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How to Start a Podcast

by | May 7, 2019 | Podcast

The Proffitt Podcast

WHAT’S THIS EPISODE ABOUT?

 

So, How Do You Start a Podcast?

(Hopefully, you just took a deep sigh of relief!)
You don’t have to feel so overwhelmed with ALL the “unknowns” that go into podcasting.

Let’s break them down together!

[Heads up…there are some affiliate links in this post. If you  click a link & purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you!]

1. Equipment

I wanted to talk about equipment first because it’s what I get asked about most often…

  • Which mic is the best?
  • Do I need fancy equipment?
  • How much should I spend to get started?

There are 1 million recommendations out there online, but I’m going to tell you about the ones I’ve personally bought, setup, & used myself.

Mics I recommend:

Fifine USB Microphone

What I love about this mic…

  • My very 1st USB mic
  • Only $21 on Amazon
  • Recorded 1st 37 episodes with this mic
  • PERFECT for beginners!

*I also bought a pop filter for $8. So in total, I got started podcasting for around $30!

Blue Yeti

What I love about this mic…

  • Received a $100 Amazon gift card and was able to upgrade my mic for FREE
  • Allows for multiple recording settings
  • It’s pretty!

*For more info on recording and setting up your podcast environment, check out this Podcast Setup Post.

2. Podcast Title & Tagline

Your Podcast Title is important. It’s your name. It’s your first impression. It’s how you grab a potential listener’s attention. So you want to have a name where people immediately know what you’re talking about. 

Don’t get all cutesy with fancy words or phrases you have to explain.
You get one shot at a first impression. Make it count!

I love the line from Donald Miller’s Company StoryBrand:
“If you confuse, you lose.”

Make sure people know what you’re talking about without having to explain anything else.

The tagline is there to strengthen the name of your podcast or help you convey to people who your podcast is for.

For example:
[PODCAST TITLE]
The Proffitt Podcast
[TAGLINE]
Where entrepreneurs come to learn how to START, LAUNCH & MARKET their podcasts.

**Extra Brownie Points For Using Keywords in Yout Title & Tagline

3. Content Planning & Scheduling

When it comes to brainstorming content ideas, there are 2 ways that are my personal favorite:

  • Whiteboard
  • Notebook

It doesn’t really matter the medium you use to get your ideas out of your head. The point is to get them from your brain to a place where you can mold them and make them into a tangible message you can share with other people.

Keyword Planning, SEO, & Titles

There is so much to say about content creation, planning, and scheduling. Way too much to cover. (And honestly, it would overwhelm anyone just starting a podcast.) But just know and understand that your keywords matter. 

If you need help with planning and writing content, listen to this podcast episode with Marie Forleo & Amy Porterfield about writing better Titles.

DON’T FORGET TO GRAB YOUR FREE “HOW TO START A PODCAST” GUIDE!

4. Show Format

The show format simply refers to the way your podcast will flow.
Some questions to consider when you’re thinking about your podcast format are:

  • How long will your podcast be?
  • How often will you publish new episodes?
  • Will you have music?
  • Do you pre-record your intro and outro and drop them in each week?
  • Will you have a solo show or host guests to interview?
  • What will the beginning, middle, and end look like?
  • Will you have Ads? Or Calls-To-Action?

The sky is the limit on how you decide to format your podcast, but I want you to remember one crucial thing…

Consistency is Key!

Once you decide on your show format, try to show up each week consistently the same way.

5. Software & Recording

Audacity is the software program I use to record, edit, and publish my podcast. It is a FREE audio recording and editing software.

This is the recommended program for you to record, edit, & publish your episodes in a format you can upload to your hosting site, which we’ll talk about in the next episode when we get into launching.

For a Basic tutorial of Audacity, check out this post.

6. Solo Episodes & Interviewing

Should you have an outline or a script when you’re recording? It really just depends on how you work best. Try each one of them out and seem what happens!

I’ve already planned a few future episodes to go into more details about interviewing, but here are a few things to consider when you want to start podcast interviews:

  • Find someone who aligns with your values & principles.
  • Top priority is to make sure they’re adding value to your show and your audience.
  • Your show may be a great platform for your friend’s sister’s cousin who wants to promote their new boutique opening up in your hometown, but if that doesn’t appeal to your audience – it’s not a good match!

7. Podcast Artwork & Music

Artwork

This is the file that people see when they find your podcast. It’ll also be what you use in your marketing.
In other words, it’s really important to get this right.

We’ll talk more about graphics to promote on social in the “How to Market a Podcast” Episode, but for today we’re just talking about the cover art that shows up in places like iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, etc. So you want to make sure it sends a clear message. (Remember what Donald says, “If you confuse, you lose.”)

I’ve created my logos in the Free Designer Canva.com, but you can also hire a graphic designer from Fiverr.com or UpWork.com if the idea of design overwhelms you.

There will be another episode on the artwork specifics, but I wanted to mention it here because it is part of the “START” framework.

Music

Some listeners say, “I could take it or leave it,” when it comes to podcast music. There are some popular podcasts that have dropped it altogether. It’s 100% up to you. 

There are sites dedicated to FREE music online. But personally, that makes me a little nervous. Just thinking that someone could possibly come after me and try to sue me for using their music scares me!

So I’ve chosen to hire this out to the professionals. 

If you’re going to have music in your podcast, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND purchasing royalty-free music. And there are a few ways to do this: