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How to Start My Podcast? (Complete Guide)

hostingpillBest Podcast Hosting Services
  1. Buzzsprout (My Favourite)
  2. Podbean
  3. Transistor
  4. Castos
  5. Ausha

Let’s talk about how to start a podcast.

But first, listen to this:

A piece of free advice – if you want to save the battery of your phone, listen to audio files rather than streaming videos.

Why are we telling you this?

Because what we are going to emphasize here on our topic is on PODCAST.

There are some of us who listen to radio and podcasts every day when they are at a cafe or on a train or in a car.

And there are some, who are inspired by these and want to start their own podcast. Are you one of them?

Good, we have prepared a guide for enthusiasts like you who want to start their own podcast show.

We will cover everything here right from which host you need to select till how you can monetize and grow subscribers of your podcast.

Lets begin…

CHAPTER 1: Best Podcast hosting sites

What is the Best Free Podcast Hosting?

The use of podcasts is becoming popular these days. Right from news to personal blogging (termed as audio-blogging), the podcast covers it all. So thinking to start a podcast website will surely be a nice step.

But for that, you need a good podcast host.

Don’t Worry. We have listed down 5 of the best Podcast hosting for you.

Take a look…

ONE – Buzzsprout ($12/mo. + $20 Amazon gift card)

Podcast Hosting: Buzzsprout

Buzzsprout is a podcast hosting platform that offers a 90-day-free trial and lets you list your podcast in Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Alexa, Castro, etc. This podcast website also consists of a help section which has guides for your problems related to the use of Buzzsprout.

Features:

  • Auto-episode Optimization
  • Podcast Analytics
  • Custom Embed Player
  • Create Chapter Markers

Pricing:

They offer a 90-day-free trial. There are four plans available:

  • Free Plan with the upload limit of 2 hours/month
  • $12/month with the upload limit of 3 hours/month
  • $18/month with the upload limit of 6 hours/month
  • $24/month with the upload limit of 12 hours/month

Pros

  • Offers a free trial for 90 days
  • Podcast controls (Skip, forward, reverse, 2x speed, etc.)
  • Lets you create Chapter markers in the Podcast for your navigation

Cons

  • Only email support offered for help
  • Ads displayed in the free plan

TWO – Podbean

Podcast Hosting: Podbean

Podbean allows you to create, manage as well as promote your podcast and offers you unlimited hosting. You can share and publish your podcast on any website as it has embeddable players supporting every website.

Features:

  • Unlimited Storage and Bandwidth
  • SEO optimized
  • Cloud Hosting
  • iTunes and Play Store support
  • Podcast Analysis

Pricing:

There are four plans available:

  • Basic Plan: Totally Free with 100 GB monthly Bandwidth
  • Unlimited Audio Plan: $9/month (unlimited audio podcasting)
  • Unlimited Plus Plan: $29/month (Video podcast)
  • Business Plan: $99/month (Video podcast and Live-chat support)

Pros

  • Offers Free Podcast
  • Unlimited Storage and Bandwidth
  • SEO support

Cons

  • Live-chat option available only for Business Plan

THREE – Transistor

Podcast Hosting: Transistor

Transistor is a Podcast Hosting service that saves your MP3 files, generates your RSS feed, does podcast hosting and promotes your podcast over social media. It also consists of tutorials and guides on setting up and running a podcast website.

Features:

  • Host Unlimited Shows
  • Podcast Analytics
  • Embeddable Podcast Player

Pricing:

They offer a 14-day-free-trial. There are three plans available:

  • Starter Plan: $19/month (up to 2 team members)
  • Professional Plan: $49/month (up to 5 team members)
  • Business Plan: $99/month (up to 10 team members)

Pros

  • Offers Unlimited Podcasting
  • No restriction on the number of episodes you create
  • Live-chat support
  • Allows you to import your shows from another podcast

Cons

  • Limited number of team members according to the plan

FOUR – Castos

Podcast Hosting: Castos

This podcast hosting platform is also available as a WordPress plugin if you have a WordPress website. It allows you to create multiple shows as well as publish your podcast directly to YouTube.

Features:

  • Free Podcast Migration
  • Unlimited Bandwidth
  • Automated Transcripts
  • YouTube Republishing

Pricing:

They offer a 14-day-free trial. There are three plans available:

  • Starter Plan: $19/month
  • Growth Plan: $34/month (allows to publish Video Podcast on YouTube)
  • Pro Plan: $49/month (with Video Podcasting facility)

Pros

  • Video republishing on YouTube
  • Allows you to create unlimited episodes
  • Offers unlimited storage

Cons

  • Offer email support only

FIVE – Ausha

Podcast Hosting: Ausha

Ausha allows you to import the audio files both manually or via RSS feed. It offers unlimited storage as well as video clips support. It also provides live chat support to its users.

Features:

  • Multiple audio format support
  • Multi-user support
  • Unlimited storage
  • Podcast Statistics

Pricing:

They offer free 14-day-trial. There are three plans available:

  • Podcaster Plan: $9.17/month (1 show)
  • Studio Plan: $24.17/month (5 shows)
  • Pro Plan: $82.5/month (unlimited shows)

Pros

  • It offers unlimited storage
  • It supports video clips
  • Supports multiple formats of audio files

Cons

  • Limited number of users

How to choose from the Best Podcast Hosting Sites?

There will be a lot of options in front of you when you search for Podcast Hosting over the internet. It becomes difficult and confusing to choose the best and suitable podcast hosting platform as per your needs.

Basic things like speed, customer support, the uptime of the site, performance, pricing, etc. are considered normally to check whether the hosting service is good enough for you or not.

