With more than 540 million listeners worldwide, podcasting continues its ever-increasing popularity as a medium for sharing stories, insights, and expertise. In fact, according to Edison Research, 48% of Australians aged 12 and older have listened to a podcast, a 20% increase over the previous two years.
No surprise then that more people are eager to start their own. But where do you begin? How do you produce a podcast? How do you make sure your podcast stands out in a crowded market? And what does it take to build a popular podcast and a loyal community around your show?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about starting a podcast, from ideation to publication, and share tips to help you avoid common pitfalls. By the end, you’ll have a clear roadmap for creating a successful podcast and understand why partnering with experts like SoundCartel can take your podcast to the next level.
How to Begin Making a Podcast
Starting a podcast involves careful planning and execution:
1. Define Your Podcast’s Purpose and Niche
- Why are you starting a podcast?Whether it’s to share expertise, tell stories, or build a community, having a clear purpose will guide your content and format.
- Choose a niche.A specific topic will help you attract a dedicated audience. For example, instead of a general “business” podcast, focus on “entrepreneurship for women” or “startup marketing strategies.”
- Video is an increasingly popular component; however not all podcasts require it.
- Video options include, full length video for You Tube and/or snippets for social media promotion
- Cost and time will also be a key driver of these decisions.
2. Identify Your Target Audience
- Understand your audience’s demographics, interests, and preferences. Are they more likely to consume audio-only content, or do they enjoy watching video podcasts on platforms like YouTube?
- Conduct surveys or interviews to gather insights into their content consumption habits.
3. Develop a Unique Concept
- What makes your podcast different?
- Decide on episode format: Will it be standard interview, full narrative or a mix – interview narrative?
- Decide on the form: Will it be solo episodes, interviews, panel discussions, or a mix?
4. Plan Your Content
- Create a content calendar outlining your first few episodes.
- Write episode outlines or scripts to ensure your content is clear and engaging, and consider how visuals can enhance your message.
5. Choose a Name and Branding
- Podcast apps offer small, limited space for podcast artwork to stand out in the sea of content within the podcast apps.
- So, pick a name that’s memorable and relevant to your topic – ideally 1-2 words only.
- Invest in professional branding, including a logo, cover art, audiograms etc. intro/outro videos. Visual branding is important to create a cohesive look across platforms.
Tips to Get a Podcast Off the Ground?
Launching a podcast requires more than just hitting the record button. Here are some tips to ensure your podcast gets off to a strong start.
2. Invest in Quality Equipment
- Use recording software that supports both audio and video, such as Riverside.fm, Zoom, or Zencastr.
- For video podcasts that require more production – a dressed studio with two good cameras, lighting, and a microphone. Ring lights or softbox lighting can also significantly improve video quality.
- With SoundCartel’s in-house studio, you’ll always have access to the high end, professional equipment and audio specialists with more than 20 years of experience.
3. Create a Launch Plan
- Build anticipation by teasing your podcast on your owned media, i.e. social media and website. Share short video clips or trailers to give potential listeners a taste of what’s to come.
- Record and edit at least 3-5 episodes before launching so you can release them consistently. For video podcasts, consider creating highlight reels or teaser videos for each episode.
4. Leverage Your Network
- Share your podcast with friends, family, and colleagues to get initial listeners and feedback.
- Collaborate with guests who have their own audiences to expand your reach.
5. Optimize for Discovery
- Write compelling episode titles and descriptions using relevant keywords to improve your podcast’s visibility on platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.
- Use hashtags and social media posts to promote your episodes. For video podcasts, create short, engaging clips for platforms like Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts.
6. Be Consistent
- Release episodes on a regular schedule, fortnightly is the optimum cadence, to build trust and keep your audience engaged.
- Consistency is key to growing your listener base.
How Do You Record and Publish a Podcast?
Recording and publishing a podcast involves several technical steps. Here’s a breakdown:
1. Recording Your Podcast
- Choose a small, quiet, space, insulated with soft materials like carpet, cushions, rather than a room with concrete floors, high ceilings and windows.
- For video podcasts, pay attention to your background and lighting.
- You can also hire a studio with a two-camera set up for a very professional look.
- Use recording software that supports both audio and video, such as Riverside.fm or Zoom. These platforms allow you to record high-quality audio and video simultaneously.
2. Editing Your Audio and Video
- Much of this depends on time and budget.
- For an authentic, no-fuss feel, you can release the episodes in their raw form.
- For a more polished final product – edit out mistakes, long pauses, and background noise.
- For video podcasts, you’ll also need to edit the visual elements, such as cutting between camera angles or adding graphics.
- Add intro/outro music, sound effects, or transitions to enhance the listening and viewing experience.
- If editing feels overwhelming, consider outsourcing this task to professionals. You can also contact SoundCartel to talk more about what’s involved and where we can help.
