Podcasting is slowly gaining popularity because it helps creators reach a large audience without spending much money. A quality podcast channel also helps increase brand awareness to support your business.
So, it’s understandable that more and more people want to become podcasters. You may ask: “How to set up a podcast channel?” Please follow these steps:
- Prepare podcasting equipment.
- Recording the audio file.
- Edit the podcast file.
- Set up media hosting and RSS feed.
- Promote your podcast.
To understand each step in detail, let’s continue reading the article below!
How To Setup A Podcast Channel?
The section below will help you understand the step-by-step process for setting up a podcast channel. To make a podcast channel, you need to follow five steps.
Choose Podcasting Equipment
Since most audiences use headphones to listen to podcast content, sound quality plays an important role. You need to invest in the equipment to get the best results.
The microphone is the primary concern. You will need to choose between a USB connection or an enhanced XLR connector.
Your surroundings are also a notable factor. You need to take note of this factor.
A condenser microphone will be suitable for enclosed spaces where noise is controlled. On the contrary, dynamic types will work better in outdoor areas.
Some of the most popular podcasting microphone options on the market are:
- Blue Microphones Yeti
- Rode Procaster
- Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB
- Shure SM7B
- Neumann U 87 Rhodium Edition
You will also need to equip applications that allow you to record the sound of an audio file and save it as an MP3. Please refer to the following three software:
- Audacity: This software is easy to use and has many benefits. Its one strong advantage is that it is entirely free.
- GarageBand: This free software has enough capacity to meet your audio editing needs. However, it is only available on Mac.
- Adobe Audition: This paid software gives you powerful editing capabilities with full effects. It may be too much for basic recording needs, but it is suitable for more professional models.
Record The Audio File
You need to prepare the following information before recording an audio file.
Title And Host Name
The title is essential information for your audience to identify you. Use the brand name as a marketing base for the channel,
However, you will want to add keywords to increase your ranking on search engines. Try to insert keywords as naturally as possible, and don’t be too greedy.
The host’s name is also part of the trademark. It helps the audience know who you are.
Subtitle
The directories on the hosting platform will ask you to provide a few lines of subtitles.
You don’t need to write too long; just one or two sentences is enough. Its main content should revolve around your podcasts.
Description
iTunes usually gives users 4000 characters to describe their shows. You can use them to pique curiosity and engage your audience.
One helpful piece of advice is to incorporate relevant and natural keywords. It will help your program appear more in the search bar.
Artwork
Even though podcasts are auditory-focused, it still takes a piece of art to make the show stand out. Impressive graphics will easily attract the audience.
The required specifications include:
- Image size 1400 x 1400 pixels (largest) and 300×300 pixels (smallest).
- The file format is .jpg or .png.
- Images are readable and clear.
Record Your Podcast
Once you’ve got all the information ready for your podcast, it’s time to start recording the show’s content.
Using a computer to record, mute the speakers and plug in a headset and microphone. You can play it back with Windows Media Player after you’ve finished recording to moderate the content.
For those who use iPad, GarageBand will be a beneficial application. Just launch the app and use your Apple EarPods with Mic.
Edit Your Episode
After completing the recording process, you will need to edit and recalibrate the file. This process makes the sound more refined and enhances the listener’s experience.
The tasks to do include:
- Design attractive graphics or illustrations to attract listeners.
- Transcribe your video.
- Split the video into sections if its content is too long.
Set Up Media Hosting And Feed
The next step is to set up your feed and store your media files. This process will help you complete the setup and launch of a podcast channel.
Choose reliable hosting providers. They will help promote and share your program in many different distribution channels.
Some popular websites that many people trust include:
These sites will host and generate RSS feeds for your show.
Sharing your podcast (link)
Buzzsprout offers social sharing to get your show out into the world. In addition, other platforms also have similar features.
There are many directories to help you list your program. Before posting, it will ask for information like name, category, description, and artwork.
- Google Play
- Apple Podcast
- YouTube
- Spotify
- Stitcher
- SoundCloud
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Podcasting
Every coin has two sides, and podcasting is no exception. This method of communication can have both advantages and disadvantages for creators.
Advantages Of Podcasting
We’ll start with the benefits podcasting brings to the people who use them.
Podcasts are gradually becoming a new wave with the current popularity and significant influence. It attracts a considerable number of listeners and builds strong loyalty.
The best thing about podcasting is that it’s so easy to set up with low hurdles. All you need is a suitable microphone or recorder.
Everyone can share their podcasts. It is similar to blogging.
The content of podcasts is easily accessible to the audience, thanks to honest shares. You can build a strong relationship with your fanbase in the long run.
Accessing podcasting knowledge is also extremely easy when listening anywhere, anytime. It does not require visual imagery that distracts the listener.
Disadvantages Of Podcasting
Besides the advantages, podcasting also contains some cons that creators should pay attention to.
The first problem with this media channel is the limited image. Although it saves effort and time, this lack confuses complex or abstract topics.
Capacity is also a concern. Audio or video files often take up a lot of storage space. As a result, you will have to pay for the hosting platforms every month.
