What’s a Podcast? How podcasts work and learn how to get began

New to the world of podcasting? You is perhaps questioning, effectively, what is a podcast? And the way do they work? On this article I’ll cowl what a podcast is, what they’re used for, and learn how to get began as a podcast listener or creator. Plus, I’ve a number of free assets for you on this web page that will help you get began instantly.

What’s a podcast and the way do they work?

A podcast is a digital audio “present” or program which you could obtain or stream from the web in your smartphone, laptop, or pill and pay attention when it’s handy for you.

A podcast “episode” is a single occasion of a podcast, very like the episode of a TV present.

Right here’s an instance—an episode of our very personal SPI Podcast, which has been operating since 2010:

For stunning, easy-to-embed podcast gamers just like the above, look no additional than Fusebox — the official podcast participant of SPI! [Note: I am a compensated affiliate for Fusebox.]

Podcasts are a particularly widespread type of media that’s rising rapidly. The primary podcasts had been produced by people, however now they’re additionally made by firms, information retailers, and different organizations. Podcasting has grow to be large enterprise, with firms like Apple, Spotify, iHeartMedia, SiriusXM closely invested in podcasting.

For the listener, podcasts are a flexible medium! The audio-only format of podcasts makes them simple to eat in numerous settings, reminiscent of whereas commuting, cooking, touring, or working.

You may consider podcasts as “background” content material, however you can even give them your full consideration when you like.

Talking of content material, podcast matters can cowl an enormous vary, from true crime to enterprise methods to parenting tricks to comedy or youngsters’ content material. When you have a subject in thoughts, there’s most likely a podcast on the market for it! And if there isn’t, that may imply a possibility so that you can begin your personal podcast on that subject! 

Podcasts are usually accessible both in seasons with a set variety of episodes or in an ongoing sequence. Our podcast Flops got here out with an eight-episode season in 2021, whereas different SPI Media exhibits like AskPat 2.0 and The Group Expertise had been launched weekly (till being sunsetted final 12 months). The Good Passive Revenue Podcast continues to be launched each week on an ongoing foundation.

How podcasts began (a short historical past of podcasting)

Podcasts have their roots again within the Nineteen Eighties, however they didn’t take off till the early 2000s. In September 2000, the corporate i2Go launched a digital audio information and leisure service known as MyAudio2Go.com that allowed customers to obtain information, sports activities, leisure, climate, and music in episodic audio format. The next month, tech entrepreneur Tristan Louis proposed attaching sound and video information in RSS feeds (see beneath). This concept constructed steam over the subsequent few years, and in 2004 the time period “podcasting” emerged to explain this new method of distributing audio content material. In 2005, Apple added a podcast subscription characteristic to iTunes 4.9 and launched a podcast listing within the iTunes Music Retailer.

Since then, the sky has been the restrict for podcasting, with someplace between 3 and 5 million podcasts on the planet proper now!

What are podcasts used for?

So what’s the purpose or goal of a podcast? What are they good for? A complete lot!

For the listener, a podcast is an effective way to study a given subject—and/or be entertained!—in a method that’s handy to them. Podcasts are free (for essentially the most half) and straightforward to search out, and given their rising recognition, cowl a wider and deeper vary of matters than ever earlier than.

For the podcaster, the makes use of and advantages of a podcast might be monumental. Podcasts are an effective way to construct and serve an viewers by entertaining and/or educating listeners on a given subject.

One of many key benefits of a podcast for the podcaster is that you just get to talk on to individuals, utilizing your voice. Your podcast episode could also be heard by hundreds and even tens of millions of individuals, however for every listener, it’s simply you and them.

It’s been mentioned that podcasting is the easiest way to scale intimacy and make a direct reference to every of your listeners.

What’s a podcast host and why do you want one? (How an RSS feed works)

Podcasts are made accessible to listeners by way of a Actually Easy Syndication (RSS) feed.

An RSS feed permits content material creators to publish notifications of recent content material reminiscent of weblog posts or, after all, podcasts.

Right here’s how that works. The podcast creator submits their podcast’s RSS feed to a listing, which makes it accessible to listeners by way of a podcast app or the creator’s web site.