3. Exporting Your File
- Export your edited audio files and video files in high-quality formats (e.g., MP3 for audio, MP4 for video) with a bitrate of at least 128 kbps for audio and 1080p resolution for video.
4. Choosing a Hosting Platform
- Podcast hosting platforms like Omny Studio, store your audio files and generate an RSS feed, which distributes your podcast to directories like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
- For video podcasts, you’ll also need to upload your episodes to video platforms like YouTube or Vimeo.
5. Submitting to Directories
- Submit your podcast’s RSS feed to major directories like Apple Podcasts and Spotify,
- Ensure your podcast is categorised correctly to reach the right audience. For video podcasts, optimize your YouTube titles, descriptions, and tags for searchability.
6. Promoting Your Episodes
- Share each episode on social media, your website, and email newsletters. For video podcasts, create short, engaging clips for platforms like Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts.
- Encourage listeners to subscribe, rate, and review your podcast to boost its visibility.
- Think about what you want your call to action to be across each piece of content. You can read more on calls to action here.
What Are Some Common Podcasting Mistakes?
Even experienced podcasters make mistakes. Here are some common pitfalls to avoid:
1. Poor Audio and Video Quality
- Audiences will quickly abandon a podcast with bad sound or visuals. Invest in good equipment and editing to ensure your audio and video are clear and professional.
2. Inconsistent Publishing
- Irregular episode releases can frustrate your audience and hurt your growth. Stick to a consistent schedule, especially for video podcasts, where viewers may come to expect a certain level of production quality.
3. Lack of Preparation
- Off the cuff episodes can lack structure and focus. Always prepare an outline or script to keep your content on track. For video podcasts, plan your visual elements in advance.
4. Ignoring Audience Feedback
- Your listeners and viewers are your best source of improvement. Pay attention to their feedback and adjust your content accordingly.
5. Overlooking Promotion
- Simply publishing episodes isn’t enough. Marketing and promoting your podcast is 50% of its success. Actively promote your podcast through social media, collaborations, and networking.
6. Trying to Do It All Alone
- Podcasting involves many tasks, from recording to editing to marketing. Don’t hesitate to seek help from professionals like Sound Cartelto streamline the process.
How to Build a Podcast Community
Building a loyal community around your podcast is essential for long-term success. Here’s how to do it:
1. Engage with Your Audience
- Respond to comments, messages, and reviews to show your listeners and viewers that you value their input.
- Create a dedicated space for your community, such as a Facebook group or Discord server.
2. Encourage Listener Participation
- Invite listeners to submit questions, stories, or topic suggestions for future episodes.
- Feature listener contributions on your show to make them feel involved. For video podcasts, consider including viewer-submitted videos or shoutouts.
3. Host Live Events
- Organize live Q&A sessions, webinars, or meetups to connect with your audience in real-time. Live video events can deepen your relationship with viewers and attract new ones.
4. Collaborate with Other Podcasters
- Partner with other podcasters in your niche for cross-promotion or guest appearances.
- Collaborations can introduce your podcast to new audiences, especially if you create joint video content.
5. Offer Exclusive Content
- Provide bonus episodes, behind-the-scenes content, or early access to episodes for your most loyal listeners and viewers.
- Consider creating a Patreon or membership program to monetize your podcast while rewarding your community.
6. Leverage Social Media
- Use platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok to share clips, updates, and behind-the-scenes content.
- Engage with your followers by asking questions, running polls, and sharing user-generated content
Why Partner with SoundCartel?
Starting a podcast is an exciting journey, but it’s also a lot of work. From planning and recording to editing and promoting, there are countless details to manage. That’s where we come in.
At SoundCartel, we specialize in helping podcasters bring their vision to life. Our team of journalists and audio experts can handle every aspect of podcast production, including:
- Strategic development to shape the podcast that’s best for your business.
- Professional recording and editing to ensure high quality, Australian-standard audio and video quality.
- Custom branding and design to make your podcast visually appealing and attract your ideal listening audience.
- Strategic promotion to help you reach existing and new audiences.
- Distribution of final content to a global podcast network.
- Ongoing support to keep your podcast running smoothly.
By partnering with us, you can focus on the work you do each day while we create amazing podcast content and manage the technical details.
Conclusion
Creating a podcast is incredibly rewarding, enabling you to share your voice, connect with current and new audiences, and build your brand. By following this step-by-step guide you’ll be well-equipped to create a show that stands out in a competitive landscape.
Remember, the key to a successful podcast lies in careful planning, consistent effort, and a commitment to quality. And if you ever feel overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to reach out to SoundCartel. With our extensive knowledge and production options, we’re here to help you every step of the way.
So, what are you waiting for? Start your podcasting journey today and let us turn your vision into reality. Your audience is waiting!
