https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonlev...n-podcast-according-to-the-pros/#39629f75792e
We are in the midst of a podcast revolution. From journalistic storytelling
99% Invisible and
Serial to interview-style shows like
The Jordan Harbinger Show, podcasting is more popular than ever. With all the success of this medium, it’s no surprise that many have been inspired to launch their own show. Podcasting can create opportunities to demonstrate industry expertise, build an audience, and connect with thought leaders.
Unfortunately, the path from idea to podcast release is quite complex. It took me almost two years to figure out the ins-and-outs, and I still had to hire a team of professionals to launch
The Influencers Podcast. In the hopes of sparing others from the struggles I went through, I sat down with several industry experts and podcasters to develop a definitive guide.
If you have time to learn and implement podcast production, the do-it-yourself option might work for you, but it's not for everyone. If you go with the DIY approach, here's what you'll need.
1. Define your niche and research guests.
Select a subject that you will love to work on for years, and a format that works for you. It could be a weekly monologue on veganism or an interview show on cars, but define your niche clearly before you do anything else.
Creating your own podcast could be key to building your business and career.UNSPLASH
If you're doing an interview-style podcast, create a long list of potential guests and templates to approach, confirm and notify them when their episode is released. Although, most people schedule their own guests, there are services you can use like
Interview Connections and
Authority Life, a matchmaking service between podcast hosts and guests. To manage the logistics of scheduling, I recommend using an app like
Calendly or
ScheduleOnce. They integrate into your calendar, collect contact details from guests, and send auto-reminders.
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2. Gather the right equipment and recording software.
Audio quality is critical. Invest in a decent mic and record in an echo free room. An inexpensive mic that I use is the Audio-Technica ATR2100.
For recording, there are Skype plugins like
Talk Helper (PC) and
Call Recorder (Mac). However, if the Internet connection is poor, the recording could malfunction and audio quality suffers. I prefer
Zencastr, because it records files locally to each person’s computer for maximum audio quality, and automatically uploads them to Dropbox.
3. Use editing tools.
Podcasts start and end with pre-recorded messages, called intros and outros. Intros are a way to introduce yourself, your guest and what you'll be discussing. Outros should have some call-t0-action for the listener. Music usually accompanies both, and you can find royalty-free jingles on
AudioJungle. Using a free software like
Audacity, basic edits and music can be added. Editing can be time-intensive. Depending on your bandwidth, hiring an editor from
UpWork might be worth exploring.
4. Sign up for hosting and streaming.
Podcasts need to be hosted somewhere, so that people can download them. Cost can vary depending on the number of downloads. The popular platforms are:
For people to stream your show, register it on
iTunes,
Stitcher,
Google Play and
TuneIn.
5. Add show, audio, and transcripts to a website or blog.
Set up a dedicated website for your podcast. There are many fast solutions like
Wix or
Squarespace, but a website allows people to interact, ask questions and easily share your show. Adding transcripts and show highlights to a website also has a strong SEO value.
If doing it yourself, doesn't sound appealing, there are other, affordable options. After struggling to do it myself, I discovered there are companies that specialize in handling everything for you from start to finish. You may find that it is less expensive and easier to hire a company than to produce it yourself. Some cost as low as $100 an episode and they take care of everything from guest placement to marketing. Here are some options:
- Market Domination - Uses podcasting as a tool for those writing a book.
- PredictiveROI.com - Produces podcasts, and builds sales funnels for their clients.
- Brandcastingyou.com - Specializes in end-to-end podcast production and marketing. (In full disclosure, I went with Brandcastingyou.com for my own podcast.)
There are several options for podcasting agencies, and ultimately, deciding which to work with should be based on your own needs and vision. If you want to build a community, share knowledge, meet industry leaders, or explore a hobby, podcasting could set you on the right path. However you choose to create your content, hopefully this guide will help support you.
