New to the world of podcasting? You may be questioning, nicely, 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 that you may 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 like 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 a particularly in style type of media that’s rising shortly. The primary podcasts have been produced by people, however now they’re additionally made by firms, information shops, and different organizations. Podcasting has change 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 eat in varied settings, akin to whereas commuting, cooking, touring, or working.
You’ll be able to consider podcasts as “background” content material, however you too can give them your full consideration if you happen to 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. In case 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 out there 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 reveals like AskPat 2.0 and The Group Expertise have been launched weekly (till being sunsetted final yr). The Sensible Passive Revenue Podcast continues to be launched each week on an ongoing foundation.
Able to be taught podcasting the sensible approach?
The All-Entry Cross has the assets you want.
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 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 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 approach of distributing audio content material. In 2005, Apple added a podcast subscription characteristic 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 function of a podcast? What are they good for? An entire lot!
For the listener, a podcast is a good way to find out about a given subject—and/or be entertained!—in a approach that’s handy to them. Podcasts are free (for probably the most half) and simple 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 huge. Podcasts are a good 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 individuals, utilizing your voice. Your podcast episode could also be heard by 1000’s and even tens of millions 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 out there to listeners through a Actually Easy Syndication (RSS) feed.
An RSS feed permits content material creators to publish notifications of latest content material akin 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 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 routinely 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 routinely generates the RSS feed to your podcast, after which submits it to podcast directories, akin to Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and others.
You may 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 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 most well-liked.
Sure, you’ll be able to technically host your podcast’s RSS feed by yourself web site. And sure, most podcast hosts value 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 value.
You would possibly save a couple of dollars, however in our opinion, the shortage of analytics alone makes internet hosting your podcast in your web site a foul selection.
Fortunately, you’ve gotten loads of choices to select from with regards to 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 in style 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 small print of your podcast, add episodes, and discover choices for monetizing your present. Some platforms cost a month-to-month payment (variable relying on how a lot content material you publish), whereas others are free.
Final however not least, you may be considering, Isn’t a podcast host additionally an individual? Sure! A podcast host can even check 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 info, podcasts can take many alternative types! Listed here are a few of the most typical podcast codecs, together with examples.
- Interview: A number invitations a number of friends to debate a given subject. 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 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 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 have interaction 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 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 Instances’ The Each day is a cohosted podcast that comes with interviews.
Who makes podcasts?
Podcasts may 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 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 friends, organizing the episode schedule, overseeing the recording and modifying processes, selling the present, and extra.
Learn how 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, akin to a smartphone, pc, or pill to entry podcasts. Because you’re already studying this put up, I’m guessing you’ve received this one lined. 😉
Whether or not you’re trying to find a particular 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 may be downloaded to your machine or accessed through the online.
So which one must you select? To be trustworthy, there’s not a ton of distinction between them, particularly if you happen to’re simply getting began as a podcast listener.
In the event you’re a Mac/iOS consumer, then Apple Podcasts is your go-to, and if you happen to use an Android telephone, then the Google Play Music app is the best choice.
Every app additionally offers a podcast listing that you may search to search out new reveals. Many of those apps may even present customized suggestions primarily based on the reveals 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 arrange numerous podcast subscriptions. However for 99 p.c of listeners, most apps will do exactly high-quality.
When you’ve discovered the podcast you wish to hearken to in your podcast app, you’ll be able to both stream it or obtain it to your machine to hear 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 out there straight on their web site through 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:
Learn how to begin a podcast
In the event you’re excited about tips on how to begin a podcast, you’re in the precise 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…).
With the intention to begin a podcast, you want a number of key substances:
That’s not all, although, and if you would like the total scoop, try our “Learn how to Begin a Podcast STEP-BY-STEP” information.
It consists of 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 way more
The “Learn how to Begin a Podcast STEP-BY-STEP” information makes beginning your podcast straightforward and doable so as to construct your viewers—and even begin and scale a enterprise with the assistance of your new present.
You may also try our video information to beginning your podcast!
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 have 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 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 a variety of similarities, since they’re each audio codecs, podcasts are extra versatile in a variety 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 normally edited, whereas radio is usually stay.
- Podcasts may be streamed or downloaded on demand, whereas radio reveals usually should be listened to stay. Radio stations are more and more making their beforehand aired reveals out there on-line, however most radio content material should be accessed when it goes stay.
- Most radio content material is aimed toward a broad viewers, whereas podcast content material may be extraordinarily area of interest.
- Most radio reveals have to fill a particular time block, whereas podcast episodes may be any size.
- Radio reveals usually have greater manufacturing prices, in order that they include commercials to assist offset these prices. Whereas podcast promoting is a rising business, many podcasts don’t embrace advertisements as a result of the price barrier to entry for podcasting is a lot decrease than for radio.
Are podcasts free to hearken to?
Probably the greatest issues about podcasts is that they’re normally 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 in style, though free podcasts are nonetheless much more frequent.
What’s a podcast community?
A podcast community is a set of podcasts underneath 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 amazing choice 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 matters. The largest podcast networks embrace iHeartRadio, Wondery, PodcastOne, HubSpot Podcast Community, and Audacy.
What’s a video podcast?
Video podcasts are an more and more in style 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 might probably assist expose your present to a wider viewers by platforms like YouTube and TikTok.
What gear do you have to begin a podcast?
As talked about above in “Learn how to Begin a Podcast,” a microphone is an important piece of kit you’ll want to begin your individual present. Nevertheless, there are a number of 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, akin to GarageBand or Audacity
- Sound dampening supplies to scale back room echo
Do podcasters generate income from their reveals?
They undoubtedly can, and lots of of them do!
The most typical approach podcasts generate income is thru promoting or sponsorships. You may also use affiliate marketing online 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.
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 change into a podcaster your self!
Earlier than you leap, nonetheless, 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 might help you:
- Develop your model or enterprise
- Meet new individuals
- Develop new earnings streams
- Increase your viewers
On the similar time, podcasting might not be for everybody. It takes time, vitality, dedication, and assets to begin and preserve a podcast. To achieve success, you have to produce a high-quality present and publish it frequently.
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 received a number of useful assets if you happen to’re able to continue to learn about podcasts and what they will do that will help you develop your enterprise and join along with your viewers.
In the event you’re excited about beginning your individual podcast, our Learn how to Begin a Podcast Information offers you sensible subsequent steps.
However if you happen to’re prepared to begin your podcast in probably the most streamlined approach 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’ll be able to take the course as a part of our All-Entry Cross — 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.
You may also discover The Sensible Passive Revenue Podcast and skim extra about podcasting on the weblog.
Able to be taught podcasting the sensible approach?
The All-Entry Cross neighborhood has the programs, assets, assist, and accountability you want.
