Podcast 101 – Beginner Guide 2023
Welcome to Podcasting 101, a beginner’s guide to podcasting and how to make your first podcast, starting today. In the series, I will cover the fundamentals of podcasting and how you can get started and put your real voice out there.
Download the first chapter of The Storytelling Series: Beginners’ Guide for Small Businesses & Content Creators by Obehi Ewanfoh.
In this first post, we will concentrate on general information about podcasting. Now let’s get started and do make sure you check out the other articles in the series for specific discussions about podcasting.
What is podcasting?
Podcasts are a popular form of audio content. They allow people to create, share and listen to radio-style shows that can be downloaded onto a personal device for easy listening. Podcasts can also be streamed through apps such as the popular SoundCloud, Spotify, Apple’s iTunes, and much more.
Podcasting is a hot trend at the moment. It makes sense why with so many devices that store mp3s, audio files can be easily managed and posted to various platforms (including social media). With a consumption queue sorted, you can enjoy your favorite shows whenever and wherever.
Brief historical background of podcasting
The word “podcasting” came into the common vernacular in 2004 and was coined by Ben Hammersly who was writing for The Guardian newspaper. He described how there were the ingredients to make a boom in amateur radio, with blogging being popular, and production now possible due to technology.
Podcasts have been around for a while but until 2005, there was no way to access podcasts on computers. The first update of iTunes introduced native support for podcasts and in 2015, Apple announced that over 50% of their downloads were coming from podcasts.
In 2005, George W. Bush became the first president to have his weekly address delivered as a podcast. This news story is a great example of how technology has changed the way we consume media in the past decade and the audio experience is only beginning.
The same year, in 2005, The New Oxford American Dictionary declared “podcast” the “Word of the Year.” So, podcasting has certainly come a long way in recent years.
One of the earliest podcasts is the Daily Source Code by Adam Curry, who is often considered a pioneer of podcasting. His podcast, The Daily Source Code is a podcast that features interviews with successful entrepreneurs, content marketing experts, and developers who have been the source of some of the most profitable products on the Internet.
This podcast, hosted by Curry and his co-hosts, provides listeners with actionable advice that they can use to grow their businesses.
Some Early Things To Consider For Your Podcasting Journey
Podcasting has brought about a new form of journalism that allows anyone, who wants to share their thoughts, to do so in the most convenient way possible. With the rise in popularity of podcasts, it’s important to consider some essential things before starting your own.
How long should your podcast be?
This is an important question because podcast listeners will often delete your podcast if it’s too short. A general rule of thumb is to plan an hour of content for a 30-minute show. However, between 15 to 30 minutes is generally a good podcast length.
The kind of things to talk about in your podcast
Today, it’s now common to find podcasts in just about any category, from education to business news. Some formats are easy to follow with engaging often funny content. It’s important to be clear on what kind of things to talk about in your podcast. With that comes the frequency.
How frequently should you release new podcast episodes?
It is important to release new episodes regularly. The content should be fresh and relevant so that people are encouraged to continue to listen to you. These are fundamental things to consider when planning your podcasting.
I get the point – you don’t know how to develop your podcast concept. That is the case for most beginner podcasters. Now, let’s talk about that.
How to develop a podcast concept
Podcasting has become one of the most popular ways to share your thoughts, ideas, and expertise with others. For some people, you must identify the topics that will help you connect with your audience and build momentum for success.
There are several factors to consider when developing your podcast concept.
Are you passionate about the topic you want to cover in your podcast
You don’t need to be an expert but you do need to be truly interested in the topics you want to talk about and be willing to learn or find people who are knowledgeable about that topic to cover the details. You need to think these things over if you want your Podcast to succeed.
Are you willing to learn from another podcast out there?
Note that no one knows it all. With more podcasts emerging every day, it’s not impossible to find other podcasts you can learn from. Podcasters with similar interests and personalities often gravitate towards one another. What you might not know is that they could also be your best friends and business partners.
Consider other resource material on your topic
Do some research to find out if there are blogs or books written on the topic of your podcast, like this one you are reading? See if there is any case study or media coverage on the topics you want to address on your Podcast?
All these can immensely help you in developing your podcast concept. I mean, people need to know why they should care about you and your podcast from the thousands of others out there.
But chances are that if you build a profile and properly define what you represent, you will be able to hook people to tune in and become part of your podcasting journey.
