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How to Beginning a Podcast: Consummate Step-past-Step Guide [2022]
Launching a podcast tin feel overwhelming if you're doing it by yourself, but yous don't have to exercise information technology alone.
Since 2009, Buzzsprout has helped over 300,000 podcasters launch their podcast and we've used everything nosotros've learned to create this guide.
It's cleaved into 10 piece of cake steps and gives you everything you need to confidently create, launch, and grow your podcast:
- Step #i: Develop a podcast concept
- Stride #2: Choose your podcast format
- Step #3: Setup podcast recording equipment
- Step #four: Choose your podcast software
- Stride #5: Tape your first episode
- Step #6: Edit your audio
- Step #7: Create podcast artwork
- Footstep #8: Set up podcast in Buzzsprout
- Step #9: Go listed in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify
- Step #10: Launch and grow your show
Step #1: Develop a podcast concept
Choosing the right podcast concept for your new podcast is a big part of attracting the right listeners and staying committed to your show.
Follow these tips to narrow your niche and analyze your message.
Define your goals
Why exercise y'all want to start a podcast? It's of import to know your why, even if it's to have fun with friends.
Some proficient reasons for starting a podcast are:
- To generate leads for a business organization
- Exist recognized equally an industry leader
- Share an important message
Podcasting has a lot of benefits for brands and businesses, merely it's of import to be realistic near your goals.
While some podcasters shoot to fame, most have a minor audience that they build over time.
Pick a podcast theme or topic
Yous should experience excited to regularly talk over and research your podcast topic. The more y'all enjoy your topic, the less probable you'll experience podfade.
In one case you have some ideas, do some market inquiry to survey the contest in your genre.
Search your testify'due south topic in Apple tree Podcasts. Listen to a few episodes and inquire yourself what yous could do differently.
There's always a unique angle or perspective to offer.
PRO TIP
To test out your own podcast concept, try to come up with x episode ideas. If ideas don't come up easily, you might want to change topics.
Make information technology specific
When yous zero in on a niche, you attract a more specific and engaged audition. Podcasts that entreatment to a broad audience can cease up reaching fewer people.
People are besides more likely to recommend a niche podcast to a friend than a generic ane.
To make your podcast niche, focus on a sub-category or sub-demographic.
Drill down on what makes your podcast different. What unique perspective can you bring to your podcast's topic?
EXAMPLES OF FINDING A NICHE
- Mental wellness → Mental health for lawyers
- Drones → Drone racing
- Nutrition → Nutrition for diabetics
- Personality tests → Enneagram in the workplace
- Business → How to start a non profit
Name your podcast
Your podcast name is a core part of your brand. It makes a potent first impression on listeners and sets the tone for your podcast.
Here's Apple tree's communication on how to proper name your podcast:
It's important to accept a clear, concise name for your podcast. Make your title specific. A show titled Our Customs Bulletin is too vague to attract many subscribers, no thing how compelling the content. Pay close attention to the championship as Apple Podcasts uses this field for search.
Podcast names should have the post-obit characteristics:
- Specific and succinct
- Available
- Memorable
- Similar to your business organization proper name or brand
In one case you lot accept a title in mind, run it through a podcast name checker to make sure the social accounts and domains are available. Y'all likewise don't want to apply someone else's podcast name.
PRO TIP
Don't create podcast artwork, nevertheless. Information technology's likely that y'all'll tweak your podcast concept before y'all release your episodes, and you lot don't desire to have to redo your artwork.
Stride #ii: Choose your podcast format
Your format should complement your podcast and experience sustainable.
Ask yourself what gives you energy. Practice you love connecting with guests, or exercise you lot feel your all-time going solo?
If you choose to take cohosts, try to keep your group small. Podcasting with more 2 or three people makes scheduling a challenge.
Keep in heed that some shows crave more than production than others. For instance, fiction podcasts commonly require more editing than interview podcasts.
These are some common podcast formats:
- Interview podcasts
- Cohosted podcasts
- Scripted non-fiction
- News recap
- Educational podcasts
- Scripted fiction
Optimal podcast episode length
Brand your episodes as long as they demand to be and no longer.