But while picking up a podcast hosting platform, you need to keep in mind a few things and look for the following criteria before finalizing any service:

(a) Storage and Bandwidth:

That’s actually the first thing we need to see. As podcasts are audio or video files, they require more storage spaces compared to text content or images. So look for the podcast hosting that provides storage and bandwidth that is sufficient enough for your episodes.

(b) Customization:

Yes, it is important to check whether the podcast provider offers customization or not. We need the podcast to run on all different players as well as on any device where it is being played. So, look for the customization options while selecting a podcast hosting platform.

(c) Pricing:

Of course, we would avoid going for prices that are too high. Before selecting a podcast hosting, make sure you understand that there are no hidden costs, the plan must be affordable and the services they offer should fulfill your requirements for podcasting,

(d) WordPress Plugin Availability:

30% of all websites are built on WordPress. If your website is not built on WordPress, then you don’t need to worry about this option. But, it is necessary that a podcast hosting provider has WordPress plugins so that if you built a podcast site on WordPress, they would support audios, videos and all other basic functionalities that a Podcast hosting provides.

(e) Social Media Integration:

This is also known as Podcast Directories which means your created Podcast is shared and advertised on social media. Look for the podcast directories in the podcast hosting whether it covers popular websites like Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, etc.

So, look out for these services and functions before you choose a hosting platform for your podcast.

CHAPTER 2: Platforms and Equipment

What are Podcast Directories?

Once your Podcast is ready, it is now time to upload the Podcast to the hosting provider. After you upload it on the hosting site, your podcast will then need to be listed somewhere, but where?

For that, your podcast hosting providers do the work for you and publish your podcast on the podcast directories.

These directories include platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, TuneIn, Stitcher, etc. These options have been elaborated in the next section so that you can come to know why you need to list your podcasts on these platforms.

Which are the best Podcast Platforms to publish my Podcast?

Next on the step comes the question – where do you publish your podcast?

Once your podcast is ready and hosted, you look out for their podcast directories and check on which Platform it would work the best.

Do not worry, we have made it easy for you. Here are some of the best Podcast Platforms where you can list your podcasts and let the world know about what you want to convey.

Take a look at the list…

(a) Spotify

Podcast Hosting: Spotify

Spotify is a source where you can find music as well as podcasts. You just need to create an account to proceed. You can also share your music or podcast through Spotify. It lets you assign categories to your podcast so that your podcast can be easily visible to the listeners when they look for a particular category.

(b) Apple Podcasts

Podcast Hosting: Apple Podcasts

Apple podcasts made for iOS devices is another directory for listing your podcast so that it becomes available on iTunes.

(c) Google Podcasts

Podcast Hosting: Google Podcasts

Google Podcasts is an android application that allows users to listen to podcasts for free on their smartphones as well as on their laptops. It also gives them an option to download it for offline listening so that they may enjoy the episodes even if there is no internet connectivity.

The podcasts that you list here will be available on Google Play Music.

(d) TuneIn

Podcast Hosting: TuneIn

TuneIn allows the users to listen to the radio over the internet as well as podcasts for free. It contains various classifications of podcasts based on moods or place. They may select an appropriate type of podcast from these categories that they want to listen to. TuneIn is also classified by location and languages (consists of podcasts for over different 35 languages).

(e) Stitcher

Podcast Hosting: Sticher

Stitcher is specifically made for Podcasts only. It allows you to submit podcasts as well as customize the list of podcasts that you want to listen to. It also offers users recommendations based on their searches and they can also download the podcasts to listen to them offline.

Hence. the podcast directories offer you a platform to publish your podcast in order to get your voice to the maximum audience.

Which Podcast equipment do I need to get started?

After your decision to start podcasting, you found a good hosting, podcast directories as well as platforms where you will publish your podcasts.

Great!

But for that, you will need to make a podcast first.

For the first time, it is really hard for any of us to figure out what sort of equipment will we require for making a podcast.

We are at your service for this too. No… we are not providing you the equipment.

But yes, we have prepared a list of equipment that you will need to get started with your podcast. Starting with – A Computer.

That’s basic, here is the list…

Microphone and Headphones

Yes, these are really essential equipment as one is needed to record voices and the other one is needed to listen. While Microphones will help you record the audios to your device, the headphones will help you to check the quality of audio.

Some of the best Microphones that you may buy for your podcast are:

1. USB Podcast Condenser Microphone Kit

Microphone Kit

This kit consists of a USB cable, mic holder, a ROFEER Microphone (192KHZ/24 BIT USB) with 12 months warranty and a pop-filter. You won’t need to install any software to run this microphone on your computer.

The microphone has a Cardioid polar pattern design that reduces pickup of disturbances giving a clear sound as a result. It is compatible with all the operating systems and computers as well as smartphones.

2. Portable Pro Audio Condenser Recording Desk Mic – Pyle PDMIUSB50

Portable Pro Audio Mic

You can connect the Pyle Desk Mic to your Computer or Laptop via USB. It also comes with an adjustable tripod stand which can have angular movements or can be removed as well if not in use.

The cardioid condenser mic glows with a blue LED when connected via USB and the mic holder can be adjusted and rotated up to 180 degrees.

3. Rode NT-USB Condenser Microphone with Headphones

Mic With Headphone

This is a set of a microphone and a Headphone which you can use for podcasting. It comes with on-mic mix control and a tripod stand to set the mic upon. It has a zero-latency stereo headphone 3.5 mm monitoring jack that lets you monitor its real-time input.

4. Samson Q2U Handheld Dynamic USB microphone

Handheld

The kit consists of a Samson Q2U microphone and a tripod stand. It can be connected via XLR, USB or OTG to Android or iOS devices. It can be used for amplifiers, podcasting, etc. It has a 3.5 mm jack that allows you to monitor zero-latency and supports the frequencies ranging between 50 Hz to 15 kHz verifying that the captured audios have clarity.

