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April 06, 2022

How to Start a Podcast: Consummate Step-by-Step Guide [2022]

Launching a podcast tin feel overwhelming if yous're doing it by yourself, but you don't have to practice it 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 lot everything you need to confidently create, launch, and grow your podcast:

• Stride #one: Develop a podcast concept
• Step #2: Choose your podcast format
• Footstep #three: Setup podcast recording equipment
• Footstep #4: Cull your podcast software
• Step #5: Tape your first episode
• Pace #6: Edit your audio
• Step #vii: Create podcast artwork
• Footstep #viii: Prepare podcast in Buzzsprout
• Step #ix: Go listed in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify
• Footstep #10: Launch and abound your prove

Footstep #i: Develop a podcast concept

Choosing the correct podcast concept for your new podcast is a big function of alluring the right listeners and staying committed to your bear witness.

Follow these tips to narrow your niche and analyze your message.

Define your goals

Why do you want to start a podcast? It's important to know your why, even if information technology's to have fun with friends.

Some skillful reasons for starting a podcast are:

• To generate leads for a business organisation
• Be recognized every bit an manufacture leader
• Share an of import message

Podcasting has a lot of benefits for brands and businesses, only it's important to be realistic about your goals.

While some podcasters shoot to fame, most accept a small audience that they build over time.

Option a podcast theme or topic

You should feel excited to regularly hash out and research your podcast topic. The more yous enjoy your topic, the less likely yous'll experience podfade.

Once you have some ideas, practice some marketplace research to survey the competition in your genre.

Search your show'southward topic in Apple Podcasts. Listen to a few episodes and ask yourself what you could exercise differently.

In that location's always a unique angle or perspective to offer.

PRO TIP

To test out your own podcast concept, try to come with ten episode ideas. If ideas don't come hands, you might want to change topics.

Get in specific

When you zero in on a niche, you attract a more specific and engaged audience. Podcasts that appeal to a broad audience can cease up reaching fewer people.

People are also more than likely to recommend a niche podcast to a friend than a generic one.

To brand your podcast niche, focus on a sub-category or sub-demographic.

Drill downwardly on what makes your podcast different. What unique perspective can you bring to your podcast's topic?

EXAMPLES OF FINDING A NICHE

• Mental health → Mental health for lawyers
• Drones → Drone racing
• Nutrition → Diet for diabetics
• Personality tests → Enneagram in the workplace
• Business → How to beginning a non profit

Name your podcast

Your podcast proper name is a cadre part of your brand. It makes a potent first impression on listeners and sets the tone for your podcast.

Here's Apple's advice on how to name your podcast:

Information technology's of import to have a clear, curtailed proper name for your podcast. Make your title specific. A show titled                      Our Customs Bulletin                      is too vague to attract many subscribers, no matter how compelling the content.                      Pay close attending to the title equally Apple Podcasts uses this field for search.

Podcast names should accept the following characteristics:

• Specific and succinct
• Available
• Memorable
• Similar to your business name or brand

Once you have a title in mind, run information technology through a podcast name checker to make certain the social accounts and domains are available. You also don't desire to apply someone else'south podcast proper noun.

PRO TIP

Don't create podcast artwork, however. It'due south likely that you'll tweak your podcast concept earlier you lot release your episodes, and you don't want to take to redo your artwork.

Pace #2: Choose your podcast format

Your format should complement your podcast and feel sustainable.

Ask yourself what gives yous free energy. Practise you beloved connecting with guests, or exercise you feel your all-time going solo?

If y'all choose to have cohosts, endeavour to continue your grouping small. Podcasting with more than two or three people makes scheduling a challenge.

Proceed in listen that some shows crave more production than others. For instance, fiction podcasts normally require more editing than interview podcasts.

These are some common podcast formats:

• Interview podcasts
• Cohosted podcasts
• Scripted non-fiction
• News epitomize
• Educational podcasts
• Scripted fiction

Optimal podcast episode length

Make your episodes equally long equally they demand to be and no longer.

