How to Start a Podcast: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners
Whether you're a hobbyist, a professional looking to expand your reach, or a business aiming to connect with your target market, starting a podcast can be a rewarding endeavor. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the essential steps to launch your podcast successfully, even if you have no prior experience. Additionally, we'll cover the costs involved and shed some light on the potential for monetization.
How do you start a podcast for beginners?
1. Define Your Niche and Target Audience
Before you begin, it's crucial to identify the focus of your podcast and the audience you want to reach. Choose a niche that aligns with your interests, knowledge, and passion. Understanding your target audience will help you tailor your content and engage listeners effectively. We created one of the first podcasts on Disability so we found the audience that was wanting that content quite quickly. Got Somme is our in-house wine podcast which we launched after realising there wasn’t a product or show releasing the style, format and quality that we were across all digital mediums. We found our Niches.
2. Plan Your Content and Format
Create a content plan outlining the topics you'll cover in each episode. Decide on the format of your podcast—will it be interviews, solo discussions, storytelling, or a combination of styles? Consistency is key, so plan a regular release schedule for your episodes. I also think it’s important to know your roles. Who’s the host? What is each person bringing to the show?
3. Select a Captivating Podcast Name
Your podcast's name should reflect its essence and be easy to remember. Make it unique, relevant, and intriguing to entice potential listeners.
ListenABLE - Dylan Alcott’s book is called ‘ABLE’ and the word Disability were the inspiration for our name. It reads like ‘listenable’ which is obviously a term around audio which was a good double word meaning.
Got Somme - ‘Somm’ is the slang use of the professional term ‘Sommelier’ which host Carlos is. We wanted it to be fun and young to show we weren’t trying to conform to the pretentious and snobby world that some people might think wine is or can be.
4. Invest in Quality Equipment
While you don't need expensive gear, investing in a good-quality microphone, headphones, and recording software will significantly enhance your podcast's sound and production value. When we started the company we had invested maybe $1,000 into equipment and today have scaled that up to $30,000. I believe the biggest and best use of money is in your microphones.
5. Record and Edit Your Episodes
Find a quiet space for recording to minimize background noise. Practice speaking naturally and confidently. After recording, use editing software to trim unnecessary sections, add intros/outros, and improve audio quality. There are some AI options out there like Autopod and CrumblePop which can make your audio sound better and the ease of editing video super fast.
6. Choose a Podcast Hosting Platform
A podcast hosting platform is where your audio files will be stored and distributed to various podcast directories. Research different hosting providers and select one that suits your needs and budget. We will get into this a little later in costings.
7. Submit Your Podcast to Directories
Submit your podcast to popular directories such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and others. These directories make your podcast accessible to a broader audience. Most Hosting Platforms should automatically prompt the directories with new shows and episodes anyway.
How much does it cost to start a podcast?
The cost of starting a podcast can vary depending on your preferences and equipment choices. Here's a breakdown of potential expenses:
1. Equipment Costs
As a beginner, a decent microphone could cost you around $50 to $150. Headphones can range from $20 to $100. Free recording and editing software options are available, but more advanced tools may cost up to $300. Shoot me a message in the top right hand corner of this page and I’ll send you suggestions 😊
2. Podcast Hosting Fees
Podcast hosting fees typically range from $0 to $50 per month, depending on the hosting provider and the features they offer. Anchor is a free platform from Spotify which is a great beginner option although lacks some sophistication of analtyics and ad management if your show starts tracking like you’re the next Joe Rogan
3. Website Hosting (Optional)
If you plan to create a website for your podcast, hosting costs may range from $5 to $25 per month. We use SquareSpace to host this site you’re on right now and it’s about $150 a year.
4. Marketing and Promotion
Marketing expenses can vary significantly. You can start with free promotion through social media and word-of-mouth, or allocate a budget for paid advertising. We cut our video podcast content into 4 1min reels to share across Instagram, YouTube Shorts and TikTok. We also are trialling small spends on YouTube to try and find new audiences. If you want to know those results message us!
How do I start a podcast with no experience?
Starting a podcast with no prior experience is entirely possible and can be an exciting learning journey. Here's a step-by-step approach to guide you through the process:
1. Research and Learn
Take the time to research and understand the podcasting process. Read articles, watch tutorials, and listen to other podcasts to gain insights into different formats and styles. YouTube has a bunch of really good resources or if you just want to record your podcast and hand it over to someone professional to handle the rest we provide that service.
2. Create a Podcasting Plan
Define your podcast's concept, target audience, and objectives. Develop a content plan with potential episode ideas and structures. Think about who you want and expect the content of your podcast to reach. Think about that person at all times when creating the content for your shows it helps you stay on point and target.
3. Acquire Basic Equipment
Invest in a decent microphone, headphones, and recording software. There are affordable options available that deliver good audio quality. Facebook marketplace is also a good option for finding second hand equipment at half price. JB-Hifi (not sponsored) have a good range of quality and price for what you’re looking for
4. Practice Recording
Experiment with your recording setup and practice speaking confidently. Don't worry if your initial recordings are not perfect; practice will help you improve. The best place and time to start a podcast is yesterday, the next best time is today!
5. Embrace the Learning Curve
As a beginner, you may face challenges in editing, uploading, and promoting your podcast. Embrace the learning curve and be patient with yourself as you gain experience. Encourage listeners to send feedback! This will make them feel more connected to your show when they hear you took their advice.
Do podcasts make money?
Yes, podcasts have the potential to generate revenue through various monetization strategies. Our company has 4 main revenue streams in podcasting however here’s a few you can look to target as you start:
1. Sponsorships and Advertisements
Once your podcast gains a substantial audience, you can attract sponsors and advertisers. They pay to have their products or services promoted during your episodes. This is usually through a CPM standard which is getting paid per 1000 downloads of an Ad Campaign. You can usually charge somewhere between $50-$150 per 1000 ad impressions depending on your content. The broader the content the more likely a Target or Supermarket might be interested and the more niche a specific product in your category should be knocking on the door.
2. Listener Donations
Some podcasters rely on listener donations or crowdfunding platforms to support their content creation. I’m not a fan of this model but it exists.
3. Premium Content
You can create exclusive or bonus episodes for subscribers who pay a monthly fee for access to premium content. Spotify and Apple both have partnership programs or Patreon is a popular choice. You can’t ask for this, in my opinion, when starting a podcast only when it’s occupying a lot of your time outside your normal job to operate it. I prefer this model to the above because there is something in it of value for your audience.
4. Affiliate Marketing
Promote products or services through affiliate marketing. When your audience makes a purchase through your unique affiliate links, you earn a commission. You’ve heard your fav podcasts say “use my code BLAH10 at checkout for a 10% discount”. They then earn a percentage of the sale off those codes being used.
5. Live Events and Merchandise
As your podcast grows, you can host live events and sell branded merchandise to your dedicated listeners. We actually hosted a podcast at a Music Festival in Australia called ‘Beyond The Valley’ in December 2022. Have a listen to that episode here:
Check out our posts from the day here:
If you want a more in depth look at monetizing your podcast we wrote a specIalised piece here:
Let me know if you got something out of this Blog!
Angus
