How To Start Your Podcast
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How To Start YourOwn SuccessfulPodcastWritten by Christian CawleyPublished December 2015.Read the original article here: This ebook is the intellectual property of MakeUseOf. It must only be published in its original form.Using parts or republishing altered parts of this ebook is prohibited without permission fromMakeUseOf.com.Read more stories like this at MakeUseOf.com2
Table of contentsWhy Podcast?5How to Get Started6The Basic Route: Mobile7Recording Audio with Your Smartphone or Tablet7iPhone7Android8Windows Phone8BlackBerry8Use a Digital Recorder9Podcasting Apps for Mobile9Recording a Podcast with Soundcloud9Use Audioboom to Record your Podcast10Record with Spreaker Podcast Radio12When Mobile Podcasting is Smart13Stepping up to Desktop13Desktop Software for Podcasters14Audacity14Garageband14Desktop Podcasting with Spreaker Studio15Is Adobe Audition a Viable Podcast Editing Solution?17Linux Podcaster?17Virtual Mixing Desk with Voicemeeter17Group Podcasts and Interviews with Skype18Hardware: Microphones and Headsets18The Built-in Mic18The Budget Desktop Mic18Blue Snowball and Other Quality Mics19Condenser Mics – Yes or No?19Headsets20Combo Headsets20Planning & Recording Your Podcast: How a Show Might Go21Your Podcast Failed. What Next?22We’re Not Lawyers, But 22The Professional Podcasting Suite22Who Will Host Your Podcast?233
Hosting on Your Website or Blog23Soundcloud, Audioboom and Spreaker23YouTube: The Free Podcast Host You Didn’t Know About23Live Podcasting with Google Hangouts24Host Podcasts on WordPress25Using Archive.Org as a Free File Host25Finding and Keeping Listeners26Don’t Overlook Podcast Directories26SEO for Podcasting27Automated Social Tools27It’s Easy To Start Your Own Podcast!284
What’s your story? What do you think about the news, sport, the latest TV show or development inSTEM education? Podcasts give you the power to share your thoughts and discuss where you think asports team is going wrong, or why the latest episode of Doctor Who was the BEST EVAH.Podcasts can be heard by millions of people worldwide, and you can collaborate, record, edit,publish, and promote your own show, all from the chair you’re sitting in now.I’ve been running a podcast since 2007. “The PodKast with a K” launched with 15 listeners, and hasattracted as many as 5000 on several occasions (with a standard 3000 listeners per show). Butstarting a podcast in 2015 is a far easier undertaking than it was in 2007. It’s not the biggest podcastin the world, but has a loyal following, which is arguably more important.I’ll show you how to get started, what hardware you’ll need, how to record the show, find hosting andengage with social networks to promote your podcast.Why Podcast?Websites are the most popular medium to get your message across, regardless of the subject matter.But a website can be time consuming to maintain, with popular news blogs requiring several hours’research and editing a day in some niches.!Surely there is a better way than blogs, discussion groups and social media to have the conversationsand share the insights that you want to get your audience talking?Well yes, there is: podcasting. It’s a very simple model, too, far easier to execute than many wouldthink or expect. Essentially all you need is something to talk about, a digital recording device, andstorage to upload the resulting recording to.Once that’s done, you let people know the podcast is available to listen to, and the discussion begins.5
How to Get StartedYou have a variety of options for getting started as a podcaster, from recording on a single portabledevice and uploading the data to a free service, to building a PC-based podcasting studio andpublishing the podcast to your own web space.Format IdeasYou’ll need to establish a format for your podcast before you get going. This may well develop overtime, but should be based on one of the following dynamics: Solo – easiest to produce, a solo podcast is often used by experts who are teaching skills. Interview – this might be on-location, in a studio, or conducted by Skype or Google Hangouts.You might interview experts or groups of people, and as long as the topic is interesting, it shouldtranslate well to a podcast.! Group chat – this can be difficult if not approached in the right way. The first option is to have thegroup in a single physical location. The other is to employ – again – Skype (and a Skype callrecording app) or Google Hangouts. It’s a good idea for someone to be designated as the showhost, and for them to fill in gaps in talking, move the show on, and verbalize the into and outro. Mixed media – such a podcast might combine music with interviews, and have the productionvalues of a radio show. This can be straightforward with planning, but the entire endeavor is thetoughest podcast format to produce.As well as your podcast format, you’ll need a topic to discuss. Make sure that you and your co-hostsare clear on what you’ll be discussing before you beginning recording your first show.With the pre-production of your podcast sorted out, it’s time to consider how to record it 6
