Audio is versatile, easily shared, and is being used in numerous ways to augment the content plans and revenue streams of some of the top websites, blogs and famous personalities. The vast expansion of the use of audio has been fueled by Podcasts and they are here to stay. So what does it take for you to start your own Podcast?
No excuses and No fear of starting a podcast
Nothing beats a failure but a try. No one can guarantee how successful your podcast will be or how long it may take to be successful, but we know it will not be successful if you never start. One great thing to know is it does not have to be perfect. But with editing software like Adobe Audition, Mixcraft and other low-cost solutions you can take the time to make sure it sounds professional before releasing it.
Let’s Do It!
Almost 55% of U.S. adults listen to podcasts. Starting a podcast can be a great way to gain a following and share your expertise.
There is a huge opportunity for the growth of podcasts. Mobile devices, podcast platforms, desktop audio editing, and using the internet to obtain guests via 3rd party solutions like matchmaker.fm & listennotes.com make creating a podcast much easier than many may think.
Listeners are willing to stay with a podcast longer than they will stay with many other mediums. The fact that the podcast is audio means it can be consumed while driving, doing chores, at work and so many other ways. The market for podcasts is growing rapidly but there is ample room for newcomers and their specialized ideas.
Equipment:
Affordable Quality Equipment is everywhere. Yes, we are going to encourage you to visit The Podcast Shop here at The AV Mart. You will find microphones, software, audio mixers and accessories that can quickly get you ready to record.
Step one: Buy a microphone.
Audio quality begins and ends with a microphone. The better microphone you buy, the sharper your podcast will sound.
USB microphones—like the Snowball by Blue Microphones—start around $60. Most podcast equipment buying advice you’ll read about podcast microphones is to purchase a dynamic microphone that is front-firing with good rejection, meaning it picks up your voice clearly without the unwanted sounds of wherever you’re recording.
You can also pick up a headphone/microphone headset for as low as $49. This is a great option if you’ll be podcasting with cohosts or with guests (more on this below). If you opt for the standalone mic, you can always order a separate set of headphones—and we encourage you to consider buying a microphone stand so that you’re comfortable for your podcast.
Before You Record
Before you are in your studio ready to record answer a couple of questions to prepare for your podcast.
- Format: What’s your podcast going to look like?
- Content: What’s your podcast going to say?
Podcasts can take many forms: one-man shows, cohosts, guests, call-in, etc.
Your best bet for a podcast that sounds organized and professional is to practice beforehand by figuring out what you’re going to say and creating an outline. it is not necessary to have a detailed script but have a road map for where you’re headed and what you want to touch on.
Here’s a sample outline to consider, derived via Voices.com:
- Show intro (who you are, what you’re going to talk about): 30 seconds
- Intro music (repeat for each show so listeners identify the jingle with your show): 30-seconds
- Topic 1: 4 minutes
- Topic 2: 3 minutes
- Interlude (music or break): 30 seconds
- Topic 3: 3 minutes
- Topic 4: 4 minutes
- Closing remarks (thank the audience, thank guests, talk about the next show): 2 minutes
- Closing music (suggest same as Intro music jingle): 1 minute
For Mac users, here is what you could use:
- Record calls with Call Recorder for Skype ($15 to $30)
- Edit with GarageBand ($0)
For PC users:
Your final audio can be uploaded to a number of different places. Here are a few of the big ones:
After you’ve finished recording, editing, and producing your podcast, you can upload it to hosting sites like Libsyn, Soundcloud, Anchor, and Transistor. They’ll generate your RSS feed for you, so you can submit it to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other players.
Here’s what’s involved in taking your podcast onto Apple Podcasts.
Step 1: Create an RSS feed for your podcasts. If you upload your files to a site like Libsyn, Anchor, or Transistor, the feed creation is done automatically for you.
Step 2: Log in to Apple Podcasts Connect. Using your Apple ID, log in at podcastsconnect.apple.com.
Step 3: Enter your feed URL and then click “Validate.” Apple will pull your podcast’s feed details (Title, Artwork, Description, etc.)
Step 4: Click submit.
Apple will give you a confirmation message, letting you know that there may be a review process for your podcast. This is typically within 24 to 48 hours but can take up to five days. You will receive an email letting you know if you’re approved. Three to five days after that, people can begin searching and finding your podcast in the Apple Podcasts app.
For promotion and sharing of your podcast, a lot will depend on the site where you upload. Places like Soundcloud, for instance, offer a robust set of sharing options built in. You can share directly to Twitter, Facebook, and more, and you can embed the audio directly into your blog posts.
Embedding audio is perhaps the best way to sync your podcast with your blog content. Many top blogs use their podcast as an additional blog post, adding the audio directly into the body of the post and providing either a full transcript of the podcast or a list of topics and resources covered in the podcast.
Now let’s get started
