A guide for aspiring podcasters who want to share their voice with the world

!Podcast microphone

Podcasting is a popular and growing medium that allows you to connect with your audience, express your ideas, and showcase your expertise. According to Edison Research, there are over 2 billion podcast episodes available online, and 41% of Americans listen to podcasts monthly.

If you have ever dreamed of starting your own podcast, but don’t know where to begin, this blog post is for you. I will walk you through the steps of creating a successful podcast, from planning to production to promotion. Whether you want to podcast for fun, for profit, or for both, you will find some useful tips and resources here.

Planning Your Podcast

The first step of starting a podcast is to plan your podcast. This involves deciding on your podcast’s topic, format, name, and artwork.

Topic

Your podcast’s topic is the main theme or subject of your show. It should be something that you are passionate about, knowledgeable about, and interested in. Your topic should also be relevant to your target audience, who are the people you want to reach and serve with your podcast.

Some examples of podcast topics are:

• Business and entrepreneurship
• Health and wellness
• Education and learning
• Entertainment and culture
• Sports and hobbies
• Personal development and spirituality

You can also niche down your topic to make it more specific and unique. For example, instead of podcasting about business in general, you can podcast about online marketing, e-commerce, social media, or any other subtopic that you specialize in.

Format

Your podcast’s format is the way you structure and present your content. It determines how long your episodes are, how often you release them, and what kind of segments you include. Your format should suit your topic, your style, and your audience’s preferences.

Some examples of podcast formats are:

• Solo: You host the podcast by yourself and share your thoughts, opinions, stories, or advice on your topic.
• Interview: You invite guests to your podcast and interview them about their expertise, experience, or perspective on your topic.
• Co-hosted: You host the podcast with one or more co-hosts and have a conversation or a debate on your topic.
• Narrative: You tell a story or a series of stories on your topic, using narration, sound effects, music, and interviews.
• Roundtable: You host the podcast with a panel of experts or influencers and discuss or analyze your topic from different angles.

Name

Your podcast’s name is the title of your show. It should be catchy, memorable, and descriptive. Your name should also reflect your topic, your tone, and your brand.

Some examples of podcast names are:

• The Tim Ferriss Show: A podcast by Tim Ferriss, the author of The 4-Hour Workweek, where he interviews world-class performers from various fields and extracts their secrets to success.
• The Happiness Lab: A podcast by Dr. Laurie Santos, a professor of psychology at Yale University, where she explores the latest scientific research on happiness and how to apply it to your life.
• Serial: A podcast by Sarah Koenig, a journalist and producer, where she investigates a true crime story over multiple episodes, revealing new twists and turns along the way.
• The Joe Rogan Experience: A podcast by Joe Rogan, a comedian and mixed martial arts commentator, where he has long-form conversations with guests from various backgrounds and interests, ranging from science to sports to comedy.
• TED Radio Hour: A podcast by NPR, where they take the best talks from TED conferences and expand them into deeper and broader explorations of the ideas that shape our world.

Artwork

Your podcast’s artwork is the image that represents your show. It should be eye-catching, professional, and consistent with your name and your brand. Your artwork should also follow the technical specifications of the podcast platforms that you want to distribute your podcast on, such as iTunes, Spotify, or Google Podcasts.

Some examples of podcast artwork are:

!The Tim Ferriss Show !The Happiness Lab !Serial !The Joe Rogan Experience !TED Radio Hour

Producing Your Podcast

The second step of starting a podcast is to produce your podcast. This involves recording, editing, and publishing your podcast episodes.

Recording

Recording your podcast is the process of capturing your audio content using a microphone, a computer, and a software. You should aim for high-quality audio that is clear, crisp, and free of background noise, distortion, or echo.

Some tips for recording your podcast are:

• Use a good microphone that suits your budget and your needs. You can choose between a USB microphone that plugs directly into your computer, or an XLR microphone that connects to an audio interface or a mixer. Some popular microphone brands are Blue, Rode, Shure, and Audio-Technica.
• Use a pop filter or a windscreen to reduce the popping sounds that occur when you pronounce certain letters, such as P, B, or T.
• Use headphones to monitor your audio and avoid feedback from your speakers.
• Use a software that allows you to record and edit your audio, such as Audacity, GarageBand, Adobe Audition, or Hindenburg Journalist. You can also use a software that allows you to record remotely with your guests or co-hosts, such as Zencastr, SquadCast, or Riverside.fm.
• Choose a quiet and comfortable location to record your podcast, preferably a room with carpet, curtains, or furniture that can absorb the sound and reduce the echo. You can also use acoustic foam, blankets, or pillows to improve the sound quality of your room.

Editing

Editing your podcast is the process of improving your audio content by removing unwanted parts, adding effects, and enhancing the sound quality. You should aim for a smooth and polished audio that is engaging, consistent, and easy to listen to.

Some tips for editing your podcast are:

• Use the same software that you used to record your podcast, or export your audio files to another software that you prefer.
• Cut out any parts that are irrelevant, redundant, or boring, such as ums, ahs, pauses, mistakes, or tangents. You can also rearrange or reorder your segments to improve the flow and the structure of your episode.
• Add effects such as fade in, fade out, crossfade, or music to transition between your segments and create a professional sound. You can also add effects such as EQ, compression, or noise reduction to improve the sound quality and the volume of your audio.
• Add elements such as intro, outro, jingles, ads, or sponsorships to brand your podcast and monetize your content. You can also add elements such as voiceovers, sound effects, or music to enhance your storytelling and create a mood for your listeners.

Publishing

Publishing your podcast is the process of uploading your audio files to a hosting service and distributing them to various podcast platforms and directories. You should aim for a wide and easy distribution that allows your podcast to reach and grow your audience.

Some tips for publishing your podcast are:

• Use a hosting service that stores your audio files and generates an RSS feed for your podcast, such as Libsyn, Buzzsprout, Podbean, or Anchor. You can also use a hosting service that offers additional features, such as analytics, monetization, or marketing tools.
• Submit your podcast to various podcast platforms and directories, such as iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or TuneIn. You can also submit your podcast to niche or regional directories that cater to your topic or your audience.
• Promote your podcast on your website, blog, social media, email list, or other channels that you have. You can also promote your podcast by guesting on other podcasts, collaborating with other podcasters, or joining podcast communities and networks.

Conclusion

Starting a podcast is a rewarding and fun way to share your voice with the world. By following the steps of planning, producing, and publishing your podcast, you can create a successful podcast that attracts and engages your audience, expresses your ideas, and showcases your expertise.

I hope you found this blog post helpful and informative. If you have any questions or feedback, please leave a comment below. And if you want to learn more about podcasting, check out these resources:

• Podcast Insights: A website that provides guides, reviews, and tips on podcasting.
• Podcast Movement: A conference and community for podcasters of all levels and genres.
• The Podcast Host: A podcast and blog that teaches you how to plan, launch, and grow your podcast.

Thank you for reading and happy podcasting!