New to the world of podcasting? You is perhaps 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 the right way to get began as a podcast listener or creator. Plus, I’ve a number of free sources for you on this web page that will help you get began instantly.
What’s a podcast and the way do they work?
A podcast is a digital audio “present” or program you can obtain or stream from the web in your smartphone, laptop, or pill and hear when it’s handy for you.
A podcast “episode” is a single occasion of a podcast, very like 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 fashionable type of media that’s rising shortly. The primary podcasts had been produced by people, however now they’re additionally made by firms, information shops, and different organizations. Podcasting has turn into large 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 numerous settings, reminiscent of whereas commuting, cooking, touring, or working.
You’ll be able to consider podcasts as “background” content material, however you may as well give them your full consideration in case 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. If in case you have 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 usually out there 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 reveals like AskPat 2.0 and The Neighborhood Expertise had been launched weekly (till being sunsetted final yr). The Sensible Passive Revenue Podcast remains to be launched each week on an ongoing foundation.
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A replay of our hottest webinar
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 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 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 this planet proper now!
What are podcasts used for?
So what’s the purpose or objective 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 means that’s handy to them. Podcasts are free (for essentially the most half) and simple to seek out, and given their rising recognition, 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 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 just get to talk on to individuals, utilizing your voice. Your podcast episode could also be heard by 1000’s and even hundreds of 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 out there to listeners through 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, in fact, podcasts.
Right here’s how that works. The podcast creator submits their podcast’s RSS feed to a listing, which makes it out there to listeners through a podcast app or the creator’s web site.
A podcast listener can obtain new installments or episodes of a podcast mechanically 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 through an RSS feed. The podcast host mechanically generates the RSS feed to your podcast, after which submits it to podcast directories, reminiscent of Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and others.
You is perhaps 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 an alternative 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.
- Supply built-in analytics, so you possibly can see how your present is rising and which episodes are the preferred.
Sure, you possibly can technically host your podcast’s RSS feed by yourself web site. And sure, most podcast hosts price cash, with these prices usually growing as your present grows.
However for many creators, internet hosting your podcast by yourself web site is far more hassle than it’s price.
You may save a couple of bucks, however in our opinion, the dearth of analytics alone makes internet hosting your podcast in your web site a nasty alternative.
Fortunately, you’ve loads of choices to select from with regards to 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 fashionable internet hosting platforms embrace 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 possibly can enter the main points of your podcast, add episodes, and discover choices for monetizing your present. Some platforms cost a month-to-month price (variable relying on how a lot content material you publish), whereas others are free.
Final however not least, you is perhaps considering, Isn’t a podcast host additionally an individual? Sure! A podcast host also can seek advice from the one that is the face and voice of a podcast. (As an illustration, Pat is the host of the SPI Podcast.) Glad we cleared that up. 😉
Sorts of podcasts and podcast examples
As a medium for entertaining and sharing data, podcasts can take many alternative kinds! Listed here are among the commonest podcast codecs, together with examples.
- Interview: A number invitations a number of visitors to debate a given matter. This present format requires analysis and outreach to seek out visitors for every episode. (The Sensible Passive Revenue Podcast, Armchair Skilled, Contemporary Air)
- Solo Speaking/Storytelling: Because the identify suggests, a single host “runs the present.” The time that might be spent on visitor analysis and outreach for an interview present is as an alternative 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 generally 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 interact in conversations and banter round a given matter. (SmartLess, Pod Save America)
- Documentary: Much like a TV documentary, this podcast format usually has a narrator, and may embrace 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 Each day is a cohosted podcast that includes interviews.
Who makes podcasts?
Podcasts might 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 ensure the present is nearly as good as it may be. They usually put on a number of hats, and their duties could embrace discovering visitors, organizing the episode schedule, overseeing the recording and modifying processes, selling the present, and extra.
The best way to take heed to a podcast
How straightforward is it to take heed to a podcast? Fairly darn straightforward! 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 publish, I’m guessing you’ve bought this one lined. 😉
Whether or not you’re trying to find a selected podcast or wish to seek for a brand new one, a podcast app will turn out to be useful. Listed here are among the hottest ones:
Every of those apps might be downloaded to your system or accessed through the net.
So which one do you have to select? To be sincere, there’s not a ton of distinction between them, particularly in case you’re simply getting began as a podcast listener.
For those who’re a Mac/iOS person, then Apple Podcasts is your go-to, and in case you use an Android telephone, then the Google Play Music app is the simplest possibility.
Every app additionally gives a podcast listing you can search to seek out new reveals. Many of those apps may even present customized suggestions based mostly on the reveals 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 set up a lot of podcast subscriptions. However for 99 % of listeners, most apps will do exactly high-quality.
