Podcasts are an excellent way to reach out and connect with your audience, build trust, and stay on top of industry trends. They can be inexpensive to produce, but it’s not always easy to get started if you’re new to this medium.
Podcasts are usually between 20 minutes to an hour in length, so it doesn’t take long for listeners to get the information they need. Podcasts are also great for people who want to be informed on a particular topic or stay up-to-date on current events in the world.
In this post, we will cover five quick steps that will get you started on your first podcast:
Podcasts are all about the content, and it’s essential to choose a topic that you’re passionate about and can speak knowledgeably on. Podcasting is personal, so be sure to connect with your listeners through topics that reflect your expertise and interests.
Podcasts can cover any number of topics: business, academia, personal growth, storytelling, and comedy, to name a few. Also, think about who your niche audience will be, such as new mothers or entrepreneurs who are more successful because they have the opportunity to share their stories and connect with people who live similar lives.
Now that you have selected the type of podcast you want to create, it is time to name your podcast.
Podcasts with unique names are more memorable and help build your brand, leading to listeners turning into followers or even customers.
Having a hard time finding a name for your podcast? Try these online generators to help boost your creativity:
PRO TIP! Podcast artwork is essential. Podcast artwork helps your podcast stand out in the crowded podcasting space and might prompt a listener to download or check out your Podcast from Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Stitcher Radio, or another platform.
Podcast artwork is most commonly an image file with the exact dimensions as a Podcast cover art template. Podcast artwork uploads as an image file to your podcast hosting account. Are you looking for help in designing your podcast artwork? Click here.
To podcast, you’ll need a microphone and some recording software. Your computer should come with both of these built-in features. Purchasing podcast equipment is an area where you can spend as little or as much money as you want, depending on your needs.
If possible, you may want to consider a podcast microphone because it will sound better and allow listeners to hear your words more clearly. Don’t forget that wearing headphones will help you to listen to your voice while recording.
What equipment is needed to start a podcast?
Podcasting is an audio-only medium and requires high levels of fidelity to sound good, so starting with great microphones can make all the difference. If you’re on a budget, your computer’s built-in microphone will work for now, but it won’t sound as good. Podcasting microphones come at various designs and prices, so take time to find the right one that works well with your budget.
Consider whether or not you can buy a microphone with your budget before purchasing one secondhand – if you’re able to invest in new gear, finding an affordable microphone will be a lot easier.
Here are a few podcast microphones that you may want to consider:
This is great for someone who wants an inexpensive, entry-level mic or as a backup if your main one fails on you.
This is a popular choice for those who want an uncolored sound, and it’s also a very affordable option that most any podcaster can afford to have on hand as a backup or when they’re starting.
If you’re podcasting for a living and need to sound professional, this is the mic that’s going to make your life easier.
A step up from the 2020 USB model without having all of its more expensive counterpart features, it provides a superb value with many of the features that podcasters need.
This is a good choice for those looking to spend less than $200, but it’s not quite as popular because of its lack of coloration and other sound issues.
This is an excellent option for those who want everything they need to start podcasting right out of the gate and don’t mind paying more upfront than you would if you were purchasing these items separately.
Your computer will come with some recording software, but you’ll want to upgrade if you’re doing this regularly. Podcast recording software will allow you to edit your episodes after the recording. It will have auto-leveling, which means that it’ll adjust the volume of different parts of every episode, so nothing is louder than anything else and often has some other features depending on what you need.
Here are some podcast software options to consider:
This is a good option if you’re on a very tight budget because it’s free to download and use for as long as you like (although there are some limitations). The downside is that it’s not very user-friendly and doesn’t have all the features you’ll need if you’re regularly podcasting.
It has all of the features that podcasters want, but it’s not available on Windows, which is a deal-breaker for some people. Podcasting isn’t always about being fancy, though, and if your podcast doesn’t require high-quality editing or sound processing, this might be enough to start.
