Start a Podcast: Everything You Need to Know

Gary Vaynerchuk, a well-known entrepreneur and content creator, advocates that starting a podcast is essential for anyone wanting to build a brand, grow a business, or sell products and services. He emphasizes the growing popularity of podcasts and audio consumption, making it a powerful tool for content creation and diversification.

In this comprehensive guide, Seth Feingersh, Gary's audio engineer, shares his insights and expertise on how to launch a successful podcast.

What is a Podcast?

A podcast is a digital audio file that can be downloaded or streamed. It's essentially a piece of digital audio content available for consumption on various devices.

Steps to Starting a Podcast

While seemingly daunting, starting a podcast is achievable with just a few essential components: a smartphone or computer, an internet connection, and a compelling topic to discuss. The general workflow involves four key steps: ideation, recording, editing, and uploading.

1. Idea & Outline

Before diving into recording, take time to craft your podcast concept. Consider the format, whether it's a solo podcast, an interview-based show, or a panel discussion. Define the frequency of your episodes – weekly, monthly, or a different cadence – so your audience knows when to anticipate new content.

2. The Software

Anchor is an excellent starting point, particularly for smartphone users. It simplifies podcast creation with just a few clicks. Anchor goes beyond podcasting, offering tools to create talk shows, utilize short and long-form audio, incorporate music, and conduct interviews directly within the app. The platform also facilitates publishing on iTunes and other platforms.

3. The Gear

While your phone is a feasible recording option, higher quality audio significantly elevates the listening experience. A starter kit for podcast equipment can be a great investment for serious podcasters. This kit typically includes:

• Audio interface: A Focusrite interface allows recording with up to two microphones simultaneously directly to your computer.
• Microphones: Audio Technica mics provide clear audio quality for your recordings.

An alternative to the Focusrite interface is the Zoom H4n, which records to an SD card. This allows for direct microphone plugging and transferring the raw files to your computer after recording.

4. Recording & Editing

Audacity is a popular free audio recording and editing software, while GarageBand for Apple computers and Adobe Audition for Creative Cloud users offer alternatives. The recording and editing processes are largely similar across these platforms. Plugging your audio interface to your computer, connecting microphones, and setting up your recording software is crucial for capturing your audio. Audacity offers guides on addressing issues like plosives and other unwanted noises. Once the recording is complete, editing involves removing awkward silences and unwanted content before exporting the final file.

5. Distributing Your Podcast

Before publishing, having 3-5 episodes ready is recommended, especially for iTunes, to engage listeners and provide a buffer for content creation.

Podcast distribution involves two key aspects: hosting and podcatchers. Hosting services, such as Libsyn (used for Gary's podcast), Anchor, Shoutengine, Pippa.io, and Simplecast, host your files for download and generate RSS feeds. These feeds are read by podcatchers (like iTunes), enabling them to locate your files and podcast information.

Podcatchers like Overcast often automatically display your podcast after iTunes approval. However, some platforms, including iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher, TuneIn, and Spotify, require manual submission of your RSS feed.

How to Promote a Podcast

Effective podcast promotion involves leveraging every social channel and digital tool available to reach your target audience.

How to Promote a Podcast on Instagram

Promote your podcast on Instagram with a relevant audio clip. Use visuals like a hand holding a phone to signal mobile accessibility and include a title that highlights the podcast topic. Encourage engagement with a call to action, such as "Check out my latest podcast!" Share your in-feed video or photo on Instagram Stories with a swipe up link to the podcast episode.

How to Promote a Podcast on Facebook

On Facebook, consider showcasing a video demonstrating the range of content offered by your podcast, highlighting its diverse features. Include tags of prominent social figures or guests to pique interest and attract potential listeners.

How to Promote a Podcast on Twitter

Enhance your Twitter promotion by adding a visual or audio clip from a podcast episode. Closed captions can overcome the 280-character limit while offering a preview.

How to Promote a Podcast on Your Blog

Make your podcast easily accessible from your blog. Include a link to a playlist of your favorite or most popular episodes, enhancing discoverability for your website visitors.

Podcast Guide Takeaway

Podcasts remain a crucial avenue for building a business or brand. With minimal investment, you can utilize your smartphone and internet connection to get started. This guide equips you with a blueprint for launching your own podcast.