In 2023, the podcasting industry is expected to be worth $1.6 billion. That’s a lot of money! Podcasts can be a way to express yourself, and if done right, your podcast can be profitable for you and your online business. If you’re thinking about starting a podcast, now is the time to do it. In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through how to start a podcast in 2023. We’ll cover everything from picking a topic and choosing a podcast hosting service to record, edit, and upload your episodes. Plus, we’ll give you tips on how to monetize your podcast and grow your audience! Are you ready? Let’s get started.
Step 1: Pick a Topic and Name for Your Podcast
What do you want to talk about in your podcast? The topic could be anything from how to make money online, true crime stories, business ideas, investigative journalism, how to create a home-based business, how to build apps, etc.
Your topic should be in a niche that you’re passionate about and makes sense for your brand. Don’t try and start a podcast just because everyone else is doing it! Choose wisely here – if this isn’t something interesting enough on its own, then how can anyone else enjoy listening?
Step 2: Decide on the Format of Your Podcast
Once you’ve decided on your podcast’s subject matter, it’s time to think about how exactly you’ll present this content. You can choose from various formats: solo shows (just the host speaking), interviews with guests, and panel discussions where multiple people are talking at once. You can also decide to do an audio podcast vs. a video podcast.
The format you choose will largely depend on the content of your podcast and how comfortable you feel speaking in front of a microphone.
- Does your topic lend itself to interviews with experts? Some examples of these are finance, market research, journalism, or stock trading.
- Are you mostly going to be offering your own opinion or telling stories? Some examples include true crime podcasts, using your experience to generate passive income, or to start a business.
Step 3: Get the Right Hosting Service
It’s important to find a hosting service that is reliable and can handle your podcast’s needs. You could wait to choose a podcast host till later, but we recommend doing this upfront. Why? Because the best podcast hosting platforms also include features to help you record your content, edit it, create your cover art, optimize your descriptions, convert audio files to the appropriate format and upload your podcast. Therefore, it is best to choose a podcast hosting service early, and leverage the included features to make setting up your podcast easier.
There are a number of different options out there, but we recommend using Buzzsprout or Spreaker. They both have great track records, make setting up a breeze and offer a wide range of features. You can read our review of all the top podcast hosting services here.
Step 4: Create Cover Art and Theme Music
This is where you get to be creative! Cover art should be simple, but it also needs to stand out among other podcasts in your genre. It’s important that people can tell what they’re going to listen to when they see the artwork on their device or computer screen – so make sure there isn’t too much text and choose colors wisely (avoid reds as these look like stop signs). You’ll need a square image with dimensions of 1400 x 1400 pixels at minimum resolution 200 dpi (dots per inch) for Apple Podcasts; anything larger will work just fine too!”
Step 5: Purchase the Right Equipment
This is probably the most important step, as having good quality equipment will make your podcast sound great! You’ll need a microphone (either a desktop or USB mic), recording software, and headphones. If you’re just starting out, we recommend spending around $200 on this equipment.
Step 6: Record an Episode
Once you’ve got all of that sorted, it’s time for some good old fashioned hard work! Don’t worry if you’re not experienced at this stage yet – there are plenty of how-to guides online that will teach how to record and edit an episode with your chosen equipment. For content structuring and pacing ideas, listen to podcasts or watch video podcasts to get an idea of how to create successful, engaging podcasts.
If you chose Spreaker as your podcast hosting site, the Spreaker Studio app lets you record your podcast using your phone. Many other podcast hosting sites that we recommended come with similar, easy to record and upload features.
If you want some extra help, you can have a friend or family member come over and lend their voice too! All it takes is patience: just keep practicing until it sounds right.
Step 7: Upload Your Content to Podcast Directories/Distribution Service
Now comes perhaps one of the hardest parts – getting people to listen. Once you’ve got your episodes recorded and edited, it’s time to distribute them. It’s all well and good recording great content but unless someone hears it then what’s the point? You’ll need somewhere to upload your podcast where potential listeners can find them easily.
This is where services like Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Spotify and iHeartRadio come in. They make it easy for listeners to find your podcast and subscribe to it. Plus, they provide valuable analytics so you can see how well your show is performing and how many engaged subscribers you are getting. Many of the best hosting services we recommend include automatic distribution to all the top streaming services so you can build your audience.
Step 8: Monetize Your Podcast
So you’ve got a great show that’s steadily growing in listeners, now what? How about monetizing it? There are a number of ways to do this, but some of our favorites include advertising, sponsorship or listener donations. Just be sure to research the options available to you and make sure whatever route you choose is in line with your brand values.
