New to the world of podcasting? You is likely to be questioning, effectively, what is a podcast? And the way do they work? On this article I’ll cowl what a podcast is, what they’re used for, and the best way to get began as a podcast listener or creator. Plus, I’ve a number of free assets for you on this web page that will help you get began immediately.
What’s a podcast and the way do they work?
A podcast is a digital audio “present” or program that you could obtain or stream from the web in your smartphone, pc, or pill and hear when it’s handy for you.
A podcast “episode” is a single occasion of a podcast, very similar to the episode of a TV present.
Right here’s an instance—an episode of our very personal SPI Podcast, which has been operating since 2010:
For stunning, easy-to-embed podcast gamers just like the above, look no additional than Fusebox — the official podcast participant of SPI! [Note: I am a compensated affiliate for Fusebox.]
Podcasts are a particularly widespread type of media that’s rising shortly. The primary podcasts have been produced by people, however now they’re additionally made by firms, information retailers, and different organizations. Podcasting has turn out to be massive enterprise, with firms like Apple, Spotify, iHeartMedia, SiriusXM closely invested in podcasting.
For the listener, podcasts are a flexible medium! The audio-only format of podcasts makes them straightforward to devour in varied settings, equivalent to whereas commuting, cooking, touring, or working.
You’ll be able to consider podcasts as “background” content material, however you can even give them your full consideration in the event you like.
Talking of content material, podcast matters can cowl an enormous vary, from true crime to enterprise methods to parenting tricks to comedy or children’ content material. When you have a subject in thoughts, there’s most likely a podcast on the market for it! And if there isn’t, which may imply a possibility so that you can begin your personal podcast on that matter!
Podcasts are sometimes obtainable both in seasons with a set variety of episodes or in an ongoing collection. Our podcast Flops got here out with an eight-episode season in 2021, whereas different SPI Media exhibits like AskPat 2.0 and The Group Expertise have been launched weekly (till being sunsetted final 12 months). The Good Passive Earnings Podcast continues to be launched each week on an ongoing foundation.
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A replay of our hottest webinar
How podcasts began (a quick historical past of podcasting)
Podcasts have their roots again within the Eighties, however they didn’t take off till the early 2000s. In September 2000, the corporate i2Go launched a digital audio information and leisure service referred to as MyAudio2Go.com that allowed customers to obtain information, sports activities, leisure, climate, and music in episodic audio format. The next month, tech entrepreneur Tristan Louis proposed attaching sound and video recordsdata in RSS feeds (see beneath). This concept constructed steam over the following few years, and in 2004 the time period “podcasting” emerged to explain this new manner of distributing audio content material. In 2005, Apple added a podcast subscription function to iTunes 4.9 and launched a podcast listing within the iTunes Music Retailer.
Since then, the sky has been the restrict for podcasting, with someplace between 3 and 5 million podcasts on the planet proper now!
What are podcasts used for?
So what’s the purpose or function of a podcast? What are they good for? A complete lot!
For the listener, a podcast is a good way to find out about a given matter—and/or be entertained!—in a manner that’s handy to them. Podcasts are free (for probably the most half) and straightforward to search out, and given their rising reputation, cowl a wider and deeper vary of matters than ever earlier than.
For the podcaster, the makes use of and advantages of a podcast may be monumental. Podcasts are a good way to construct and serve an viewers by entertaining and/or educating listeners on a given matter.
One of many key benefits of a podcast for the podcaster is that you simply get to talk on to individuals, utilizing your voice. Your podcast episode could also be heard by 1000’s and even thousands and thousands of individuals, however for every listener, it’s simply you and them.
It’s been stated that podcasting is one of the simplest ways to scale intimacy and make a direct reference to every of your listeners.
What’s a podcast host and why do you want one? (How an RSS feed works)
Podcasts are made obtainable to listeners by way of a Actually Easy Syndication (RSS) feed.
An RSS feed permits content material creators to publish notifications of recent content material equivalent to weblog posts or, in fact, podcasts.
