How to Start a Podcast STEP-BY-STEP | 2023 Complete Tutorial
If you're like me, when you first heard about podcasts and thought about starting one, it seemed like an impossible task. But with this step-by-step guide, it's actually really easy to start your own podcast! I've put together a complete tutorial here on how to start a podcast that covers everything from choosing your topic to getting equipment and hosting it online. You can read through this blog post or listen along as I explain each step in detail by clicking play below:
Step 1. Choose a Topic
It's important that you choose a topic that you love. You need to be passionate about the topic because it will show in the quality of your content and how much effort you put into it. The better your content is, the more people will listen and subscribe to your podcast.
Choosing a topic that interests you is also important because it shows how much work and research goes into creating each episode of your show. Suppose you love doing research on things like historical events or scientific concepts. In that case, this will come across in how much time and effort goes into making each episode perfect for listeners who want to learn something new every day!
Step 2. Decide Your Format
Podcast formats are the framework of your show. They include:
Interviews (talking to people)
Roundtable (discussion among a group of people)
Storytelling (compelling stories, like fiction or nonfiction)
Lectures on topics you're interested in, such as a hobby or business topic. The goal is to help others learn from you and enjoy the process.
Step 3. Choose Your Name
Once you have decided on your podcast, it's time to choose a name. Your podcast name can be as creative or descriptive as you want it to be. But there are some things to keep in mind when picking a podcast name:
Make sure the name is easy for people to remember and spell. Don't make them try too hard (or, even worse, fail) when trying to find your show on iTunes or search for it online.
Make sure no one else has taken the same name for their show! There are plenty of podcasts out there with common names like "The Business," but they don't necessarily get popular because they're so common that they lose their appeal as something special and unique. You want people who stumble upon yours while browsing through playlists on Apple Music or Spotify and wonder if anyone else has heard of this new show called "The Business" by Joe Smith? Remember how I said at the beginning we should pick something that's going to stand out from all others--this is where that comes into play! So make sure nobody else has already grabbed onto something similar before choosing yours either...and lastly...
Step 4. Choose your Artwork
Now that you have your name, brand, and website, it's time to choose the artwork for your podcast. The artwork is one of the most important aspects of your podcast brand. You can spend a lot of time on it if you want, but there are a few things to keep in mind when choosing artwork:
Make sure it fits with your brand and style. For example, suppose you're making an informational podcast about nature. In that case, you don't want an image of mountains behind your logo or wordmark because they need to align with what people expect from nature podcasts (think relaxing music and rustling leaves). Suppose someone is looking for information about hiking trails. In that case, they are more drawn toward high-quality photos than cartoons or silly pictures of squirrels eating acorns. This doesn't mean that cartoons aren't allowed—but if you're going that route, make sure there's some sort of connection between the art style and topic matter; otherwise, people might feel tricked into listening when they thought they were getting something else entirely!
Use high-quality images so people don't think their phone broke when trying to view them ;) It helps with SEO optimization too!
Step 5. Get the Right Equipment
Having the right equipment is crucial to creating a high-quality podcast. You will need a microphone, headphones, a mixer (for multiple microphones), an audio interface (to connect your mixer to your computer), and recording software.
At this point in my career, I've tried many different microphones and recommend Blue Microphones' Yeti USB microphone as one of the best options available for those just starting out. It's affordable, easy to use, and sounds great!
Because it's so important for you and your guests/guests' audio quality that everyone is able to hear each other clearly during recording sessions—and it can get noisy if everyone uses their own headphones—I recommend purchasing one pair of studio monitors or headphones per person who will be regularly contributing on the show. If your budget doesn't allow for an investment like this at first, then maybe just pick up some basic earbuds instead.
Step 6. Editing Software
Now that you have a recording of your podcast, you'll need some editing software to make it sound like a professional podcast. If you're on a budget and want to do everything yourself, Audacity is free and easy to learn. It's compatible with Windows 7 or later and OS X 10.5 or later.
Suppose you're looking for an easier way to edit your audio files. In that case, I recommend using Adobe Audition CC by Adobe Systems Incorporated. This software comes with many features that are useful for audio editing, including noise reduction and equalization (EQ).
Many other options are available today, but these two are the most popular choices among podcasters who have been doing this for years!
Step 7. Recording Equipment
Recording equipment
You don't need a lot of expensive hardware to start recording your podcast, but you will need at least a microphone and computer to get started. The best way to find out what gear you need is by listening closely when other people talk about their experiences using different audio equipment. Suppose you really go deep on this topic. In that case, many online pages explain in detail how each piece works and how it fits into the bigger picture of audio recording technology as a whole. In general, though, here's what we recommend:
Microphone - A USB microphone will work nicely if all you're doing is talking into it without any background noise (i.e., no music or white noise). It's possible that even some higher-end models won't pick up your voice clearly enough if there's too much going on around you, so if at all possible, try recording in a quiet room where only your voice can be heard clearly—or else just make sure whatever mic(s)
Step 8. Get a co-host (if you want)
If you're like me, you want to make a podcast that's genuinely helpful and useful to your listeners. This means having a co-host who shares the same values is important.
