There are a few things that will be as rewarding for you as starting your own podcast. Podcasts can take many forms, and they’ve become increasingly popular over the past few years.
You could start a podcast about your local community, or you could do one on current events. Many podcasters choose to let their voice be heard about a topic they feel passionate about, and this can help them attract new clients or customers.
Whether you already have the equipment you need to start a podcast, or you are looking for an affordable way to get started with your own show, here’s how to start a podcast.
Table of Contents
10 Steps to Start Your Own Podcast
1. Choose the Topic of Your Podcast (and Stick With It).
Before you start your podcast, you should have a good idea of what you’re going to talk about. Look at all your interests and see what would fit into a podcast format.
If you know that there are certain types of podcasts that do well in your niche, check them out to get an idea of how often they come out, who the hosts are, and if they are doing something unique.
2. Use Skype or Call Recorder.
Once you’ve chosen your topic, grab your microphone/recording device so that you can start recording your first episode!
If recording yourself talking feels uncomfortable for now, consider using software like Skype or Call Recorder. These services allow you to record phone calls online for free, which helps take some weight off while you practice your interviewing skills.
To record a podcast using Skype, you will need to:
- Download and install Skype
- Sign into your account
- Create a new contact for your podcast
- Start a Skype call with your new contact
- Click the “Record” button on Skype
3. Make a Script.
You don’t need to go all out and make a full-on script, but it helps to have bullet points written down so that you stay on topic throughout the episode and talk about everything in the order you planned. If you wish, you could also keep notes of the questions you want to ask your guest(s).
4. Record Your Podcast.
Once you’re ready with your episodes/scripts/guests, it’s time to publish that show! You can upload single episodes or entire seasons.
Keep in mind that if this is going to be a video podcast, making high-quality videos for each episode will take more time and effort than recording audio-only episodes.
5. Promote Your Podcast.
Before you can expect anyone to listen to your podcast, you need to get the word out about it!
The best way is still by word of mouth — tell everyone you know, ask them if they could share it with their friends and family, and talk about it on social media. You should also contact blogs that are related to your topic or niche – to see if they would be interested in sharing an article that features your podcast.
6. Keep Doing It.
If no one listens to your first episode, don’t let that discourage you!
Usually, only a small percentage of people who hear about new podcasts actually go on to listen to them. Think of how many times someone has shared a link with you for a podcast and you never ended up listening to it.
7. Get Feedback.
Once you’ve published your first episode, ask for feedback from the people who know the topic well and listened to your show. If you’re lucky enough, some of them might even be willing to become regular guests!
Another great idea is calling into a related or competing podcast and having a conversation with their listeners about that particular topic – they’ll love hearing new ideas on what they could do!
8. Make Time For It Every Day
Podcasting isn’t a quick and easy process. It takes time to come up with ideas, record your episodes, edit them, and promote them.
That’s why it’s important to make time for your podcast every day. Whether it’s an hour or just 15 minutes, setting aside time to work on your podcast will help you stay on track and make progress.
9. Think About Your Brand.
When you’re just starting out, it’s easy to get carried away and forget about branding yourself and your show. Decide if you want your name in the title of every episode, or if you’d like to keep things separate so that people can subscribe to either one without feeling obligated to listen to both shows.
If you plan on having multiple hosts, decide how it will look on social media and in podcast directories together so that there is no confusion.
10. Grow Your Audience.
As time goes by and episodes get more listened to, start thinking about what has been working well with your current listeners and what hasn’t been going over as well. You might need a larger hosting package, or perhaps you should consider creating a Facebook group to help your listeners stay in touch with each other.
Your audience is the key to growing and making your podcast successful, so make sure you’re always thinking of new ideas for making their experience as great as possible!
Recommended Steps (After Starting A Podcast)
Your job isn’t done once you hit “publish” on your first episode. In order to build an audience, you need to be strategic about promoting your show. Follow these steps to get your podcast off to a great start.
Create A Website.
Your podcast should have a home on the web. Even if you’re using a third-party hosting platform like Libsyn or Podbean, you should also have a website for your show.
A website gives you more control over your brand and allows you to build a direct relationship with your listeners. I have created a step by step guide to help you start your own website today, just click here!
Start Building Your Email List from Day 1.
Email is still one of the most effective forms of marketing, so you should be building your email list from day one. You can use your website to capture email addresses or promote a sign-up form on your social media accounts.
Once you have a few hundred email addresses, you can start sending out a weekly newsletter with show notes, links to new episodes, and other exclusive content for your subscribers.
Submit Your Podcast to Directories.
One of the best ways to get new listeners is to make it easy for them to find your show.
Submit your podcast to popular directories like iTunes, Stitcher, and Google Play Music. These platforms will help you reach a wider audience and can also lead to new opportunities, like being featured as a “new and notable” show.
Generate Reviews and Ratings.
Ratings and reviews are important for two reasons: they make your show more discoverable in directories and they build social proof, which can help convince hesitant listeners to give your show a try.
Encourage listeners to leave a rating or review at the end of each episode, and make it easy for them to do so by providing links to your listing in the show notes. You can also reach out to friends, family, and social media followers and ask them to leave a review.
Launch a Social Media Campaign.
Social media is a powerful tool for promoting your podcast. In the weeks leading up to your launch, create a social media campaign around your show.
Share teaser trailers, promotional images, and behind-the-scenes content to generate excitement and build an audience for your show. When you release new episodes, be sure to share them on social media and use hashtags to reach new listeners. You can also run social media ads to promote your podcast to a wider audience.
Guerrilla Marketing Tactics.
In addition to online promotion, there are a number of offline marketing tactics you can use to get the word out about your show. For example, you could distribute postcards or stickers in local coffee shops, bookstores, or other businesses. You could also create a “street team” to help spread the word about your show in their local communities.
These are just a few of the many marketing tactics you can use to promote your podcast. By being strategic about your promotion, you can build an audience of loyal listeners for your show.
Conclusion
Starting your own podcast can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience, but it requires dedication and effort to make it successful. By following the 10 steps outlined in this article, you can create a plan to launch and grow your podcast.
Remember to define your niche, choose your format, invest in quality equipment, and create engaging content. Additionally, promotion and distribution are key to growing your audience, so consider leveraging social media, guest appearances, and advertising to reach more listeners.
Podcasts are a great way to connect with an audience and build a following, but they can also be a lot of work. If you’re thinking about starting a podcast, make sure you’re prepared to commit the time and effort necessary to make it a success. With dedication and consistency, your podcast has the potential to become a valuable platform for sharing your ideas and connecting with others in your industry or niche.
We hope this article has given you some direction and motivation and shows that anyone can start a podcast, even if you feel discouraged!
If you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to leave us a comment below.
Thanks for reading and Happy Podcasting!
