How To Make Your First Podcast In 2024

How To Make Your First Podcast

Planning

This is the first (and most frequently missed) step in creating a podcast. Before you continue on, you should take some time to explore this area. Please feel free to get out a notepad or a whiteboard and begin preparing your show like a pro.

Select A Topic

Your podcast should be focused on a certain subject or niche. Try to limit it down to something you can talk about for a long time (at least 100 episodes), but not so wide that it won't appeal to your target audience.

Instead of having an “outside” podcast, speak about hiking – or even something more particular, such as hiking 14ers. As your popularity grows, you may always broaden your subject.

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Select A Co-Host (Optional)

Do you wish to co-host with a friend, a business partner, or a coworker? If you have a co-host, it might be a lot simpler to get started with podcasting. If you both have opposing viewpoints on a subject, your discussion will automatically become more engaged. Having someone to keep things on track might also be beneficial.

You may also divide other responsibilities such as editing, promotion, and so on. However, there are certain drawbacks. You'll want to make sure you're both on board for the long haul. It's also a good idea to start with a timetable so you know when you'll be recording each week.

However, there are no rules in this game. If one of your co-hosts leaves, you may still go on with the podcast. You might also go alone at first and add a co-host later. The most essential thing is to begin started, therefore let's come up with a name:

Select A Name

You'll see a number of distinct names on the top Apple Podcasts lists. Some are descriptive of the show's content, while others are meaningless. In fact, I'm going to contradict what I just said: You should select a name that encompasses the whole issue.

Using the hiking example above, what happens if we call our podcast “The 14er Cast” and then want to speak about backpacking and ultralight camping as well? Instead, choose a name that will allow you to grow later if necessary.

“Mountain Adventures (Above & Below 14K ft)” could work since it hints at hiking 14ers while still allowing you to speak about anything you desire.

Format Of Display

Length

There are some “experts” who suggest that particular durations are ideal for podcasts. The trouble is that this is complete nonsense. Because the typical driving duration is 28 minutes, you don't need a 28-minute podcast.

Or less than an hour, since people can't focus for more than that. There are podcasts that are 5 minutes long and some that are 6 hours long.

Find something that works for you and go with it! I'd try to avoid making it longer than it has to be since you spent 15 minutes off subject.

Style

Although interview programs are popular, you are not obligated to participate in one. You may split your time between solo (or co-hosted) programs and interview shows. One of the biggest advantages of doing interviews is that they may help you get a lot of new listeners – particularly if you make it simple for your guest to participate by providing pre-written templates and images.

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Format Of The Episode

So, how does a certain episode sound? This page is about podcast intros, but it also includes a number of examples of common podcast episode forms. This is where you may let your imagination run wild.

It's also easy to post brief snippets on social media thanks to the different portions. However, keep in mind that for each episode you release, you will have both repeat and new listeners, so make an effort to communicate to them both.

Preparation

We'll need to get a few things ready before launch now that you've written down your subject, format(s), and acquired a domain name.

Make A Cover Art

As they navigate through Apple Podcasts or their preferred podcast app, most consumers will see your cover image as the first thing they see. It might also be the picture that appears when you post about your show on social media.

I'd recommend starting with Buzzsprout's fantastic post on cover art design. If you're on a tight budget, I strongly suggest using 99 Designs to build yours.

You'll receive a draft from hundreds of different designers, and you'll be able to pick and select which ones you want to have improved further.

Obtain A Professional Introduction (Optional)

The greatest location to find professional-quality voiceovers and intros is Music Radio Creative. Having a third party introduces you boosts your perceived worth, which is a terrific approach to stand out when you're just getting started with a podcast.

Music For The Intro

PremiumBeat is one of my favorite podcast music sources. It's simple to search, you receive a complete license, and there are a variety of styles to choose from. For additional possibilities, check out this article on royalty-free music. Most individuals just require a song or two, thus they don't need an infinite subscription-style music service.