Looking for someone who possesses the characteristics described above is just one of many things you can do before choosing a co-host. You should also consider whether or not your potential partner has the following:
A personality that meshes well with yours
An interesting story to tell (and knowledge of what makes good content)
Step 9. Build anticipation before you launch.
You can build anticipation for your podcast by doing three things:
Send out a newsletter to your email list. This is especially important if you have an active email list of subscribers who are already interested in the topic of your podcast. If they're following you, they will be very excited to hear about the launch and can spread the word via social media or word of mouth.
Post on social media. With this step, we recommend posting a teaser image that gives people enough information to get them curious about what you will talk about without giving away too much. Use hashtags such as #podcastlaunch #comingsoon #newproject #startuppodcast so people searching for these terms will find you when looking through their feeds; also consider adding relevant emojis and text like "tell me what topics you want to be covered!" so people know there will be opportunities for them to give feedback at some point during the process (which helps with building loyalty).
Step 9a (optional): Email List
I recommend building an email list. Email is a great way to stay in touch with your listeners, and the easiest way to do that is by offering them something in exchange for their email address. On average, people are subscribed to 4-6 podcasts at any given time, so ensuring you have access to their emails will help you reach more people than those who listen on iTunes or Spotify.
In addition to using it for promoting future episodes and encouraging reviews, you can use your email list as a resource for sending out special offers—for example, when you launch a new course or product!
Step 9b (optional): Social Media pages and/or Group
Create a Facebook page and/or Group.
Create an Instagram account.
Create an email list (you can use MailChimp or ConvertKit).
Set up your website address with the following: Host, Domain, Hosting (hosting is different than domain in that it's where you actually store your files), Domain Registrar (this is where you will pay for the domain name), Whois Privacy Protection (this is to protect your identity as the owner of this site), SSL certificate (for security purposes), Google Analytics code embedded on every page of my website so that I can track how many people visit my site each day/month/year, etc., Google Webmaster Tools account setup so that I can submit keywords in order to improve SEO rankings on search engines such as Google & Bing, etc., Twitter log in button so people who want new episodes are more likely signup because they can listen immediately instead of having to go through another process like creating accounts first before listening anytime anywhere thanks!
Step 9c (optional): Video Pre-Launch Content (Teasers)
9c. Video Teaser Content
Creating short, engaging video teasers is an excellent way to build excitement for your podcast before it launches. As with your website, the goal is to get people interested in what you're doing and curious about how it will all play out. You want them to think, "I can't wait for tomorrow!" without giving away too much or being overly promotional or sales.
The best way to do this is by offering some teaser content on social media (e.g., Instagram) and/or your website that leads up to the launch of your podcast episode(s).
Step 9d (optional): Podcast Trailer
You can set a podcast trailer as the first thing people see when they click on your feed on iTunes. A good podcast trailer will give listeners a sense of what the show is about and what they can expect to hear.
Here are some examples:
"The Booked Podcast" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZKd1WXD8l0&t=0s
"The Read" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_h9JcF5H4jM
Step 9e (optional): Write and publish guest posts on other websites in your niche!
If you want to gain more exposure, it's time to write and publish guest posts on other websites in your niche. Get your name in front of a new audience, build your credibility as an authority in the field, and get some backlinks.
How?
Find blogs that talk about topics related to yours (like our blog).
Check out their guest posting guidelines and email them something like "Hey! I noticed there wasn't any content about X on your site, so I wrote this article on why it's important."
They might say yes or no, but keep trying until they do!
00:00:00 Intro
Welcome to the podcast! You may be wondering why in the world you should care about this. What is a podcast anyway? Well, it's a series of audio and/or video files that are available online. You can listen to them on your computer, phone, or tablet. Unlike radio broadcasts (like NPR), they are not live and aren't broadcasted over the airwaves either.
So why should you start one? Because it's easy! And fun! Plus, everyone else has already started their own podcasts, so if you still need to get one, someone else will, and then you'll be left out of the loop forever!!!
01:00:16 The Rules of the Game
You might be asking, "What's a podcast?" Podcasts are audio files that you can download and listen to on your computer or mobile device. You might also be wondering, "Why would I want to start a podcast?" Podcasts are great for sharing your expertise and knowledge with the world. You can interview people with something important to say about their field of expertise and share it with others who may still need to learn more about the topic.
A lot of successful podcasters use their shows as an extension of their business or as an additional revenue stream. If you're looking for some specific ways in which you can use this medium in order to launch a career or supplement your income, check out our blog post here: https://www.2023media.com/how-to-start-a-podcast.
When starting out, though, it's important for yourself and your listeners that everything sounds good! That's why we recommend using professional equipment when recording episodes so that everyone sounds good no matter where they're listening from (iPad vs. laptop vs smartphone).
01:02:10 Idea Generation
Still, trying to figure out what to talk about? Don't worry! You can find plenty of inspiration by looking at other podcasts. Look at the topics they cover and read some of their episodes. This will give you an idea of what kind of content works best for a podcast and how much time you should spend on each topic. For example, if you're trying to pick something interesting but also that will take up little time (like a 20-30 minute show), check out [The Floss] for great conversations on pop culture and current events. If, instead, you want something more in-depth (like an hour-long show), check out [Stuff You Should Know] or [This American Life].