The Basic Route: MobileIf funds are low but you have a smartphone, then you’re in business!!Android, iPhone, Windows Phone and BlackBerry all offer tools for recording voice. While you’ll needto consider volume – the microphone should be a hand’s width from the speaker’s mouth – thisshould be all that you need for a basic podcast.You will, of course, need to be wary of battery life and file size, lest the podcast be suddenly cut short.Taking steps beforehand to avoid either of these issues is sensible.Indeed, it’s virtually impossible to conduct a podcast without any sort of preparation.Recording Audio with Your Smartphone or TabletIf you want to use you smartphone for recording a podcast, then you’ll need to employ a note-takingtool. All of the major platforms offer this facility, with iOS and Android smartphones and tablets alsooffering the option of an external microphone.iPhoneSound recorders for iPhone and iPad are plentiful. Voice Recorder (FREE) from TapMedia Ltd is agood option if you want a standalone tune, but you should also consider a notetaking app as theseusually have audio recorders. So take a look at software like Microsoft OneNote and Evernote (we’veproduced a comprehensive guide for Evernote).7
AndroidSome devices come with pre-installed, manufacturer provided sound recorder apps; others don’t.While you can use something like OneNote, Keep, Evernote or whatever notetaking app you prefer,dedicated voice recorders are available free, such as Voice Recorder from Splendid Apps.Windows PhoneUsers on this platform can rely on the pre-installed OneNote to create an audio recording that will thenbe synced via the cloud with the desktop version of the app.!Other recording apps are also available, but OneNote seems to be the most reliable and the only onethat keeps recording once the display switches off.BlackBerryBlackBerry 10 users can record voice memos with the Voice Control app, which can be launchedmanually or, on the Z10, by holding the Mute key. To record a voice note, preface the recording withthe phrase “Make a note“. You can also manually add a new entry and then tap the Voice Notebutton.Should this not work out for you, the Parrot – Voice Recorder app is free and the resulting recordingseasily shareable.8
Use a Digital RecorderJust as simple to use would be a digital recording device, a compact recorder that will save the audiodata to be synced to a PC later and uploaded. As well as a superior microphone and sound quality,you also have the advantage here of being able to attach and external microphone.Need to edit the interview? Perhaps you’ll want to add some top and tailing, or chop chunks out.These devices come with one of two options: a USB cable for connecting to your PC to facilitate datatransfer, or a micro SD card that can be inserted (with an adaptor) into your PC from where the audiofile – usually in WAV of MP3 format – can be copied and saved.With the voice data saved, you’ll need to upload it to your favored online storage solution. Your choicecan determine exactly how popular your podcast becomes, so choose well. We’ll be looking atstorage solutions later, but as a rule of thumb, free web hosts generally offer slower storage, and oftenwith limits, although cloud storage can be used to host a podcast.Podcasting Apps for MobileUsing your mobile’s native or third party voice recording tool is only one option. If you’re usingSoundcloud or Audioboom to host your podcast (they offer free and paid solutions, each with differentmaximum run times for your ‘cast) then it makes sense to take a look at their apps, which areavailable for iOS and Android and provide all you need to record and upload your podcast.Recording a Podcast with SoundcloudAs well as providing a service for you to upload your podcast from your PC, Soundcloud also has anapp that can be used to record and then upload with. Once the podcast is on the Soundcloudservers, you then have various sharing options to inform your followers and fans that the show isonline.9
!After installing the app and signing in (you can use Google or Facebook sign-in), just open the menuand select Record. Tap the record button to begin, and when you have finished recording, tap itagain. The Soundcloud app will give you the option to resume – useful if you’re interviewing multiplepeople or visiting several locations – and the scissors icon gives you the option of trimming sectionsdown, with the additional option of a Fade in/out switch.Tap Next to proceed, where you can set a track title, add artwork, and determine whether the audiowill be Public or Audio. Finally, tap the upload button to post the recording.In most cases, Soundcloud probably isn’t ideal for long podcasts, and certainly if you plan on lengthyrecordings then you will need a subscription that will last beyond the default 3 hours of free space.However for shorter recordings it’s a strong option, and if you do opt to upgrade to the unlimitedpackage, you’re only going to be paying 15 per month, which isn’t too bad.Use Audioboom to Record your PodcastSimilar to Soundcloud is Audioboom (formerly Audioboo) which also offers an app for recording anduploading audio (which it initially described as “boos” – perhaps they prefer to call them “booms”now?).10
