Have an amazing idea for a podcast but no idea how to get started? This step-by-step guide will get your podcast online and ready for everyone’s listening pleasure. Here’s what we’ll cover:
- Develop your podcast concept and story
- Purchase good audio equipment
- Find a quiet place to record
- Record your first 4 or 5 podcast episodes
- Edit your episodes
- Upload your episodes to a podcast host
- Set up your RSS feed and distribute your podcast show
- Market and promote your podcast show
Just 8 steps – and that’s it. Now, let’s break it down.
DEVELOP YOUR CONCEPT AND STORY
As they say in most of the audio and video world, content is king! It is important that you thoroughly research your topic and create enough quality content to keep your audience engaged.
Unless you are recording a storytelling show where you will be reading from a script, you do not necessarily need to write out every word. Bullet points and general ideas are usually enough as long as you are very familiar with the subject matter.
It is good to write out several episodes to start so you don’t have to hash out a show the night before you are releasing it. Nothing stimies creativity more than rushing through it.
PURCHASE GOOD AUDIO EQUIPMENT
Content is certainly king, but nothing is more distracting in a podcast than poor audio quality. Audio is greatly affected by the equipment you are using. If you don’t already own quality audio equipment, we highly recommend purchasing a good microphone and audio interface at a minimum.
Here is a list of microphones we recommend:
- Blue Snowball (cheap but effective)
- Rode PodMic (a great all-around microphone)
- Shure MV7 (versatile and high quality)
- Shure SM7B (best in the market)
FIND A QUIET PLACE TO RECORD
Another major factor of audio quality is environment. Where you record is important and recording in a noisy area with distracting noises in the background or echoes in your voice is a sure-fire way to lose listeners.
Record in a secluded area that is sound treated or has sound absorbing material in it. If you are not recording in a professional sound studio you could consider setting up a home recording studio in a small room or even recording in a closet where the clothes reduce echos.
RECORD YOUR FIRST 4 OR 5 EPISODES
Just like writing 4 or 5 episodes up front, it is a good idea to record them as well. Staying ahead of the curve makes it easier to consistently upload new content and keep your listeners engaged.
EDIT YOUR EPISODES
When you first start recording you will likely make mistakes and will need to edit your episodes. You may also want to add a soundtrack or introduction to your show.
Editing can be time consuming, but as you get better at recording, you will find yourself editing less and less. Using good audio editing software makes this task much easier.
Here is a list of editing software platforms:
- Adobe Audition (very professional with a fairly steep learning curve)
- Audacity (free to use but not as many features)
- Apple Logic Pro X (feature rich and user friendly, but MAC only)
UPLOAD YOUR EPISODES TO A PODCAST HOST
If you plan to distribute your podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other platforms you will need to select a podcast hosting platform such as Libsyn, Buzzsprout, etc. These platforms will host your show and is how you will add your podcast to distribution sources.
SET UP YOUR RSS FEED AND DISTRIBUTE YOUR PODCAST SHOW
When someone goes to a distribution platform such as Apple Podcast or Spotify and clicks to download one of your episodes, they are actually downloading it from your podcast host. The RSS feed link (provided by your host) directs them to the correct file. This is a fairly simple setup but is a little different for each hosting site.
MARKET AND PROMOTE YOUR PODCAST SHOW
Once your show is up and running, it is time to let everyone know!
The best method for this is through social media. Post on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and any other channels you may already have followers. Ask them to listen and invite others to listen as well.
Starting a podcast takes time and commitment, but it is a great way to promote your business, ideas, and perspectives. Many of these steps can be eliminated if you record your podcast in a professional recording studio such as Dynamic Video Solutions. We will record, edit, and distribute your show. All you have to worry about is your content. Give us a call to talk about your ideas and find out how we can help.
