Last week, I discussed why you might want to start a podcast. And as promised, this week, I will discuss some of the steps to get you started.
Choose Your Topic and Name
The first step to starting a podcast is to decide what it is that you want to talk about. Your topic should be something that you are passionate about and that you have expertise in. Don’t do a cruise cast if you have never been on one! You also want to choose a good name, and make it short, obvious, and memorable. Don’t try to lock your agency name into it; you are not outwardly selling travel with this; you are discussing travel.
Decide on Your Format and Length
Once you have your topic and name, you’ll need to decide on the format and length of your podcast. Will you have a solo show, or will you invite guests on your show? Will your podcast be scripted or unscripted? The length of your podcast will also depend on your content and format. Personally, my sweet spot is under an hour. Dan Carlin and his crazy four-hour podcasts are a non-starter for me. I was once told that the right length is as long as needed to get out your message. I think that is solid!
Get Your Equipment and Software
To start a podcast, you’ll need some basic equipment and software. You’ll need a decent microphone or microphones, headphones, and a computer to record and edit your podcast. You’ll also need a podcast hosting platform where you can upload your episodes. I use Libsyn; but others include Podbean or Buzzsprout. The hosting cost is minimal, from free to maybe $20 monthly. If you are doing a solo show, a USB microphone may work well for you. But if you are planning to have guests (maybe a BDM), there is more investment and equipment needed.
Plan Your Episodes
Before you start recording your podcast, please plan them out. This will help you stay organized and focused. There is nothing worse than listening to a rambling podcast. Create a content calendar and decide on the topics and guests for each episode. You can also write an outline or script to help guide you during the recording process. As you plan, be conservative with your schedule. A weekly podcast sounds fun, but it is a good amount of work. It’s better to start with a monthly schedule and work your way up to weekly.
Record and Edit Your Episodes
Once you have your equipment, software, and plan in place, it’s time to start recording your podcast. You can record your podcast on your computer using software like Audacity (free) or GarageBand (included with all Mac computers). After recording, you’ll use the same software to edit your episodes to remove any mistakes and background noise and to insert any pre-recorded items.
Publish Your Podcast
After editing your episodes, it’s time to publish your podcast. You upload your episode to your podcast hosting platform, and most of them will take care of sending it off to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, etc. Make sure to create eye-catching artwork and write some show notes to attract listeners and improve your SEO.
Promote Your Podcast
Promotion is crucial to the success of your podcast. Share your podcast on social media, advertising on social media, include it in your newsletter, your email signature, etc. Everywhere you have your website, you should have a link to your podcast.
Starting a podcast can be a fun and rewarding experience. But it takes work and time. And if you are willing to put the effort and time into it, it can reap the rewards!