Some podcasts are less than five minutes long, and others take episodes the length of a short audiobook. Here are the nearly common episode durations:
- Less than 10 minutes (14%)
- 10—twenty minutes (fifteen%)
- 20—40 minutes (31%)
- forty—lx minutes (22%)
- Over threescore minutes (7%)
Source: Buzzsprout Platform Statistics
Podcast publishing schedule
Podcasting can be a full-time chore or something y'all practise on the side. You lot might decide to publish daily or every two years similar Serial.
We recommend publishing once a week to develop a connection with listeners and create the habit of producing consistent content. These are the most common publishing frequencies:
- 0—two days (vii%)
- 3—seven days (36%)
- viii—14 days (39%)
- xv—29 days (17%)
- Over 30 days (1%)
Source: Buzzsprout Platform Statistics
Step #3: Setup podcast recording equipment
You don't take to buy expensive equipment to have skillful audio. Lots of popular podcasts have a basic setup.
Let's review what to await for in a podcast microphone. So, nosotros'll brand our summit podcast equipment recommendations.
Best podcast microphones
A good podcast mic enhances your audio quality and makes editing easier. Less background dissonance in your recording means less editing on the backend.
Here are a couple of things to consider before getting your first mic.
Dynamic or condenser
Dynamic mics work best for podcasting. They pick upwardly lower frequencies have less sensitivity. This means y'all'll accept less groundwork noise to edit out afterward.
Condenser mics have more sensitivity and pick upwardly a wider range of frequencies. Sensitivity is skillful for recording music, but isn't platonic for spoken word.
XLR or USB
Podcast mics have 2 types of connections: XLR or USB.
XLR mics give you maximum flexibility. In that location are a lot of XLR mics to cull from and they unremarkably have a long life. Simply, XLR mics require an interface or mixer to hook up. This tin can get expensive for beginners.
USB microphones are less expensive and plug directly into your computer. You tin can also run information technology through an interface if you record with multiple people. USB mics are affordable, practical, and sound peachy. This mic is the all-time option for the majority of podcasters.
Top mic recommendations:
- Samson Q2U | $seventy
- Podmic | $100
- Shure SM7B | $400
Example podcast setups
1. One-person setup ($seventy)
- Samson Q2U | $70
- Whatever headphones you already take
two. Two-person setup ($400)
- Samson Q2U | $70 (x2)
- Audio Technica M20x | $50 (x2)
- Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 | $160
three. Three-to-four-person setup ($960—$i,080)
- Samson Q2U | $lxx (x3 or 4)
- Audio Technica M20x | $50 (x3 or 4)
- RODECaster Pro | $600
At $200, the Zoom P4 is a cost-witting replacement for the RODECaster Pro.
Recommended accessories
- RODE PSA1 Smash Arm | $120
- Shock mountain | $35-50
- Foam ball or pop filter | $half dozen—$10
Footstep #4: Choose your podcast software
One time y'all've recorded your podcast, it's time to make edits. This is where you can structure your episode and optimize audio.
Fortunately, podcast editing software is frequently affordable or even gratis.
Remote recording software
If you frequently practise remote interviews, you'll demand software specifically for long-distance recordings.
one. Riverside.fm
- Cost: $9+ per calendar month
- Studio-quality recordings
Riverside allows you to record local audio and video, even if you lot don't have a great net connection.
Users tin take listener phone call-ins, livestream to social media, and edit video within a browser. Files continuously upload to the deject during recording then y'all never lose your piece of work.
2. SquadCast
- Cost: $ten+ per month
- Studio-quality recordings
SquadCast makes it easy to ready a remote podcast interview and capture loftier-quality, lossless audio.
The initial setup is harder than Zoom, only the sound quality is much better because information technology records local WAV files to each person's figurer.
3. Zoom
- Cost: Gratis - $15/month
- Average recording quality
- Virtually guests have experience with Zoom
Zoom is a go-to remote recording tool with average sound quality. And most people already know how to use it.
The app'due south default features compress audio, just you can better the sound by using the all-time settings for Zoom recordings.
PRO TIP
Don't apply Skype to tape your podcast. Skype calls are typically much more compressed and lower quality than the other options.