A podcast listener can obtain new installments or episodes of a podcast robotically by subscribing to the podcast’s RSS feed of their chosen podcast app. 

However how do you create your podcast’s RSS feed? 

That’s the place a podcast internet hosting platform (or podcast host for brief) is available in.

A podcast host is a service that gives a spot to retailer and distribute your podcast’s audio information by way of an RSS feed. The podcast host robotically generates the RSS feed to your podcast, after which submits it to podcast directories, reminiscent of Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and others.

You is perhaps pondering, Do I’ve to make use of a podcast host? Can I host my podcast on my web site? The quick reply is sure—however hear me out.

There are a number of advantages to utilizing a podcast host as a substitute of DIYing it. A podcast host can:

• Present storage to your podcast episode information, and permit them to be downloaded by listeners.
• Automate the creation and syndication of your RSS feed to podcast directories.
• Provide built-in analytics, so you’ll be able to see how your present is rising and which episodes are the most well-liked.

Sure, you’ll be able to technically host your podcast’s RSS feed by yourself web site. And sure, most podcast hosts value cash, with these prices typically growing as your present grows.

However for many creators, internet hosting your podcast by yourself web site is far more hassle than it’s value. 

You would possibly save a couple of bucks, however in our opinion, the dearth of analytics alone makes internet hosting your podcast in your web site a foul alternative.

Fortunately, you’ve got loads of choices to select from relating to podcast hosts. Our advisable platform is Fusebox, because of its ease of use and useful options. [Note: I am a compensated affiliate for Fusebox.]

Different widespread internet hosting platforms embrace Buzzsprout, Libsyn, Podbean, Anchor, and Blubrry.

It’s comparatively simple to work with a podcast host. You arrange an account on their web site, the place you’ll be able to enter the main points of your podcast, add episodes, and discover choices for monetizing your present. Some platforms cost a month-to-month price (variable relying on how a lot content material you publish), whereas others are free.

Final however not least, you is perhaps pondering, Isn’t a podcast host additionally an individual? Sure! A podcast host may also confer with the one that is the face and voice of a podcast. (For example, Pat is the host of the SPI Podcast.) Glad we cleared that up. 😉

Sorts of podcasts and podcast examples

As a medium for entertaining and sharing info, podcasts can take many various varieties! Listed here are a number of the most typical podcast codecs, together with examples.

• Interview: A number invitations a number of visitors to debate a given subject. This present format requires analysis and outreach to search out visitors for every episode. (The Good Passive Revenue Podcast, Armchair Skilled, Contemporary Air)
• Solo Speaking/Storytelling: Because the identify suggests, a single host “runs the present.” The time that may be spent on visitor analysis and outreach for an interview present is as a substitute directed towards analysis and preparation of the present’s content material. (Hardcore Historical past, Revolutions)
• Cohosted: A present with two or extra hosts who can present completely different personalities and views and typically humorous banter.  (Stuff You Ought to Know, My Favourite Homicide, Flops, The Group Expertise)
• Roundtable: An expanded model of a co-hosted podcast with extra hosts who interact in conversations and banter round a given subject. (SmartLess, Pod Save America)
• Documentary: Just like a TV documentary, this podcast format usually has a narrator, and might embrace interview segments, sound results/music, and even scripted scenes. (Serial, Startup Podcast)

Word that many podcasts are a hybrid, incorporating parts of a number of codecs. For instance, the New York Instances’ The Each day is a cohosted podcast that includes interviews.

Who makes podcasts?

Podcasts might be created by nearly anybody, from a person to a small group to a big firm!

What’s a podcast producer?

In terms of podcasts, a producer is somebody who works behind the scenes to ensure the present is pretty much as good as it may be. They usually put on a number of hats, and their duties could embrace discovering visitors, organizing the episode schedule, overseeing the recording and enhancing processes, selling the present, and extra.