Let us look at some of the best Headphones that can be used for podcasting purposes:

1. Audio-Technica Professional Studio Headphones

Audio Technica

This headphone has 40 mm drivers and a sensitivity of 96 dB. This comes with good sound quality and is considered budget-friendly as reviewed by a YouTuber. It picks up the frequencies ranging from 15 Hz to 20 kHz and the earcups can swivel up to 15 degrees in both directions.

2. Sony Professional Large Diaphragm Headphone

Sony Professional

Sony MDR7506 comes with 40 mm drivers and 106 dB sensitivity. There is a coiled cord of 9.8 feet that allows you to keep it loose in your studio. Its frequency response is 10 Hz to 20 kHz and is foldable. It has neodymium magnets which is an important component to get better audio delivery.

3. Audio-Technica Broadcast Stereo Headset

Audio Technica BPHS1

This has the same driver diameters i.e. 40 mm and a sensitivity of 100 dB. This comes with a detachable Cardioid Boom Mic which can be adjusted on either side of your headphones. This headphone is considered good for podcasting as well as recording in a noisy environment. The frequency responses for both headphones and detachable mic are 20 Hz – 20 kHz and 40 Hz – 20 kHz respectively.

Mixer

Delivering a quality audio service to the audience is a must for podcasters and to do so, mixers are used. Mixers are used for controlling the audio quality for your podcast. The mixer consists of XLR inputs, Headphone inputs, Knobs, etc.

Looking for some of the best mixers to improvise the audio quality? We have enlisted a few down here.

1. Yamaha MG16Xu

Yamaha

This is a 16 input 6 bus mixer with a USB interface. Channels 1-12 consist of D-PRE mic preamps, a high-pass filter as well as a pan control and 3-band EQ. It has both XLR and stereo outputs where you can connect the Amplifiers or loudspeakers.

2. Maker Hart LOOP MIXER

Maker Hart Loop

It has 5 stereo channels and requires a 9 V adapter. It provides independent volume control for each input or device connected. It consists of a DM2S adapter to combine 2 mono inputs into a 3.5 mm stereo plug. It also has a Loop Bus cable that allows multiple loop mixers to connect with just one adapter.

3. Mackie ProFXv2

MackiePro

It is an 8 channel mixer with 16 audio effects that include reverbs, choruses, delays, etc. It has an average rating of 4.3 stars given by the users.

POP Filters

What a POP filter does is, it filters out the voice of the air/breathing and prevents it to enter the diaphragm of mic. It helps to eliminate or reduce the popping sounds so that the recording stays clear and less interfered with.

They are basically kept in front of the microphone through which the filtration of voice takes place. Below is a list of a few POP filters that you can fit with your microphone and use for podcasting.

1. Aokeo Professional Microphone POP Filter

Aokoe Pop Filter Mask

It has a double-layered Screen and is equipped with an adjustable gooseneck. The first screen blocks the air blasts and the second filter minimizes the effect of disturbance and thus improves sound quality.

2. Auphonix POP Filter

Auphonix Pop Filter

This is a double screen mesh pop filter that delivers distortion-free audio. It has a pliable gooseneck holder and is designed to be clamped with tubular, rectangular as well as square microphone arms.

3. MXL-PF-002 POP Filter

MXL PF

It has a metal mesh diffusion and is easily attachable to any microphone stand. It flexible placement as the gooseneck is adjustable.

4. PEMOTech POP Filter

PEMOTech Pop Filter

This has a metal mesh with three-layer filters of foam, metal, and etamine. These three layers effectively reduce plosives, pops, wind as well as the noise of breathing sound to record clear audio through your microphone.

And finally…

Cables

Yes, cables are another most important thing without which you won’t be able to connect all the other equipment.

Some of the Best XLR microphone cables:

  1. Cables Matters XLR Cables (Available in 8 different lengths)
  2. AmazonBasics XLR Cables (Available in 4 different lengths)
  3. GLS Audio Mic Cables (Available size: 25 feet)

Some of the Best 3.5mm audio cables:

  1. FosPower Audio Cable
  2. AmazonBasics Audio Stereo Cable

Apart from these, you will need ¼” insert cables, audio to ¼” cables, etc. for connecting microphones to the mixers and computers.

Recording and Editing Software

Once all the equipment are connected, you will need a tool that helps you record and edit the audio files. If you have a studio for that, then it’s great!

But, when you are recording the audio files at your place, you will need software that not only records the audio files but also helps you edit them. This is necessary equipment for your podcast so that you can make sure your podcast doesn’t have any flaws and it plays perfectly fine.

What are the Best Podcast Recording Software?

We just saw a few necessary equipments that are needed before launching a podcast. This list not only includes physical items but also includes recording and editing software.

So what we need is the best available podcast recording and editing software for our use. Is there one?

Well, we do have a list of options for you which you might consider to be the best software that you can use for recording.

(a) Alitu

Alitu

Alitu is an audio editing and recording software that can be used for your podcast. They help you by processing your audio files as well as cleaning them up. Alitu’s “Theme music maker” lets you add your branding in starting as well as at the end of your podcast episode.

As you upload the audio file on Alitu, it will detect and remove noise, it will let you add your music, it will let you combine all the clips and will automatically post it to the website on which you are hosting.

Features:

  • Combine Audio clips
  • Clean up the audio files
  • Create Theme music
  • Add id3 tags to the files

Pricing:

They offer a 7-day free trial. Their paid plan costs $28/month and if you wish to pay annually, it will cost $280/year.

(b) RINGR

RINGR

RINGR is a podcast software that is made for conducting interviews, not only in the studio but also anywhere in the world. It doesn’t matter in which city you are, you can always call, conduct the interview and record it through this software.

