New to the world of podcasting? You is likely to 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 how one can 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, pc, 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 stunning, 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 had been produced by people, however now they’re additionally made by firms, information retailers, and different organizations. Podcasting has change into 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 eat in numerous settings, resembling whereas commuting, cooking, touring, or working.
You may consider podcasts as “background” content material, however it’s also possible to give them your full consideration for those who 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 chance so that you can begin your individual podcast on that subject!
Podcasts are sometimes accessible both in seasons with a set variety of episodes or in an ongoing collection. Our podcast Flops got here out with an eight-episode season in 2021, whereas different SPI Media exhibits like AskPat 2.0 and The Group Expertise had been launched weekly (till being sunsetted final 12 months). The Good Passive Revenue Podcast remains to be launched each week on an ongoing foundation.
Able to be taught podcasting the good approach?
The All-Entry Move 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 known 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 under). This concept constructed steam over the following few years, and in 2004 the time period “podcasting” emerged to explain this new approach of distributing audio content material. In 2005, Apple added a podcast subscription function 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 earth proper now!
What Are Podcasts Used For?
So what’s the purpose or objective 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 approach that’s handy to them. Podcasts are free (for essentially the most half) and straightforward to search 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 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 folks, utilizing your voice. Your podcast episode could also be heard by 1000’s and even tens of millions of individuals, however for every listener, it’s simply you and them.
It’s been mentioned 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 accessible 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 resembling 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 accessible 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 routinely 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 routinely generates the RSS feed on your podcast, after which submits it to podcast directories, resembling Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and others.
You is likely to be considering, 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 on your podcast episode information, and permit them to be downloaded by listeners.
- Automate the creation and syndication of your RSS feed to podcast directories.
- Supply built-in analytics, so you may see how your present is rising and which episodes are the most well-liked.
Sure, you may technically host your podcast’s RSS feed by yourself web site. And sure, most podcast hosts value 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 price.
You may 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 got loads of choices to select from on the subject of 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 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 price (variable relying on how a lot content material you publish), whereas others are free.
Final however not least, you is likely to be considering, Isn’t a podcast host additionally an individual? Sure! A podcast host may consult with the one that 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 alternative varieties! Listed below are a number of the most typical podcast codecs, together with examples.
- Interview: A number invitations a number of visitors to debate a given subject. This present format requires analysis and outreach to search out visitors for every episode. (The Good Passive Revenue Podcast, Armchair Professional, Contemporary 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 completely different personalities and views and typically humorous banter. (Stuff You Ought to Know, My Favourite Homicide, Flops, The Group 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 may embody interview segments, sound results/music, and even scripted scenes. (Serial, Startup Podcast)
Notice that many podcasts are a hybrid, incorporating parts of a number of codecs. For instance, the New York Occasions’ The Each day is a cohosted podcast that comes with 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?
On the subject of podcasts, a producer is somebody who works behind the scenes to ensure the present is nearly as good as it may be. They sometimes put on a number of hats, and their duties could embody discovering visitors, organizing the episode schedule, overseeing the recording and enhancing processes, selling the present, and extra.
The right way to 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 system, resembling a smartphone, pc, or pill to entry podcasts. Because you’re already studying this put up, I’m guessing you’ve bought this one coated. 😉
Whether or not you’re looking for a particular podcast or need to seek for a brand new one, a podcast app will turn out to be useful. Listed below are a number of the hottest ones:
Every of those apps may be downloaded to your system 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 for those who’re simply getting began as a podcast listener.
In the event you’re a Mac/iOS consumer, then Apple Podcasts is your go-to, and for those who use an Android telephone, then the Google Play Music app is the best choice.
Every app additionally supplies a podcast listing which you could search to search out new exhibits. Many of those apps may even present customized suggestions based mostly on the exhibits 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 do exactly fantastic.
When you’ve discovered the podcast you need to take heed to in your podcast app, you may both stream it or obtain it to your system to pay attention later. Your podcast app must also 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 accessible straight on their web site by way of a web-based podcast participant like Fusebox.
Right here’s an instance of how one can use an embedded net participant like Fusebox to play a podcast episode proper on a webpage:
The right way to Begin a Podcast
In the event you’re inquisitive about how one can begin a podcast, you’re in the suitable place! At SPI, we’ve a ton of assets for first-time podcasters (and extra superior podcasters too, however let’s not get forward of ourselves…).
