Podcasts are the “Big Thing” right now.
You can find them everywhere on the internet.
Some are about business. Some are about writing short science-fiction stories. Some are about Denzel Washington.
In the past, if someone wanted to project their voice across the world, they had to get on the radio. This wasn’t very easy – unless you had access to, for example, a college radio station – and many people were unable to do so.
But, today, anyone can make a podcast and send their voice out into the world..
You can make a podcast. I can make a podcast. Anyone can make a podcast.
Right before you can make a podcast, though, there are a few key things you must do. And, this “few key things” is, in fact, ten steps that you must follow, if you would like to create a successful podcast.
Step One: Figure Out What Your Podcast Is Actually About
This first step is the most important step, and also the hardest step.
Right before you download any software, buy any tools, or do anything at all, you must figure out what your podcast is actually going to be about.
Without doing this, your efforts will be muddled and confused, because you don’t know what it is that you are actually creating.
When someone goes into podcasting, they generally have a rough image of what it is that they intend to create. But, this rough image is just that, a rough image. Before you do anything else, you need to elaborate on that image.
Just as an example, let’s say that you like movies and, as such, would like to start a podcast about movies.
On its own, this is fine. But, saying that your podcast is about “movies” is vague.
You need to think about the different types of movies you’re going to be talking about – the genres they belong to, for example – as well as the angle in which you would like to explore these films.
Outside of the above, you must determine the format of your podcast.
Some podcasts – such as Marc Maron’s “WTF” and The Joe Rogan Show – follow an interview format where the host sits down with a guest and the host asks questions while letting the guest dominate much of the podcast.
Other podcasts follow a format where the host is the only person on the podcast, and he/she spends the entirety of the podcast talking about something or other.
Both formats work. But, you must choose one, in order to see if it will work for your podcast.
To make the process even easier, you can, and should, come up with a few solid ideas – and maybe even an outline – for your first podcast episode.
Step Two: Gather Up Your Tools – A Microphone And A Computer – Maybe A Mixer
There are two tools that you MUST have.
A microphone. A computer.
Any microphone will work, but having a high-quality microphone is an advantage.
Two really good, inexpensive, microphones are the Shure SM58, a professional microphone that you can find everywhere, and the Blue Yeti, which is a USB microphone of exceptional quality.
Any desktop or laptop computer will work as long as it has an audio input or a USB port.
That’s all you need.
If you don’t have a computer, you can use your smartphone or tablet, as long as it has an audio port.
If you’re running a podcast that has multiple hosts in the same place or involves interviews, you’ll need a mixer.
One of the finest mixers on the market – and one of the most inexpensive – is the Behringer Xenyx Q802USB, which works with USB and audio jacks.
Step Three: Download Audacity
Audacity is a free program that allows you to record and edit audio. You can get it directly from Softonic.
Just plug in your mic, and press record.
Step Four: Record The Podcast
Before recording, always check to see if the mic is actually on and recording.
Record a five to fifteen second stretch where you talk into the mic, and then play it back. If you hear yourself, and it sounds good, then that means you are good to go!
If not, check if everything is connected and turned on. Then, start recording your podcast.
Step Five: Save The File – And Make A Copy Of It
You’ve set everything up, and you’ve just recorded your first podcast.
Now, it’s time to edit.
Before you edit your podcast, remember to ALWAYS make at least one copy of that raw audio file.
You can put one copy on your hard drive, and then another on Google Drive or Dropbox.
If you have a copy then if, while editing your piece, you find that the changes you’ve made are less-than-ideal, you won’t have any problems starting over.
But, if you don’t have a copy, you may need to re-record your entire podcast.
Step Six: Edit The Audio File – Add A Good Title/Tags And A Thumbnail
Open the file in Audacity, and start editing it.
The editing process is very simple and, depending on your podcast, there may not be a whole lot to do.
If you want to cut something, just find the beginning of the section you want to cut, and the ending, and then select it and press the “Backspace” button.
You can also manipulate the audio with filters and plugins. This is often unnecessary, but it is possible..
Once you’ve made the edits, click on the word “File”, then “Export Audio”.
In the “Save As” section, click MP3. The “Edit Metadata” window will pop up, and you will be given a number of categories.
For “Artist”, put your name.
Right by “Track Title”, put the name of your podcast and “Episode 01”.
Keep “Album Title” blank.
For “Track Number”, put “Episode 01”.
Right by “Year” write the current year.
Next to “Genre”, put the word “Podcast”.
With “Comments”, add anything that you think would be relevant or important.
You can keep “SETSUBTITLE” blank.
Finally, with “Copyright Message” just put the year and your name.
And, regarding the “URL” section, put your URL, which you can find clarified right below.
Step Seven: Make A Website And A Soundcloud Account
You have a new podcast. And, now, you need somewhere to put it.
There are a number of hosts that allow you to create a website for free, but in our experience, the best one is WordPress.
It’s free and intuitive.
Click on the link and choose “Blog”.
Then, come up with a name for your “Blog”.
Choose the “Free” plan.
You’ll be taken to a page with a number of elements.
You can edit these elements in any way that you choose. But, no matter what, you must make sure that your page has a single space that you can use to publish each and every episode of your podcast.
Step Eight: Make A SoundCloud Profile And Upload Your Podcast
Out of all the podcast hosting platforms that exist, SoundCloud is far from the best.
And, yet, it is easily the best platform for a beginning; hosting is free, anyone can download your podcast, and your RSS feed can be shared with ease.
Go on SoundCloud, and click “Create Account”.
Enter the email address that you currently use.
When you make your profile name, write the name of your podcast.
Go to your profile, and click “Edit”.
Upload an image that fits with the theme of your podcast.
Write a description of your podcast in the bio of your profile.
Go to the “Your Links” section and grab the URL from your WordPress website and paste it there.
Go to the “Settings” page, click the “Content” tab.
Select the category and language of your podcast. There are other settings, but they aren’t that important.
Click on the “Upload” button that is near the top-right of the page.
There, you will be taken to a page where you can take the MP3 file that you’ve made and upload it
Once you do that, you will have pieces of info to add. Fill it out, and then publish.
Step Nine: Grab The RSS Feed URL
Go back to the “Settings” page and click on the “Content” tab.
You will find a bar that contains the URL address of your “RSS Feed”.
Select it, and then copy and paste it.
Step Ten: Upload The RSS Feed To iTunes
Go to iTunes Connect.
Login with your Apple ID – if you have an iPhone or Apple Music account, you already have one – and wait for the dashboard to pop up..
At the top left you will see “plus” sign.
Click on the sign.
You will be taken to a page where you paste your RSS feed URL and validate it.
And, then, you will wait.
If the feed comes up invalid, that means that you should go back to SoundCloud to make sure that each one of Apple’s specifications is met – such as the picture size being at least 1400×1400 pixels.
Once it is validated, your podcast will be available to over eight-hundred million people.
Max Akin Writing 