Podcasts are the modern evolution of radio shows. These are all-audio content with discrete episodes that usually come out weekly. Hosts talk about a certain topic and may invite guests to help them expound on the subject. The difference is that they do not broadcast using a radio antenna. Although some of these may be streamed live, most are recorded, edited, and made available for download at a recurring schedule. People may listen to them while driving, cooking, exercising, or going to bed. If the podcast builds an audience, then it can earn through advertising, affiliate links, endorsements, paid guestings, and so on. Here’s how to start podcasting:
Find Your Niche
The field is beginning to get crowded. If you are making your own show, then make sure that you are offering something that is worth listening to. Think about your areas of expertise based on your education, background, experiences, and interests. If you feel that there are subjects that are not getting the attention they deserve, then be the pioneer. If you are listening to podcasts in a certain category, then you could notice gaps in content that you could fill. List down the topics you wish to discuss in your preliminary episode, as well as they people who you might invite for the discussion.
Get Your Gear
Production quality is becoming more important. The standards are getting higher every year as top shows step up their game and raise audience expectations. It is no longer acceptable to use any old microphone and churn out podcasts with abysmal quality. You need to invest in reliable equipment for your studio including a microphone, accessories, a mixer, a digital recorder, and so on. You might also want to retrofit your room for enhanced acoustics and insulation to make the audio sound as clean as possible. Check the reviews to see which items fit your needs and your budget.
Learn Sound Editing
Check out various audio editing software. Some of these are free and simple to use — perfect for beginners in podcasting. Learn how to clean up audio and how to splice various clips. Study how to combine multiple layers for a seamless mix. Figure out which transitions work best and what sound effects you can use to enhance your story telling. There are lots of online resources including free video tutorials if you want to develop crucial skills. This will help you craft shows that are true to your vision. You could also pay someone to edit the podcast for you if you want professional results right away.
Get a Podcast Web Host
The show will have to be uploaded somewhere on the web so that it can be found and downloaded by your target audience. Look for a web host that specializes in podcasts for streamlined operations. The host should be fast with ample storage allowance and a reasonable monthly rate. Downtime should be minimal to ensure that people can get the episodes they want with ease at any time.