This is an excellent option for those just starting who don’t want to spend the money on Adobe Audition. It’s easy to use, powerful and it has everything that you’ll need in this price range.
This is a popular choice among professionals, and it’s the most powerful podcasting software on the market. Podcasts will sound just as good with Audition as they would if you were recording them in the studio, but there are some drawbacks – for starters, this software can be expensive if you don’t already have a creative suite subscription.
The recording process is pretty straightforward and is recorded in two ways: live or prerecorded.
If you want to record your episodes ahead of time, then it’s a good idea to schedule them in advance. Podcasting is different from other media types because listeners can download an episode and listen at their convenience, so there’s no need for the pressure of a live recording (although many podcast hosts prefer this type).
This is also a good option if you have limited resources and can’t afford to pay for studio time or would rather not.
The guests on your podcast will need to record in a quiet place such as a home office or work office. Podcasting is different than other types of media because it relies heavily on the voice. If someone talks too low, they’ll sound unnatural, which means people recording their podcasts from home might want to invest in an audio interface/mic for better sound quality.
Guests can record via Skype, Google Hangouts, Microsoft Teams, or any other medium you agree upon if they’re not in the same area, but this is where the audio interface can come in handy if you’re still having trouble with sound quality.
Live podcasting is best when done in front of an audience, although some podcasters prefer this because they feel more natural. This type requires the appropriate equipment on hand and a clear studio to keep sound levels from being distorted.
Podcasting software will often have a live recording feature used when you’re playing your podcast online or want an audio file of the episode for offline listening.
Location and environment
If you’re recording at home or in an office, your room must be soundproof because otherwise, any background noise could make it hard for listeners to hear what is being said. A soundproof room, noise-canceling headphones, and a carpeted floor are all crucial considerations.
For example, using soundproof curtains will help. You’ll want to cover up any open window with a thick sound-blocking curtain. This will prevent outside noise from making it into your room and creating echoes that make it difficult for listeners to hear what’s being said on the podcast.
You can also cover the walls with acoustic foam panels. This will make it less likely that sound from your podcasting session will be heard outside your room.
Voice
Speaking in a Podcast is different from the way you’ll talk when talking to someone. It would be best if you avoided long pauses, dramatic changes in volume and tonality, or sudden bursts of laughter because it will distract listeners instead of helping them stay engaged.
Recording level
This refers to how loudly your voice sounds on the recording, and you must get this right. Podcasts can be listened to at various volumes, so you need to make sure that your voice doesn’t sound too loud when it’s played in the background.
Podcast editing is a whole other world that is more complicated than you might expect, but it doesn’t need to be strenuous. Podcast editing software will have an in-built editor, so if you want to do everything yourself, this option is for you. You’ll still need some experience and know-how, though, because the process can get tricky depending upon what you want to do.
The other option is to hire a Podcast Editing Service. They’ll charge you for their time and expertise, so it’s up to you whether this expense is worth it or not, but they can make your podcast sound like a professional media station without any effort on your part.
The first step to editing your podcast is to open your editing software and import your audio file. You’ll have access to a wide range of features that will allow you to edit out any gaps or unwanted noises as well as add music, sound effects, and other enhancements. Essential editing steps include trimming, adding fades or crossfades to clips, normalizing audio levels, and applying compression.
PRO TIP! If you add Podcast music to your podcast, make sure that it doesn’t drown out the voices or sounds. Interactive Podcasts can get away with this because they want their listeners to be “immersed,” but for more passive Podcasts in which people listen on their own time, it’s better to add music in the intro and outro of the episode.
Not sure where to find music to add to your podcast? Check out YouTube Audio Library. It has a vast selection of Podcast-appropriate music that you can download for free.
After you’re finished making changes (and before exporting), you’ll want to do a little quality control. This means listening back to the edited audio file and making sure that it sounds okay on your computer’s speakers before exporting the final product.