Right here’s how that works. The podcast creator submits their podcast’s RSS feed to a listing, which makes it obtainable to listeners by way of a podcast app or the creator’s web site.
A podcast listener can obtain new installments or episodes of a podcast robotically by subscribing to the podcast’s RSS feed of their chosen podcast app.
However how do you create your podcast’s RSS feed?
That’s the place a podcast internet hosting platform (or podcast host for brief) is available in.
A podcast host is a service that gives a spot to retailer and distribute your podcast’s audio recordsdata by way of an RSS feed. The podcast host robotically generates the RSS feed to your podcast, after which submits it to podcast directories, equivalent to Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and others.
You is likely to be considering, Do I’ve to make use of a podcast host? Can I host my podcast on my web site? The brief reply is sure—however hear me out.
There are a number of advantages to utilizing a podcast host as a substitute of DIYing it. A podcast host can:
- Present storage to your podcast episode recordsdata, and permit them to be downloaded by listeners.
- Automate the creation and syndication of your RSS feed to podcast directories.
- Provide built-in analytics, so you may see how your present is rising and which episodes are the most well-liked.
Sure, you may technically host your podcast’s RSS feed by yourself web site. And sure, most podcast hosts value cash, with these prices typically growing as your present grows.
However for many creators, internet hosting your podcast by yourself web site is far more bother than it’s value.
You would possibly save a couple of bucks, however in our opinion, the dearth of analytics alone makes internet hosting your podcast in your web site a foul selection.
Fortunately, you’ve got loads of choices to select from in the case of podcast hosts. Our beneficial platform is Fusebox, because of its ease of use and useful options. [Note: I am a compensated affiliate for Fusebox.]
Different widespread internet hosting platforms embody Buzzsprout, Libsyn, Podbean, Anchor, and Blubrry.
It’s comparatively straightforward to work with a podcast host. You arrange an account on their web site, the place you may enter the main points of your podcast, add episodes, and discover choices for monetizing your present. Some platforms cost a month-to-month charge (variable relying on how a lot content material you publish), whereas others are free.
Final however not least, you is likely to be considering, Isn’t a podcast host additionally an individual? Sure! A podcast host can even consult with the one who is the face and voice of a podcast. (As an illustration, Pat is the host of the SPI Podcast.) Glad we cleared that up. 😉
Forms of podcasts and podcast examples
As a medium for entertaining and sharing data, podcasts can take many alternative kinds! Listed here are a few of the most typical podcast codecs, together with examples.
- Interview: A bunch invitations a number of visitors to debate a given matter. This present format requires analysis and outreach to search out visitors for every episode. (The Good Passive Earnings Podcast, Armchair Knowledgeable, Recent Air)
- Solo Speaking/Storytelling: Because the identify suggests, a single host “runs the present.” The time that will be spent on visitor analysis and outreach for an interview present is as a substitute directed towards analysis and preparation of the present’s content material. (Hardcore Historical past, Revolutions)
- Cohosted: A present with two or extra hosts who can present completely different personalities and views and typically humorous banter. (Stuff You Ought to Know, My Favourite Homicide, Flops, The Group Expertise)
- Roundtable: An expanded model of a co-hosted podcast with extra hosts who interact in conversations and banter round a given matter. (SmartLess, Pod Save America)
- Documentary: Much like a TV documentary, this podcast format sometimes has a narrator, and might embody interview segments, sound results/music, and even scripted scenes. (Serial, Startup Podcast)
Observe that many podcasts are a hybrid, incorporating components of a number of codecs. For instance, the New York Occasions’ The Every day is a cohosted podcast that includes interviews.
Who makes podcasts?
Podcasts may be created by nearly anybody, from a person to a small crew to a big firm!
What’s a podcast producer?
On the subject of podcasts, a producer is somebody who works behind the scenes to verify the present is nearly as good as it may be. They sometimes put on a number of hats, and their duties might embody discovering visitors, organizing the episode schedule, overseeing the recording and enhancing processes, selling the present, and extra.