Features:

  • Unlimited Storage
  • Unlimited Calls
  • Desktop and Mobile support

Pricing:

It offers a 30-day free trial. There are two paid plans available:

  • Basic: $7.99/month
  • Premium: $18.99/month (with Conference calling)

(c) Zencastr

Zencastr

Zencastr lets you record the podcast episode remotely. It lets you send a link to your guest and lets you receive a separate track per guest. It also offers you an in-built calling option which can allow you to voice chat directly with your guests.

Features:

  • Separate Track per Guest
  • Cloud Drive Integration
  • Soundboard for live editing

Pricing:

There are two plans available:

  • Hobbyist: Free
  • Professional: $20/month (Unlimited Recordings)

You can also try the professional plan for 14-days for free.

(d) Audacity

Audacity

Audacity is an open-source, multi-track audio recorder and editor software. This software runs on cross-platform and it offers a real-time preview for audio effects. It allows you to modify the effects in a text editor which also lets you write your own plugin.

Features:

  • Frequency Analysis
  • Keyboard Shortcuts
  • Sound Activated recording
  • Built-in effects and Volume control

Pricing:

Totally Free

(e) Cast

Cast

Cast is an online system that you won’t have to download. You just need to make an account and select a plan after which you can record the audios as well as edit and publish them. If you have invited any guest, they won’t have to create a separate login.

Features:

  • Live Text Chat
  • Published Cast Analysis
  • Cloud Storage
  • No Guest login required

Pricing:

You can use Cast for free for a month. There are two paid plans available:

  • Hobby Plan: $10/month (10 hours of monthly recording time)
  • Pro Plan: $30/month (100 hours of monthly recording time)

(f) Auphonic

Auphonic

This is a cloud-based software that doesn’t require download. You simply have to upload the audio files for Auphonic to analyze it. It also supports Video input and audiogram waveform videos.

Features:

  • Audio Restoration
  • Speech Recognizer
  • Loudness Normalization
  • Multitrack Algorithms

Pricing:

Auphonic offers 2 hours for free for processed audio. For monthly plans and pricing, please click here.

These tools will help you edit your audio files and the processed output files will be ready to be launched online.

CHAPTER 3: Launching Your Podcast

What are some good Podcast name ideas?

And here we arrive at the most difficult task of podcasting – deciding the Podcast name! It is actually confusing and time-consuming activity to decide what will you name your podcast.

Can anyone really help you with that?

You just can’t simply reuse any random name for your podcast that won’t even fit. So, let us help you. A list of few tips that will help you generate ideas for getting a good and suitable name for your Podcast.

1. Look for words synonymous to your Topic

synonymous

As we said you can’t just choose any random words for the topic. For instance, if your podcast is about podcasting itself and you name it “Death Parade with XYZ”, it doesn’t make any sense.

You see, the name you select for your topic lets the listener determine what exactly are you covering.

That’s right. Find some similar words to the topic that you cove in your podcast. Best for both – you and the listeners.

For example .NET Rocks! is a podcast for the software developers, Perpetual Traffic is a podcast for digital marketers and RV Navigator is a podcast for travelers.

Simple and synonymous.

2. Titles should be “Catchy and Creative”

Remember, the title you choose will help you convince people to listen to your podcast show. So how should your title be?

Catchy and Creative – Yes!

If the name sounds interesting to listeners, there is a chance that they would keep listening to your show.

For example Reply All is a podcast show that covers stories on how technology is affecting human lives and Pod Save America is a political podcast show as well as Dr. Death which is a show on the doctor who failed to save lives.

3. Just add your name in the title

Still confused and can’t decide what your podcast title should be?

Then just use your name in the title by adding a few common words at the end or at the beginning i.e. show, experience, travel with…, sing with…

Or

Use your first name or last name as a show title and mold it creatively.

For example, The Dave Ramsey Show and Travel with Rick Steves have simply used their names in the title, whereas, in the title of Hanselminutes, Scott Hanselman has creatively used his last name.

4. Use one of the 5 Wives or a Husband

5w1h

What this means is – ask questions. Use a question as a title itself for your podcast. This would develop a curiosity amongst the listeners to check out your show.

For example How I build this and R U Talkin’ R.E.M. RE: ME? are the titles that ask questions.

5. Use Podcast Name Generators

If nothing comes up in your mind, this is the last option that you can use to generate a title for your podcast.

Some of the best podcast name generators that you can use are as below:

You will just need to add a few details or answer questions that these websites ask and they will do the work for you.

These tips will give you an idea about how should you decide the title of your podcast. But before you decide to pick that name, do check on google whether it is already taken or not.

Best WordPress Themes for Podcast

Finally decided to go for podcasting? Very Good. You now need a website that will describe you and what your podcast channel is about.

Once you have chosen a website hosting service for yourselves, it’s time to decide which WordPress theme would be best suitable for your Podcast website. There are a lot of themes available for WordPress based on the purpose of your website.

But what you need is to pick a theme for the podcast website that you will build on WordPress.

Below are some of the best WordPress Themes for Podcast that ThemeForest has to offer:

1. Castilo

Castilo

This theme offers podcast statistics, podcast transcripts, WooCommerce integration, etc. This theme allows you to extract episodes from your RSS feed to add it to your website. It comes with an option of a live preview that allows you to try various colors, fonts, header images, etc. and change them whenever you want to.

2. Podcaster

Podcaster

This theme lets you display audio or video file on the landing page so that listeners can access the latest episode of your podcast. This theme supports Blubrry PowerPress, Seriously Simple Podcasting as well as Libsyn remote podcasting. It also has a parallax scrolling effect for the custom header images.