Some podcasts are less than five minutes long, and others have episodes the length of a short audiobook. Here are the near mutual episode durations:

• Less than x minutes (14%)
• x—xx minutes (15%)
• 20—twoscore minutes (31%)
• forty—60 minutes (22%)
• Over 60 minutes (seven%)

Source: Buzzsprout Platform Statistics

Podcast publishing schedule

Podcasting tin exist a full-fourth dimension job or something you practice on the side. Yous might decide to publish daily or every two years like Serial.

We recommend publishing once a calendar week to develop a connexion with listeners and create the habit of producing consistent content. These are the most common publishing frequencies:

• 0—2 days (7%)
• 3—7 days (36%)
• viii—14 days (39%)
• 15—29 days (17%)
• Over thirty days (1%)

Source: Buzzsprout Platform Statistics

Step #three: Setup podcast recording equipment

Yous don't accept to buy expensive equipment to have good audio. Lots of popular podcasts have a basic setup.

Let's review what to look for in a podcast microphone. Then, nosotros'll brand our pinnacle podcast equipment recommendations.

All-time podcast microphones

A good podcast mic enhances your audio quality and makes editing easier. Less background noise in your recording ways less editing on the backend.

Here are a couple of things to consider earlier getting your first mic.

Dynamic or condenser

Dynamic mics work all-time for podcasting. They pick up lower frequencies have less sensitivity. This means you'll have less background noise to edit out later.

Condenser mics accept more sensitivity and pick upwards a wider range of frequencies. Sensitivity is good for recording music, but isn't ideal for spoken give-and-take.

XLR or USB

Podcast mics have two types of connections: XLR or USB.

XLR mics give you lot maximum flexibility. There are a lot of XLR mics to choose from and they normally have a long life. Merely, XLR mics require an interface or mixer to hook upward. This can go expensive for beginners.

USB microphones are less expensive and plug direct into your calculator. You can as well run it through an interface if you tape with multiple people. USB mics are affordable, practical, and sound great. This mic is the best option for the bulk of podcasters.

Meridian mic recommendations:

• Samson Q2U | $seventy
• Podmic | $100
• Shure SM7B | $400

Instance podcast setups

1. I-person setup ($70)

• Samson Q2U | $70
• Any headphones you already have

2. Two-person setup ($400)

• Samson Q2U | $70 (x2)
• Audio Technica M20x | $l (x2)
• Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 | $160

3. Three-to-4-person setup ($960—$one,080)

• Samson Q2U | $70 (x3 or iv)
• Audio Technica M20x | $l (x3 or 4)
• RODECaster Pro | $600

At $200, the Zoom P4 is a cost-conscious replacement for the RODECaster Pro.

Recommended accessories

• RODE PSA1 Boom Arm | $120
• Shock mount | $35-l
• Foam ball or popular filter | $6—$ten

Step #four: Choose your podcast software

Once you've recorded your podcast, it's time to make edits. This is where you tin structure your episode and optimize audio.

Fortunately, podcast editing software is often affordable or fifty-fifty costless.

Remote recording software

If you lot frequently do remote interviews, you'll need software specifically for long-distance recordings.

1. Riverside.fm

• Price: $ix+ per month
• Studio-quality recordings

Riverside allows you lot to tape local audio and video, fifty-fifty if you don't have a great net connection.

Users can take listener call-ins, livestream to social media, and edit video within a browser. Files continuously upload to the deject during recording so you never lose your work.

2. SquadCast

• Cost: $10+ per month
• Studio-quality recordings

SquadCast makes it easy to set up a remote podcast interview and capture high-quality, lossless audio.

The initial setup is harder than Zoom, simply the sound quality is much improve because it records local WAV files to each person's estimator.

3. Zoom

• Cost: Free - $fifteen/calendar month
• Average recording quality
• Most guests accept experience with Zoom

Zoom is a become-to remote recording tool with average audio quality. And near people already know how to apply it.

The app'southward default features compress sound, simply you can better the audio past using the all-time settings for Zoom recordings.