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 hear later. Your podcast app must also help you “subscribe” to a present so that you’ll be alerted when new episodes are launched.
Some podcast creators additionally make their podcast episodes out there instantly on their web site through a web-based podcast participant like Fusebox.
Right here’s an instance of the right way to use an embedded net participant like Fusebox to play a podcast episode proper on a webpage:
The best way to begin a podcast
For those who’re inquisitive about the right way to begin a podcast, you’re in the correct place! At SPI, we’ve a ton of sources for first-time podcasters (and extra superior podcasters too, however let’s not get forward of ourselves…).
With a purpose to begin a podcast, you want just a few key substances:
That’s not all, although, and if you would like the complete scoop, take a look at our “The best way 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 way more
The “The best way to Begin a Podcast STEP-BY-STEP” information makes beginning your podcast straightforward and doable to be able to construct your viewers—and even begin and scale a enterprise with the assistance of your new present.
It’s also possible to 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 steered “transportable on demand” as a “backronym” for the phrase “podcast.”
Podcasts vs. radio: What’s the distinction?
Are podcasts the identical as radio reveals? Whereas podcasts and radio share plenty of similarities, since they’re each audio codecs, podcasts are extra versatile in plenty of methods. You’ll be able to consider podcasts as the following “evolution” of the radio present.
Listed here are among the key variations between podcasts and radio:
- Podcasts are normally edited, whereas radio is often reside.
- Podcasts might be streamed or downloaded on demand, whereas radio reveals usually must be listened to reside. Radio stations are more and more making their beforehand aired reveals out there on-line, however most radio content material have to be accessed when it goes reside.
- Most radio content material is geared toward a broad viewers, whereas podcast content material might be extraordinarily area of interest.
- Most radio reveals have to fill a selected time block, whereas podcast episodes might be any size.
- Radio reveals usually have greater 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?
Among the best 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.
Lately, some podcasters have begun creating extra paid content material for his or her subscribers. These paid podcasts have gotten more and more fashionable, though free podcasts are nonetheless much more widespread.
What’s a podcast community?
A podcast community is a group of podcasts below the umbrella of a single firm, which produces, distributes, and/or makes these podcasts out there to advertisers. Podcast networks can present publicity and income for podcast homeowners and are an awesome possibility to contemplate as soon as your podcast has grown a bit.
Some podcast networks are centered 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 fashionable 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 often extra work, however it will probably assist expose your present to a wider viewers by platforms like YouTube and TikTok.
What tools do you might want to begin a podcast?
As talked about above in “The best way to Begin a Podcast,” a microphone is an important piece of kit you’ll want to start out your personal present. Nevertheless, there are just a few different items of tech to contemplate:
- A desktop microphone stand
- A growth 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 modifying, reminiscent of GarageBand or Audacity
- Sound dampening supplies to scale back room echo
Do podcasters earn money from their reveals?
They positively can, and lots of of them do!
The commonest means podcasts earn money is thru promoting or sponsorships. It’s also possible to use online marketing to advertise merchandise in your present and earn a fee when somebody purchases them utilizing your hyperlink.
Our Amp’d Up Podcasting course — out there completely to our neighborhood members — is designed to assist podcasters develop and higher monetize their reveals whereas additionally lowering manufacturing time.
A free guidelines for beginning your podcast
Be sure to don’t miss a step! The Podcast Cheat Sheet offers you all of the steps you might want to begin your present.
Are you prepared to start out 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 turn into a podcaster your self!
Earlier than you leap, nevertheless, it’s vital to weigh the professionals and cons of podcasting.
Professionals and cons of beginning a podcast
The advantages of getting a podcast might be quite a few. A podcast may help you:
- Develop your model or enterprise
- Meet new individuals
- Develop new revenue streams
- Develop your viewers
On the similar time, podcasting might not be for everybody. It takes time, vitality, dedication, and sources to start out and keep a podcast. To achieve success, you might want to produce a high-quality present and publish it often.
Extra sources 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 plenty of useful sources in case you’re able to continue to learn about podcasts and what they’ll do that will help you develop your online business and join together with your viewers.
For those who’re inquisitive about beginning your personal podcast, our The best way to Begin a Podcast Information offers you sensible subsequent steps.
However in case you’re prepared to start out your podcast in essentially the most streamlined means 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 Neighborhood — membership will get you all our programs and the assist of a vibrant studying neighborhood to information and encourage you in direction of podcasting success.
It’s also possible to discover The Sensible Passive Revenue Podcast and skim extra about podcasting on the weblog.
Able to study podcasting the sensible means?
The SPI Neighborhood has the sources you want.