3. Kentha

Kentha

Kentha is a WordPress theme for Musicians, DJs, Rock Albums, Podcasters, etc. You can simply create the playlist by the drag-and-drop option. It is integrated with WooCommerce so that you can sell music or merchandise on your website.

4. Viseo

Viseo

This theme has a drag-and-drop builder. It comes with in-built audio and video player and also has a responsive layout

5. Wpcast

WPCast

This WordPress theme is fully customizable. It helps you design and make your podcast website look professional. It has an in-built audio player and a series manager that lets you organize your podcast episodes.

All these themes come up with unique features that can help you make a decision on the most suitable theme for your website. Choose attractive themes for your website but do not forget that your main purpose is to set up a podcast channel.

What you need is – a built-in audio player, a list to display your podcasts and allow them to be played or downloaded, a social share button that allows listeners to share your podcasts and in addition to that, a like or comment section for the listeners to share their opinion with you.

So, what is holding you back? Get started with your podcast website now…

How do I launch a Podcast?

Once you have prepared and recorded the podcast, you will need to do some final touch up.

Done with that?

Good! Now there are a few things that you will need to do in order to launch the podcast:

(a) Upload the podcast audio file to your host provider

Once your podcast is ready after recording, you will need to upload the MP3 file to your website or to the hosting provider. This will store the files as well as all the information about your podcast.

(b) Generate RSS Feed link

Once you have uploaded the audio file to the website or hosting provider, it will then generate an RSS Feed link that you will supply to the podcast directories. The podcast hosting providers configure your podcast that you upload on them.

(c) Distribute RSS Feed link

You will now have to distribute the RSS Feed link to the podcast directories after setting up an account on these directories. Once these links are approved by the directories (which may take up a few days), your podcast is launched.

(d) Promote your Podcast

Your podcast is ready and is launched on the directories. Now it’s time to bring your podcast in the attention of the audience. For that, you will have to promote your podcast through social media or emails.

Therefore, you need to just follow these steps to launch your podcast. But remember, you will have to create more podcasts at a specific interval of time so that you can keep your audience engaged to your channel.

CHAPTER 4: Promote & Monetize Podcast

How do I promote my podcast?

After launching the podcast, we want more and more audience to listen to it. If you have prepared it for a topic that people are looking for and they started listening on their own would be good.

But what if that doesn’t happen?

You will need to build an audience. And for that, you will need to promote the podcast in the market.

Here is a list of a few ways through which you can promote your podcast:

(a) Share it on Social Media

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Reddit, etc. are social media platforms where you can share your podcasts and tell your friends to share it further. Attach a link to your podcast directories from where they can listen to it.

(b) Create a YouTube channel for your podcast

Yes, you can create a video to upload on YouTube of your podcast. You can add annotations to “Subscribe”, “Share” or ”Click here to visit the website” which would redirect the viewers on your website.

YouTube Podcast

For example, there is a channel on YouTube by Think Tank Podcast who records podcasts and also creates a YouTube video by adding an image file on the audio.

(c) Share it via emails

You can create an email list of readers first and then send them newsletters to keep them updated about your new podcasts coming up. You can also add links to the podcasts in your email signatures.

(d) Go to other podcasts as a guest

Find a similar show from the podcast directories with a better fan following. You can go to their show as a guest and promote your podcast as well.

(e) Turn your podcast into text

Yes, you can transcribe your podcast to reach more users. This will result in a higher return to your SEO and you can also reach the people who prefer reading more than listening to an audio file.

Add those interview text of your episodes on your website and you can also add external links for the information.

(f) Create Contests

Yes, that’s what radio stations do to increase the number of subscribers. You can launch a giveaway contest so that the audience shares your podcast. Announce the prizes in the next podcast once you are finished with your content.

Product Love Podcast Swag Giveaway

Apart from all these strategies, you may also try the following:

  • Interview an influencer on your podcast
  • Release a set of 3-5 episodes on the day you launch your podcast
  • Create promos and Buzz of your next episode
  • Create groups and polls on social media to discuss similar topics and views of the people and add those statistics to your podcast and share them on social media
  • Tag your friends and listeners on social media when you share an episode

These are some of the effective ways to promote your podcast so that you can reach more listeners.

How do I monetize my podcast?

Once you have launched your podcast and gained subscribers, you will need to keep them engaged and keep making new episodes.

After a while, it becomes difficult to run the show if that podcast can’t generate a source of income for you.

In order to continue with the show, you need to monetize your podcast and generate revenue through it.

But how?

Let us take a look at a few steps that can help you monetize your podcast:

(1) Request Sponsorship of Donations

This is something that you can do. You can directly ask for sponsorship or donations on your podcast to your audience. There are fans who are ready to donate so that your show doesn’t stop and they get to listen to your episodes more often.

Patreon

There is a website called Patreon that allows artists to accept donations from their fans or audience. You can give exclusive content to your fans for the donations they make on Patreon. Famous podcasters like The Juicy Scoop, Amir & Jake, Chapo Trap House, etc. are on Patreon and using their service.

(2) Use Affiliate or Referral Marketing for Commission

You can go for this option too. Doing affiliate marketing through podcasts can also help you to generate money from your audience. If the audience registers or purchases anything from the affiliate link that you have mentioned, you get a commission out of it.

You can also sell the products of your audience. If there are some listeners who want to sell their products, you can help them sell their products and have a commission in return.

(3) Monetize YouTube Channel

If you have also created a podcast youtube channel, then enable the “monetization” section in your youtube settings.

The views on your youtube video, number of ads or ads that viewers skip, etc. will decide how much money you can generate from YouTube.

(4) Sell your Products or Services

If you can offer a service to your audience, then do it and charge it as well. As a podcaster, you are good at speaking. Maybe you can charge the audience by taking up classes for self-motivation and how to open up feelings in public or how to initiate a conversation.

