While video content is dominating the online world, podcasts aren’t too far behind. According to Edison Research 2019, over half of the U.S. population has listened to a podcast. And the Podcast Trends Report 2019 shows that 82.4% of people listen to podcasts more than 7 hours each week. So there is no doubt that podcasts are rapidly gaining in popularity.
If you’re interested in diving into the podcast world, here’s a quick guide to starting your own.
1. PLAN THE DETAILS
The first thing you should do is choose the topic of your podcast. To help you make a decision, think of the what, who, and why. This will help you narrow down your purpose. What will your podcast be about? Who will you be targeting? Why does your messaging matter to this audience?
Once you answer these questions, you can start picking a name for your podcast, planning your episodes, coming up with episode titles, and choosing a format – whether you want to interview people, have a co-host, or go solo. Think about how long you want your podcasts to be, which should depend on the type of content you’re sharing and your audience. Then, decide how often you’ll be uploading episodes.
Related: 5 Black Podcasts You Should Be Listening to Right Now
2. DECIDE ON THE RIGHT GEAR AND SOFTWARE
To record your content, you’ll of course need a computer, access to the internet, and a microphone. But the quality of your equipment will affect the sound quality of your show. So if you can afford it, invest in good equipment. But if you don’t have the money, you can always upgrade. You’ll also need recording and editing software, which is often free and easy to use.
3. PUBLISH YOUR PODCAST
Publishing your podcast involves designing cover art, choosing a podcast hosting service, and submitting to directories (Apple, Google, Spotify, etc.) You might also consider publishing your show notes online so people can read about your podcast episodes and learn more before listening. Some podcast hosting services offer a free website or you can build your own website by purchasing web hosting. The latter will give you more control and more tools to create your own branding.
After publishing your podcast, promote it on your social media platforms and invite people to give it a listen.