PRO TIP

Don't use Skype to record your podcast. Skype calls are typically much more compressed and lower quality than the other options.

Editing software

1. GarageBand | Complimentary

• Difficulty: Beginner
• Compatibility: Mac and iOS

GarageBand comes pre-installed on most Apple computers. If you don't take information technology, you tin hands download it for free. We think GarageBand is a more intuitive interface than Audacity.

GarageBand it is non available on Windows computers or Android phones.

2. Audacity | Free

• Difficulty: Moderate
• Compatibility: Mac, Windows, and Linux

Audacity is a free, open-source sound editor with pro-level features. This DAW is more enough for about podcasters to produce great episodes.

Audacity has a steeper learning curve than GarageBand, but nosotros have many Audacity tutorials to assist you lot navigate the platform.

3. Descript | $ten+ per month

• Difficulty: Moderate
• Compatibility: Mac and Windows

Descript is an all-in-one editing tool that lets y'all record, transcribe, mix, and edit your audio files like y'all would a text document.

Descript tin automatically remove filler words and dub over a phrase with text-to-spoken communication voice cloning.

Descript also has video and screen recording and an in-browser editing suite.

4. Hindenburg Pro | $12 per month

• Difficulty: Moderate
• Compatibility: Mac and Windows

Hindenburg is a pro-level sound editing software specifically for podcasters and journalists.

The workspace features uncomplicated tools made for spoken word and automated options to streamline your workflow. Sign up for a 30-twenty-four hour period trial to meet what you think.

Other podcast software

These tools aren't required but can ameliorate your workflow and assist optimize your content.

i. Otter.ai | $13 per month

Otter.ai is an automated transcription service with high accuracy and a fast plow-effectually.

Buzzsprout has an Otter.ai integration, and so you can easily upload your Otter transcripts into your dashboard when they're ready.

This service is a not bad option if you speak English language. If you lot speak some other language or have a heavy accent, it won't return accurate results.

2. Magic Mastering | $six per calendar month

Magic Mastering automatically levels out and optimizes your audio file, like an Instagram filter for your podcast.

This tool helps simplify your workflow and guarantees your podcast meets industry best practices.

3. Sound Hijack | $64 i-time fee

Audio Hijack lets you tape sound from any website or application and save it as an audio file.

Audio Hijack is an first-class option if you lot livestream with Twitch, StreamYard, or Facebook Alive.

Step #5: Record your first episode

Recording your episode requires a little grooming on the front end. Follow these three steps to set yourself up for success.

i. Write a podcast outline

Rambling is one of the most common mistakes new podcasters make, and the best way to fight this tendency is by writing a podcast script or outline.

Even taking a few minutes to jot down a list of bullet points volition dramatically improve the menstruum of your episode.

If y'all're working with a cohost, share the outline with them so y'all can work on information technology together.

2. Pick a proficient place to record

If possible, record in a quiet room with lots of furniture, curtains, rugs, or rug.

Noise bounces off of difficult, flat surfaces, so eliminate these where yous tin. You can also sound treat your space with foam panels on the walls.

iii. Fix your recording equipment and software

Connect your mic to your computer or audio recording device.

If you have a USB mic, plug the cablevision into your computer'southward USB port. If you lot have multiple hosts, run each mic through an audio interface and plug the interface into the figurer.

If you have an XLR mic, connect its cable to a USB interface or an external audio recording device like the Podtrak P4.

Once plugged in, go to your audio editing software settings and select your audio input.

Microphone technique

Position your mouth ii" to 4" abroad from the microphone for the cleanest sound, but the optimal distance may vary based on your microphone.

If you notice also many plosives or harsh sibilance in your recordings, the simplest solution is to motility off-axis from the microphone.

Gear up your mic upwardly to the side, angled slightly toward your mouth. This adjustment prevents bursts of air from hitting the capsule and results in more natural audio.

Record test runway

Try recording yourself talking at a consequent volume at several different positions. Then, listen 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 next step.

Step #half dozen: Edit your audio

Podcasting editing aims to clean upwardly the audio and make bones changes to its construction. If you lot try to make your podcast sound too produced, yous'll get overwhelmed.