Or you can design T-shirts, customize some products with your brand name and then sell those by advertising them on your podcast. Selling your own products and services you are good at will help you monetize your podcast.

(5) Charge the Guests you call on Podcast

This can be done but only after you have gained sufficient subscribers who regularly listen to your podcast. You can charge your guests who want to appear in your podcast as you are offering them a platform to present themselves. There is a podcaster viz Super Joe Pardo who has explained why you can charge any guest that you call on your podcast episode.

Making money is not guaranteed unless you have got a lot of listeners who actually follow you. Apart from all these steps, you can also speak up in an event or host it, you can provide guidance, write and sell books, be a public speaker and do a lot more to monetize your podcast.

How to grow podcast subscribers?

You already shared your podcast channel on social media, created a YouTube channel, made an email list of subscribers to keep them updated and also went to other podcasts to promote.

The hunt for getting more subscribers to your podcast is a never-ending story. If you want to reach more audiences, you need to take your podcast promotion to the next level.

What else could be done?

Below are a few tips that can help you grow your subscribers’ list:

(1) Get help from Friends and Family

You might be wondering why this is the first tip. Friends and Family are the first ones you can turn up to when it comes to promoting and supporting.

Ask them to share your podcasts on their social accounts and also tell them to leave comments and reviews on your podcasts.

(2) Discover your Niche

People are still confused while picking up a career. If you have decided to go for podcasting, go for it.

But remember, it will be more difficult for you to create more content and podcasts on the topic that you are not comfortable on and you will end up losing your subscribers.

So, it is important for you to find your niche and once you have found what you are comfortable with, start making episodes frequently.

Find the people who can speak up or who can be interviewed on your subject and invite them to your show. Before you invite them, do brief background research on them so that you can introduce them to your audience.

(3) Recognize your target audience

It is necessary to know who exactly your listeners are. If you are speaking about a specific topic, you first need to find those who are interested in listening to it.

Once that’s done, you can encourage them to share your episodes with others. Make them a part of your podcast and engage them by making them participate in discussions that you start.

(4) Be social and consistent

Remember, you will need to consistently share your episodes on social media and try to get involved more in social events. Make communities for the like minds i.e. those who are interested in your topic.

Curate interactive discussions and take opinions from the community members. The more you will keep them engaged, the more they will support you.

Also, create episodes at a regular interval of time and keep on sharing them. Encourage the audience as well as your social group to share your podcast.

Indeed you need support from everyone to grow your podcast. This is the list of steps that you can follow and promote your podcast to increase the number of your subscribers.

CHAPTER 5: Mistakes & Tips

What common mistakes should all new podcasters avoid?

We are humans, right? We make mistakes. And mistakes are common for a beginner, they learn from those mistakes.

If you are a podcaster, small mistakes may affect your popularity. You might have chances that the number of your subscribers reduces, you might not be able to keep up with the topic, and a lot more.

We will discuss here the 10 most common mistakes that podcasters make as beginners, and of course, needs to be avoided.

1. Not insisting listeners to follow you

Often you would have listened to some of the podcasters who insist that you follow them on social networking sites. They speak this up in the beginning as well as at the end.

Promoting yourself helps you gain more people to follow you and listen to your podcast. As a new podcaster, it will be hard for you to gain listeners but for that, you’ll constantly need to promote yourself through your podcast.

2. Not submitting podcast on directories

Some of the beginners fail to submit their podcast on to the directories. You need to do this because if you won’t submit it to podcast directories, it would become difficult for listeners to discover what your podcast.

Podcast directories like Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Stitcher, Spotify, etc. help you promote your podcasts and help the listeners to find your show.

3. No control over expenditure

full shopping cart

As a beginner, you want your podcast to be the best. For that, you spend a lot to get some good equipment. Spend on what’s necessary.

If you can get a mic for $59 with better features and sound quality just like to that of a $129, go for it. Compare before you buy and control the expenses.

4. Not launching episodes at regular interval

You just launched an episode, good. Listeners loved it. You launched the other episode after a week and you got more subscribers.

This encouraged you a lot and you took 3-4 weeks for your next episode and launched it. But it did not match up to your expectations. You started losing subscribers. This happens because you do not launch episodes at regular intervals.

This takes up the curiosity of a listener and after a while, they are no longer interested in your topic. Avoid doing this and launch your episodes at a specific interval.

5. Not leveling audio properly

Not Leveling audio

Sometimes, it might happen that conversation is played at a normal volume. Suddenly when the music is played in the background, the volume increases which disturbs the listener. Do not do that.

Improper leveling of the audio will make you lose subscribers. So a piece of advice to beginners is to keep the audio leveled properly.

6. Crowd Conversation

Crowd Conversation

Take care of this while having a conversation with guests and interviewing them or while hosting a debate on your podcast.

Avoid speaking or interrupting someone. Let one person complete the sentence and then the other should start. The listeners won’t be able to understand your discussion if everyone speaks at the same time. It will also become difficult for you at the time of editing.

7. Cover the topic that your listeners like

Find what your target audience likes to listen more and talk about it on your show. Also, cover all other related topics to the favorite ones of your audience.

But before this, remember that you are just looking for the target audience in the beginning.

Get to know who listens to your podcast shows and what they write about you on social media. Use it as a tool and cover the topics that they are interested in.

8. Not engaging audience

Covering the topic that your listeners like would be not enough. You also need to engage your listeners.

Ask questions in your podcast and insist the listeners to answer them via email or via comments on social networking sites. Reply to those emails and comments or feature their answers on your next episode and appreciate them.

The more you’ll interact with your audience, the less effort you’ll have to put to make them stick to your show.