Invest In A Microphone

Audio quality is vital, but getting a decent quality microphone for podcasting does not have to be expensive. The Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB is one of the most popular podcasting mics (brand new version for 2020).

It's a USB microphone with an XLR connector, so you may update your recording gear without buying a new microphone. For further possibilities, I suggest checking out our podcast beginning kit page, particularly if you intend on having a co-host or two.

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Guests On The Podcast

If you're planning an interview program, now is the time to start making a list of persons you'd want to have on your podcast. Then begin making contact with them.

It might be beneficial to utilize a service like an Acuity Scheduling, which allows individuals to book directly on your calendar at times that are convenient for you. This eliminates the hassle of back-and-forth scheduling meetings, allowing you to concentrate on attracting more people!

You may also ask for specific information, such as their Skype login or an introduction, when they plan a meeting with you. I use and suggest Iris record your interviews when you're not in the same room as your co-host (or if your co-host doesn't record in the same room as you).

Editing & Recording

Even basic tasks like GarageBand or Audacity might be scary if you've never used editing software before. It's understandable: the audio industry is rife with jargon! If that's the case, Alitu might be a good option.

It's a ‘podcast-making' tool that takes care of a lot of the technical details for you and literally produces your episode. It's all done straight in your browser, so there's no software to install, and it works on any computer with an internet connection. It's designed to be very easy to use and does a wide range of tasks, including:

Assists with audio cleaning
Allows you to add music – Assists you in piecing together your audio parts – Allows you to post your episodes directly.

All you have to do now is submit your recordings and utilize the podcast-specific editor to fix any major errors. Alitu takes care of the rest!

Even better, Alitu comes with a music and jingle collection that you can use as a theme song or to transition between portions.

You should absolutely give Alitu a try, whether you're a total newbie or an experienced podcaster hoping to substantially reduce your production time. It comes with a seven-day free trial, so join up and give it a go!

1. What Is The Purpose Of Making A Podcast?

First and foremost, why do you want to create a podcast? Are you a self-employed individual? Is it a company? Or maybe a marketing director? If that's the case, you may have discovered that podcasting is an excellent approach to building authority and community.

You may deliver useful and amusing information to your consumers and target audience here. You can establish trust and cultivate the fervent superfans that every business desires. Podcasting, on the other hand, isn't only a content marketing technique for companies.

You could be approaching it from the standpoint of a “creative outlet.” It's possible that you'll produce the program in your free time and on a topic that you're enthusiastic about. However, you'll still have a reason, and it might be just as serious as a business seeking new clients.

So, what's the takeaway from all of this? You won't be in the greatest position to develop content that matches your aims and objectives until you answer the question “why?” You're laying the foundations for your metaphorical home, so it's well worth the additional thinking (and effort) to do it properly!

2. For Whom Is Your Podcast Intended?

You have no hope of creating an audience until you know precisely who you're doing your program for and why you're doing it. If you're approaching it from a commercial standpoint, and you're a personal trainer who wants to start a health and fitness podcast, your target audience may include those who are interested in healthy eating, weight reduction, exercise, or bodybuilding.

If you're doing a hobby show focused on your love of zombies and post-apocalyptic novels, your target audience will simply be people who share your interests. They may like programs like The Walking Dead, video games like Resident Evil, literature like World War Z, and movies like Night of the Living Dead.

Creating listener identities or avatars is something that a lot of clever people speak about. Sketching out precisely who you'd want to listen to your material is a great idea.

Every time you design an episode, keep that character in mind: “Would John, our listener persona, appreciate this?” Is this centred on what he enjoys and is interested in?” That character and those questions will help you keep your show on track and focused, which will result in more interesting material.

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Is It Necessary To Have An Audience To Start A Podcast?

This is a common topic, and it's a good one to address before we go on. When some people start a podcast, they already have a small following. It might be a singer, retired athlete, or novelist, or it could be a company or brand.