Follow these four tips to streamline your editing workflow.

1. Create an engaging intro

Your podcast intro lets yous tell your listeners what you're nearly, the value you bring, and convince them to stick around.

You can get royalty-free music for no price or buy your show's intro music through one of these resources:

• Soundstrike
• Audio Jungle
• Audio Blocks

2. Edit for content, and so distractions

Edit for content on your first pass and work on dissonance issues or other distractions on your 2d go-around.

If y'all focus on noise issues also early, you might smoothen sections y'all remove afterward.

Focus on getting the content right first, and so double back to fix audio issues.

three. Fade betwixt tracks to remove unwanted dissonance

When you cut sections of audio, you can sometimes get footling pops or clicks in the finished product.

Use the fade tool at the beginning and stop of clips if y'all run across those problems.

4. Create a punch-list

If you don't want to mind to an entire episode multiple times, create a list of audio distractions to cheque during your second pass.

This listing can save time and ensure y'all don't miss anything.

Export audio file

Once you've finished editing your podcast, export it as a .WAV file. Buzzsprout will automatically add ID3 tags and convert your file to the correct file format.

If you use another podcast hosting service like Anchor, you'll demand to export your file in their recommended format.

PRO TIP

Don't worry about ID3 tags. Buzzsprout will add the correct ID3 tags to your sound files, automatically.

Step #seven: Create podcast artwork

Your podcast cover fine art is the first matter potential listeners come across on Apple tree Podcasts or social media.

Proficient artwork implies quality content, and 62% of new listeners are more than likely to mind to a podcast if they like its cover art.

Your podcast artwork should follow these technical specifications based on Apple'south Podcast Artwork Requirements:

• Square Image (3000 10 3000 pixels)
• Resolution of 72 dpi
• PNG or JPEG file types
• Colorspace RGB

5 Tips to make your podcast artwork stand out

Follow these v tips to brand artwork that stands out in podcast directories and attracts new listeners.

one. Visually communicate the subject of the podcast

Endeavour to potential listeners understand what your podcast is about only by looking at your artwork. Too much symbolism or ambiguity can turn people away.

2. Design for a diversity of sizes

You volition utilise your artwork beyond several mediums and platforms, then information technology's essential that it looks good even at 55 10 55 pixels.

3. Don't use as well many words or fonts

Don't utilise more than than four words on your cover fine art, and make certain it's legible even in small sizes.

You should also limit yourself to 2, complementary fonts.

four. Avoid podcast imagery

But as movie covers don't have pictures of DVDs and Goggle box sets, your podcast cover fine art shouldn't show podcasting equipment.

You lot don't need to remind people that they're listening to a podcast!

v. Use consistent branding

Your podcast artwork is a part of your overall branding. Feel costless to make subtle changes to artwork to fit various layouts and pages, but the imagery should stay consequent.

Tools to design your podcast artwork

ane. Buzzsprout's Canva integration

Buzzsprout's Canva integration allows you to create your ain podcast encompass within your Buzzsprout business relationship.

Choose from 250,000+ templates, edit the template to match your podcast brand, and click Transport to Buzzsprout.

Using this tool automatically guarantees that your cover art meets spec requirements for every podcast app.

2. Adobe Spark

Adobe Creative Deject Limited (previously Adobe Spark) is a gratuitous service similar to Canva.

Create a free account and browse a itemize of templates, text styles, and color pallets to design your unique podcast logo. When yous're done, download your file as a .jpg or .png.

3. Fiverr

Fiverr is a more affordable way to outsource your artwork. Prices vary based on the feel of the designer.

Make sure y'all pick a designer with examples good artwork in their portfolio.

4. 99Designs

99Designs lets you run a contest where designers compete to create the best design. Designers submit their ideas based on your guidelines, and you choice your favorite!

You can utilise this link for $20 off any contest.

Stride #viii: Set up up podcast in Buzzsprout

To become started, sign up for a costless ninety-day trial of Buzzsprout.