How to get your podcast message across?
Getting your podcast message across to your audience is very important. You could make your key message clear in your show title or choose an interesting name and put enough detail in your show description so that your listeners know what your podcast is about.
The importance of marketing your podcast correctly is crucial, especially if you are trying to make an impact. But it’s not always easy. People might not understand the idea immediately or they may just ignore you. To get the right attention, you need a captivating way to introduce yourself and your show.
Choose the right format for your podcast
By designing your podcast in the right format, you can get more people engaging with your content regularly. This will increase the chances of monetizing your passions by offering business services around your podcast.
We will consider the topic of monetization in a later article because it’s so important. It’s one of the main reasons why some people start podcasts and that is a legitimate reason.
Podcasts are of different formats and the one you pick should depend on what works better for you. If you want to know more about the different podcast formats, consider checking out another article in this series: Choosing The Right Format For Your Podcast As a Beginner. But below are the highlights:
Interview Podcasts
Interview Podcasts are a conversation between the host and a guest. A different guest can be presented for each episode to be interviewed by the host. Together, they take the listeners on an audio tour of their world, exploring topics such as writing, entrepreneurship, leadership, and much more.
Solo (Monologue) Podcast Format
In Solo (Monologue) Podcast Format, you will talk about a specific topic all by yourself. All you need is a good microphone, computer, choose the right app for your recording and editing, and you are set to go. You can record and edit just about any kind of audio on Mac or PC with a free app such as Audacity.
Narrative podcasts
The narrative format of podcasting is a great way to master your storytelling and stay close to your audience. Podcasts are not just for entertainment; they are a new way of sharing valuable information.
They are a great way to consume content and learn without having to stop and read. Podcasts have gained a lot of momentum in the last few years, thanks to the growing number of people who use them as their main source for news and information.
Popular Narrative format or storytelling podcasts have a wide range of topics and offer the listener insight into lots of different experiences – places, people, and cultures.
Sure, there are other forms of podcast format like the panel podcast format, Podcast theater, and the list goes on. There is no best one, all you have to do is pick the format that best works for you.
Podcast recording equipment
There is a lot of podcast recording equipment you can get when you are just starting out with your podcasts. As much as it is tempting to automatically buy everything, it’s important to know what type of equipment you need for the job at hand. But you can actually get away with a computer and a good microphone.
In an article on Rolling Stone, a podcast by the name Inslee was quoted as saying he had mobile setups in train cars, backyards, music festivals and anywhere you can think of.
“I never liked the idea of recording in somebody’s basement or in some corporate sterile studio or office. There’s a certain alchemy that happens when the public can see what’s happening behind the glass and it makes the process even more exciting for hosts and guests.” read the full article How to Start a Podcast: 7 Things These Experts Say You’ll Need on RollingStone.com
The editing of your podcast
There is a lot of free audio editing out there for you to lay your hand on and they are essential for your podcast production.
Whether it be podcasts, audiobooks, or even music, audio editing software is an essential tool for any creative media professional.
This set of software allows you to edit and mix audio files, as well as produce final versions of your work. Choosing the right software is key to making your work sound professional and polished.
Edit your podcast with GarageBand
GarageBand is a software that allows users to create and record audio. It can be used for recording music, voiceovers, podcasts, sound effects, and more. Many pro-level producers use it as their go-to application for creating beats and songs without the need for pricey equipment.
Audacity is free for you when you want
Audacity is a free and open-source audio editing program that has been around for nearly two decades. It is available for Windows, Mac, and Unix.
Audacity can be used to mix and manipulate sounds, as well as edit digital recordings of voice or music. There is a long list of audio editing software and they make a big difference in your podcasting.
Conclusion from Podcast 101 – beginner guide 2023
Podcasts have become one of the most popular mediums for individuals and businesses to speak their minds. As the popularity of podcasts has increased, there is an increased demand for new podcasts. To produce quality podcasts, you need to know the basics. That is what this article series is about.
Podcasts have exploded in recent years. According to Fast Company, there were more than half a million active podcasts on iTunes as of April 2018.
Whether you are a sketch comic or a conspiracy theorist, the cultural norm is to air your idea on your podcast and hope people will take interest.
Yes, you too can start your podcast, beginning from today. Will you?
Download the first chapter of The Storytelling Series: Beginners’ Guide for Small Businesses & Content Creators by Obehi Ewanfoh.
