New to the world of podcasting? You could be questioning, properly, 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 tips on how to get began as a podcast listener or creator.
What’s a podcast and the way do they work?
A podcast is a digital audio “present” or program you could obtain or stream from the web in your smartphone, laptop, or pill and pay attention 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 working 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 an especially standard type of media that’s rising rapidly. The primary podcasts have been produced by people, however now they’re additionally made by corporations, information shops, and different organizations. Podcasting has grow to be huge enterprise, with corporations 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 simple to eat in varied settings, reminiscent of whereas commuting, cooking, touring, or working.
You may consider podcasts as “background” content material, however you can too give them your full consideration should you like.
Talking of content material, podcast subjects can cowl an enormous vary, from true crime to enterprise methods to parenting tricks to comedy or youngsters’ content material. When you’ve got a subject in thoughts, there’s most likely a podcast on the market for it! And if there isn’t, that 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 sequence. Our podcast Flops got here out with an eight-episode season in 2021, whereas different SPI Media exhibits like AskPat 2.0 and The Neighborhood Expertise have been launched weekly (till being sunsetted final 12 months). The Sensible Passive Revenue Podcast remains to be launched each week on an ongoing foundation.
Able to study podcasting the sensible means?
The All-Entry Move has the assets you want.
How podcasts began (a short 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 known 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 information in RSS feeds (see under). This concept constructed steam over the subsequent few years, and in 2004 the time period “podcasting” emerged to explain this new means 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 goal of a podcast? What are they good for? A complete lot!
For the listener, a podcast is an effective way to study a given matter—and/or be entertained!—in a means 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 subjects than ever earlier than.
For the podcaster, the makes use of and advantages of a podcast might be huge. Podcasts are an effective 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 just 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 mentioned that podcasting is the easiest way 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 reminiscent of weblog posts or, after all, 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 information by way of an RSS feed. The podcast host robotically generates the RSS feed in your podcast, after which submits it to podcast directories, reminiscent of Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and others.
You could be considering, Do I’ve to make use of a podcast host? Can I host my podcast on my web site? The quick 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 in your podcast episode information, and permit them to be downloaded by listeners.
- Automate the creation and syndication of your RSS feed to podcast directories.
- Supply built-in analytics, so you possibly can see how your present is rising and which episodes are the most well-liked.
Sure, you possibly can technically host your podcast’s RSS feed by yourself web site. And sure, most podcast hosts value cash, with these prices usually rising as your present grows.
However for many creators, internet hosting your podcast by yourself web site is far more hassle than it’s value.
You may save a couple of dollars, however in our opinion, the dearth of analytics alone makes internet hosting your podcast in your web site a foul alternative.
Fortunately, you’ve loads of choices to select from on the subject of podcast hosts. Our really useful platform is Fusebox, due to its ease of use and useful options. [Note: I am a compensated affiliate for Fusebox.]
Different standard internet hosting platforms embrace Buzzsprout, Libsyn, Podbean, Anchor, and Blubrry.
It’s comparatively simple to work with a podcast host. You arrange an account on their web site, the place you possibly can enter the small print 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 could be considering, Isn’t a podcast host additionally an individual? Sure! A podcast host may confer 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. 😉
Kinds of podcasts and podcast examples
As a medium for entertaining and sharing data, podcasts can take many various types! Listed here are a few of the most typical podcast codecs, together with examples.
- Interview: A bunch invitations a number of friends to debate a given matter. This present format requires analysis and outreach to search out friends for every episode. (The Sensible Passive Revenue Podcast, Armchair Skilled, Contemporary Air)
- Solo Speaking/Storytelling: Because the title suggests, a single host “runs the present.” The time that might 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 totally different personalities and views and typically humorous banter. (Stuff You Ought to Know, My Favourite Homicide, Flops, The Neighborhood Expertise)
- Roundtable: An expanded model of a co-hosted podcast with extra hosts who have interaction 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 embrace interview segments, sound results/music, and even scripted scenes. (Serial, Startup Podcast)
Word 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 might be created by nearly anybody, from a person to a small group 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 pretty much as good as it may be. They sometimes put on a number of hats, and their duties might embrace discovering friends, organizing the episode schedule, overseeing the recording and modifying processes, selling the present, and extra.
Easy methods to take heed to a podcast
How simple is it to take heed to a podcast? Fairly darn simple! Right here’s what you’ll want:
- A smartphone, laptop, or pill with an web connection.
- A podcast app
You’ll want an internet-connected system, reminiscent of a smartphone, laptop, or pill to entry podcasts. Because you’re already studying this put up, I’m guessing you’ve bought this one lined. 😉
Whether or not you’re looking for a selected podcast or wish to seek for a brand new one, a podcast app will come in useful. Listed here are a few of the hottest ones:
Every of those apps might be downloaded to your system or accessed by way of the online.
So which one must you select? To be trustworthy, there’s not a ton of distinction between them, particularly should 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 should you use an Android cellphone, then the Google Play Music app is the simplest choice.
Every app additionally offers a podcast listing you could search to search out new exhibits. Many of those apps may even present customized suggestions based mostly on the exhibits you take heed to on the app.
If you end up turning into an avid listener of a lot of podcasts, you may discover profit from utilizing an app like Pocket Casts, which is designed to filter and arrange a lot of podcast subscriptions. However for 99 % of listeners, most apps will do exactly nice.