If you decide to upgrade to a paid plan, you lot can upload up to 3 hours of new content every month.

Fill out your podcast information

Go to Podcast Setting inside Buzzsprout to fill in your podcast title, artwork, and description. This data helps y'all appear in search engine queries.

Your podcast description is where you tell listeners what they tin can expect from your content. It's likewise a practiced place to employ keywords to draw people'southward attention.

If yous have a business podcast, apply 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 tin can upload artwork you already created or click the Canva button to create your embrace art inside the dashboard.

Option a podcast category

This is where yous option which category your podcast appears in Apple Podcasts (formerly iTunes).

Pick the category that all-time fits your podcast. Yous tin ever change this afterwards.

Y'all can too pick a subcategory to narrow your niche. It'south better to be at the meridian of a subcategory than further downward a general category.

Upload your first episode

Drag and driblet your file into the dashboard and so schedule when yous want it to go live.

Individual episodes take their own metadata and can even have their own episode artwork.

Write podcast prove notes

Your Episode Clarification is where you can write your show notes.

These notes show up with your episode in podcast apps and next to your episode on your podcast website. Quality show notes tin can help with your SEO and overall accessibility.

Try to include these things in your show notes:

• Helpful links
• Ancillary data
• Contact information
• Short summary of the episode

Nearly major apps back up formatting inside your episode notes, but not all do. Keep that in listen when you lot format your episode description text.

Bonus features in Buzzsprout

Now that y'all have the nuts done, yous tin check out these extras to optimize your podcast.

Buzzsprout customizable website

Every podcast should have a website where your podcast lives. You can continue your transcripts hither and take more information on your podcast and hosts.

You can set upwardly this website within Buzzsprout and put it on your own domain. This site is primarily for podcast listening, transcripts, and show notes.

Transcripts

Transcripts help with your accessibility. Some people but prefer to read rather than listen to your content.

Within Buzzsprout, yous tin can transcribe your episode using the Otter.ai integration or transcribe it yourself.

Upload your transcript, and we'll distribute information technology to every directory that supports transcripts.

Magic Mastering

It'due south challenging to fine-tune your sound. Magic Mastering levels out your audio, removes background noises, and makes voices sound more full.

One time you have an account, you can try out this characteristic 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'due south feed. Posts with a visual component get an average of seven times the engagement.

Step #9: Get listed in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify

Podcast directories, like Apple tree Podcasts, are a centralized identify for podcast listeners to observe new shows.

Getting listed in the height podcast directories is a critical part of your podcast marketing strategy. Near of your new listeners will observe your podcast through these directories.

Here are the steps for getting listed in the tiptop 3 major podcast directories.

Submit podcast to Apple Podcasts

Apple Podcasts is the number one podcast directory in the world and accounts for 37.4% of all podcast downloads.

Here's how to get into Apple Podcasts:

• Log in to Buzzsprout
• Get to the Directories tab
• Click Get Listed under Apple Podcasts
• Log in to Apple Podcasts Connect
• Click Validate
• Click Submit

It tin can take up to 24 hours for a podcast to be 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 now the 2nd-largest podcast directory, with 26.eight% of all podcast downloads.

Here's how to get into Spotify:

• Login to Buzzsprout
• Go to the Directories tab
• Select Get Listed nether Spotify
• Select Submit Podcast to Spotify

Once you lot submit your podcast to Spotify, information technology should be listed almost immediately.

Submit podcast to Google Podcasts

Google Podcasts makes your podcast visible in Google web searches and Android phones. This directory accounts for ii.4% of all podcast downloads and works differently from its competitors.

Rather than submitting your podcast to a directory, yous just brand sure Google tin clamber your podcast website.

Yous tin manually submit your podcast RSS feed to Google to help speed up the process.

All Buzzsprout websites are compatible with Google Podcasts. Virtually podcasters see their episodes testify upward in Google Results in a couple of weeks.

If you use some other hosting platform, cheque out this commodity 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 front end of 95%+ of all podcast listeners.