!To record a podcast with Audioboom, you’ll need to first install the app and then sign up with theservice. Once you’ve got past informing the app of what type of content you enjoy, tap the white discto begin recording. As with Soundcloud, you can add subsequent recordings to build up a longer file,and when you’re done with each you can use the trim function (again, a scissors icon) to crop therecording down to size.When you’re done, tap the upload button.Audioboom offers unlimited posts of 10 minutes each, and a subscription option of 100 which givesyou unlimited podcasts of 1 hour apiece (although you may be able to negotiate a longerduration). Established podcasts can also benefit from featured hosting on Audioboom.11
Record with Spreaker Podcast RadioThe third popular podcast hosting service, Spreaker, also offers an app that turns your phone into amini podcast recording studio (indeed, they also offer Spreaker Studio, an app with some impressiveoptions for adding music and sound effects).!For the basic recordings that you can stitch together quickly and upload, however, Spreaker PodcastRadio should be ideal. As with Audioboom and Soundcloud, you simply install, sign in (usingFacebook, Twitter or an existing Spreaker account) and choose between Live Broadcast and RecordOffline. The latter lets you upload the file after completing the recording, while the former streams asyou speak.Spreaker Podcast Radio sits nicely with their Free Speech option (unlimited 30 minute sessions and10 hours of storage) as well as the On-Air Talent package (45 minutes and 100 hours, for 4.99 amonth/ 39 annual).12
!Spreaker Studio, meanwhile, comes in mobile and desktop flavors, and while both offer the ability tochat with listeners during live shows and play effects and music, the desktop versions offers the sortof additional functionality you would expect from desktop apps. Skip down to our section on desktoppodcasting for more.When Mobile Podcasting is SmartPodcasting on a smartphone doesn’t just have to be seen as a basic option. You might wish topodcast live (or almost live) from a public event, or find yourself able to interview or discuss a topicwith someone notable in their field.So even if you’re not using Audioboom, Soundcloud or Spreaker, having those apps on your phonefor such situations is a very good idea. The audio file should also remain available on your device forre-editing and uploading to your usual podcast host.Stepping up to DesktopFor better results from your podcast, you should be using a standard computer. This might be adesktop PC, a notebook, or a Windows tablet, and it should be equipped with editing software, amicrophone, and headphones at the very least.13
Desktop Software for PodcastersTo record your podcast, on a desktop or laptop computer, you’ll need some good audio editingsoftware. But what’s on offer?AudacityMost popular is the open source suite Audacity (available on Windows, Linux and OS X) which can beused to record your podcast and export it in MP3 format. Audacity can be used to add sound effects,theme tunes, transitions, etc., as well as incorporate audio from other sources.!For instance, you might have recorded an interview on your mobile device, and want to include it in alonger podcast. This can be done by syncing the interview with your desktop computer, opening it inAudacity and pasting it into the required point in your podcast. To find out more about using Audacity,please see our extensive unofficial manual.GaragebandMac using podcasters seem to almost exclusively use Garageband, the incredibly versatile digitalrecording environment. Our guide to using Garageband for podcasting covers everything you need toknow, and includes mention of how to combine multiple tracks (perhaps recorded by other hosts orguests) into one.14
Desktop Podcasting with Spreaker StudioAs mentioned earlier, Spreaker Studio is a powerful mobile podcasting and audio streaming solution,and the desktop version is perhaps the most complete, free podcasting app you will find. Availablefrom www.spreaker.com/download, after installation you’ll be invited to create an account withFacebook or Twitter (or Spreaker itself) before you embark upon the tutorial.That said, the software is simple to use. Click on Start to begin podcasting, choosing between Liveand Offline to proceed and completing the title, description, and auto-share options; click Stop whenyou’re done.!However, Spreaker Studio also has various advanced tools.The Spreaker Studio Record window is split into three panes, with two views for the left and rightpanes. On the left is the Playlist, where you can add audio tracks to cue and play during yourrecording. To adjust the volume and fade between your files, switch to the Tracks view.To the right, we have the Effects menu. This is a soundboard, essentially, with a collection of“audience sounds” and other clips that you might want for your podcast; there is also the option toadd more from your own collection by clicking the button. Clicking Edit will give you the option of15
