How to Start a Podcast | Creating a Podcast that Sells | By Alex Quin
December 17, 2020
CONTRIBUTOR:
Alex Quin
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How to Start a Podcast
Launching a podcast with lots of listeners and streams doesn't have to be a farfetched goal. This resource guide will give you the blueprint to launch a winning podcast. This is the exact step by step process I used to create and launch a global trending podcast. The Hustle Inspires Hustle Podcast with Alex Quin has guests like Andy Frisella, Grant Cardone, Chris Voss, David Meltzer, Neil Patel, Elena Cardone, and Randi Zuckerberg. Supporters & listeners in 95+ countries have allowed the brand to reach over 180 Million impressions since the launch. The podcast has been featured on Hypebeast, Forbes, Yahoo!, and Thrive Global.
I was in your position once, researching ‘how do you start a podcast’ until the opportunity to start my own presented itself. My team and I have mastered podcasting through self teaching, guidance from experienced podcast building consultants, and making many mistakes along the way. However, we transformed those mistakes into lessons that propelled us forward. So we figured we’d put our knowledge and experience to good use and share it with you so you can dodge roadblocks. I’m about to walk you through the steps to starting a podcast so you can have the upper hand.
How to start a podcast in only 18 steps
1. Decide on a show topic and format
If it's an open format conversation then speak freely.
If you are teaching, make sure you are qualified and certified to speak on or give advice on certain topics.
2. Name the Show
Make sure it's easy to pronounce or write out
If you can describe the topic of the show in the name even better!
3. Podcast Cover Art
Research other podcasts that pertain to your show topic
Brainstorm a cover art design that resembles some aspects of your competitors, but stands out above the crowd.
A good exercise would be to put your cover art next to other cover arts and see which one catches your eye first.
Get feedback from others. Don’t be afraid of criticism.
4. Pick Hosts or Co Hosts
If the host is yourself, decide whether you will bring on new guests every episode or go solo.
If you will have a co-host, make sure to pick someone that has good dynamic and synergy with you. Communication skills are key between you and your co-host.
5. Show Description
Make sure to have a simple yet descriptive show description. Highlighting the key topic areas of the show.
6. Determine Core Values
What is your show about? What does it stand for? What are the core beliefs?
7. Podcast Hosting Platform
These companies will host your podcast/your RSS feed. By uploading your episode into their hosting platforms, your RSS feed will automatically be updated on the streaming platforms made available.
Not all hosting platforms connect to all streaming platforms. So you might find out that certain apps don’t host your show. In this case, your best bet is to go to the app store and download every podcast app. Once you do, make a profile and link each app to your RSS feed. This is done using your RSS feed link provided by your hosting platform.
8. Creating Your Podcast Trailer
Your trailer should be short and to the point.
30-45 second trailer about your podcast. If you only had 1 minute to tell someone new about your podcast, what would you say?
Try not to make it so long that your audience gets bored and clicks out.
Include noteworthy guests or golden nuggets to entice listeners to continue streaming.
9. Planning Podcast Episode
Topic research
Questions to ask
Key points you want to make
Determine call to action
Where are you directing your listeners? To a sponsor's offer? To your social media sites?
10. Website and Social Media
The most efficient way to grow your podcast would be to create a website on the same platform that hosts your domain. What does that mean exactly? Web hosting platforms like Bluehost.com offer you a free domain name when you host your website on their platform. (Don't forget to purchase the SSL certificate so keep your customers' information secure when browsing your website.)
If you're more advanced creatively and have worked with softwares like Adobe Photoshop, you can use Webflow.com to build out your website without having to know about html coding.
Make sure the podcast has show notes on the website where you can add links to your show. Make it easy for listeners to find you and consume your content.
Here you can add links to things you may have mentioned on the episode or the social profiles of any guest you may have on the show.
Link website to apps for easy access
This allows users on your site to simply click the logo of their go-to streaming platform and it'll open it right up. They can then listen and subscribe if they haven't already.
Post podcast clips on social media
This will build awareness and drive listeners to your full episode on whatever streaming platform they use.
EPK’s or Press Kits will be used when you are presenting your show to a sponsor or to a potential guest. It summarizes everything about the podcast in a brief PDF or webpage. This allows for people to quickly digest who you are and if they are interested in collaborating with you.
When collaborating with other brands make sure you follow their brand guidelines and that they follow yours. Be it audio or visual content, ensure any content you put out always stays true to brand values and guidelines. Be consistent.
Shareable social content
Create shareable content that can be posted on multiple platforms with the end goal of promoting the show.
If you have any guests, ask them to share and post content on their platforms to capture their audience.
16. Promoting your Podcast
Getting on other podcasts (bring value)
Organic posting on social media
Invite notable guests
Podcast Swaps
Invite someone on your podcast and they invite you on theirs.
