How to Start a Podcast

Podcasting has become one of the dominant sources of
entertainment in recent years. That is thanks to tireless content creators who
have created our favorite shows. If you’ve been throwing around the idea of
starting a podcast but aren’t sure how to record a podcast, then you’ve come to
the right place! This article will detail how to start a podcast, from coming
up with a plan to recording your first episode. We’ll also cover how to come up
with podcast topics and then show you how to monetize your podcast.

Choose a podcast topic

Before you start a podcast, you’ll need to choose a podcast
topic to give you some direction. There are plenty of topics to choose from,
including comedy, true crime, sports, entertainment, and education. When you’re
brainstorming ideas, you’ll want to pick a topic that truly interests you. If
it’s a topic that you are passionate about (like a hobby of yours), then your
excitement for the topic will shine through. That energy will be what drives
people to listen to your podcast.

Whichever topic or genre your podcast covers, be sure to
stick as close to it as possible. To start a podcast that will stand out from
the rest of the crowd, search for a unique angle or take on your podcast topic.
Instead of making your topic “true crime,” try something more specific within
the genre, such as “true crime in music.” By making this distinction, your
podcast might attract listeners eager to learn more about Selena, Dimebag
Darrell, and stolen Stradivarii. Whether your podcast’s topic is broad or
focused, the key is to stay authentic and to stay within your topic. Keep it
specific, and you’ll have more and more listeners coming back to hear your next
episode.

No podcast is complete without a great name, though! You’ll
want to give your podcast a title that offers prospective listeners a clue as
to what it’s about. The trick with podcast names is to capture the essence of
your show without sounding bland. Be creative but not too cute, so it makes
sense to listeners. It can be a hard balance to achieve, but with enough
experimentation, you’ll come up with a perfect title.

Pick the podcast equipment you’ll need

If you’re unsure how to record a podcast, you’ll need a few essential pieces of recording gear. Whether you decide on a simple podcasting setup or a professional recording rig, there are no set rules for how to record a podcast. However, we’ve found that it’s easiest to have a computer with internet access (preferably wired), a microphone, headphones, and podcast recording software. Below, we’ve included a suggested list of conventional podcast equipment to get you started. For an in-depth explanation of all the gear you need to record a podcast, check out Podcast Equipment: Everything You Need to Get Started.  

USB podcast microphones

USB microphones are a top choice for podcasters. They plug straight into a computer or even your smartphone (with the correct adapter), eliminating the need to drag around extra gear. Popular USB microphones include the AKG Lyra, Shure MV7, and Blue Microphones Yeti X. You can shop for more podcast microphones at Sweetwater. Sweetwater also has a list of the best microphones for podcasting available here.

XLR podcast microphones

The best XLR podcast microphones are generally dynamic microphones with excellent off-axis rejection — sometimes called broadcast microphones. At Sweetwater, the Shure SM7B, RODE Procaster, and Electro-Voice RE20 are some of the most popular XLR podcast microphones. This article includes a list of our preferred XLR podcast microphones.

Audio interfaces for podcasting

If you choose an XLR podcasting microphone, then you’ll need an audio interface to connect your mic to your computer. And in the eyes of many podcasters, an audio interface is crucial for making your podcast sound better. Interfaces like the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 and PreSonus AudioBox USB 96 are used in podcast studios all over the country. Here’s a list of the best audio interfaces for podcasting.

Podcast recording software

Your DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) is where you’ll record and edit your show. Some USB microphones and audio interfaces come with free software to get you started. Top podcast recording software choices at Sweetwater include Steinberg Cubase, PreSonus Studio One, and GarageBand (Mac only).

Put your podcast on Spotify, iTunes, and streaming platforms

If you want people to listen to your show, then you’ll need
to know how to start a podcast on iTunes or how to put your podcast on Spotify.
All you need to do is select the platforms you want to use, set up an RSS (Really
Simple Syndication) feed for your podcast, and then follow each platform’s
guidelines and terms of service. Once you have your episodes recorded and ready
to go, it’s super easy to get your podcast online for the world to hear.

Which podcast platform should I use?

There are so many places to listen to podcasts that it’s
easy to get overwhelmed. You may be asking yourself which podcasting platform
is right for you, and the answer is simple — all of them! Here at Sweetwater,
we recommend using as many podcast directories and streaming services as
possible. By doing so, more people can find and subscribe to your podcast than
if you only start your podcast on Apple Podcasts. Start with the three major
podcast directories (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher) and add more
services as time goes on.

How to set up an RSS feed

An RSS feed is how you’ll share new podcast episodes with
your loyal fanbase. When you upload podcast episodes to an RSS feed, it will
automatically push the update to any streaming platforms it’s registered with,
eliminating the hassle of uploading the content to each platform. You
absolutely must have an RSS feed to make your podcast work.

While you can take the time to set up an RSS feed for your
website, there are plenty of companies that offer great deals on podcast RSS
feeds. They make uploading your episodes and artwork painless and
straightforward. Next, enter the RSS feed’s URL on each podcast platform you
chose, and away you go!

Make money podcasting

With the amount of traction that podcasts get, it’s no wonder
why advertisers are jumping on board. With a bit of creative marketing and some
persistence, you can monetize your podcast, turning it from a passion project
into supplemental income. To make money podcasting, you can take a few
different avenues: get podcast sponsors, enter affiliate marketing programs, or
set up a crowdfunding account. The majority of successful podcasts utilize all
three techniques.

Podcast sponsors

If you’ve ever listened to a podcast, you know exactly what
we mean when we say sponsors. Landing a sponsorship can rake in serious money
and help you invest in better gear. While some sponsors may approach you,
you’ll likely be doing a lot of legwork to negotiate a sponsorship. To monetize
your podcast, you can reach out to a sponsor directly, join a podcast network,
or take advantage of your hosting service’s ad program. Whichever you choose,
be prepared! Make sure you have a compelling sales pitch, know your audience
demographic, and have clearly defined rates for advertisements.

Affiliate marketing programs

Another
terrific way you can make money with a podcast is through affiliate marketing
programs, especially if your show doesn’t yet have the widespread
following that traditional sponsors prefer. Wikipedia
defines affiliate marketing as “a type of performance-based marketing in which
a business rewards one or more affiliates for each visitor or customer brought
by the affiliate’s own marketing efforts.” You’ve heard affiliate marketing in
almost every podcast that offers a discount code or a unique link to click on for
savings. If you’re an affiliate of a company, then you’ll receive money each
time someone uses your code or affiliate link to buy a product online.

Setting up a Patreon/crowdfunding account for your podcast

Crowdfunding is, without a doubt, the most popular way that
listeners can support a podcast and its host. Patreon is currently the most
well-known platform for podcasting. Users can subscribe for a set amount of
money per month or make one-off donations. Most successful podcasts offer perks
to their Patreon subscribers. Usually, those perks include special deals on
merch, bonus content, and early access to episodes. However you choose to run
your crowdfunding website, giving listeners an incentive to subscribe is the
name of the game.

Ready to start your show?

Feeling inspired and want to start a new podcast? Let Sweetwater help! Give us a call at (800) 222-4700, and your personal Sweetwater Sales Engineer will evaluate your needs and suggest the right podcasting gear to get you started. Since many of them are podcasters themselves, they’ll be happy to help you fine-tune your podcast idea and make it a reality! And if you’re in need of bonus podcast content, visit us on YouTube! Two of our Sweetwater Sales Engineers who are also podcasters, Matt Alexander and Ty Heimann, share their tips for how to start a successful podcast in this video.
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