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How To Start a Podcast | Beginner Friendly
You’re ready to sit down in front of a mic and publish content for others to listen to, but you don’t know exactly how or where to begin. Fortunately, starting your own podcast isn’t as difficult as it might seem. In this post, you’ll read about all the necessary steps one must take in order to start their own podcast in a proper and efficient manner.
It’s okay to feel a little nervous or scared before wanting to do podcasting on a regular basis. No one is a pro in the beginning, and you’re bound to hit some bumps along the way. It’s important to build confidence and find comfortability before publishing content for your potential listeners. Just like anything else, it takes time, practice makes perfect, and with the right steps and tools, you’ll be able to grow and manage a profitable podcast.
Things To Consider When Starting A Podcast
What is Your Podcast Going to Be About?
The subject matter of your podcast is the first thing you really want to consider before going any further. With close to a million active podcasts, it’s important to create one that’s unique but also marketable. Conduct market research to see what the competition in your genre is like. Once you’ve gathered enough information, you can then figure out a unique angle or perspective you can offer to make your podcast stand out.
The name of your podcast is equally as important. What you’re going to call your show is going to define the brand and set the tone. You should make a strong first impression with your podcast title and have it speak to a market audience you want to engage with. The key is having a title that is concise and related to the brand you’re trying to build (Blessed + Bossed Up, Therapy As A Christian, Supernaturally Paid, etc.).
What Kind of Podcast Are You Going to Be Publishing?
You know more or less what your show is going to be about, now you need to decide what kind of format you want your podcast to be. Do you want to record solo? Maybe have a co-host or two? Or maybe you want to bring in guests for full-length interviews or segments? Determine the type of podcast you could see yourself enjoying doing while also appealing to the listeners.
How Long Should a Podcast Be? And How Often Should You Publish?
The length of your podcast should be based on what you feel is necessary to get your message out there. Some get their message across in 5-10 minutes, others use an hour or more. The average podcast is 20-40 minutes long, but if you believe you need it to be an hour and a half or two hours, then that’s completely fine. As long as you’re creating content of high value, then the listener shouldn’t have a problem with the running time of the podcast.
Most podcasts are published on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. However, if your podcast episodes are short and quick, then publishing 4-5 times a week could be appealing to some listeners. However often you choose to publish, it’s crucial that it’s done routinely and that you rarely break from schedule. Listeners could decide to lose interest or be frustrated and replace your podcast with another if episodes aren’t being published in a timely manner.
What Are the Costs of Starting a Podcast?
You might think it's pretty expensive to start a podcast with all the equipment you’re going to need. Luckily, you can start your podcast on a reasonable budget. Microphones like the Samson Q2U and Rode PodMic are good quality mics if you’re looking to spend anywhere between $70-$130. If you’re looking to spend a little more, mics like the AT 2020+ and Samson Q9U are other great options to start off your podcasting venture. Whichever microphone you choose to go with, just make sure the audio quality is nice and clear and that it doesn’t come off as cheap. Bad audio quality could be detrimental to maintaining listeners and can damage your reputation.
There are plenty of editing software for podcasts that can help you improve the overall quality. Softwares such as Garageband and Audacity are free and useful for podcast hosts who are just starting out. Other software like Adobe Audition and Hindenburg Pro are subscription-based that are tailored more for experienced users who are looking for pro-level editing tools.
Next, you’ll need to find a hosting site for your podcasts. Podcast hosting typically costs $5-$25 a month. The pricing depends on which company you go with, how many episodes you’re going to publish, and how many downloads you’re able to get. Other factors include bandwidth, megabytes, and hours. Some of the best podcast hosting sites are Audioboom, Buzzsprout, Castos, and Podbean. There are many more out there, so take the time to do some research and find the best hosting site that suits you and your budget.
When is the Right Time to Start Publishing Your Podcast?
Just like anything else that is media-related, you don’t want to jump the gun and start putting out content. It’d be better to do some test episodes before you start feeling comfortable with what you’re recording. You can listen back to the material and make some edits and improvements to the structure, technological setup, fluidity, etc. Find your voice before you share it with the world.
You've Recorded Your First Couple of Podcasts, So What's Next?
Sitting down and recording episodes is only part of the equation. Now you need to submit your podcast to a podcast directory, such as Apple Podcasts or Spotify. This is where listeners are most likely going to find your content, and it’s crucial that your podcast gets listed in the top podcast directories. This is one factor you’re going to have to consider while you’re coming up with a marketing strategy.
You’re not going to see success with your podcast overnight. It’s going to take time and proper marketing to see any growth, but with patience, a hard work ethic, and the right tools to enhance your brand, you’ll be able to make a name for yourself and get those listeners you were looking for.
More About Anchored Media
At Anchored Media, we develop, produce and market high-quality revenue-generating podcasts that make a real difference in people’s lives and help brands connect to a broader audience — all from the ground up.
We teach podcasters how to find their voices and refine their messages.
We help them discover the value of their unique perspectives and guide them as they design signature styles that attract loyal followers and boost profits.
We give brands the tools they need to position their podcasts for exponential growth and long-term success.