It's a terrific chance to create the foundations of the show's fandom if you already have an audience based around anything other than your podcast. Of course, this requires that your podcast is relevant to that demographic. You may choose to poll your audience throughout the planning phases.

You may ask them questions like “what's your main pain point?” and “what are you currently battling with?” This may help you design your material in the future. You may even want to learn a little more about them. This might include information like demographics and geography, as well as what other podcasts (if any) they listen to.

What If I Don't Have Someone To Listen To Me?

To the great majority of individuals who begin a podcast, welcome! Please don't let this be one of the things that deter you from starting your own program.

Most podcasters start by talking “into the void,” but if you follow the steps in this tutorial and save the articles we recommend, you'll be able to build your own audience from the ground up! There is also some good news for you.

The findings from our 2020 Podcast Discovery poll revealed that new listeners don't mind if they've never heard of you. In reality, it'll be the least significant consideration when deciding whether or not to press the play button.

More numbers and information may be found by clicking on the survey link.

3. Give Them A Reason To Pay Attention To You

So, after you've determined who you want to contact, how do you get in touch with them? You must offer folks a cause to pay attention to you.

This entails developing material that they will benefit from after they press play. You're delivering value to your listener whether you're sharing knowledge that will help them lose weight (like our personal trainer did) or performing a very fun interview with one of your favourite writers (as our zombie podcaster did).

You've not only given them a cause to pay attention but you've also given them a reason to return for more. It's crucial to consider this throughout the planning phases. Can you come up with a list of 10-15 possible episodes that you believe your target audience will enjoy?

4. Choosing A Name For Your Podcast

No “how to start a podcast” tutorial would be complete without addressing the most typical of questions: what should I name it? When it comes to naming your program, there are three primary groupings.

Option 1: The Ingenious Name

You may come up with a catchy name for your program. However, keep in mind that people will need to be able to locate it when they're looking for information on your subject. If your program has a smart or memorable name, attempt to include a description in the title as well. It's pointless to provide excellent content if no one can discover it. One of our programs, for example, is named Path of Most Resistance. Even if we're not so creative, it definitely comes under the “clever name” category… As a result, we employ the tagline: The Uncommon Leader's Guide to provide some context.

Option 2: Give It A Descriptive Name

The easy (though somewhat dull) option is to just name your podcast what your target audience is looking for. There's no mistaking what our personal trainer's podcast is about if she calls it The Fitness Podcast. It's a nice concept, albeit it could make it a little less memorable. If you choose this path, don't make it overly lengthy and wordy. Remember that you'll be saying the podcast name a lot when recording your episodes, so make sure it's easy to remember.

Option 3: Using Your Own Name

Unless you already have an audience, this is a big no-no. People would say “who is Mike Smith?” and go on to the next podcast if The Mike Smith Show opened with a rock climbing episode. You may include this in the title of your program, along with something descriptive (‘Rock Climbing, with Mike Smith'). However, avoid calling the program after yourself without providing any other information.

What Is The Ideal Length For A Podcast Episode?

How long do you think it should take to get the point across? Most podcast listeners would consider anything under 15 minutes to be a “short” episode.

A “long” episode, on the other hand, would most likely be anything more than one hour. Many people may suggest that the average commute time (about 20 minutes) is a decent duration to aim for. However, the “sweet spot” for episode duration seems to be anything between 20 and 45 minutes.

Don't get too caught up in the numbers; your episode durations should ultimately be determined by two factors: your content and your audience. Why cut it down to 20 minutes if you have 50 minutes of good, relevant content?

Similarly, if you've stated what you need to say in ten minutes, why extend it to thirty? Let's assume you have an interview and it's a terrific dialogue from beginning to end, but it lasts two hours. You could always cut it in half and make two episodes out of it.

I trust you enjoyed this article on How To Make Your First Podcast. Would you please stay tuned for more articles to come? Take care!

JeannetteZ

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