By There are many options for content marketing. Content marketers like you have many options. You can create blog posts, social media updates and visuals. Slide decks, videos, and other visuals are all available. This mix can also include podcasting.
Some of the most innovative blogs and websites are using audio in creative ways that fit within their content plans. Tim Ferris, author of The Four Hour Work Week, started a popular podcast from his blog. Copyblogger hosts their Lede podcast among their amazing marketing posts.
Podcasts will not be going away. Are you thinking about starting your own podcast? Here’s how I found out how to get started in this new content direction. Continue reading to find out the ABCs and basics of podcasting for beginners.
How do you overcome your fears about starting a podcast
Although I’ve always been a podcast snob, I never really understood why. After that, I was presented with a pitch by Copyblogger about a podcast seminar. Demian Farnworth outlined all of my fears.
“My voice sounds strange.”
“The technical skills required to record, upload and store audio files are beyond my reach.”“The price of quality equipment is more than my small budget.”
“I’m going to have to pee when I think about speaking in public.”
Click to Share
This is me in a nutshell. I’m not used to hearing my voice. I don’t know what it takes to get audio recorded and edited. I shudder at the thought of spending money on a microphone. I feel awkward speaking extemporaneously, without the safety net that comes with rough draft after draft.
What can you do, and maybe you, to make it better?
Why you should jump into podcasting
What podcasts have you listened to the most recently?
It’s possible that someone you know has been listening to podcasts for a while. Podcasts are listened to by nearly 51% of Americans.
Podcasts have huge potential to grow because of the widespread use of mobile devices and changing content consumption habits.
There are also strategic reasons. NextMarket Insights chief analyst Michael Wolf (and a well-known podcaster) sees podcasting as a less popular content channel than blogs. Podcasting is more engaging than blogging because listeners are more likely to keep listening for longer periods of time. Podcasts can be used as multitasking tools. You can listen to them while you cook, or while driving. Blog posts and any other visual content are not eligible for the same.
If done correctly, you can reap many benefits from starting your own podcast: new audiences, less competition and greater intimacy. It’s easier than you might think to start a podcast. This is all you need to start a podcast.
Get started with gear
Quality podcasts require quality equipment. You can get by with just a basic setup. Although you can record a podcast using only your smartphone, it will sound just like a phone call on a mobile device.
The MVP concept is a term that you may have heard. The MVP stands for Minimum Viable Products. It is a startup term that allows you to release a stripped down version of your product, see if people like it, then build it up. This is a lean approach that we love at Buffer and it’s also a good way to get started with podcasts.
Make enough money to start a podcast. If people enjoy it, you can then move on.
Step 1: Purchase a microphone.
A microphone is the key to audio quality. A better microphone will make your podcast sound sharper. Audio quality is paramount when podcasts are made by heavyweights such as ESPN, NPR, WNYC.
A good microphone won’t cost too much.
The price for a USB microphone, such as the Snowball by Blue Microphones, starts at $60. The majority of podcast equipment buying advice about podcast microphones will tell you to buy a front-firing dynamic microphone with good rejection. This means it picks up your voice clear and doesn’t make any unwanted sounds.
A headset/microphone headset can be purchased for as low as $30. This headset is great if you are podcasting with cohosts and guests. You can always get a second set of headphones if you choose the standalone mic. Also, you might consider making a microphone stand to make your podcast more comfortable.
Recording, uploading and promotion
There are two final steps you need to take before you hit the record button.
- Format: How will your podcast look?
- Content: What is your podcast about?
Podcasts come in many formats: cohosts, guest hosts, cohosts and guests. Matt Haughey is the founder of Metafilter and has spent hundreds of hours podcasting. He recommends having two to three hosts.
There are many podcasts that I listen to. The most common format is two or three hosts with one guest. I’ve never subscribed to a single-person podcast before because I’ve yet to find a single-person-talking podcast that is interesting enough to stick with… Two or three people chattering to each other is the most common format but it’s possible to take it too far. Keep your show to two or three people.
You can create a podcast that sounds professional and organized by practicing beforehand. This includes planning out your content and creating outlines for your recording. It doesn’t need to be a script. You don’t have to know where you are going or what you want.