The right way to hearken to a podcast
How straightforward is it to hearken to a podcast? Fairly darn straightforward! Right here’s what you’ll want:
- A smartphone, pc, or pill with an web connection.
- A podcast app
You’ll want an internet-connected machine, equivalent to a smartphone, pc, or pill to entry podcasts. Because you’re already studying this publish, I’m guessing you’ve received this one coated. 😉
Whether or not you’re trying to find a selected podcast or need to seek for a brand new one, a podcast app will turn out to be useful. Listed here are a few of the hottest ones:
Every of those apps may be downloaded to your machine or accessed by way of the net.
So which one do you have to select? To be trustworthy, there’s not a ton of distinction between them, particularly in the event you’re simply getting began as a podcast listener.
In the event you’re a Mac/iOS person, then Apple Podcasts is your go-to, and in the event you use an Android telephone, then the Google Play Music app is the simplest choice.
Every app additionally offers a podcast listing that you could search to search out new exhibits. Many of those apps may even present personalised suggestions primarily based on the exhibits you hearken to on the app.
If you end up turning into an avid listener of numerous podcasts, you would possibly discover profit from utilizing an app like Pocket Casts, which is designed to filter and set up numerous podcast subscriptions. However for 99 % of listeners, most apps will do exactly wonderful.
When you’ve discovered the podcast you need to hearken to in your podcast app, you may both stream it or obtain it to your machine to hear later. Your podcast app must also assist you to “subscribe” to a present so that you’ll be alerted when new episodes are launched.
Some podcast creators additionally make their podcast episodes obtainable instantly on their web site by way of a web-based podcast participant like Fusebox.
Right here’s an instance of the best way to use an embedded internet participant like Fusebox to play a podcast episode proper on a webpage:
The right way to begin a podcast
In the event you’re concerned about the best way to begin a podcast, you’re in the correct place! At SPI, we have now a ton of assets for first-time podcasters (and extra superior podcasters too, however let’s not get forward of ourselves…).
So as to begin a podcast, you want just a few key substances:
That’s not all, although, and in order for you the complete scoop, take a look at our “The right way to Begin a Podcast STEP-BY-STEP” information.
It consists of the lowdown on issues like:
- Selecting a podcast matter you may decide to
- Writing a compelling podcast description
- Selecting a podcast internet hosting service
- Recording your episodes
- And way more
The “The right way to Begin a Podcast STEP-BY-STEP” information makes beginning your podcast straightforward and doable as a way to construct your viewers—and even begin and scale a enterprise with the assistance of your new present.
You may also take a look at our video information to beginning your podcast!
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Our free podcasting tutorial
What’s a podcast FAQ
Listed here are some generally requested questions on podcasts, and our solutions!
Why are podcasts referred to as podcasts?
The phrase “podcast” is a portmanteau (mixed phrase) of “iPod,” Apple’s unique transportable music participant, and “broadcast.” Some individuals have additionally advised “transportable on demand” as a “backronym” for the phrase “podcast.”
Podcasts vs. radio: What’s the distinction?
Are podcasts the identical as radio exhibits? Whereas podcasts and radio share lots of similarities, since they’re each audio codecs, podcasts are extra versatile in lots of methods. You’ll be able to consider podcasts as the following “evolution” of the radio present.
Listed here are a few of the key variations between podcasts and radio:
- Podcasts are often edited, whereas radio is usually reside.
- Podcasts may be streamed or downloaded on demand, whereas radio exhibits sometimes should be listened to reside. Radio stations are more and more making their beforehand aired exhibits obtainable on-line, however most radio content material should be accessed when it goes reside.
- Most radio content material is geared toward a broad viewers, whereas podcast content material may be extraordinarily area of interest.
- Most radio exhibits must fill a selected time block, whereas podcast episodes may be any size.
- Radio exhibits sometimes have larger manufacturing prices, in order that they include commercials to assist offset these prices. Whereas podcast promoting is a rising business, many podcasts don’t embody adverts as a result of the fee barrier to entry for podcasting is a lot decrease than for radio.