Editing software
ane. GarageBand | Free
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Compatibility: Mac and iOS
GarageBand comes pre-installed on nigh Apple computers. If you don't have it, yous tin easily download information technology for free. Nosotros call back GarageBand is a more than intuitive interface than Audacity.
GarageBand it is non available on Windows computers or Android phones.
ii. Brazenness | Free
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Compatibility: Mac, Windows, and Linux
Audacity is a free, open-source audio editor with pro-level features. This DAW is more enough for virtually podcasters to produce great episodes.
Brazenness has a steeper learning bend than GarageBand, but we have many Audacity tutorials to help you navigate the platform.
3. Descript | $10+ per month
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Compatibility: Mac and Windows
Descript is an all-in-one editing tool that lets you lot record, transcribe, mix, and edit your audio files like you lot would a text document.
Descript tin automatically remove filler words and dub over a phrase with text-to-speech vocalism cloning.
Descript also has video and screen recording and an in-browser editing suite.
4. Hindenburg Pro | $12 per calendar month
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Compatibility: Mac and Windows
Hindenburg is a pro-level sound editing software specifically for podcasters and journalists.
The workspace features elementary tools made for spoken word and automated options to streamline your workflow. Sign upwardly for a 30-day trial to see what you think.
Other podcast software
These tools aren't required only can improve your workflow and help optimize your content.
i. Otter.ai | $thirteen per month
Otter.ai is an automatic transcription service with high accuracy and a fast plow-around.
Buzzsprout has an Otter.ai integration, so y'all can easily upload your Otter transcripts into your dashboard when they're fix.
This service is a great option if y'all speak English. If you speak another language or have a heavy accent, it won't return authentic results.
two. Magic Mastering | $6 per month
Magic Mastering automatically levels out and optimizes your sound file, like an Instagram filter for your podcast.
This tool helps simplify your workflow and guarantees your podcast meets industry best practices.
3. Audio Hijack | $64 1-time fee
Sound Hijack lets yous record audio from any website or awarding and relieve it as an audio file.
Audio Hijack is an excellent option if you livestream with Twitch, StreamYard, or Facebook Live.
Stride #5: Record your offset episode
Recording your episode requires a little grooming on the front end. Follow these three steps to gear up yourself upward for success.
ane. Write a podcast outline
Rambling is one of the most mutual mistakes new podcasters make, and the all-time way to fight this trend is past writing a podcast script or outline.
Even taking a few minutes to jot downwardly a list of bullet points will dramatically improve the flow of your episode.
If you're working with a cohost, share the outline with them so you tin can piece of work on it together.
ii. Pick a good place to record
If possible, tape in a tranquillity room with lots of piece of furniture, curtains, rugs, or carpet.
Noise bounces off of hard, flat surfaces, so eliminate these where you can. Yous tin can too sound treat your space with cream panels on the walls.
three. Prepare your recording equipment and software
Connect your mic to your estimator or audio recording device.
If you have a USB mic, plug the cable into your computer's USB port. If you have multiple hosts, run each mic through an audio interface and plug the interface into the computer.
If you have an XLR mic, connect its cablevision to a USB interface or an external sound recording device like the Podtrak P4.
Once plugged in, go to your sound editing software settings and select your audio input.
Microphone technique
Position your rima oris 2" to 4" abroad from the microphone for the cleanest audio, just the optimal distance may vary based on your microphone.
If yous notice too many plosives or harsh sibilance in your recordings, the simplest solution is to move off-axis from the microphone.
Set your mic up to the side, angled slightly toward your mouth. This adjustment prevents bursts of air from hit the capsule and results in more natural audio.
Record exam rail
Try recording yourself talking at a consistent volume at several different positions. Then, mind to the recording to see which position gave you the best audio quality.
Don't worry about mistakes, stammers, or silence. You can make your edits in the adjacent step.
Pace #6: Edit your audio
Podcasting editing aims to make clean up the audio and make basic changes to its structure. If you lot endeavour to make your podcast audio too produced, you'll become overwhelmed.
Follow these 4 tips to streamline your editing workflow.
1. Create an engaging intro
Your podcast intro lets you lot tell your listeners what you lot're about, the value yous bring, and convince them to stick effectually.