9. Neglecting unwanted voices

The voices in the background such as vehicles honking, the phone ringing, breathing, weird sounds, etc. can be termed as unwanted voices. No podcaster wants them to appear in the background.

Make sure that your podcast does not include them or they are reduced or removed during editing. And thus, don’t let your audience get distracted by these voices.

10. Do collaborations

Lets collaborate

Yes, the last mistake on the list. This is more like a suggestion actually. Find other podcasters who are running episodes on the same topic and collaborate with them.

This would not only help you promote your show but also help you come to know what else can you cover on your episodes.

Now you have an idea of what not to do while you start podcasting. Avoid making these mistakes else there are chances that you might end up losing subscribers.

What are some good questions to ask during a podcast interview?

Preparing a set of questions that you would ask during an interview on your podcast show? Good.

But know this, the interviews are unpredictable. Things might not go as smoothly as you planned and it will require you to change the questions.

The choice of questions certainly depends on which personality have you invited for an interview. A few questions may be common but not all.

We have prepared a set of some good questions that you can include in your podcast interview and ask them to your guests.

Make your Guest comfortable

Your guest just came for an interview. No one would like to be bombarded with a set of questions as soon as they are ready.

So our first duty would be to make the guests feel comfortable.

And how do we do that?

Ask a set of informal questions and let them talk more about it. Following are the questions that can be commonly asked:

  1. How can you describe your childhood days?
  2. How do you prefer to spend your free time?
  3. What food pleases you the most?

These three questions can be asked in common to all the guests you are interviewing. This would bring the guests to a comfort level where they feel that you are interested in interviewing them.

Come to the Topic of their Career

Whats your story

Now is the time when you can slide to the questions about their dreams, passion, and career. Ask them questions that are related to their career, struggle period and how did they manage to rise up from such a critical period of their life.

Common questions that can be asked are:

  1. What is your biggest dream?
  2. What are you passionate about?
  3. Which was the worst time in your life?
  4. How did you get yourself up from that time to where you are right now?
  5. Where do you derive inspiration from?

Get them to encourage your listeners

Yes, once you have reached the last part of your interview, ask a few questions to the guests that indirectly encourage your listeners.

  1. Why can’t most people deal with their failure nowadays?
  2. What would you like to tell our listeners on never giving up?

And at last,

  1. Which book would you recommend our listeners that has inspired your life?

These are some of the common questions that you can ask your guest during a podcast interview. Remember these points though:

  • Before calling upon the guest, do some research on them and prepare a brief introduction about them that you can introduce them to your listeners.
  • Try to ask questions for which the guests can elaborate on their answers. For instance, you asked, “How were your childhood days like?” The guests can simply answer it as “Good” or “Bad”. Just rephrase it to – “How can you describe your childhood days?” Here the guests have to elaborate their answers.
  • Try to interact with guests in a friendly manner and show interest in their topic. Don’t be formal. This would make your guests comfortable to speak during your interview.

Are you prepared now? Good luck with the interview!

Good luck

Let’s wrap up the things…

CHAPTER 6: Best Podcasts to Follow

Best Podcasts

Now you know how to gain more subscribers to your podcast channel. Not only having more subscribers is a necessity, but also your content should be good enough to keep them active on your channel. You don’t want to lose them.

We are not talking about content that is unique or sophisticated. It should be just simple, understandable and inspirational to a listener.

We have jotted down a list of some of the best podcasts about different genres that could inspire you to create content that your audience will love. Listen to these podcasts which have been categorized based on their genre.

(1) Entrepreneurship & Startups

There are a plethora of ways to make money online as well as on the field. But as an entrepreneur, one always tries to find ways to promote their business and want to be successful.

There are a few shows available to motivate enthusiasts who want to start a business:

StartUp

StartUp

This is an American podcast show that has been running since September 2014. It is a documentary series from Gimlet media on startup businesses and the life of entrepreneurs.

This Week In Startups

This Week In Startups

This podcast is created by Jason Calacanis who is an entrepreneur as well as an investor. The podcast provides strategies to improve your business and also the current updates on the startups of Silicon Valley.

The Side Hustle Show

The Side Hustle Show

This podcast show focuses on providing ideas on startups and on how one should grow a business. Not only it has podcasts on freelancing, but it also has podcasts on money-making and blogging.

(2) Business & Finance

Planet Money

Planet Money

This podcast show narrates the economy and business in the form of stories making it entertaining. This show is brought to you by NPR and was started in 2008.

The Tim Ferriss Show

The Tim Ferriss Show

This has been a notable podcast show on Apple Podcasts and its first podcast was downloaded for more than 100 million times. 300+ guests have been featured on this show including Mike Shinoda, Ray Dalio, Peter Thiel, etc. and those guests have explained their strategies and routines which may help your business to rise.

Masters of Scale

Masters of Scale

A podcast show on finance and business that is hosted by Reid Hoffman (co-founder of LinkedIn) was started in 2017. This is a show where Reid Hoffman discusses the growth of a particular company in each episode.

(3) Podcasting

The Audacity to Podcast

The Audacity to Podcast

This is a weekly podcast show that started in 2010. It is a podcast show about podcasting which contains tutorials as well as reviews of the tools used in the podcast. The purpose of this show is to help people launch and improve their podcasts.

Podcraft

Podcraft

This is a show that guides you on how to build your podcast as well as maintain the channel if you have already launched one.

The Podcast Report

The Podcast Report

This is a podcast show of a podcast consultant Paul Colligan who has written books viz. “How to Podcast” and “Podcast Strategies”. In his podcast show, he covers various topics that will help you improve your podcast.

(4) Designers

Design Matters

Design Matters

Design Matters is a podcast channel started in 2005. It is a podcast show that features designers, cartoonists, artists, authors, editors, etc. hosted by Debbie Millman.

