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thepodcasthoard · 4 months

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How To Start a Podcast (Complete Step-by-Step Process)- Upwork

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The fifteenth article Sydney gave me is one by upwork.

The first step, as it has been with many of these articles, is to find your niche.

The article puts it really nicely- the listener gives you their attention, and you should make it worth their while so they keep tuning back in. Passion should drive the podcast, so make sure to choose a topic you enjoy. Expertise, unique perspective, adding value to the topic, possibility for guests if you choose to have any, monetization, and audience goal all come into play, but passion first and foremost.

Research on other podcasts is key here- you'll learn what people are talking about, how they're doing it, what they bring to the table, etc. This will help you decide how to can put your own spin on it. Make sure to ask yourself questions like: how big is the community? What do you personally like/dislike about the other podcasts? How do the hosts promote it? And, most importantly, how can you do better? Now, this may be worded like 'competitive' research, but to me it's all about expanding the community. So don't think about it being you versus them. You're entering a community with shared interests, and you should treat it almost like you're joining a club for that interest- don't bash the people that already are there.

2. Research your audience

This can be as specific as this article recommends, but it doesn't necessarily have to be. In my opinion, going into the community with an open mind and open arms will go a long way.

The article does suggest looking into demographics and something called 'psychographics,' which is focused on individual traits. This helps you know your audience so that you can better provide whatever you're providing. The article recommends looking at surveys and taking a close look at what the demographics break down into, interviewing people you think may be interested to get input, and diving into social media and the channels that pertain to your topic.

3. Start thinking about monetization early

As I've said before, it's not a bad thing to think about monetization, but just don't let it consume you until that's all that's driving the podcast.

Setting long-term goals and mile markers you can measure the progress with is a good idea for any endeavor, and podcasting is no different.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are crucial in this step. The article recommends they be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. If you make a KPI that follows those criteria, tracking the growth of your podcast is easy. The article lists a few possible KPIs for your podcast- number of listens/subscribers, time spent listening to each episode, how the audience spreads the word, and how much it takes to produce the podcast.

As far as actually monetizing, ads, subscription tiers, sponsorships, and merchandise are all ways to make money from your podcast.

4. Name your podcast

Make sure it's easy to understand, spell and pronounce

Optimize it for search

Make sure it's memorable

Relate it back to an existing brand if there is one

Make sure it'll last a while- no trend chasing

It's unique to your show

5. Prioritize brand assets

This is a fancy term for art, a website, and anything else that you want to be cohesive.

6. Format and Tone

Choose a format (solo, cohosted, interview, etc.) to start with. If you want, script your podcast. The pros of that are:

You have a clear plan for each episode

It keeps you from going on tangents

It can help with cleaner takes because there will be fewer mistakes.

The cons are:

They can sometimes sound unnatural if you're not used to reading scripts.

Script writing is a skill in and of itself, something you may not have yet.

Keep in mind not just the information you're presenting, but how you're doing it. The tone of your voice, how you react with the other people recording with you, and the words you choose all have an effect on how you come across to your audience.

7. Music

Music can really help set the mood you want for your podcast. Using music is a way to better separate any segments in your episode and emphasize your points if you do it right.

8. Episode length

It's normal for episodes to vary slightly in length, but keeping it fairly consistent helps let your listener know what to expect time commitment wise. A bunch of factors go into deciding what the length should be- the format, focus, how far you explored the topic, and what you personally can keep up with are all important.

9. Publishing schedule

A consistent schedule helps you build momentum and trust with listeners. The same factors from the length portion come into play.

10. Recording equipment

Essentials:

A microphone

A computer with the right software

a quiet place to record

This is my addition, but headphones should go in this category

11. Edit yourself or hire one

The article lists a few options for software, and also suggests hiring an editor if you're not confident doing it yourself.

12. Test

But whatever you do, don't say "Test, one two three." I'm kidding. Kind of. Use a short script, like your intro, when you test the equipment and software. That wasn't covered in the episode, I just thought I'd throw it in.

The article suggests finding a small test group if you can, then quizzing them about everything you have, from the name and artwork, to the style, to the topics, to the audio quality.

13. Podcasting host/submit to directories

Again, you need an RSS feed to submit to directories and get ears on your podcast. So find the host first, then submit through them.

14. Transcribe

Transcriptions make the podcast more accessible to more people, as well as make the episodes more search engine optimized.

15. Promote your podcast

Launch with multiple episodes so listeners can get an accurate feeling of the podcast.

Make and share audio clips on social media.

Take snappy lines from the episode and turn them into videos or images.

Partner with other podcasters in your niche.

Leverage your existing social media by creating a kind of 'kit' for any guests to use to promote the episode. Include all links, graphics, clips, etc. you'd want out there.

Share episodes in relevant groups online, like reddit and facebook. Here's my own advice: don't go in guns a-blazin'. Take time to get to know the community and naturally weave in that you run a podcast. Don't burst in yelling you have a podcast and how everyone should listen to it. Not cool.

Lean on friends and family to spread the word. They love you, they'll do it.

Put players on your website.

16. Review analytics

There are a few ways to measure success in podcasting.

Number of listeners/subscribers. Are they trending up or down? Are there times/episodes where they spike or plummet?

Episode performance. Do people listen all the way through? If they don't, when do they stop?

Behavior. When do listeners play your podcast? How do they tune in? Which episodes are they sharing?

17. Test, learn, grow, repeat

Keep tweaking your podcast as it grows, taking into account the data you're getting. Make time to survey your audience, maybe once a year, to see what they think.

#beginner podcaster #podcast help

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