The process of exporting podcasts will depend upon what software program you’re using, but there are some critical steps in common. You’ll want to export the podcast at a quality level that is high enough so listeners will be able to enjoy it. Podcasts are exported as an MPP file, and you’ll find many programs with presets for this type of file already set up.
Once your final product is exported, you’ll need somewhere to host your podcast. Podcast hosting sites offer storage space and bandwidth so you can make your podcast available to listeners.
Once you have your podcast edited and exported, it’s time to upload it. You can find podcast hosting sites in various places, including Apple Podcasts, Podbean, Buzzsprout, or Libsyn, so search for one that suits your needs the best.
Podcast hosting sites will offer a free option, but the downside is that you’ll be limited to less storage space and bandwidth. This means your podcast might take longer for listeners to download, or they may need to wait until it’s finished downloading to avoid cutting off any sections of audio.
Podcasts can be downloaded in the Podbean app and through Podcast directories such as iTunes. Podbean podcasts can be embedded on any web page. Podbean podcast player has a Podcast search feature and a Podcast directory and also offers analytics and advertising.
Pricing plan: free plan with limited storage, paid plans starting from $9 / month with unlimited storage.
Buzzsprout Podcast Player allows for embedding podcasts on other web pages with an HTML code to make them visible to listeners who want to download podcasts on their phones. Podcast episodes are available for download or streaming on various Podcast directories, including Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Stitcher Radio, Spotify, and TuneIn.
Pricing plan: limited free plan for 90 days. Paid plans start at $12 / month for 3 hours upload.
Podcast hosting with a wide range of features, including exporting Podcast episodes as an MPP file that can play in streaming services such as YouTube. Libsyn Podcast Player allows Podcasts to embed on any web page. Podcasts download as Podcast-ready MPP files, and a variety of Podcast directories are available. Libsyn Podcasts can also be embedded on third-party websites.
Pricing plan: Starting from $5 per month with 50 MB monthly storage.
Many of the above hosting platforms allow for submitting your podcast to different directories such as Apple, Google, and Spotify, enabling podcasts to be more easily found and downloaded.
Podcasting is one of the most popular forms of online audio today so promoting them on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn can go a long way when it comes to driving traffic.
Podcasts can also be embedded on your website and shared through email marketing campaigns. This is an easy way for people who don’t use Podcasting apps or directories such as Apple Podcasts to download podcasts.
Here are some tips for promoting your new podcast:
If you’re interested in starting a podcast, we hope this guide has given you some insights into the process. But before getting started, it’s important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to making podcasts.
Podcasting is constantly evolving, and new platforms are created for people who want to share their stories or talk about different topics with listeners worldwide.
Lunara Digital can help make sure your content sounds great on any platform by providing professional production services. Have questions? Reach out to us here!
R codes are a great way to make your marketing more interactive and engaging. Whether you sell products online, want to get people more involved in your events or campaigns, or are looking for a new way to distribute coupons and flyers – QR codes can be an excellent asset.
An example of this could be a QR code on your packaging that leads the customer to a video using their new product or one placed outside an event venue with directions.
Make sure you consider what kind of experience you want people to have when they come across your codes and create content accordingly. You can create a shortcode if it is more about delivering information – like an instructional video. If it is part of your overall strategy to make more people use coupons, try creating bigger and easier codes to scan.
QR Codes may be a new marketing tool for some businesses, but they have been around long enough now to understand what works best for them; what content they can expect to get out of it, and what kind of audience is most likely to be interested in interacting with a QR code.
This post will walk you through five ways you can use QR codes in your marketing campaigns and see how it increases engagement with potential customers.
A QR code is a little black square that looks like pixelated pictures scanned by a smartphone or tablet’s camera. Once these square-shaped images are scanned into your device, they provide you information about what should happen next based on their preprogrammed design to prompt specific actions automatically without inputting any additional data yourself.