You tin can get royalty-free music for no cost or buy your show'southward intro music through 1 of these resources:
- Soundstrike
- Sound Jungle
- Audio Blocks
2. Edit for content, and so distractions
Edit for content on your kickoff pass and work on dissonance bug or other distractions on your 2d go-around.
If you focus on noise bug as well early, you might polish sections you remove subsequently on.
Focus on getting the content right first, then double back to fix audio bug.
iii. Fade between tracks to remove unwanted noise
When you cut sections of audio, you can sometimes get little pops or clicks in the finished product.
Utilise the fade tool at the beginning and end of clips if you run into those issues.
four. Create a punch-list
If yous don't want to heed to an unabridged episode multiple times, create a list of audio distractions to cheque during your second pass.
This list can save fourth dimension and ensure you don't miss anything.
Export audio file
Once you lot've finished editing your podcast, export information technology as a .WAV file. Buzzsprout volition automatically add ID3 tags and catechumen your file to the right file format.
If y'all use some other podcast hosting service similar Anchor, you lot'll need to consign your file in their recommended format.
PRO TIP
Don't worry about ID3 tags. Buzzsprout will add the correct ID3 tags to your audio files, automatically.
Step #vii: Create podcast artwork
Your podcast cover art is the beginning matter potential listeners come across on Apple Podcasts or social media.
Good artwork implies quality content, and 62% of new listeners are more likely to listen to a podcast if they like its comprehend art.
Your podcast artwork should follow these technical specifications based on Apple's Podcast Artwork Requirements:
- Foursquare Epitome (3000 x 3000 pixels)
- Resolution of 72 dpi
- PNG or JPEG file types
- Colorspace RGB
5 Tips to brand your podcast artwork stand out
Follow these v tips to make artwork that stands out in podcast directories and attracts new listeners.
1. Visually communicate the bailiwick of the podcast
Attempt to potential listeners understand what your podcast is about just by looking at your artwork. Also much symbolism or ambivalence can turn people abroad.
2. Design for a diversity of sizes
You lot will use your artwork beyond several mediums and platforms, and so it's essential that it looks practiced fifty-fifty at 55 x 55 pixels.
3. Don't use too many words or fonts
Don't use more than four words on your cover art, and make sure it's legible even in small-scale sizes.
You should as well limit yourself to 2, complementary fonts.
4. Avert podcast imagery
Just equally film covers don't accept pictures of DVDs and TV sets, your podcast cover fine art shouldn't bear witness podcasting equipment.
You lot don't need to remind people that they're listening to a podcast!
5. Use consistent branding
Your podcast artwork is a part of your overall branding. Feel complimentary to brand subtle changes to artwork to fit various layouts and pages, but the imagery should stay consistent.
Tools to pattern your podcast artwork
one. Buzzsprout's Canva integration
Buzzsprout's Canva integration allows you lot to create your own podcast cover within your Buzzsprout business relationship.
Choose from 250,000+ templates, edit the template to match your podcast brand, and click Send to Buzzsprout.
Using this tool automatically guarantees that your embrace art meets spec requirements for every podcast app.
2. Adobe Spark
Adobe Artistic Cloud Express (previously Adobe Spark) is a costless service similar to Canva.
Create a free account and scan a catalog of templates, text styles, and colour pallets to design your unique podcast logo. When you're done, download your file as a .jpg or .png.
3. Fiverr
Fiverr is a more than affordable way to outsource your artwork. Prices vary based on the experience of the designer.
Make sure you choice a designer with examples adept artwork in their portfolio.
4. 99Designs
99Designs lets you run a contest where designers compete to create the best blueprint. Designers submit their ideas based on your guidelines, and you option your favorite!
You lot can use this link for $20 off any contest.
Step #8: Set up podcast in Buzzsprout
To get started, sign up for a free xc-day trial of Buzzsprout.
If you decide to upgrade to a paid plan, you tin upload upwardly to three hours of new content every month.
Fill up out your podcast data
Go to Podcast Setting inside Buzzsprout to fill in your podcast title, artwork, and description. This information helps you appear in search engine queries.
Your podcast clarification is where you tell listeners what they can expect from your content. Information technology's also a good place to employ keywords to describe people's attention.
