New to the world of podcasting? You is perhaps 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 way 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 that you would be able to obtain or stream from the web in your smartphone, pc, 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 had been produced by people, however now they’re additionally made by firms, information retailers, and different organizations. Podcasting has turn into 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 eat in numerous settings, corresponding to whereas commuting, cooking, touring, or working.
You possibly can consider podcasts as “background” content material, however you can even give them your full consideration for those who like.
Talking of content material, podcast matters can cowl an enormous vary, from true crime to enterprise methods to parenting tricks to comedy or youngsters’ 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 chance so that you can begin your individual podcast on that subject!
Podcasts are usually accessible 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 Neighborhood Expertise had been launched weekly (till being sunsetted final 12 months). The Sensible Passive Earnings Podcast continues to be launched each week on an ongoing foundation.
Able to study podcasting the good manner?
The All-Entry Move has the assets you want.
How podcasts began (a quick historical past of podcasting)
Podcasts have their roots again within the Nineteen 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 earth 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 find out about a given subject—and/or be entertained!—in a manner that’s handy to them. Podcasts are free (for essentially the most half) and straightforward to seek out, and given their rising recognition, cowl a wider and deeper vary of matters than ever earlier than.
For the podcaster, the makes use of and advantages of a podcast will be monumental. Podcasts are an effective way to construct and serve an viewers by entertaining and/or educating listeners on a given subject.
One of many key benefits of a podcast for the podcaster is that you just get to talk on to folks, utilizing your voice. Your podcast episode could also be heard by hundreds and even thousands and thousands of individuals, however for every listener, it’s simply you and them.
It’s been mentioned that podcasting is one of the best 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 accessible to listeners through a Actually Easy Syndication (RSS) feed.
An RSS feed permits content material creators to publish notifications of recent content material corresponding 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 accessible to listeners through 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 through an RSS feed. The podcast host robotically generates the RSS feed to your podcast, after which submits it to podcast directories, corresponding to 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 brief 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.
- Provide built-in analytics, so you’ll be able to see how your present is rising and which episodes are the preferred.
Sure, you’ll be able to technically host your podcast’s RSS feed by yourself web site. And sure, most podcast hosts price cash, with these prices typically rising as your present grows.
However for many creators, internet hosting your podcast by yourself web site is far more bother than it’s price.
You would possibly save a couple of dollars, however in our opinion, the dearth of analytics alone makes internet hosting your podcast in your web site a nasty selection.
Fortunately, you’ve loads of choices to select from on the subject of podcast hosts. Our advisable 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 straightforward to work with a podcast host. You arrange an account on their web site, the place you’ll be able to 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 can even confer with the one who is the face and voice of a podcast. (For example, Pat is the host of the SPI Podcast.) Glad we cleared that up. 😉
Varieties of podcasts and podcast examples
As a medium for entertaining and sharing info, podcasts can take many various varieties! Listed below are a few of the most typical podcast codecs, together with examples.
- Interview: A bunch invitations a number of company to debate a given subject. This present format requires analysis and outreach to seek out company for every episode. (The Sensible Passive Earnings Podcast, Armchair Professional, Recent Air)
- Solo Speaking/Storytelling: Because the title suggests, a single host “runs the present.” The time that will 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 completely 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 subject. (SmartLess, Pod Save America)
- Documentary: Just 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)
Notice that many podcasts are a hybrid, incorporating parts of a number of codecs. For instance, the New York Instances’ The Every day is a cohosted podcast that comes with interviews.
Who makes podcasts?
Podcasts will be created by nearly anybody, from a person to a small workforce 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 usually put on a number of hats, and their duties could embrace discovering company, organizing the episode schedule, overseeing the recording and modifying processes, selling the present, and extra.
Easy methods 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, pc, or pill with an web connection.
- A podcast app
You’ll want an internet-connected machine, corresponding to a smartphone, pc, or pill to entry podcasts. Because you’re already studying this put up, I’m guessing you’ve acquired 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 below are a few of the hottest ones:
Every of those apps will be downloaded to your machine or accessed through the online.
So which one do you have to select? To be trustworthy, there’s not a ton of distinction between them, particularly for those who’re simply getting began as a podcast listener.
Should you’re a Mac/iOS consumer, then Apple Podcasts is your go-to, and for those who use an Android cellphone, then the Google Play Music app is the simplest possibility.