removing effects. Chat is the alternative view for this pane, and this is used when you’re broadcastinglive with Spreaker Studio – it enables listeners to comment on your show.Across the bottom of the app is the virtual mixing desk, a pane for managing input and output devicevolume. Note that Spreaker Studio gives two audio input sources, enabling you to bring in audio froman external device, such as a physical mixing desk.One other menu is included in Spreaker Studio. On the left-hand side, you’ll find a pane that can beexpanded simply by running your mouse over it. Here, you’ll find information about your Spreakeraccount at the top, with a collection of options to change the main view.!Along with Record, you’ll find Drafts & Uploads, Connect to Skype, Preferences, and Help. We usethe Drafts & Uploads window to manage drafts and upload them to Spreaker (MP3, MP4, WAV, 3GP,M4A, AAC, AMR, FLAC, OGG, RA, WMA, and ASF audio files created with other apps can also beuploaded), while Connect to Skype gives you the ability to integrate a Skype call into your podcastwebcast or recording.Spreaker Studio also offers some sharing shortcuts for sharing your content. You can edit sharinglinks via www.spreaker.com/account/connections, or set them up in the Record screen when you seta name for your podcast.At the time of writing, Spreaker Studio creates MP3 files in C:\Users\[Username]\AppData\Roaming\Spreaker Studio\recordings on Windows. This means that you can technically use theapp to create podcasts and upload your recordings to other services, whether they be Soundcloud orAudioboom, or your own hosting solution. If you’ve had trouble finding a competent and affordablepodcasting solution, but don’t want to use the Spreaker service, this might be your best option.Our guide to using Spreaker Studio provides further information.16
Is Adobe Audition a Viable Podcast Editing Solution?Perhaps you have a bit of money set aside for podcasting. Alternatively, you may be working towardsproducing a professional standard podcast, or be involved with some audio productions of othertypes. Either way, Adobe Audition could be your chosen multitrack digital workstation.However, it isn’t cheap.Available as part of the Adobe CS, Adobe Audition can be purchased as a subscription, but we wouldadvise checking out the trial version first. Check Adobe’s website for current pricing options.Linux Podcaster?If you’re reading this using a Linux system and thinking “Pah! Typical Windoze/OSX nonsense!” thenworry not. We recently compiled a list of great audio and video podcasting tools for Linux.So, you can save that for later and keep reading Virtual Mixing Desk with VoicemeeterIf you need to introduce audio from other sources during your podcast and don’t have a second PC,you’ll need a virtual mixing desk, a desktop version of a physical desk with virtual cables that can beused to route audio from one app into your podcast recording. For instance, you can employsoundboard apps to play pre-selected sound clips, or play theme tunes, perhaps audio from aYouTube clip, etc. – basically anything that is playing on your PC while the podcast is being recorded.!Voicemeeter is a great tool that does all of this, and with the help of the virtual cables you can playaudio to your Skype podcasting colleagues too, thereby including them in the clip (important if youwant responses to what you just played!).Our guide to using Voicemeeter to share music on Skype or add sound to podcasts should be yourstarting point in investigating this app.17
Group Podcasts and Interviews with SkypePodcasts featuring just one voice can be interminably dull. While it is possible to bring in voices ofother people (perhaps recorded on a portable sound recorder or smartphone), one of the best optionsis to use a Skype call recording app.Windows users have a good selection of Skype call recorders, while Mac owners don’t even need athird party app (although plenty exist). Linux owners also have a collection of Skype call recordingapps available to them.If you don’t use Skype, meanwhile, don’t worry – call recording apps are available for other VoIPservices.You can also achieve such a recording live using a physical mixing desk to achieve the mix-minussetup, detailed here.Watch: How to Setup a Mix MinusHardware: Microphones and HeadsetsRecording your voice is kind of the point of podcasts. So being able to cap
Audacity 14 Garageband 14 . You have a variety of options for getting started as a podcaster, from recording on a single portable . storage solutions later, but as a rule of thumb, free web hosts generally offer slower storage, and often with limits, although cloud storage can be used to host a podcast. .
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