If you have a business podcast, utilize related words and phrases so readers know your content is relevant to them.
Upload podcast artwork
Upload your podcast artwork into the designated field. You can upload artwork you already created or click the Canva button to create your cover fine art within the dashboard.
Pick a podcast category
This is where you lot option which category your podcast appears in Apple tree Podcasts (formerly iTunes).
Pick the category that all-time fits your podcast. You can e'er change this subsequently.
You can also option a subcategory to narrow your niche. Information technology's ameliorate to exist at the summit of a subcategory than further downward a general category.
Upload your first episode
Elevate and drop your file into the dashboard and and then schedule when you want it to become live.
Individual episodes take their own metadata and can even have their ain episode artwork.
Write podcast show notes
Your Episode Clarification is where you tin write your bear witness notes.
These notes prove up with your episode in podcast apps and next to your episode on your podcast website. Quality bear witness notes tin aid with your SEO and overall accessibility.
Try to include these things in your show notes:
- Helpful links
- Ancillary information
- Contact information
- Brusque summary of the episode
Near major apps support formatting within your episode notes, just not all do. Keep that in mind when you format your episode description text.
Bonus features in Buzzsprout
Now that y'all have the basics done, you can check out these extras to optimize your podcast.
Buzzsprout customizable website
Every podcast should accept a website where your podcast lives. You can keep your transcripts hither and accept more information on your podcast and hosts.
You lot can set this website inside Buzzsprout and put it on your ain domain. This site is primarily for podcast listening, transcripts, and show notes.
Transcripts
Transcripts help with your accessibility. Some people just prefer to read rather than mind to your content.
Within Buzzsprout, you lot can transcribe your episode using the Otter.ai integration or transcribe it yourself.
Upload your transcript, and nosotros'll distribute it to every directory that supports transcripts.
Magic Mastering
It'south challenging to fine-tune your audio. Magic Mastering levels out your audio, removes background noises, and makes voices sound more full.
One time y'all have an account, you can try out this feature for free on one episode!
Visual Soundbites
Visual Soundbites create a video clip of your audio and animate it with an image and waveform.
Soundbites are a great way to promote on social media and stand out in someone's feed. Posts with a visual component become an average of seven times the date.
Step #9: Get listed in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify
Podcast directories, like Apple Podcasts, are a centralized place for podcast listeners to find new shows.
Getting listed in the top podcast directories is a critical office of your podcast marketing strategy. Well-nigh of your new listeners will find your podcast through these directories.
Here are the steps for getting listed in the elevation 3 major podcast directories.
Submit podcast to Apple Podcasts
Apple Podcasts is the number one podcast directory in the earth and accounts for 37.four% of all podcast downloads.
Hither'southward how to become into Apple Podcasts:
- Log in to Buzzsprout
- Go to the Directories tab
- Click Get Listed nether Apple Podcasts
- Log in to Apple tree Podcasts Connect
- Click Validate
- Click Submit
It tin can have up to 24 hours for a podcast to exist approved, as Apple does a human review of every new podcast. You'll receive an email once your show has been approved.
Submit podcast to Spotify
Spotify launched its directory in 2018 and is at present the 2d-largest podcast directory, with 26.8% of all podcast downloads.
Here'southward how to get into Spotify:
- Login to Buzzsprout
- Get to the Directories tab
- Select Go Listed under Spotify
- Select Submit Podcast to Spotify
Once you lot submit your podcast to Spotify, it should exist listed near immediately.
Submit podcast to Google Podcasts
Google Podcasts makes your podcast visible in Google web searches and Android phones. This directory accounts for 2.iv% of all podcast downloads and works differently from its competitors.
Rather than submitting your podcast to a directory, you only make sure Google can clamber your podcast website.
You lot can manually submit your podcast RSS feed to Google to help speed upwardly the procedure.
All Buzzsprout websites are compatible with Google Podcasts. Most podcasters run into their episodes evidence up in Google Results in a couple of weeks.
If you utilise another hosting platform, check out this article on how to get a podcast into Google Podcasts.
Other podcast directories
Once you get listed in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts, your podcast is in forepart of 95%+ of all podcast listeners.