Look for companies in your industry that can benefit from the exposure to your niche audience
Affiliate marketing
Find great affiliate partners that connect with your audience's wants and needs.
Special offers
Create special offers that you promote on the podcast. Driving engaged listeners to an offer can create revenue if you have a way to solve their problems. To claim the offer, they can call in, text, email, direct message, etc.
Barters
Giving someone brand exposure on your show in exchange for something that might bring you value. (Also known as strategic partnerships)
Making connections for future business
You may not be making money from an advertiser on each episode but the connections you are building with your audience or guests will bring you long lasting revenue as long as you nurture them.
This is How to Start a Podcast Correctly!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How much does it cost to start a podcast?
If you’re starting a podcast, it doesn’t cost much depending on your budget. “But where should we begin?”, typically beginners spend between $150-$200 to get their starter podcast equipment. Assuming you already have a computer, your main core expenses will be just microphone, pop filter, and hosting company.
When I started my podcast, I used a $100 Blue Yeti microphone, a $15 pop filter, and paid $50 a month for a podcast hosting company that distributed my content across all platforms.
For Bigger Budgets
If you’re looking to purchase higher quality equipment, you will be spending between $375-$600+ on a quality microphone, cables, headphones, and audiobox interface.
Once you have your podcast set up, you will have a few other expenses:
Podcast Cover Design (One time cost)
Typically $50-$200+ depending on the experience of the designer. They’ll advise you on how to create a podcast cover that you can use for streaming platforms.
Creating your intro and outro audio (One time cost)
Typically $100-$200+ depending on the experience of the editor. Podcast editors can consult you on how to create a podcast intro and outro.
Editing & mixing each episode (Per episode cost)
Typically $25-75+ depending on the experience of the editor.
Promotional Material (Per episode cost)
Typically $50-$125+ depending on the experience of the designer.
You can find great talent that can do all of this on Fiverr. Make sure to negotiate your prices! If you plan on doing everything yourself, you will save a good amount of money but it’ll take quite a bit of time. You can research how to make a podcast cover or use websites like Canva as well. Pick your battles wisely.
Can you make money with a podcast?
You’re probably wondering, “how do podcasts make money”? There have been four different ways that my colleagues and I have managed to make money through podcasting.
1. Affiliate marketing
Become an affiliate partner with companies in your industry. Record ads or mention your affiliate code on your episodes (This is how you track sales). Make sure the products relate to your audience.
2. Paid sponsorships
Some companies are willing to pay ad space on your podcast to get attention from your listeners. They will either pay you based on downloads and will require a certain amount of downloads per episode. Others will be flexible and set up deals that benefit both parties, paying you a percentage of revenue driven from your show towards their business. In this case, you would be following a similar model to the affiliate marketing process.
3.Drive attention to your business
If you are a subject matter expert in a certain field, this is your opportunity to use your podcast as your platform. Speak on topics related to your industry and establish credibility and give value. Once your audience perceives you as an authority, they’ll most likely be interested in doing business with you in the form of consulting or potential business opportunities.
4.Making invaluable connections
As your podcast starts to grow, your online presence and connections will expand as well. You can invite notable guests to be on your podcast as a great way to interview and interact with high-level people in your industry. Besides having great guests, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with your listeners from around the world.
Now that you know how to make money from podcasts, you don’t need to only choose one method of revenue for your podcast. You can have both paid sponsorships and also drive attention to your business. This would create two streams of revenue, not making you a one-legged stool. However, it is very important that you understand how to monetize it and that you manage your own expectations. Nothing great or successful comes without hard work, persistence, and organization. If you are looking to become a millionaire off podcasting then you probably need to reevaluate your goals.
In my experience, the world of podcasting can be profitable as long as you know how to position yourself and as long as you understand that it's not going to happen overnight. Running a podcast and building a loyal audience takes time and effort.
Is it worth it to start a podcast?
If you are willing to work hard, be consistent, and hold yourself accountable to running a podcast, then yes it is worth it. Podcasts are one of the best ways to reach a target audience and create a loyal brand following. Whether you’re researching how to start a podcast on Spotify or Apple, the success of your podcast relies on your determination and effort.
Where to launch a podcast?
It’s important to know how to release a podcast episode, but here are the easy steps to launching a podcast show. There’s multiple platforms your audience can use to tune into your show like Apple, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Breaker, Stitcher, and more. Don’t forget to use other social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube to publish episodes. If you’re looking on how to start a podcast in 2021, you could also start posting sneak peeks to the launch of your podcast.
AFFILIATES DISCLAIMER
This site may contain links to affiliate websites and we receive an affiliate commission for any purchases made by you on the affiliate website using such links. Our affiliates include but are not limited to the following: Fiverr, Headliner, Amazon, Asana, Hubspot, Webflow, Bluehost.