Are podcasts free to hearken to?
Among the best issues about podcasts is that they’re often free to obtain and hearken to. Sure, you’ll want a tool to hearken to them and an web connection to obtain them, however the content material itself is mostly freed from cost.
In recent times, some podcasters have begun creating extra paid content material for his or her subscribers. These paid podcasts have gotten more and more widespread, though free podcasts are nonetheless much more frequent.
What’s a podcast community?
A podcast community is a group of podcasts underneath the umbrella of a single firm, which produces, distributes, and/or makes these podcasts obtainable to advertisers. Podcast networks can present publicity and income for podcast house owners and are an ideal choice to think about as soon as your podcast has grown a bit.
Some podcast networks are targeted on a single theme, whereas others settle for podcasts throughout a variety of matters. The most important podcast networks embody iHeartRadio, Wondery, PodcastOne, HubSpot Podcast Community, and Audacy.
What’s a video podcast?
Video podcasts are an more and more widespread type of podcasting. Because the identify suggests, they incorporate video and audio, permitting listeners to see and listen to your content material. Including video to your podcast is usually extra work, however it may possibly assist expose your present to a wider viewers by platforms like YouTube and TikTok.
What gear do that you must begin a podcast?
As talked about above in “The right way to Begin a Podcast,” a microphone is crucial piece of apparatus you’ll want to begin your personal present. Nevertheless, there are just a few different items of tech to think about:
- A desktop microphone stand
- A increase arm and shock mount to scale back undesirable vibrations
- A pop filter to scale back plosives (harsh sounds from sure syllables) in your recordings
- Software program for recording and enhancing, equivalent to GarageBand or Audacity
- Sound dampening supplies to scale back room echo
Do podcasters become profitable from their exhibits?
They positively can, and lots of of them do!
The most typical manner podcasts become profitable is thru promoting or sponsorships. You may also use affiliate internet marketing to advertise merchandise in your present and earn a fee when somebody purchases them utilizing your hyperlink.
Our Amp’d Up Podcasting course — obtainable completely to our neighborhood members — is designed to assist podcasters develop and higher monetize their exhibits whereas additionally lowering manufacturing time.
A free guidelines for beginning your podcast
Ensure you don’t miss a step! The Podcast Cheat Sheet offers you all of the steps that you must begin your present.
Are you prepared to begin your podcasting journey?
I hope this primer on podcasts was useful! Perhaps you’re impressed to go discover a new present to subscribe to, and even turn out to be a podcaster your self!
Earlier than you leap, nevertheless, it’s necessary to weigh the professionals and cons of podcasting.
Professionals and cons of beginning a podcast
The advantages of getting a podcast may be quite a few. A podcast may also help you:
- Develop your model or enterprise
- Meet new individuals
- Develop new earnings streams
- Develop your viewers
On the similar time, podcasting is probably not for everybody. It takes time, power, dedication, and assets to begin and keep a podcast. To achieve success, that you must produce a high-quality present and publish it commonly.
Extra assets for the aspiring podcaster (or simply the pod-curious)
If the concept of beginning a podcast continues to be thrilling to you, nice! We’ve received a lot of useful assets in the event you’re able to continue learning about podcasts and what they will do that will help you develop your enterprise and join together with your viewers.
In the event you’re concerned about beginning your personal podcast, our The right way to Begin a Podcast Information offers you sensible subsequent steps.
However in the event you’re prepared to begin your podcast in probably the most streamlined manner attainable, our Energy-Up Podcasting® 2.0 course is for you. It’s a step-by-step information to launching a profitable podcast that will get discovered and grows your on-line model. You’ll be able to take the course as a part of the SPI Group — membership will get you all our programs and the help of a vibrant studying neighborhood to information and inspire you in direction of podcasting success.
You may also discover The Good Passive Earnings Podcast and skim extra about podcasting on the weblog.
Able to be taught podcasting the good manner?
The SPI Group has the assets you want.