Submit to these smaller directories to further augment your reach:
- Podcast Index
- Amazon Music and Audible
- Stitcher
- Pandora
- TuneIn
- iHeartRadio
- TuneIn Radio
- Mind Notes
Stride #10: Launch and grow your testify
When information technology'south time to launch your podcast, yous have two options. Choose whichever 1 feels best to you.
Strategy #1: The m opening
A g opening is when you build hype for your bear witness prior to its launch. This is the approach used by most podcasters with an existing following.
Pick a launch date a few weeks away and accomplish out to people who might be interested.
Y'all can pay for ads, submit to Apple Podcasts' New and Noteworthy, or attain out to publications.
Strategy #2: The soft open
A soft open up is more discreet. With this method, you publish episodes equally if people are listening, only look on the promotion.
This strategy lets y'all get comfy, fe out kinks, and overcome imposter syndrome.
When yous see your podcast succeed in a lower-pressure environment, it's easier to promote it with more confidence.
Imposter syndrome
A lot of podcasters feel similar a fraud when they first start. Maybe you dislike your voice or don't feel qualified plenty to speak on your topic.
Information technology's like shooting fish in a barrel to sideline yourself, but you have a valuable perspective to offer. Know that this is a normal phase of podcasting that gets easier.
5 Marketing tips to grow your listenership
Information technology takes time to go the word out near your podcast. Follow these five steps to building a successful podcast marketing strategy.
one. Share your podcast with friends and family unit
Share your podcast with loved ones and ask for feedback. You tin can get their honest opinions and have get out your first reviews on Apple Podcasts.
2. Post episodes on social media
Sharing podcast content on social media helps you build a connection with your listeners.
You can create Visual Soundbites for Facebook and Instagram, boost tweets on Twitter, and post content on LinkedIn. You could option up 10 new listeners over your first few episodes if you do this right.
3. Join groups and forums
Providing value on forums like Reddit, Quora, or Facebook groups helps direct people to your podcast.
Respond to relevant, recent questions you can confidently answer. Include a link to one of your episodes to straight traffic to your podcast.
Aim to postal service one or 2 answers like this for each new episode.
4. Cantankerous-promote with other creators
Cross-promotion lets you partner with other podcasters and promote each other'due south shows.
This marketing method lets you get your podcast in front end of a new audience.
You can achieve out to beau creators on Podchaser or find hosts' contact information on their website or social media.
5. Overcast Ads
The Overcast podcast app runs ads exclusively for podcasting. In our experience, we become 100 new subscribers each ad bike. This is an excellent fashion to become your first 100 subscribers if yous have the money.
Boosted resources
If you lot meet whatsoever problems during your launch or accept questions in one case you're podcasting, consult these Buzzsprout resources.
- Buzzsprout Podcast Community on Facebook
- Buzzsprout Blog and YouTube channel
- Buzzsprout'southward back up team: [e-mail protected]
Celebrate your launch!
If you lot've fabricated information technology this far and are set up to publish your episode, nosotros encourage you lot to submit it soon and celebrate your accomplishment.
Launching your first podcast is an accomplishment, so congratulations from the entire Buzzsprout team! We can't wait to see how far your podcast takes you lot.
Alban Brooke
Alban Brooke is the Head of Marketing at Buzzsprout and the co-host of Buzzcast. Have any questions about this guide? Accomplish out on Twitter.
FAQ
How does a beginner starting time a podcast?
To start a podcast, follow these ten steps:
- Cull a podcast name and place goals
- Choose a podcast format
- Get podcast equipment
- Get podcast software
- Record your start episode
- Brand basic edits
- Create podcast artwork
- Fix your show with Buzzsprout
- Submit your podcast to major directories
- Launch and grow your podcast
Do podcasts brand coin?
Yes, podcast advertising and sponsorships are the most common monetization method. For a thirty-second ad, advertisers currently pay podcasters an average of $xviii per 1,000 listens.
Can anyone start a podcast?
Yes, anyone tin kickoff a podcast, regardless of their experience level. All you need is a 18-carat interest in your topic and something valuable to offer listeners!
Source: https://www.buzzsprout.com/blog/how-to-start-a-podcast