Tips and Tricks for Starting Your Brand’s Podcast

By Katharine 2 years agoNo Comments
Podcast | Alkaloid Networks

It seems like everyone has a podcast these days, doesn’t it? 

It’s really easier than ever to launch your own podcast .Here are a few things for creative folks and busy entrepreneurial types to keep in mind before publishing their first episode. 

Here’s what you’ll need to know so you can get started today

Know What Your Podcast Is About

Alkaloid Members Do Podcasts

Jade records the Cults Cults Cults podcast at Alkaloid Networks.

It’s worth pointing out that not every conversation needs to be a podcast. You might have a particular topic that you’re obsessed with and can talk about for hours. Consider if you have an entire season’s worth of discussions to publish

Start by getting clear on your podcast’s purpose and your vision for it. Have a rough idea of the topics you’re passionate about and want to discuss at length. “Write down a list of twenty-five potential episode ideas for the podcast topic(s) you have in mind. You can include potential guest names, too, like you were going to interview those people,” suggests Pat Flynn, marketing and podcasting expert

From there you’ll want to determine what kind of format your show will have. Whether it’s a series of interviews, reporting on newsworthy or trending topics, or sharing stories in a radio drama format.  The format will also help you determine how frequently you’ll publish episodes and how long each episode will be.

Know What Resources Are Available

“There are now 10 million more weekly podcast listeners than the 69 million Netflix account owners in the U.S. This could indicate the start of a shift from video to audio media,” according to Convince and Convert.

This surge of podcast listeners has given rise to more resources and tools for people who want to launch their own show. There are a few free options out there, if you’re trying to get things started with a smaller budget. 

1. Recording and Hosting Platforms

There are dozens of tools out there for recording and hosting your podcast. Depending on your technical prowess and budget, you might want to test a few of these out before deciding to purchase anything. 

Anchor: Newer to the podcasting scene, Anchor is a totally free, easy to use podcast recording platform that allows users to record, edit, and interview guests all in one place. Anchor also hosts and distributes your podcast across most listening platforms. All this makes it one of the simplest ways for someone to start their own podcast. 

Audacity: Another free option for recording your podcast, and includes lots of bells and whistles to fine tune your sound. Audacity doesn’t host your podcast episodes, so you’ll need to find a hosting platform. (Audacity works on Windows.)

GarageBand: Similar to Audacity, GarageBand is also a free recording option for podcasters and works on Macs.

Riverside: One of the leading remote recording platforms used by Guy Raz, Spotify, Marvel, and The New York Times to record studio-quality interviews from anywhere, with no loss in recording quality. You can click here for an example of the recording quality.

Buzzsprout: This is a free hosting platform for your podcast recordings. You distribute your episodes (including preview clips) to different listening platforms like Apple, Spotify, and Google. 

PRO-TIP: Pat Flynn offers readers a discount for Buzzsprout in his super helpful and extensive guide on launching a podcast. 

Aria Vega Sex Journalist | Alkaloid Networks

Meet Aria Vega on her weekly Lustery podcast.

2. Planning Your Podcast

Google Sheets might help you plot out a few ideas for your podcast calendar, but there are a few project management tools to help support your process and milestones. All of the following platforms feature free options. 

    • Asana: Great for project management, content planning and staying on track with deadlines. 
    • Trello: Can keep ideas and interviews organized in a simple, easy-to-view format. 
    • Notion: A newer, more robust planning and database tool for serious planners. 

3. Equipment You’ll Need

You don’t need an entire sound booth to publish a podcast, but setting up your space for optimal sound recording will help with the quality of your content.

Find a good microphone that will work with the software you’re using. There are dozens of articles that break down the best quality microphones for podcasters, but most recommend starting out with a USB microphone to make it easier on newbies. 

It will help to think about and create a soundproof space in your home or office where you might record.

HINT: If you work in a coworking space, you might be able to find a quiet conference room or nook that fits the bill! Alkaloid Networks has a conference room specifically designed to work for podcasts and even includes unlimited usage of basic podcast equipment. 

Know Where Your Podcast Audience Is

Once you start recording episodes, you’ll want to think about publishing them. The good news about starting a podcast is that you don’t have to have an existing audience in order to get things launched. You will want to get the word out so consider setting up a website and/or social media profiles to help with promotion.

Katharine Chestnut | Alkaloid Networks

Katharine publishes her Insight Timer guided meditations at Alkaloid Networks.

Marketing your podcast online can take just as much effort as recording and publishing it, but if you have a strategy in place ahead of time you’ll set yourself up for success. Just remember a few things from the experts: 

  1. “The day you debut your podcast, you should launch it with a few episodes, ideally three. This is a good number of episodes to have your audience listen to immediately without overwhelming them,” says Michael Keenan for Shopify.
  2. Tell your email list and personal network about the show, to help get traction when you’re first starting out. If you’re a coworking space member, tell the people around you!
  3. Invite guests on your show who can reach out to their own networks and spread the word about your podcast.  

“Podcasting is a great way to get your voice out there — to tell unique stories or put your spin on trending topics,” says Pia Silva for Forbes. “When you share insightful information, you can gradually build your authority in your niche, as more and more people come to recognize you as an expert on the subject.” 

There are some great, creative ways to build a community, and podcasting has helped thousands of business owners and freelancers a way to do just that. Looking for other ways to market and grow your business? Coworking offers entrepreneurs and small businesses a few solutions for success.

Come see what we’re all about! Get a free day pass here

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