New to the world of podcasting? You could be questioning, effectively, 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 the right way 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 which you could obtain or stream from the web in your smartphone, laptop, or pill and pay attention when it’s handy for you.
A podcast “episode” is a single occasion of a podcast, very similar to 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 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 in style type of media that’s rising shortly. The primary podcasts have been produced by people, however now they’re additionally made by corporations, information retailers, and different organizations. Podcasting has turn into huge enterprise, with corporations 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’ll be able to consider podcasts as “background” content material, however you may also give them your full consideration should you like.
Talking of content material, podcast subjects can cowl an enormous vary, from true crime to enterprise methods to parenting tricks to comedy or youngsters’ content material. If in case you have a subject in thoughts, there’s most likely a podcast on the market for it! And if there isn’t, that may imply a possibility so that you can begin your personal podcast on that subject!
Podcasts are sometimes 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 exhibits like AskPat 2.0 and The Neighborhood Expertise have been launched weekly (till being sunsetted final yr). The Good Passive Revenue Podcast continues to be launched each week on an ongoing foundation.
Able to study podcasting the sensible method?
The All-Entry Go has the sources you want.
How Podcasts Began (a Transient Historical past of Podcasting)
Podcasts have their roots again within the Nineteen 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 information 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 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 the planet proper now!
What Are Podcasts Used For?
So what’s the purpose or goal of a podcast? What are they good for? An entire 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 reputation, cowl a wider and deeper vary of subjects than ever earlier than.
For the podcaster, the makes use of and advantages of a podcast could be monumental. 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 simply get to talk on to individuals, utilizing your voice. Your podcast episode could also be heard by hundreds and even thousands and thousands of individuals, however for every listener, it’s simply you and them.
It’s been mentioned that podcasting is the easiest way 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 recent 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 mechanically 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 information by way of an RSS feed. The podcast host mechanically generates the RSS feed in your podcast, after which submits it to podcast directories, comparable to Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and others.
You could 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 a substitute of DIYing it. A podcast host can:
- Present storage in your podcast episode information, 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 growing 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 dearth of analytics alone makes internet hosting your podcast in your web site a foul alternative.
Fortunately, you’ve 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 price (variable relying on how a lot content material you publish), whereas others are free.
Final however not least, you could be pondering, Isn’t a podcast host additionally an individual? Sure! A podcast host can even consult with 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. 😉
Forms 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 most typical podcast codecs, together with examples.
- Interview: A bunch invitations a number of visitors to debate a given subject. This present format requires analysis and outreach to seek out visitors for every episode. (The Good Passive Revenue Podcast, Armchair Professional, 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 a substitute 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 generally 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 sometimes 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 Occasions’ The Every day is a cohosted podcast that includes interviews.
Who Makes Podcasts?
Podcasts could be created by nearly anybody, from a person to a small workforce to a big firm!
What Is a Podcast Producer?
In relation to podcasts, a producer is somebody who works behind the scenes to verify the present is nearly as good as it may be. They sometimes put on a number of hats, and their duties might embrace discovering visitors, organizing the episode schedule, overseeing the recording and enhancing processes, selling the present, and extra.
How one can Take heed 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, laptop, or pill with an web connection.
- A podcast app
You’ll want an internet-connected machine, comparable to a smartphone, laptop, or pill to entry podcasts. Because you’re already studying this put up, I’m guessing you’ve obtained this one lined. 😉
Whether or not you’re looking for a particular podcast or need to seek for a brand new one, a podcast app will come in useful. Listed below are a few of the hottest ones:
Every of those apps could be downloaded to your machine or accessed by way of the online.
So which one must you select? To be sincere, there’s not a ton of distinction between them, particularly should you’re simply getting began as a podcast listener.
In case you’re a Mac/iOS consumer, then Apple Podcasts is your go-to, and should you use an Android telephone, then the Google Play Music app is the best possibility.
Every app additionally offers a podcast listing which you could search to seek out new exhibits. Many of those apps may even present personalised suggestions based mostly on the exhibits you take heed 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 manage numerous podcast subscriptions. However for 99 p.c of listeners, most apps will do exactly wonderful.
When you’ve discovered the podcast you need to take heed to in your podcast app, you’ll be able to both stream it or obtain it to your machine to pay attention later. Your podcast app also needs to 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 instantly on their web site by way of a web-based podcast participant like Fusebox.
