New to the world of podcasting? You may be 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 tips on how to get began as a podcast listener or creator.
Desk of Contents
What Is a Podcast and How 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 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 lovely, 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 well-liked 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 grow to be 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 devour in numerous settings, comparable to whereas commuting, cooking, touring, or working.
You may consider podcasts as “background” content material, however you can even give them your full consideration if you happen to like.
Talking of content material, podcast topics can cowl an enormous vary, from true crime to enterprise methods to parenting tricks to comedy or children’ content material. When you’ve got a subject in thoughts, there’s in all probability a podcast on the market for it! And if there isn’t, that may imply a chance so that you can start your own 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 shows like AskPat 2.0 and The Community Experience had been launched weekly (till being sunsetted final yr). The Smart Passive Income Podcast remains to be launched each week on an ongoing foundation.
Able to be taught podcasting the good method?
The All-Entry Go has the assets you want.
How Podcasts Began (a Temporary 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 under). This concept constructed steam over the subsequent few years, and in 2004 the time period “podcasting” emerged to explain this new method 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 this planet proper now!
What Are Podcasts Used For?
So what’s the purpose or function of a podcast? What are they good for? A complete lot!
For the listener, a podcast is an effective way to study a given subject—and/or be entertained!—in a method that’s handy to them. Podcasts are free (for probably 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 may be huge. 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 individuals, utilizing your voice. Your podcast episode could also be heard by 1000’s and even thousands and thousands of individuals, however for every listener, it’s simply you and them.
It’s been stated that podcasting is one of the best ways to scale intimacy and make a direct reference to every of your listeners.
What Is a Podcast Host and Why Do You Want One? (How a RSS Feed Works)
Podcasts are made out there to listeners by way of a Actually Easy Syndication (RSS) feed.
An RSS feed permits content material creators to publish notifications of latest content material comparable to weblog posts or, after all, 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 by way of 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 by way of an RSS feed. The podcast host robotically generates the RSS feed in your podcast, after which submits it to podcast directories, comparable to Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and others.
You may be pondering, 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 in 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 may see how your present is rising and which episodes are the preferred.
Sure, you may 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 hassle than it’s value.
You may save a couple of bucks, however in our opinion, the shortage of analytics alone makes internet hosting your podcast in your web site a nasty alternative.
Fortunately, you might have loads of choices to select from with regards to podcast hosts. Our advisable platform is Fusebox, because of its ease of use and useful options. [Note: I am a compensated affiliate for Fusebox.]
Different well-liked internet hosting platforms embody 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 may enter the main points of your podcast, add episodes, and discover choices for monetizing your present. Some platforms cost a month-to-month charge (variable relying on how a lot content material you publish), whereas others are free.
Final however not least, you may be pondering, Isn’t a podcast host additionally an individual? Sure! A podcast host may also seek advice from 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. 😉
Sorts of Podcasts and Podcast Examples
As a medium for entertaining and sharing data, podcasts can take many various types! Listed below are a few of the commonest podcast codecs, together with examples.
- Interview: A number 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 Revenue Podcast, Armchair Knowledgeable, Recent Air)
- Solo Speaking/Storytelling: Because the identify suggests, a single host “runs the present.” The time that may 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 typically 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 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 may embody 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 Every day is a cohosted podcast that includes interviews.
Who Makes Podcasts?
Podcasts may be created by nearly anybody, from a person to a small staff to a big firm!
What Is a Podcast Producer?
Relating to podcasts, a producer is somebody who works behind the scenes to verify the present is pretty much as good as it may be. They usually put on a number of hats, and their duties could embody discovering company, organizing the episode schedule, overseeing the recording and modifying processes, selling the present, and extra.
How you can Hearken 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 gadget, comparable to a smartphone, pc, 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 below are a few of the hottest ones:
Every of those apps may be downloaded to your gadget or accessed by way of the online.
So which one do you have to 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.
If you happen to’re a Mac/iOS person, then Apple Podcasts is your go-to, and if you happen to use an Android telephone, 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 reveals. Many of those apps may even present personalised suggestions primarily based 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 arrange a lot of podcast subscriptions. However for 99 p.c of listeners, most apps will just do fantastic.