If this sounds like too much work, don't worry—there are plenty of ways to find topics without doing any research!
01:06:03 Niche Selection
Once you have your idea, it's time to choose a niche. The best podcasts are typically focused on one topic and then subdivided into smaller categories within that primary theme. That means choosing an appropriate starting point for your show can be tricky if you need to know what makes a good podcast about a specific topic.
This is why it's so important to research ahead of time: pick something with an audience and only demand a little from them. For example, suppose you're interested in talking about dogs but also want to cover dog breeds, training methods, and pet care tips (and who doesn't?). In that case, you'll need more than one episode per week or month because there aren't enough topics within the subject matter alone to sustain interest over longer periods of time!
01:08:54 Name Selection
In this section, you'll learn how to choose a name for your podcast. You must pick a name that is easy to remember and easy to spell, as well as one that's unique. If you need help coming up with ideas or are worried about copyright issues, don't worry! The "name generator" tool at Gamechanger will help you find the perfect title or subtitle.
Name Changer offers many great tools and resources for people who want to create their own podcasts from scratch without any prior experience in audio production—including this podcast naming tool that makes it simple for anyone who wants to start their own podcast.
01:15:49 Technology Selection
Choose the right audio recording software.
Choose the right microphone.
Choose the right headphones.
Choose the right editing software.
01:17:45 Hosting Setup
Now that you're ready to start a podcast, it's time to choose a hosting company. You can find several options online, and they all offer different features. When choosing a blog or website host, make sure it meets your needs and has the features you want for your blog.
Here are some questions to consider about each option:
How much storage space do I need?
What kind of support can I expect from the company?
Are there any extra fees or costs associated with using this service (such as domain registration or setup fees)?
Once you've chosen a web host that meets your needs, learn more about how to set up your website by following these steps:
01:29:49 Website Setup
Choose a hosting provider
Choose a website theme
Choose a podcasting plugin
Setup your podcast feed (this is important) and make sure it's accessible to search engines and humans
Setup your website to be accessible to search engines
01.31.09 Website Theme & Design Considerations
The theme and design of your website are just as important as the podcast itself. It's a great way to introduce people to your brand and help them understand what kind of content they can expect from your show.
There are several considerations when choosing a theme:
Ensure it fits with your brand, especially if you're doing anything besides an informational podcast. For example, you have a business-oriented podcast focused on career advice or entrepreneurship. Choosing something that looks professional and corporate rather than fun and quirky might be helpful. If you're doing a more relaxed comedy show, by contrast, then maybe try something more relaxed and homey looking instead!
Consider how the design of your website will work with other aspects of marketing for your podcast: social media posts/ads, email newsletters, banners, etc...
01.32.20 Basic Website Structure & Podcast Launch Strategy
The podcast launch strategy is the most important part of your podcast business.
The goal of this section is to lay out a process for how you're going to launch and promote your new show. This is where we will talk about:
What your basic website structure should look like
How you should plan out your launch content, schedule, and checklist.
0134.05 Recording Equipment & Preliminary Recording Techniques
Microphone
Audio recorder (portable recorder)
Audio editing software (Audacity or GarageBand is free to download if you don't have any. If you're on a Mac, you should also be able to use GarageBand as an editor.)
Audio editing apps such as WavePad or Audacity Mobile
Best Advice about podcasting
If you're hesitant to start, remember that the only way to get good at something is to practice it. You can always tell yourself that you'll do better next time, but if you never try, then how will you ever know? You need to give yourself permission to make mistakes and learn from them.
When starting a podcast, don't worry about the details! Just get started and keep going until it feels natural and easy for you. It's ok if your first episode isn't perfect—that's exactly why we're here: to help each other create great podcasts!
Starting a podcast can be scary, but in this episode, Pat shares how to do it in a step-by-step way that's easy to follow along with and understand so that you can start your podcast!
Podcasting is a great way to build an audience and make money by selling your products or services, but starting can be intimidating. Pat explains how to take the first step in starting a podcast. He shares the steps you need to take to get started and walks you through each part of the process so that by the end of this episode, you'll feel confident enough to create a podcast of your own!
Conclusion
Congratulations on completing the tutorial! You have gained a wealth of knowledge on how to get started with your very own podcast. With this newfound information, you are well-equipped to create outstanding content that will captivate and engage your listeners.
But don't stop here! There's always room for improvement, and with practice and dedication, you can take your podcast to the next level. Consider researching more about your niche and finding unique ways to stand out from the crowd. Experiment with different formats, guests, and topics to keep your listeners engaged and interested.
Additionally, don't forget to invest in quality equipment and software to ensure that your podcast sounds professional and polished. And most importantly, have fun with it! Podcasting is a fantastic way to share your passion and connect with others, so enjoy the journey and keep pushing yourself to create better and better content.
If you have any questions or need further assistance, don't hesitate to reach out to us. We're always here to help and support you in your podcasting endeavors. Good luck and happy podcasting!