99% Invisible

99% Invisible

This podcast show revolves around arts, architecture, and design. It started in September 2010 and was created by Roman Mars.

Honest Designers

Honest Designers

The Honest Designers Show launched its first podcast in November 2017. This show focuses more on teaching designs and arts to everyone via their podcast channel.

(5) Science & Tech Podcast

The Infinite Monkey Cage

The Infinite Monkey Cage

This is a radio show which is hosted by a physicist Brian Cox and a comedian Robin Ince, is a comedy science series. It was originally released in 2010 and has 114+ episodes available to download and listen, on the majority of podcast directories.

The Naked Scientists

The Naked Scientists

This is an audience interactive radio talk show based on science and technology. Here scientists are interviewed, discussion forums are built as well as the articles on science are discussed where the audience is allowed to participate.

This Week in Tech

This Week in Tech

This Week in Tech known as TWiT is a weekly podcast for TWiT.tv network, where discussions over various techs of Apple, Google, Microsoft, etc. are conducted by Tech Gurus and are hosted by former Tech TV employees.

(6) Learn English

All Ears English

All Ears English Podcast

It is a podcast channel made for a purpose to teach fluent English. It is helpful for people who want to migrate to the United States because they need to give the IELTS exam. The set of the podcast is classified into three types – General Fluency, IELTS and Business English.

A Way with Words

A Way with Words Podcast

This podcast show focuses on the use of language and developing communication skills. It covers the topic of how to use slang, grammar, old sayings, etc. in our daily communication. This weekly program started in 1998 and is not affiliated, it simply runs on the donations they get from the listeners.

ESLPod

ESLPod Podcast

ESLPod stands for English as a Second Language Podcast that started in 2005. They teach the English language by letting the listener choose the topic from the given set. This will help you learn and practice speaking English online.

(7) Motivation

Happier

Happier Podcast

Happier is a podcast show hosted by Gretchen Rubin that motivates people to stay happy. She is an explorer of human nature and her aim is to spread happiness and develop good habits.

The Mindset Mentor

The Mindset Mentor Podcast

This is a podcast on motivation by Rob Dial. Rob Dial wants to motivate people through his podcasts to achieve their goals and cross their self-limits.

Magic Lessons

This is a podcast show on the Apple podcast that is hosted by Elizabeth Gilbert. She inspires the artists to overcome their fear and create without any worries. In her episodes, she invites guests who can motivate the listeners through their life lessons.

(8) Health and Fitness

The Paleo Solution

In this podcast show, Robb Wolf gives tips and solutions on improving your health, performance, and longevity. He is a biochemist and an expert on Paleolithic nutrition.

Get-Fit Guy

This is a podcast show of Brock Armstrong who discusses and gives tips on how to stay fit and healthy. He will give you tips to help you increase the enjoyment of movement and get your body physically function better than now.

The Mind Muscle Project

This podcast show conducts weekly interviews and discussions on the topics of self-improvement, fitness and things that influence the mind.

(9) Personal Finance

Radical Personal Finance

This is a podcast channel of a financial advisor Joshua Sheats who provides guidance to construct a financial plan. He provides tips, tricks, and strategies on what you can do with your money.

The Dave Ramsey Show

Since 1992, this podcast show has been giving financial advice to personnel. Dave Ramsey covers a variety of topics for financial planning including debt, retirement, saving, insurance, budgeting, taxes, etc.

Money For the Rest of Us

Money For the Rest of Us Podcast

The episodes of this podcast show are released weekly. It is a show that covers topics on investment of your money and staying care-free about your future.

(10) Digital Marketing

Amy Porterfield Podcast

Amy Porterfield Podcast

Amy Porterfield runs a podcast show called Online Marketing Made Easy. In this podcast show, she conducts interviews with the experts and provides mini-execution plans to help you with digital marketing.

Perpetual Traffic

This podcast show is hosted by Ralph Burns and Molly Pittman and is produced by the DigitalMarketer. The show provides various tips and discusses tools that will help you increase traffic on your website.

Social Pros Podcast

This podcast show covers the inside stories and behind the scenes on the marketing operations of companies like Dell, Ford, IBM, etc. They conduct interviews on their show with the social media strategists of these companies.

(11) Travel

Travel with Rick Steves

This podcast show covers the European places for traveling and self-guided tour by Rick. It lets you select a European travel package from the website.

Travel Today with Peter Greenberg

This show is a weekly travel news show hosted by Peter Greenberg. Every episode comes from a different location every week.

Three Trips Ahead

Three Trips Ahead Podcast

Maureen Holloway discusses how to get to the place where you want to go to. So this is a different set of episodes where the host of this podcast show helps you plan your trips.

(12) Software Developers

Hanselminutes

Hanselminutes podcast is a show by Scott Hanselman. This commute-time show promotes fresh voices and the latest technologies. Every week, a new developer or technology geek is interviewed by Scott Hanselman.

.NET Rocks!

.NET Rocks Podcast

This is a talk show hosted by Carl Franklin and Richard Campbell. This show is created for those who have an interest in Microsoft .NET programming.

Front End Happy Hour

This is a talk show about the topics related to front end development. Here, the software engineers from Netflix, LinkedIn, etc. have a discussion on those topics.

These are some of the best podcasts according to the categories of your interest that you can listen to. This could give you a little bit of an idea of how you would have to work on your podcast to make it catchy for the listeners.

Conclusion

Thus, we came to the end of this article now. We covered the topics on websites where you can host your podcast, types of equipment you need to occupy and strategies to gain subscribers.

Hope our article has proved to be helpful for you.

Let us know your thoughts and describe how you found this article in the comment section below.

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Do not forget to share this article on your wall and help your fellow enthusiasts who want to begin their podcast career.