When you’ve discovered the podcast you wish to take heed to in your podcast app, you may both stream it or obtain it to your gadget to hear later. Your podcast app also needs to 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 straight on their web site by way of 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:
How you can Begin a Podcast
If you happen to’re considering how to start a podcast, you’re in the suitable place! At SPI, we have now a ton of assets 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 a number of key elements:
That’s not all, although, and if you need the total scoop, take a look at our “How to Start a Podcast STEP-BY-STEP” information.
It consists of the lowdown on issues like:
- Selecting a podcast topic you may decide to
- Writing a compelling podcast description
- Selecting a podcast internet hosting service
- Recording your episodes
- And way more
The “How to Start 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.
It’s also possible to take a look at our video information to beginning your podcast!
What Is a Podcast FAQ
Listed below 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 moveable music participant, and “broadcast.” Some individuals have additionally instructed “moveable 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 quite a lot of similarities, since they’re each audio codecs, podcasts are extra versatile in quite a lot of methods. You may consider podcasts as the subsequent “evolution” of the radio present.
Listed below are a few of the key variations between podcasts and radio:
- Podcasts are often edited, whereas radio is usually dwell.
- Podcasts may be streamed or downloaded on demand, whereas radio reveals usually must be listened to dwell. 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 dwell.
- Most radio content material is aimed toward a broad viewers, whereas podcast content material may be extraordinarily area of interest.
- Most radio reveals must fill a selected time block, whereas podcast episodes may be any size.
- Radio reveals usually have larger manufacturing prices, in order that they comprise ads to assist offset these prices. Whereas podcast promoting is a rising trade, many podcasts don’t embody adverts as a result of the price barrier to entry for podcasting is a lot decrease than for radio.
Are Podcasts Free?
Among the best issues about podcasts is that they’re often 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 usually 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 well-liked, though free podcasts are nonetheless much more widespread.
What Is 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 ideal 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 subjects. The most important podcast networks embody iHeartRadio, Wondery, PodcastOne, HubSpot Podcast Community, and Audacy.
What Is a Video Podcast?
Video podcasts are an more and more well-liked 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 may well assist expose your present to a wider viewers by platforms like YouTube and TikTok.
What Gear Do You Must Begin a Podcast?
As talked about above in “How you can Begin a Podcast,” a microphone is crucial 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 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, comparable to GarageBand or Audacity
- Sound dampening supplies to cut back room echo
Do Podcasters Make Cash from Their Exhibits?
They positively can, and lots of of them do!
The most typical method podcasts earn money is thru promoting or sponsorships. It’s also possible to use internet online 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 — out there completely to our neighborhood members — is designed to assist podcasters develop and higher monetize their reveals whereas additionally decreasing manufacturing time.
Are You Able 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 grow to be a podcaster your self!
Earlier than you leap, nevertheless, it’s vital to weigh the professionals and cons of podcasting.
Execs and Cons of Beginning a Podcast
The advantages of getting a podcast may be quite a few. A podcast can assist you:
- Develop your model or enterprise
- Meet new individuals
- Develop new earnings streams
- Increase your viewers
On the identical time, podcasting might not be for everybody. It takes time, vitality, dedication, and assets to begin and preserve a podcast. To achieve success, you could produce a high-quality present and publish it recurrently.
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 numerous useful assets if you happen to’re able to continue learning about podcasts and what they’ll do that can assist you develop your enterprise and join together with your viewers.
If you happen to’re considering beginning your individual podcast, our How to Start a Podcast Guide offers you sensible subsequent steps.
However if you happen to’re prepared to begin your podcast in probably the most streamlined method 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 may take the course as a part of our All-Access Pass — membership will get you all our programs and the assist of a vibrant studying neighborhood to information and inspire you in the direction of podcasting success.
It’s also possible to discover The Smart Passive Income Podcast and browse extra about podcasting on the blog.
Able to be taught podcasting the good method?
The All-Entry Go neighborhood has the programs, assets, assist, and accountability you want.