As a way to begin a podcast, you want a couple of key components:
That’s not all, although, and if you would like the complete scoop, take a look at our “The right way to Begin a Podcast STEP-BY-STEP” information.
It consists of the lowdown on issues like:
- Selecting a podcast subject you may decide to
- Writing a compelling podcast description
- Selecting a podcast internet hosting service
- Recording your episodes
- And far more
The “The right way to Begin a Podcast STEP-BY-STEP” information makes beginning your podcast straightforward and doable so to construct your viewers—and even begin and scale a enterprise with the assistance of your new present.
You can too 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 unique transportable music participant, and “broadcast.” Some folks have additionally urged “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 a variety of similarities, since they’re each audio codecs, podcasts are extra versatile in a variety of methods. You may consider podcasts as the following “evolution” of the radio present.
Listed below are a number of the key variations between podcasts and radio:
- Podcasts are normally edited, whereas radio is usually stay.
- Podcasts may be streamed or downloaded on demand, whereas radio exhibits sometimes have to be listened to stay. Radio stations are more and more making their beforehand aired exhibits accessible on-line, however most radio content material should be accessed when it goes stay.
- Most radio content material is geared toward a broad viewers, whereas podcast content material may be extraordinarily area of interest.
- Most radio exhibits have to fill a particular time block, whereas podcast episodes may be any size.
- Radio exhibits sometimes have larger manufacturing prices, in order that they comprise ads to assist offset these prices. Whereas podcast promoting is a rising business, many podcasts don’t embody adverts as a result of the associated fee barrier to entry for podcasting is a lot decrease than for radio.
Are Podcasts Free?
Top-of-the-line 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 mostly freed from cost.
In recent times, 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 beneath the umbrella of a single firm, which produces, distributes, and/or makes these podcasts accessible to advertisers. Podcast networks can present publicity and income for podcast homeowners and are an incredible choice to think about 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 largest podcast networks embody 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 usually extra work, however it could possibly assist expose your present to a wider viewers via platforms like YouTube and TikTok.
What Tools Do You Must Begin a Podcast?
As talked about above in “The right way to Begin a Podcast,” a microphone is a very powerful piece of apparatus you’ll want to begin your individual present. Nonetheless, there are a couple of different items of tech to think about:
- A desktop microphone stand
- A increase arm and shock mount to scale back undesirable vibrations
- A pop filter to scale back plosives (harsh sounds from sure syllables) in your recordings
- Software program for recording and enhancing, resembling GarageBand or Audacity
- Sound dampening supplies to scale back room echo
Do Podcasters Make Cash from Their Reveals?
They positively can, and plenty of of them do!
The most typical approach podcasts generate income is thru promoting or sponsorships. You can too 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 — accessible solely to our neighborhood members — is designed to assist podcasters develop and higher monetize their exhibits whereas additionally lowering 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 change into a podcaster your self!
Earlier than you leap, nevertheless, it’s essential to weigh the professionals and cons of podcasting.
Professionals and Cons of Beginning a Podcast
The advantages of getting a podcast may be quite a few. A podcast may also help you:
- Develop your model or enterprise
- Meet new folks
- Develop new earnings streams
- Increase your viewers
On the similar time, podcasting will not be for everybody. It takes time, power, dedication, and assets to begin and keep a podcast. To achieve success, you could produce a high-quality present and publish it usually.
Extra Assets 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 a number of useful assets for those who’re able to continue to learn about podcasts and what they’ll do that will help you develop your corporation and join together with your viewers.
In the event you’re inquisitive about beginning your individual podcast, our The right way to Begin a Podcast Information offers you sensible subsequent steps.
However for those who’re prepared to begin your podcast in essentially the most streamlined approach 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-Entry Move — membership will get you all our programs and the help of a vibrant studying neighborhood to information and encourage you in direction of podcasting success.
You can too discover The Good Passive Revenue Podcast and skim extra about podcasting on the weblog.
Able to be taught podcasting the good approach?
The All-Entry Move neighborhood has the programs, assets, help, and accountability you want.