HOW TO START A PODCAST Although podcasting has been around for nearly two decades, technology has only made creating a podcast attainable for everyone in the past few years.

Rather than spending thousands of dollars to access a recording studio and an audio technician for an hour here and there, you can now invest a few hundred dollars to create a home studio.

On the following pages, we provide you with the crucial information you need to start your own podcast—from curating content and purchasing equipment to the distribution and promotion of your new show. WHY SHOULD I HAVE A PODCAST?

Perhaps the better question is: “Why shouldn’t I have a podcast?”

You have thoughts, ideas, opinions, and life experience to draw from.

With podcasting, you can inform, inspire, motivate and connect.

Podcasting is a great way to communicate your message to a broader audience than you would typically be able to reach.

If you are already viewed as a thought leader in your industry, then starting a podcast to build your brand is a no-brainer. WHAT DO LISTENERS WANT TO HEAR?

Look back at any previous content you have produced—audio, visual, written, or otherwise—that has connected with your audience. That topic is your best shot at a successful podcast.

Take some time to build out your target topic into multiple episodes’ Don’t let analysis worth of content and see how paralysis take people respond when they listen. over; launch your podcast the best way you know how. Be receptive to feedback and make PEOPLE ARE MUCH MORE LIKELY adjustments along TO SUPPORT AND GUIDE YOU the way. THAN CRITICIZE YOU.

You don’t have to be an expert in everything. Consider your personal Part of the wisdom of great podcasters is network and schedule some knowing when to tap someone smarter or more interviews that align with the knowledgeable to speak to certain topics that purpose of your podcast. your audience wants to hear. Interviews generally provide value to your audience that you could not have delivered on your own. Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB ($65 USD)

This dynamic microphone can plug into your 01. computer via USB or you can use an XLR cable. WHAT EQUIPMENT DO I Rode Podcaster USB Dynamic Microphone NEED TO GET STARTED? ($228 USD)

A solid option if you are not going to use the mic in any other way as it is USB only. A Good Podcast Mic First, you need a good podcast microphone (or two, if you are Shure SM7B going to host guests in your ($399 USD) studio). Based on our experience and consumer reviews, here are Consistently ranked as one of the best podcast our recommendations. microphones by professionals. You’ll also need a USB interface for this mic.

Honorable Mention: LEWITT LCT 240 PRO Condenser Microphone ($149 USD)

You’ll also need a USB interface for this mic.

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE... Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 ($160 USD)

Used by thousands of podcasters, the Scarlett is a popular USB interface.

Zoom H5 Four-Track Portable Recorder WHAT EQUIPMENT DO I ($279 USD) NEED TO GET STARTED? Great to take on the go, rock solid handheld recorder.

A Podcasting Recorder and USB Audio Interface Next, you will need a RØDECaster Pro podcasting recorder and ($599 USD) USB audio interface. Here are our recommendations. A fully integrated podcast production studio.

Now that you have your microphone and you can plug it into your computer, you’ll use audio editing software to record and edit your first episode. Garageband for Mac and Audacity for PC are free, but Audiohijack for Mac is $59 and it is a fast and easy way to capture audio coming from your computer. HOSTING AND ANALYTICS

Now, it’s finally time to get started with hosting and analytics programs that will publish your episodes 02. and let you keep track of how each episode is performing.

TRANSISTOR SIMPLECAST ANCHOR ($19 / month) ($15 / month) (free)

They provide a website for your Simplecast provides tools If you’re starting a hobby podcast, a place to store your needed to manage, distribute, podcast, Anchor is a nice way MP3 files, an iTunes-ready RSS share, and grow your podcast. to get going. feed, and detailed analytics.

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE... HOSTING AND ANALYTICS

Once your podcast is hosted, you will be able to distribute each episode by publishing the RSS feed to the main podcast listening apps. We recommend that you do this in this order.

1) APPLE PODCASTS 2) SPOTIFY 3) GOOGLE PODCASTS

- ITUNES - Spotify has quickly become a Google now has a built-in major player in the podcast podcast player on Android. Nearly every podcast directory space. Note: They re-host your There’s nowhere to “submit” (Podchaser, Overcast, Pocket audio files and show notes on your show, however. Instead, Casts, Breaker, Castro, Listen their server. you’ll need to have a website for Notes) uses Apple’s directory as your podcast with an element their “master copy.” If your show that points to your RSS feed. is on Apple Podcasts, it will (Transistor websites do this automatically show up on most automatically.) of the other directories.

4) GOOGLE PLAY 5) POCKET CASTS 6) STITCHER

Google also features podcasts in Pocket Casts is a popular player, Stitcher used to be a popular its music streaming player. now owned by WNYC, NPR, player but isn’t as important WBEZ and This American Life. these days. Like Spotify, they re-host your audio (which some folks don’t like). 03. HOW DO I GET PEOPLE TO LISTEN?

According to Edison Research (2019), here are the top three ways listeners find podcasts.

SEARCHING THE 73% INTERNET

SOCIAL MEDIA 67% POSTS RECOMMENDATIONS FROM FRIENDS/ 66% FAMILY

Keep this data in mind as you brainstorm ways to promote your podcast and increase listenership. Word of mouth is imperative to the growth of any podcast. ONE OF THE EASIEST WAYS TO CONSISTENTLY SHOW UP IN PEOPLE’S SOCIAL MEDIA FEEDS

When you have uploaded a new episode, be present by posting on your different social channels. The simple act of asking people to subscribe to the podcast at the beginning or end of each podcast episode will make it almost effortless for them to listen.

POST HERE POST HERE POST HERE

PODCAST BUSINESS PERSONAL PAGE PAGE PAGE

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE... DON’T FORGET ABOUT SEO (SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION)

Keep in mind that SEO plays a big role in what people will find when they perform Internet searches.

KEYWORDS

SHOW NOTES

Work with your hosting site to include keywords with each episode. Attaching show notes to each episode is an excellent tactic to integrate keywords as well as create additional value.

Create more opportunities to share your content elsewhere on your website or social media accounts. We look forward to hearing the content you will share with the world in the near future!

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