A great example of this kind of technology is when restaurants offer rewards points each time we use our phone as a credit card alternative at checkout counters. It only takes seconds before an app on the device automatically scans and stores all of our transaction information.
The most apparent benefit to utilizing a QR code in your business’s marketing strategy is that you’re able to reach an expanded audience by including mobile users. In addition, they can work as standalone advertisements or be integrated into social media posts since it only takes seconds for people on the go to scan and open the information they need.
A second benefit is that QR codes can be scanned even if it’s just an image on a screen, which could work as your company logo or in marketing collateral for events. This makes QR codes versatile enough to be used anywhere you want to promote your business. Lastly, with so many free QR code generators available, it’s easy for companies of all sizes to invest in this technology.
To make a QR code, you’ll need a QR code generator to create your image. There are plenty of free ones available online, and it only takes a few minutes to set up.
Here are some online QR code generators:
You could also create a QR code from scratch using an online editor and save it as your company logo. It’s essential to consider how you want to use the image before making it and how many people you want to scan it.
On your company’s Facebook page, upload a video that will automatically play to viewers and promote your product or service using the QR code. Once they scan it on their phone, it will take the viewer to another post with more information about what you’re selling. This is perfect for people viewing photos in chronological order and might not notice your message at the top of their feed.
You could also make a custom Twitter card for any links you share to web pages, blog posts, or videos that have QR codes so they can automatically scan them as well without having to copy an entire link into their phone’s browser.
The best part about including this technology in your social media promotion is that it’s free to do.
There might be tables or a sign that you can include a QR code for people to scan and then receive information about promotions at your store. For instance, you could have one at the door by registering visitors’ contact information, so they get an automatic discount when they check out without needing to do anything else but scanning the QR code.
This is also a great way of building your mailing list because it’ll be stored on their mobile device. You can send out emails to them with information about future sales, promotions, or other events your company might have in store for shoppers.
But the best part about this marketing strategy? People will continue going back to your store because they get something for free every time they visit.
Are you sending out promotional email campaigns to people who have signed up with their email for coupons or updates about what’s happening at your company? Include a link containing the code to automatically scan and open on their device when they click through.
The great thing about this is since they’re already signed up to receive your communications, they’re more likely to click through because they know there’s a good chance you’ll be sending them something really valuable.
Some examples of this could be discounts, free shipping, or access to coupons.
You might also want to put QR codes on your company’s printed materials like flyers or business cards so they can scan them to sign up for subscriptions, retrieve discounts or freebies.
If you’re hosting an event or promotion, offer it free to people who have scanned the code. You can do this by giving them coupons before entering your event, sending their contact information. Hence, they get emails about upcoming events if they scan once at your location in advance of the date and more.
This is an easy way to get your message out and give people a heads up on an upcoming event. For example, if you have a Black Friday promotion coming up but want to reward customers who come into the store on Thursday night with some discount or coupon as well, this would be an excellent strategy for getting them both in the door and spending more money because they’re getting a little something extra.
You can create a QR code that helps you gather information from your target audience, making it more likely to fill out the survey and give their honest opinions. For example, suppose you’re running a marketing campaign that pays participants to provide feedback about how they feel about your product or service in general. In that case, you can have them scan a QR code to start answering questions.
This is an easy way for companies to get accurate information from their target audience to decide what new items or services might be beneficial.
This is great because it gives you instant feedback on what they like and don’t, how much time they spend at specific locations or events, product preferences, and more.
This information will help improve your services’ quality and marketing strategy since you’ll know what your target audience(s) are looking for when purchasing your product.
There is no limit to the number of ways that QR codes are used in a business setting, and nothing is stopping you from trying them out right now. The possibilities are endless when it comes to how QR codes can be used in marketing.
Whether it’s encouraging people to come back by offering them discounts or freebies when they check out using the code on their device, collecting information from surveys that will help improve how your services work for customers or any number of other tactics that can be used, this is an excellent way for your business to grow and expand.
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