcast requires time and patience. What podcast equipment do you need to record audio?
Essential Equipment for Podcast Recording
A decent microphone is probably the most critical piece of equipment to help improve audio quality. Luckily, many affordable USB microphones will get the job done. JLab Talk is an excellent choice under $100.
As your podcast grows, you can consider investing in higher-end podcast microphones such as the Shure SM7B, the Electro-Voice RE20, Heli PR 40, the Rode NT1, or even the Audio-Technica AT5047. Also, consider a boom arm to adjust your microphone’s position and a pop filter to reduce harsh sounds when speaking.
Selecting Podcast Recording and Editing Software
Many podcast recording apps and software exist. Consider what you need, your budget, and user-friendliness when selecting recording software. Audacity is an excellent free, open-source option that provides many features. If you’re looking for professional-level editing software with advanced capabilities, check out Adobe Audition.
Recording Your First Podcast Episode
Preparation is key. It’s important to get familiar with your podcast equipment and software before diving in head-first. Test different microphone positions, familiarize yourself with the software’s controls, and create a comfortable recording environment to minimize background noise.
Podcast Scripting and Outline
You don’t have to write every word, but at least have an outline. This is your roadmap for staying on topic. Have a notepad nearby to jot down things you want to mention on your podcast episode as you remember them. This is your process so make it your own.
Sound Quality Tips
Minimize background noises. Choose a quiet space and turn off any distracting noises. Position yourself at an optimal distance from the mic and invest in a boom arm. A good pair of Sony MDR7506 professional headphones is crucial for monitoring sound while recording. Make sure you do a test recording to check your levels before recording your entire podcast episode.
Podcast Editing
This involves enhancing audio quality, adding an intro/outro, incorporating music or sound effects, removing any errors or filler words, and structuring your episode. Your editing workflow may change depending on your podcast’s format.
Creating Intro and Outro Music
A memorable intro sets the stage for your podcast, and a clear outro provides closure. You can choose from countless royalty-free music sites, and I always suggest taking a look at AudioJungle, where you can get thousands of great tracks starting at £15. Many podcast editing software packages offer tools to add and edit audio, helping you refine your content.
Publishing and Promoting
Now that you’ve recorded and edited your first episode, it’s time to share it with the world. How can people listen to your podcast?
Selecting a Podcast Hosting Provider
Pick a reliable podcast hosting provider to store your audio files and generate an RSS feed. Many hosting platforms, such as Spotify for Podcasters or Libsyn, make this easy.
Podcast Directories and Submission
Distribute your podcast to platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more. Make sure your podcast title and artwork comply with the submission requirements. Your podcast hosting platform will typically guide you through generating your RSS feed, which you’ll submit to these directories.
Designing Engaging Podcast Artwork
Your artwork is often the first impression listeners have of your podcast. It’s crucial to make it visually appealing and representative of your show. Use simple visuals and a color scheme that resonates with your podcast theme. Think about what will hook listeners. This will help get more downloads.
It’s tempting to cram a ton of information onto your podcast cover art. Don’t. Remember to stick to fewer words and fonts. Also, remember your artwork will appear in various sizes on different platforms. Use Canva or hire an experienced graphic designer. Many skilled designers are waiting to take on this task, and if you lack the time to create it yourself, check out a designer on Fiverr or 99designs.
Content Marketing
You’ve put in all this work to learn how to make a podcast, but the story doesn’t stop there. If you want people to discover your show, get strategic with your marketing. Share your podcast on social media platforms. Use audiograms or video snippets to create attention-grabbing content. Collaborate with other podcasters and tap into new listener bases by guest-starring.
Encourage listeners to subscribe, rate, and review your podcast, as this significantly helps with visibility. Engage with your listeners, build an online community, and explore the opportunities around growing your podcast organically. Building a strong community around your podcast can make it even more enjoyable and rewarding.
Building Sustainable Revenue From Podcasting
Let’s talk about money. If you dedicate yourself to your podcast and build a loyal audience, it’s natural to think about turning your podcast into a steady income source. Once you have a consistent listener base, consider sponsorships, affiliate marketing, merchandise, premium content, crowdfunding, or even creating online courses or digital products. Just don’t jump into these things too early.
Here’s what happened when one podcast host began monetizing her podcast: “From October to November (2020), my podcast listenership had almost doubled,” shares Sophie Walker, creator and host of Australian Birth Stories. “So from an average of 1500 listens per day, it jumped to around 2700.”
Podcasting can be lucrative, bringing some podcasts an annual income of $1 million. Keep in mind these are outliers. Most podcasts will never make any money. But it is possible.
Podcasting Can be Enjoyable
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Many of us have preconceived notions that we aren’t cut out to do a podcast or dislike how our voice sounds. If this is you, start small. I recorded my first podcast, Recover with God, for free. It may take a bit of trial and error before everything is running smoothly. Focus on delivering valuable content, stay true to your podcast concept, and continuously refine your techniques.
You don’t even have to be an adult. Spotify’s platform even lets people under 13 upload podcasts with parental permission.
Just get started with what you have. The more you produce, the better you will get. As long as you enjoy doing it, you are already halfway there. As long as you’re passionate about what you are talking about, then you are halfway there. For example, The School of Greatness by Lewis Howes now has more than 1,600 podcast episodes.
Keep these final suggestions in mind. Podcasts are consumed primarily on smartphones. Think about designing visually engaging material with tools such as Promo Cards. Also, don’t let your episode titles drag on. A study by Pacific Content reveals that most are under 29 characters. Shorter titles are more likely to be read fully.
Conclusion
As you can see, how to make a podcast is accessible to anyone. You have everything you need. You can create a thriving podcast if you invest time, creativity, and consistent effort. Enjoy your podcasting journey and reap the rewarding experience of connecting with your audience through your show. Embrace the journey and, most importantly, have fun sharing your voice. Now that you have an idea of how to make a podcast, are you ready to begin crafting your own? I know you can.
