A Step By Step Guide into Making a Podcast by Yourself
Have you ever thought of creating a podcast for marketing or informational purposes? If you have never thought of it, you should give it a try now. It is a digital or an audiovisual file made available on the internet for download. It can be listened to on devices such as phones and computers. A podcast can also be viewed without downloading in what is popularly known as live streaming. However, the most important reason for really diving into podcasting is the exponential growth of the industry and opportunities available.
Podcast Popularity
Well, podcasts in whatever form are popular and a cost-effective way of communication as it eliminates costs associated with other mediums. Such charges include those associated with printing and meetings. It helps present information in a visual or audio format, thus making it have a strong personal appeal compared to the written word. They are bright and maintain the nature of customer relationships, which in turn boost profits, trust, and customer loyalty.
Give the audience reason to listen
Decide on the length of the podcast
At the moment, the COVID 19 pandemic has made virtual meetings the norm in a bid to keep social distance and tame its spread. It is, therefore, the most appropriate time to learn how to create a podcast to maintain clients, acquiring new ones, and make your brand stand out. Here is a step by step guide on how to make an awesome podcast on your own.
Steps into making a podcast on your own
Starting might seem overwhelming and a little puzzling, however following the steps below is quite helpful in coming up with an awesome podcast.
Step One
Select a Podcast Topic
You must sit down, think, and come up with a concept or a topic on what you need the podcast to address. What is the podcast meant to do? What is it about? You can make a podcast on anything you want. However, looking forward to growing your brand, choose a concept that complements your business, or drives your passions. The best topic is that which addresses business goals if you are developing the podcast for branding.
Think about the goals set for the company, and on evaluating them, come up with a theme. With the topic and goals in mind, I chose an enticing idea. The choice of a subject helps define methodology, structure, tone, and flow of the podcast, so you ought to give this a serious thought. Check if there are other podcasts on the same topic on the internet to get clues on how to make yours stand out.
2. Step Two
Recognize the target audience
The success of a podcast is measured by the number of people who listen to it and get the message passed across. No matter how good a podcast is, it remains useless if it can’t solve problems. Therefore, get an answer to the big question: Who am I setting this podcast for? To answer the issue right, you need to know who your target audience is and the reason why you are making it. Identifying the target audience and the idea behind the podcast is a bold step towards success and growing and audience. For instance, if you are a Psychologist or a mental therapy expert, then the target audience could be people suffering from psychological problems and stress in life.
The best way to identify the target audience is to check on who has a passion for the topic of your podcast. Throughout the process of setting up the podcast, keep the target audience in mind. Would the listener like this podcast? Does it address what they like? Does it focus on what the viewers like? With the questions in mind, you can remain focused and, therefore, engaging content. While planning the podcast, survey the audience by trying to identify their pain points to help shape your content. Check on what they are suffering or struggling with at the moment to help you get desirable content.
Do not start without an audience; get it first.
3. Step 3
Give the audience reason to listen
Make sure to add value to potential listeners through whatever information you provide through the podcast. The information should feel accurate, informative, and helpful to them. Provide them with content that will make them come back to check if you have added some more podcasts. You can only maintain and retain your audience through the provision of quality content
4. Step 4
Name the podcast
Naming a podcast is an important step and should be made by an apt name and be as descriptive as possible to foster excitement and build engagement. You can choose to use your name, but only if you have an established audience. The best method of naming your podcast is by using a descriptive name and incorporates your name into it. For example, if your podcast is on weight loss, you can call the podcast as losing weight with "your name," but otherwise, setting your name as the title might never catch the attention of your audience.
Planning the podcast
After carefully establishing the type of content to be put in a podcast, the next step should be thinking about the episode. Some of the things to decide on include the following;
5. Step 5
Decide on the length of the podcast
The length of the Podcast solely depends on content needs. Provide quality content that covers everything provided. Make it informative and catchy, and don’t make it extremely long, it should be somewhere between 15 minutes and an hour. You need not worry about the length as long as you have relevant content to offer your audience. If you can say all you wish to in 15 minutes that is enough, but if you need 45 minutes to deliver some relevant information, then let it be.
In a case where the episode gets to belong, over one hour, you can chop it and deliver it in two or more pieces.
6. Step 6
Select a Format For Your Show
Select the desired format, which can be a Solo Podcast (monologue), and a Co-Hosted Podcast were you present with a friend, an interview podcast where you chat with another person who needs your input. Other formats include a roundtable where you host a few guests to discuss a topic.
7. Step 7
Recording Your Podcast
Now that you have done enough preparations and have made decisions on how to make your podcast, it is time to get into the actual recording.
There are a few things to do which include
Decide on The Equipment to use
In the choice of the equipment to use, always remember that the lower the cost if set up and the equipment you use, the limited the quality of the podcast you make. The higher the quality of the material used, the higher the quality of the show.
You can start with a computer that has a USB microphone and connected to the internet. Make sure to get a quality microphone. After recording a podcast, you will need to edit it using software like audacity, which is open-source audio editing software, Adobe audition. However, it takes time to learn how to use it or Alitu, which is a web app podcast maker capable of automating audio clean up, the addition of music and publishing it to the host. You can also start a podcast using the phone and a pair of headphones, but the quality will be compromised. If to record high-quality audio, you should consider buying a high-quality microphone.
8. Step 8
Select a hosting package
After producing and editing the podcast, you are ready to upload it to a podcast hosting service. One of the recommendable platforms is Libsyn in terms of pricing. Plans start at $5 per month and an extra of $2 to view statistics.
Conclusion
Setting up a podcast is difficult until you give it a try, and the best thing is to make up your mind and give it a try. If you follow the steps outlined in this article, you are going to make an awesome podcast that will open the way for many more podcasts later. Good luck.