If you want to monetize from day 1, Spreaker is the ideal podcast host to place ads within your episodes with just one click.
Step 9: Measure Success
Finally, once you’ve put all this work into starting a podcast it’s important to track how well it’s doing. Use the analytics from your podcast hosting service and distribution services like Apple Podcasts or Google Play Music to see how many downloads each episode is getting, how long people are listening for and what parts of the show they’re most interested in. This information can help you make decisions about future episodes and how to improve your podcast over time.
Wrap Up
So there you have it – a step by step guide on how to start a podcast in 2023! We hope this is helpful and that you’ll find success with your new show. Now that you know how to start a podcast, what are you waiting for? Get out there and get recording! Remember, it’s all about having fun, being yourself, and providing valuable content that listeners will enjoy. Good luck!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Should I Start a Podcast?
There are a number of reasons why starting a podcast might be the right move for your business. For starters, podcasts offer an intimate way to connect with potential and current customers. They’re also a great way to showcase your expertise or share stories about your brand in a unique and engaging way. Additionally, podcasts provide an opportunity to build relationships with influencers in your niche who might be interested in collaborating on future projects.
If you love talking about something and want to share it with others, then starting a podcast is the perfect way for you!
Can I Start a Podcast in Any Niche?
Yes, there are some very successful podcasts out there in very small niches. At the end of the day, you have to be able to talk about your chosen topic on an ongoing basis. There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the niche you choose for your podcast should be based on what you’re passionate about and what you think will interest listeners. That being said, there are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a topic:
- Make sure there’s enough content to talk about in your area of expertise or interest.
- Does the idea seem like it would be fun/easy enough to discuss over multiple episodes?
- Are there any other podcasts out there that cover similar subjects but with slightly different angles? If so, what is your perspective going to be?
How Do I Choose a Podcast Name?
Choosing a catchy and memorable name for your podcast can be tricky, but it’s essential to put some thought into it. Try to come up with something short, easy to say, and memorable. You might also want to consider how the name sounds when said aloud.
Podcast directories like Spotify and Apple Podcasts are essentially search engines. So it is a good idea to include some keywords in your podcast name and description. Don’t name it solely based on that, but you want to be easily found if someone searches for your topic.
Do I Need an Audience or Following Already To Succeed as a Podcaster?
You don’t need to have an audience or following already for people to listen and enjoy your podcast. There’s no such thing as too small of a niche, so just make sure you’re passionate about what you’re doing!
If you are just starting, you will need to promote your podcast to your target market using social media, friends, family, and paid ads. Pair your podcast with a website to attract more followers.
Should I Make My Podcast Available on More Than One Distribution Platform?
Yes! There are many different platforms out there like Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Each comes with it’s own advantages and disadvantages. You may want to cast your net wide to attract more listeners, but manually uploading to each directory can take time and effort. Luckily, many of the top podcast hosting services automatically submit your content to the major podcast directories. This is a huge timesaver and will ensure that your content has the highest chance of gaining listeners.
What About Advertising and Sponsorships?
Once you’ve built up a decent following for your podcast, you might start to receive offers from businesses who want to advertise their products or services on your show. You can also look into how your podcast hosting tool helps you monetize. Some include ads directly into your episodes, and others will require you to sign up for specific advertisers or sponsors.
Many amateur podcasters sign up for a Patron account and ask their listeners to support their business, in exchange for exclusive content and other perks.
Do I Need a Website or a Blog With My Podcast?
A website is not necessary, but we certainly recommend having one as a tool for promoting your podcast and collecting listener emails.
Some podcast hosting platforms provide free landing page websites and snippets for you to easily add a customized podcast media player to your webpage. If you want complete control over your brand, we recommend creating a WordPress blog or a Squarespace site using cheap hosting plans from Bluehost or WPX that’s well-known in the industry for it’s stellar customer service. This way, even if you switch podcast hosts, you keep your own website separate and don’t have to redo the work.
Finally, How Do I Grow My Podcast’s Audience?
Podcasting is still a relatively new medium, so there’s no set formula for how to grow your audience. However, one thing that many podcasters have in common is a social media presence. Sharing your podcast on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram gives you the opportunity to reach new listeners who wouldn’t otherwise hear about it.
As well, take advantage of certain podcast hosting services that have features in-built to promote your podcast and content.
Featured Image Credit: Pexels.