Finally, podcasting is often restricted to search engines. Usually, videos with full images will attract more.
The Ideal Everything For Podcasts
Podcasting also has formulas and standards that apply to its episodes. However, not everyone knows about these things.
Let’s explore the ideal numbers for a proper podcast channel. It will make your planning much more manageable.
Ideal Length
According to the online podcast radio site Stitcher, listeners tend to stay connected for 22 minutes on average. Scientific studies on attention span also support this idea.
Each episode of TED is usually only about 18 minutes long. The reason is that the listener will lose focus if this timeline is exceeded.
However, the length of podcasts depends on the content you present. If you have helpful and valuable content, do not hesitate to increase the duration from 20-45 minutes.
In the extreme case when you go into an interview and have a lot of exciting stories, split it into two episodes. It makes the audience look forward to more.
From time to time, you should survey the opinion of the audience to choose the best length for your channel. Not every opinion will be the same, but it will suggest to you the “average timing.”
Best Day To Post
If you note the publishing schedules of the top podcast channels in history at iTunes, they have a few things in common. It is hard to spot but is slowly becoming a trend over time.
Sixty percent of channels with a regular posting schedule usually publish on the first days of the week, before Wednesday. Tuesday is the golden time to post.
The main reason for this is that new music usually hits the store on Tuesdays. Therefore, the amount of traffic will be increased.
Best Frequency
Forty percent of the top podcasting channels have a weekly publishing schedule. It demonstrates how having a consistent posting schedule can benefit your career.
The subsequent most popular publication frequency is every two weeks. There are very few podcasters among the top channels who don’t have a fixed schedule for their posting.
One episode a month is fine if you’re confident you can produce impactful content. However, work hard to attract more audiences.
Mistakes You Should Avoid
If your podcast channel isn’t getting the attention it deserves, you might be making some of these mistakes.
Lack Of Long-Term Planning
To be able to set up a podcast channel most wholly and thoroughly, you will need a lot of effort and time. Sometimes planning has to be done a month in advance to ensure progress.
A plan with clear goals creates a solid foundation for your first steps. Of course, you won’t be able to get hundreds of thousands of downloads overnight.
Be prepared to work hard for six months to a year without getting any returns in return. This fact is exceptionally harsh.
The key to success is a rational mind, clear goals, and fierce determination.
Lack Of Consistency
Like blogging, you should practice publishing podcasts on a consistent schedule.
The most loyal listeners certainly can’t wait to hear the new content you intend to share. If the publication date is unclear, they may leave.
Therefore, always plan and prepare to publish on schedule. If you have to go away or get sick, prepare backup episodes in advance.
Lack Of Promotion
Your channel will certainly not get the audience’s attention without proper advertising plans. There is a lot of competition in the market, and your job is to stand out.
Actively promote your program on social media or forums. Acquiring an audience early on will significantly aid your content review process.
FAQs
If you have any questions regarding setting up and preparing a podcast channel, read on to get the answers.
How Much Does It Cost To Set up A Podcast?
Setting up a podcast channel can save money, but it can also cost fortune-extremely flexible costs depending on your needs.
Those just starting can choose a bare minimum to set up a channel. All you need to spend is about $15 per month for hosting and $50 for a quality microphone.
If you want to become a professional podcaster, the investment will be higher.
Storage costs can go up to $30-50 per month, and equipment costs between $500-1000.
Can I Start A Podcast For Free?
The good news is that you can start a podcast for free. The advantage of this media channel is that it does not require creators to invest too much in creating.
All you need is a smartphone, internet connection, laptop, and patience. You’ll need to record, edit, and post on your own.
Although this job is laborious, it does not require you to spend any money. To learn more about the details of the steps in the process, check out the video.
Do Podcasts Make Money?
The answer is definitely yes. Popular podcasters make a massive profit after each episode is broadcast.
Sharing interesting knowledge gives them a large audience. As a result, these podcasters can earn a lot of money via advertising and affiliate marketing.
According to AdvertiseCast, the CPM (cost per mille) is $18 for 30 seconds. If CPM is 60 seconds, you can get $25.
Which Platform Is Best For Podcasts?
Podcasting hosting platforms come with two apparent uses that any podcaster should master.
First, these platforms will help you upload and host your podcasts. Second, it generates RSS feeds for you to distribute across channels and allows your audience to subscribe to your channel.
The hosting service requires users to pay a monthly subscription. In addition, you also get additional services such as performance analysis.
Some of the best platforms we would recommend to you include:
- Captivate
- Podcast Websites
- Simplecast
- Buzzsprout
- Podbean
- Spreaker
- Castos
- Podcast Websites
- Simplecast
- fm
- Libsyn
- Blubrry
- Acast
Conclusion
This article has provided you with an overview of how to start a podcast channel. The process can be difficult at first, but the results are worth it.
The key to success is the right plan and an investment in equipment and content. Hopefully, you can answer the question: “how to organize podcasts?”
Thank you for taking the time to read the post!