Podcasting has become more popular over the past few years and they are here to stay.   Have you ever thought about starting your own podcast?  If so, I’ve written this blog to let you know what you need to start podcasting!

There are 5 stages to get started in podcasting.

1. Equipment needed to get started

A quality podcast needs good quality equipment.  You can record a podcast with your smartphone, but it will sound just like that.  Below is a list of minimum viable products that you need to get started:

• Buy a microphone. A USB microphone that picks up your voice clearly without unwanted background sounds is the best.  I use Blue Microphones Yeti, but others have raved about Blue Microphone’s Snowball.
• Software for recording. For Mac users, you can use Call Recorder for Skype to record the conversation and GarageBand to edit it.  For PC users, I record with Pamela and edit with Audacity.  If you have a cohost for your podcast, you can record the conversations separately and stitch them together in postproduction or you can use a double-ender recorder.
• Editing software. Alitu is a podcast-making tool that can help build you episode for you.
• Uploading your recording. When you are finished recording, editing, and producing your podcast, you can upload it to hosting sites such as Libsyn, Buzzsprout, Captivate, Soundcloud, Anchor, and Transistor.  They will generate your RSS feed so that you can submit it to Apple Podcast, Spotify, and other players.

 

2. Planning your podcast

What’s your podcast for?

Are you looking at podcasting as a hobby, a way to get your business known, or just to share your favorite subjects with others!

Who is your podcast for?

You need to decide who you are making your show for and why you are doing it otherwise you will have no chance to grow an audience.

Do I need an audience to start a podcast?

No.  You may already have an audience if you have an email list or followers on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.  Just give them a reason to listen and hype your podcast on these platforms to get people to go and listen.

Naming your Podcast – when trying to figure out a name there are 3 options:

• Use a clever name – just remember that people need to be able to know what your topic is about when searching
• A descriptive name – this is easier for people to search when you are calling your show what your topic is
• Use your own name – don’t do this unless you already have a strong audience and people will be searching for you that way

3. Planning Your Episodes

How long should a podcast episode be?

It can be short (15 minutes) or long (over an hour), it just depends on how long you need to get your message out there!  The ideal length of a podcast should be 22 minutes, but there are many podcasters out there who do well with the long program.

How often should I release episodes?

The best schedule is the one you can stick to on a regular basis.  If you can only manage once a month, that’s fine.  Every 2 weeks, great.  Weekly, even better!  Ideally, stats show that Tuesday is the best day to publish a podcast.  The key is you need to be consistent to develop an audience.

How to choose an episode title

Choosing good, searchable, descriptive titles for your episodes is important.  Don’t just call them “episode 1”, “episode 2”.  People will not know what to expect when they listen to them.  Make sure if you call your episode “How to…”, “5 Steps..”, etc. that you are delivering that information in the episode.

What type of format should I use: solo, co-host, interview?

This is a personal choice, and you can choose a mixed-format if you wish.

Solo Show – you won’t need to wait for anyone else to record your episodes and you can establish yourself as an authority on the subject matter.  This style may be a little intimidating for the beginner podcaster because they feel like they are just talking to themselves.  You just need to remember that you are talking to the listener!

Co-hosted Show – This works great when you find the right co-host.  You can bounce ideas off each other, debate, and develop great chemistry.  The one downside is that you need to find time when you can both get together to record.

Interview Show – This type of show gives you the opportunity to chat with someone.  It also has the benefit that your guest will have their own audience who may listen to the podcast and end up subscribing to your show.  Interviewing is a skill that you will need to develop through practice.  This format also requires you to spend time finding potential guests, scheduling interviews, and researching their background for the show.  You also must rely on the guests to show up.

4. Recording your podcast

Scripting your show – Before you’re ready to press “record”, you need to decide what you plan on saying!  Try not to use a fully scripted show that you just read into the microphone.  Podcasting is intimate and best for a conversation atmosphere.  Try just using bullet points that you talk to.

5. Publishing your podcast

Cover Art – Just as each episode needs a tile, it also needs cover art.  Having an interesting cover art can make you stand out on podcast hosts.  I use Canva for my designs for social media, my website, and blogs.  It is also a good place to make cover art.

Podcast hosting services – You will need to sign up with a media hosting service to host your audio files.  You also have the option of putting these files on your existing website.

Submitting to directories – Many of the audio hosting sites will have to submit tools to help you easily get onto sites such as Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcasts, etc.

 

That’s it.  My 5 steps to get you started in podcasting.

If you need some more help in launching and growing your podcast, Alitu has a resourceful website for learning how to start a podcast.  They have a 7-day free trial and you will have access to the training during this trial.