When you’ve discovered the podcast you wish to take heed to in your podcast app, you possibly can both stream it or obtain it to your system to pay attention later. Your podcast app must also permit 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 immediately on their web site by way of a web-based podcast participant like Fusebox.
Right here’s an instance of tips on how to use an embedded internet participant like Fusebox to play a podcast episode proper on a webpage:
Easy methods to begin a podcast
In the event you’re eager about tips on how to begin a podcast, you’re in the fitting place! At SPI, now we have a ton of assets for first-time podcasters (and extra superior podcasters too, however let’s not get forward of ourselves…).
With the intention to begin a podcast, you want a number of key elements:
That’s not all, although, and in order for you the total scoop, take a look at our “Easy methods to Begin a Podcast STEP-BY-STEP” information.
It consists of the lowdown on issues like:
- Choosing a podcast matter you possibly can decide to
- Writing a compelling podcast description
- Selecting a podcast internet hosting service
- Recording your episodes
- And rather more
The “Easy methods to Begin a Podcast STEP-BY-STEP” information makes beginning your podcast simple and doable with the intention to construct your viewers—and even begin and scale a enterprise with the assistance of your new present.
You too can take a look at our video information to beginning your podcast!
A free guidelines for beginning your podcast
Ensure you don’t miss a step! The Podcast Cheat Sheet offers you all of the steps it’s worthwhile to begin your present.
What’s a podcast FAQ
Listed here are some generally requested questions on podcasts, and our solutions!
Why are podcasts known as podcasts?
The phrase “podcast” is a portmanteau (mixed phrase) of “iPod,” Apple’s authentic moveable music participant, and “broadcast.” Some individuals have additionally steered “moveable 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 plenty of similarities, since they’re each audio codecs, podcasts are extra versatile in plenty of methods. You may consider podcasts as the subsequent “evolution” of the radio present.
Listed here are a few of the key variations between podcasts and radio:
- Podcasts are normally edited, whereas radio is often dwell.
- Podcasts might be streamed or downloaded on demand, whereas radio exhibits sometimes have to be listened to dwell. Radio stations are more and more making their beforehand aired exhibits obtainable on-line, however most radio content material have to be accessed when it goes dwell.
- Most radio content material is aimed toward a broad viewers, whereas podcast content material might be extraordinarily area of interest.
- Most radio exhibits have to fill a selected time block, whereas podcast episodes might be any size.
- Radio exhibits sometimes have larger manufacturing prices, so that they comprise ads to assist offset these prices. Whereas podcast promoting is a rising trade, many podcasts don’t embrace adverts as a result of the price barrier to entry for podcasting is a lot decrease than for radio.
Are podcasts free to take heed to?
Probably the greatest issues about podcasts is that they’re normally free to obtain and take heed to. Sure, you’ll want a tool to take heed 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 standard, though free podcasts are nonetheless much more frequent.
What’s a podcast community?
A podcast community is a group of podcasts beneath 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 subjects. The most important podcast networks embrace iHeartRadio, Wondery, PodcastOne, HubSpot Podcast Community, and Audacy.
What’s a video podcast?
Video podcasts are an more and more standard type of podcasting. Because the title suggests, they incorporate video and audio, permitting listeners to see and listen to your content material. Including video to your podcast is often extra work, however it may possibly assist expose your present to a wider viewers by way of platforms like YouTube and TikTok.
What tools do it’s worthwhile to begin a podcast?
As talked about above in “Easy methods to Begin a Podcast,” a microphone is crucial piece of apparatus you’ll want to begin your personal present. Nevertheless, there are a number of different items of tech to think about:
- A desktop microphone stand
- A increase arm and shock mount to cut back undesirable vibrations
- A pop filter to cut back plosives (harsh sounds from sure syllables) in your recordings
- Software program for recording and modifying, reminiscent of GarageBand or Audacity
- Sound dampening supplies to cut back room echo
Do podcasters make cash from their exhibits?
They positively can, and plenty of of them do!
The most typical means podcasts make cash is thru promoting or sponsorships. You too can use internet affiliate 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 decreasing manufacturing time.
Are you prepared to begin your podcasting journey?
I hope this primer on podcasts was useful! Possibly you’re impressed to go discover a new present to subscribe to, and even grow to be a podcaster your self!
Earlier than you leap, nonetheless, it’s vital to weigh the professionals and cons of podcasting.
Execs and cons of beginning a podcast
The advantages of getting a podcast might be quite a few. A podcast might help you:
- Develop your model or enterprise
- Meet new individuals
- Develop new revenue streams
- Broaden 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, it’s worthwhile to 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 remains to be thrilling to you, nice! We’ve bought numerous useful assets should you’re able to continue to learn about podcasts and what they’ll do that can assist you develop your small business and join together with your viewers.
In the event you’re eager about beginning your personal podcast, our Easy methods to Begin a Podcast Information offers you sensible subsequent steps.
However should you’re prepared to begin your podcast in probably the most streamlined means doable, 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 may take the course as a part of our All-Entry Move — membership will get you all our programs and the help of a vibrant studying neighborhood to information and encourage you in the direction of podcasting success.
You too can discover The Sensible Passive Revenue Podcast and skim extra about podcasting on the weblog.
Able to study podcasting the sensible means?
The All-Entry Move neighborhood has the programs, assets, help, and accountability you want.