Voices.com offers a sample outline:
- 30-60 seconds intro
- Intro music: Repeat for every show, so that listeners can identify the jingle associated with your show.
- Topic 1: 3 minutes
- Topic 2: 3 minutes
- Interlude (musical or aural break): 30 second
- Topic 3: 3 minutes
- Topic 4: 3 minutes
- Closing remarks (thank you audience, thank your guests, talk about next show): 2 minutes
- Closing music (suggests same as Intro music song jingle). 2 minutes
The easiest way to record the recording is by using a recorded Skype call. Skype allows you to call your guest or co-host and record the conversation using special Skype recording software. An editing program can be used to clean up the recording, process music and publish it once you are done.
Here’s what Mac users could use:
- Call Recorder for Skype ($15-30) – Record calls
- GarageBand ($0) – Edit GarageBand
For PC users
- Call Pamela ($0)
- Edit with Audacity ($0).
Note: You might consider recording each person’s end of the conversation, and then stitching them together in postproduction. This will result in cleaner audio.
You can upload your final audio to many different places. These are some of the most important ones:
Once you have finished recording, editing and producing your podcast you can upload it on hosting sites such as Libsyn or Soundcloud, Anchor, Transistor, and Anchor. You can have your RSS feed generated by them so that it can be submitted to Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other players.
This is how to get your podcast on Apple Podcasts.
Publish Flawlessly. Analyze Without Remorse. Engage authentically
Buffer is the social media toolkit you need that allows you to focus on what you love doing for your business.
Create an RSS feed to your podcasts. You can upload your files to a site such as Libsyn or Anchor. The feed creation will be done automatically.
Step 2: Login to Apple Podcasts Connect Using your Apple ID, log in at podcastsconnect.apple.com.
Step 3 – Enter your RSS feed URL, and then click “Validate.” Apple’s podcast feed details (Title. Artwork. Description. etc.) will be pulled by Apple.
Step 4 – Click submit.
Apple will send you a confirmation message letting you know there is a review process for podcasts. This usually takes between 24 and 48 hours, but it can take up to five working days. An email will be sent to you letting you know whether your application has been approved. Within three to five days, people will be able to search for your podcast in Apple Podcasts.
The site you upload your podcast to will determine how it is promoted and shared. Soundcloud is one example of a site that offers a wide range of sharing options. You can also share to Twitter, Facebook and other social media sites.
The best way to link your podcast and blog is to embed audio. Top blogs embed podcasts as blog posts. This allows you to add audio directly into your post. You can also include a transcript or a list with topics and resources. Completed transcripts are helpful for SEO and accessibility.
Podcasts: The perfect everything
Podcasting is not an exception. We love learning about the optimal length and frequency of various content types. Podcasts are not as well researched, so I did the calculations myself.
Podcast length: 22 minutes
According to Stitcher, an online radio station and podcast site, the average listener keeps their connection for 22 minutes. This number is supported by science. TED Talks are limited to 18 minutes because scientists believe that we cannot focus on one presenter for more than 18 minutes before moving on.
Tuesday is the best day to publish a podcast
This conclusion was reached by me pulling the data for the Top 25 podcasts from the iTunes store. I also noted their publishing schedules and frequency of new podcasts. Although there was a wide range of publishing schedules among the Top 25, a slight trend began to emerge. Sixty percent posted their weekly schedules early in the week before Wednesday. Tuesday was the most popular single day. This is because it’s the day that new music hits iTunes, which could mean more people might listen to a podcast.
Best frequency to post a podcast: Weekly
40 percent of Top 25 podcasts publish at least once per week. Only three podcasts in the Top 25 did not publish a consistent posting schedule. Some podcasts seem to prefer a publishing rhythm over none.
Podcasts for learning
We love learning from other people and getting inspiration. Many important sites are now exploring podcasts in interesting ways, as I said above. Here’s a list of five top podcasting sites and their podcasting strategies.
Tim Ferriss – Four Hour Work-Week blog
- Average length of five podcasts over the past 5 years: 48 minutes. Ferris also includes short audio essays of 10-20 minutes in his longer podcasts that last more than an hour.
- Podcast frequency: Twice per week
- Embedded audio by Libsyn
- iTunes Yes
- Full transcript available in post: No
- Notes: Yes
Comments