Right here’s an instance of the right way to use an embedded internet participant like Fusebox to play a podcast episode proper on a webpage:
How one can Begin a Podcast
In case you’re excited by the right way to begin a podcast, you’re in the correct place! At SPI, we now have a ton of sources for first-time podcasters (and extra superior podcasters too, however let’s not get forward of ourselves…).
With a view to begin a podcast, you want a couple of key components:
That’s not all, although, and if you’d like the complete scoop, try our “How one can Begin a Podcast STEP-BY-STEP” information.
It consists of the lowdown on issues like:
- Selecting 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 rather more
The “How one can Begin a Podcast STEP-BY-STEP” information makes beginning your podcast straightforward and doable with the intention to construct your viewers—and even begin and scale a enterprise with the assistance of your new present.
You can even try 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 Referred to as Podcasts?
The phrase “podcast” is a portmanteau (mixed phrase) of “iPod,” Apple’s authentic transportable music participant, and “broadcast.” Some individuals have additionally prompt “transportable on demand” as a “backronym” for the phrase “podcast.”
Podcasts vs. Radio: What’s the Distinction?
Are podcasts the identical as radio exhibits? 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’ll be able to consider podcasts as the following “evolution” of the radio present.
Listed below are a few of the key variations between podcasts and radio:
- Podcasts are normally edited, whereas radio is often reside.
- Podcasts could be streamed or downloaded on demand, whereas radio exhibits sometimes have to be listened to reside. Radio stations are more and more making their beforehand aired exhibits out there on-line, however most radio content material should be accessed when it goes reside.
- Most radio content material is geared toward a broad viewers, whereas podcast content material could be extraordinarily area of interest.
- Most radio exhibits have to fill a particular time block, whereas podcast episodes could be any size.
- Radio exhibits sometimes have increased manufacturing prices, so that they comprise ads to assist offset these prices. Whereas podcast promoting is a rising trade, many podcasts don’t embrace adverts as a result of the fee barrier to entry for podcasting is a lot decrease than for radio.
Are Podcasts Free?
Among the finest issues about podcasts is that they’re normally 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 in style, 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 excellent possibility to think about 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 spread of subjects. The most important podcast networks embrace iHeartRadio, Wondery, PodcastOne, HubSpot Podcast Community, and Audacy.
What Is 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 often extra work, however it could possibly 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 one can Begin a Podcast,” a microphone is an important piece of apparatus you’ll want to begin your personal present. Nevertheless, there are a couple of different items of tech to think about:
- A desktop microphone stand
- A growth 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 enhancing, comparable to GarageBand or Audacity
- Sound dampening supplies to cut back room echo
Do Podcasters Make Cash from Their Reveals?
They undoubtedly can, and plenty of of them do!
The commonest method podcasts earn cash is thru promoting or sponsorships. You can even 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 solely to our group members — is designed to assist podcasters develop and higher monetize their exhibits whereas additionally decreasing manufacturing time.
Are You Able to Begin Your Podcasting Journey?
I hope this primer on podcasts was useful! Possibly you’re impressed to go discover a new present to subscribe to, and even turn into a podcaster your self!
Earlier than you leap, nevertheless, it’s essential to weigh the professionals and cons of podcasting.
Execs and Cons of Beginning a Podcast
The advantages of getting a podcast could be quite a few. A podcast might help you:
- Develop your model or enterprise
- Meet new individuals
- Develop new revenue streams
- Develop your viewers
On the identical time, podcasting might not be for everybody. It takes time, power, dedication, and sources to begin and preserve a podcast. To achieve success, you should produce a high-quality present and publish it frequently.
Extra Assets for the Aspiring Podcaster (or simply the Pod-Curious)
If the concept of beginning a podcast continues to be thrilling to you, nice! We’ve obtained plenty of useful sources should you’re able to continue learning about podcasts and what they will do that can assist you develop your small business and join together with your viewers.
In case you’re excited by beginning your personal podcast, our How one can Begin a Podcast Information provides you sensible subsequent steps.
However should you’re prepared to begin your podcast in probably the most streamlined method potential, 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 Go — membership will get you all our programs and the help of a vibrant studying group to information and encourage you in the direction of podcasting success.
You can even discover The Good Passive Revenue Podcast and browse extra about podcasting on the weblog.
Able to study podcasting the sensible method?
The All-Entry Go group has the programs, sources, help, and accountability you want.