Every app additionally supplies a podcast listing that you would be able to search to seek out new exhibits. Many of those apps may even present personalised suggestions primarily based 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 would possibly 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 nice.
When you’ve discovered the podcast you wish to take heed to in your podcast app, you’ll be able to both stream it or obtain it to your machine to pay attention later. Your podcast app must also mean you can “subscribe” to a present so that you’ll be alerted when new episodes are launched.
Some podcast creators additionally make their podcast episodes accessible instantly on their web site through a web-based podcast participant like Fusebox.
Right here’s an instance of the way to use an embedded internet participant like Fusebox to play a podcast episode proper on a webpage:
Easy methods to begin a podcast
Should you’re concerned with the way to begin a podcast, you’re in the fitting place! At SPI, we’ve got a ton of assets for first-time podcasters (and extra superior podcasters too, however let’s not get forward of ourselves…).
In an effort to begin a podcast, you want just a few key components:
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 contains the lowdown on issues like:
- Choosing a podcast subject you’ll be able to 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 straightforward and doable in an effort to construct your viewers—and even begin and scale a enterprise with the assistance of your new present.
You may as well 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 provides you all of the steps it’s worthwhile to begin your present.
What’s a podcast FAQ
Listed below 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 authentic transportable music participant, and “broadcast.” Some folks have additionally instructed “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 a number of similarities, since they’re each audio codecs, podcasts are extra versatile in a number of methods. You possibly can consider podcasts as the following “evolution” of the radio present.
Listed below are a few of the key variations between podcasts and radio:
- Podcasts are normally edited, whereas radio is usually reside.
- Podcasts will be streamed or downloaded on demand, whereas radio exhibits usually have to be listened to reside. Radio stations are more and more making their beforehand aired exhibits accessible 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 will be extraordinarily area of interest.
- Most radio exhibits must fill a selected time block, whereas podcast episodes will be any size.
- Radio exhibits usually have greater manufacturing prices, in order that they include commercials to assist offset these prices. Whereas podcast promoting is a rising trade, many podcasts don’t embrace advertisements as a result of the fee barrier to entry for podcasting is a lot decrease than for radio.
Are podcasts free to take heed to?
Among the finest 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 widespread.
What’s a podcast community?
A podcast community is a set of podcasts beneath the umbrella of a single firm, which produces, distributes, and/or makes these podcasts accessible to advertisers. Podcast networks can present publicity and income for podcast homeowners and are an amazing possibility to contemplate 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 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 usually extra work, however it will possibly assist expose your present to a wider viewers by way of platforms like YouTube and TikTok.
What gear do it’s worthwhile to begin a podcast?
As talked about above in “Easy methods to Begin a Podcast,” a microphone is an important piece of apparatus you’ll want to begin your individual present. Nevertheless, there are just a few different items of tech to contemplate:
- 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, corresponding to GarageBand or Audacity
- Sound dampening supplies to cut back room echo
Do podcasters generate profits from their exhibits?
They positively can, and lots of of them do!
The most typical manner podcasts generate profits is thru promoting or sponsorships. You may as well 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 — accessible solely 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 turn into a podcaster your self!
Earlier than you leap, nonetheless, it’s essential to weigh the professionals and cons of podcasting.
Execs and cons of beginning a podcast
The advantages of getting a podcast will be quite a few. A podcast might help you:
- Develop your model or enterprise
- Meet new folks
- Develop new earnings streams
- Broaden your viewers
On the identical time, podcasting is probably not for everybody. It takes time, vitality, dedication, and assets to begin and preserve a podcast. To achieve success, it’s worthwhile to produce a high-quality present and publish it often.
Extra assets for the aspiring podcaster (or simply the pod-curious)
If the thought of beginning a podcast continues to be thrilling to you, nice! We’ve acquired a number of useful assets for those who’re able to continue to learn about podcasts and what they will do that can assist you develop your small business and join along with your viewers.
Should you’re concerned with beginning your individual podcast, our Easy methods to Begin a Podcast Information provides you sensible subsequent steps.
However for those who’re prepared to begin your podcast in essentially 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 possibly can 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 inspire you in direction of podcasting success.
You may as well discover The Sensible Passive Earnings Podcast and browse extra about podcasting on the weblog.
Able to study podcasting the good manner?
The All-Entry Move neighborhood has the programs, assets, help, and accountability you want.
