When it comes to starting a podcast, the process may seem complicated, but boiling it down to a few key points can help you make sense of the operation. To start a podcast, you need to;

From a basic perspective, podcasting works in two ways.

There’s no doubt the number of podcasts in existence has rapidly increased over the past decade. Whatever you are into, chances are there is a podcast out there that covers it in-depth. So, why would someone new to the scene want to step into podcasting? Put simply, creating a podcast allows you to reach a brand new audience. These are people who might otherwise never find or consume your long-form content because they prefer the audio format.

As far as podcasting as a platform goes, it must be noted that worth is measured in your podcast’s ability to help you achieve your goal. If your overall goal is to become famous, it might not be the platform for you, however, if you are a business owner who wants to drive traffic back to your website, this form of content production could prove invaluable. Each podcast directory allows you to link back to your website, and since it’s your podcast, you can direct listeners to your website at the end of each show.

Learning how to start a podcast is perhaps the most challenging aspect of getting your foot in the door. The basic process of podcasting might seem straight-forward, but it always pays to plan ahead.

This is a surprisingly important part of starting a podcast. Your cover art must tell listeners what they are about to hear and a little about you, all whilst capturing their attention. It’s not an easy thing to do, so it pays to consult a professional. Look at the top-performing podcasts in your theme. What do you like about your competitor’s cover art? What could be improved?

Another simple but highly important element of starting a podcast is the name. Ideally, you want readers to know exactly what they are getting without ever having to listen to the podcast. Having a very descriptive name can be helpful, but try to ensure you don’t drill down to specifics. Additionally, adding a ‘hook’ or short description along with the podcast name can help people to make sense of your theme and format.

Further to the last point, the description is where a lot of your traffic will stem from. Not just because it makes you sound cool, but also because it is critical to your search engine optimisation (SEO). Be sure to include as many relevant keywords as possible. This is going to help with your SEO ranking. As podcast platforms are essentially dedicated podcast search engines, having a well-optimised description can make it far easier for potential listeners to find you.

Nowadays, audio and recording equipment is getting better and better. Where once you needed a full studio set-up to record a podcast, you can get away with a good set of headphones, some free software and an iPhone microphone.

It is possible to record a full podcast episode with just your phone, but in terms of audio quality, it will probably be lacking. Here are some great microphone options for people who want to take their podcast to the next level.

This high-quality studio-grade condenser microphone comes with a pop-filter to hide those harsh plosives. It also features USB connectivity and direct mix control between mic input and sound output.

This podcast set includes a condenser microphone, adjustable stand, mounting clamp, pop filter and shock mount.

While originally a gaming microphone, this condenser is actually a great addition to any podcaster’s arsenal. Simple to set up and with great sound, the Seiren X is a worthy purchase.

While editing software can be expensive, there are other options on the market. Here are the recommended audio recording programs to use;

If you plan on conducting interviews for your podcast, you might want to look at call recording software. Google Meets, Skype and Zoom will do well, but there are other specialised options on the market too. These include:

There is a big difference between studio headphones and a cheap pair of buds. If you want to start a podcast, we suggest taking a look at these studio headphones.

The MDR-7506 professional headphones come complete with protective carry pouch and gold-plated UnimatchTM 3.5mm/6.3mm adaptor.

These studio headphones are affordable and high-quality, offering a great entry point for those looking to start a podcast for the first time.

These professional quality studio headphones will allow you to pick up the slightest issues with your podcast, ensuring the show runs smoothly.

Once you’ve got all your gear together, it’s time to start recording your podcast. Here’s how to plan it out;

Like a good TV show, you need a recognisable introduction and outro. This will allow your listeners to immediately tune in and look out for what your presenting. You can create these using royalty-free audio and editing them in your chosen software. It always pays to state your name, the name of the podcast and why people should tune in.

Editing is perhaps the most daunting task of starting a podcast, but it’s not that difficult. Unlike mixing a song or soundscape, editing a podcast is generally placing audio functions on top of each other. There is rarely a time when multiple layers will be in use at the same time, so the main things to look out for are unnecessary sounds and silences, spikes in high volume and cracks in audio.

Once you’ve created, recorded and edited your podcast, you can start uploading it to your host or directory. From here, it’s all about growing your audience. “There is no one, right way to grow a podcast audience, and what works for one show may not work for another,” Rollo says. “You may want to look at cross-promotions with like-minded shows, interview high profile guests and tap into their network, run social media ad campaigns or use more traditional marketing techniques. That said, podcasting still relies heavily on word of mouth, so it’s important you encourage your audience to rate, subscribe and share the show with their friends.”

This is where things get interesting. We all plan on turning our podcasts into mass money-producing machines like Joe Rogan, but it’s important to remember this might not happen for quite some time, if at all. For the most part, monetising your podcast involved sponsorships and promotion, something Rollo knows a lot about.