Submit to these smaller directories to farther broaden your reach:

• Podcast Index
• Amazon Music and Audible
• Stitcher
• Pandora
• TuneIn
• iHeartRadio
• TuneIn Radio
• Listen Notes

Step #10: Launch and grow your show

When it's time to launch your podcast, you lot have two options. Cull whichever one feels best to you lot.

Strategy #i: The grand opening

A grand opening is when yous build hype for your evidence prior to its launch. This is the arroyo used by almost podcasters with an existing following.

Pick a launch date a few weeks abroad and attain out to people who might exist interested.

Y'all can pay for ads, submit to Apple tree Podcasts' New and Noteworthy, or reach out to publications.

Strategy #ii: The soft open

A soft open up is more discreet. With this method, you publish episodes as if people are listening, but wait on the promotion.

This strategy lets you go comfortable, iron out kinks, and overcome imposter syndrome.

When you run across your podcast succeed in a lower-pressure surround, information technology's easier to promote it with more than confidence.

Imposter syndrome

A lot of podcasters experience like a fraud when they get-go start. Perchance you dislike your voice or don't feel qualified enough to speak on your topic.

It's like shooting fish in a barrel to sideline yourself, but you accept a valuable perspective to offer. Know that this is a normal phase of podcasting that gets easier.

5 Marketing tips to grow your listenership

It takes time to go the word out about your podcast. Follow these five steps to building a successful podcast marketing strategy.

1. Share your podcast with friends and family unit

Share your podcast with loved ones and ask for feedback. You lot can get their honest opinions and take leave your kickoff reviews on Apple tree Podcasts.

ii. Post episodes on social media

Sharing podcast content on social media helps you build a connection with your listeners.

You lot tin create Visual Soundbites for Facebook and Instagram, boost tweets on Twitter, and mail service content on LinkedIn. You lot could pick up 10 new listeners over your kickoff few episodes if y'all practise this right.

3. Join groups and forums

Providing value on forums like Reddit, Quora, or Facebook groups helps straight people to your podcast.

Reply to relevant, contempo questions yous can confidently answer. Include a link to one of your episodes to direct traffic to your podcast.

Aim to postal service i or 2 answers like this for each new episode.

4. Cross-promote with other creators

Cross-promotion lets yous partner with other podcasters and promote each other'south shows.

This marketing method lets you go your podcast in forepart of a new audience.

You can reach out to fellow 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, nosotros go 100 new subscribers each ad cycle. This is an excellent way to get your offset 100 subscribers if y'all accept the money.

Additional resource

If you meet any issues during your launch or accept questions one time you're podcasting, consult these Buzzsprout resources.

• Buzzsprout Podcast Customs on Facebook
• Buzzsprout Blog and YouTube channel
• Buzzsprout'due south support team: [email protected]

Gloat your launch!

If you lot've fabricated it this far and are set to publish your episode, nosotros encourage you to submit it soon and celebrate your accomplishment.

Launching your first podcast is an achievement, then congratulations from the entire Buzzsprout squad! Nosotros tin't wait to see how far your podcast takes you.

Alban Brooke

Alban Brooke is the Head of Marketing at Buzzsprout and the co-host of Buzzcast. Have whatsoever questions most this guide? Accomplish out on Twitter.

FAQ

How does a beginner beginning a podcast?

To showtime a podcast, follow these 10 steps:

1. Cull a podcast name and identify goals
2. Cull a podcast format
3. Become podcast equipment
4. Get podcast software
5. Record your first episode
6. Make basic edits
7. Create podcast artwork
8. Set up your show with Buzzsprout
9. Submit your podcast to major directories
10. Launch and grow your podcast

Practice podcasts make money?

Yes, podcast ad and sponsorships are the most common monetization method. For a 30-second ad, advertisers currently pay podcasters an average of $eighteen per 1,000 listens.

Can anyone first a podcast?

Yes, anyone can commencement a podcast, regardless of their experience level. All you lot need is a genuine interest in your topic and something valuable to offer listeners!

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Source: https://www.buzzsprout.com/blog/how-to-start-a-podcast

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