Learn how to take heed to a podcast

How simple is it to take heed to a podcast? Fairly darn simple! Right here’s what you’ll want:

• A smartphone, laptop, or pill with an web connection.
• A podcast app

You’ll want an internet-connected gadget, reminiscent of a smartphone, laptop, or pill to entry podcasts. Because you’re already studying this publish, I’m guessing you’ve acquired this one coated. 😉

Whether or not you’re trying to find a selected podcast or wish to seek for a brand new one, a podcast app will turn out to be useful. Listed here are a number of the hottest ones:

Every of those apps might be downloaded to your gadget or accessed by way of the net.

So which one must you select? To be trustworthy, there’s not a ton of distinction between them, particularly when you’re simply getting began as a podcast listener.

Should you’re a Mac/iOS consumer, then Apple Podcasts is your go-to, and when you use an Android cellphone, then the Google Play Music app is the simplest choice.

Every app additionally supplies a podcast listing which you could search to search out new exhibits. Many of those apps may even present customized suggestions based mostly on the exhibits you take heed to on the app.

If you end up turning into an avid listener of a lot of podcasts, you would possibly discover profit from utilizing an app like Pocket Casts, which is designed to filter and manage a lot of podcast subscriptions. However for 99 % of listeners, most apps will just do high-quality.

When you’ve discovered the podcast you wish to take heed to in your podcast app, you’ll be able to both stream it or obtain it to your gadget to pay attention later. Your podcast app must also will let you “subscribe” to a present so that you’ll be alerted when new episodes are launched.

Some podcast creators additionally make their podcast episodes accessible immediately on their web site by way of a web-based podcast participant like Fusebox.

Right here’s an instance of learn how to use an embedded internet participant like Fusebox to play a podcast episode proper on a webpage:

Learn how to begin a podcast

Should you’re inquisitive about learn how to begin a podcast, you’re in the fitting place! At SPI, we’ve got a ton of assets for first-time podcasters (and extra superior podcasters too, however let’s not get forward of ourselves…).

As a way to begin a podcast, you want a number of key components:

That’s not all, although, and if you would like the complete scoop, take a look at our “Learn how to Begin a Podcast STEP-BY-STEP” information.

It consists of the lowdown on issues like:

• Choosing a podcast subject you’ll be able to decide to
• Writing a compelling podcast description
• Selecting a podcast internet hosting service
• Recording your episodes
• And far more

The “Learn how to Begin a Podcast STEP-BY-STEP” information makes beginning your podcast simple and doable to be able to construct your viewers—and even begin and scale a enterprise with the assistance of your new present.

You too can take a look at our video information to beginning your podcast!

What’s a podcast FAQ

Listed here are some generally requested questions on podcasts, and our solutions!

Why are podcasts known as podcasts?

The phrase “podcast” is a portmanteau (mixed phrase) of “iPod,” Apple’s authentic transportable music participant, and “broadcast.” Some individuals have additionally steered “transportable on demand” as a “backronym” for the phrase “podcast.”

Podcasts vs. radio: What’s the distinction?

Are podcasts the identical as radio exhibits? Whereas podcasts and radio share numerous similarities, since they’re each audio codecs, podcasts are extra versatile in numerous methods. You may consider podcasts as the subsequent “evolution” of the radio present.

Listed here are a number of the key variations between podcasts and radio:

• Podcasts are normally edited, whereas radio is often dwell.
• Podcasts might be streamed or downloaded on demand, whereas radio exhibits usually have to be listened to dwell. Radio stations are more and more making their beforehand aired exhibits accessible on-line, however most radio content material should be accessed when it goes dwell.
• Most radio content material is geared toward a broad viewers, whereas podcast content material might be extraordinarily area of interest.
• Most radio exhibits have to fill a selected time block, whereas podcast episodes might be any size.
• Radio exhibits usually have larger manufacturing prices, in order that they comprise commercials to assist offset these prices. Whereas podcast promoting is a rising business, many podcasts don’t embrace advertisements as a result of the associated fee barrier to entry for podcasting is a lot decrease than for radio.

Are podcasts free to take heed to?

Among the best issues about podcasts is that they’re normally free to obtain and take heed to. Sure, you’ll want a tool to take heed to them and an web connection to obtain them, however the content material itself is mostly freed from cost.

Lately, some podcasters have begun creating extra paid content material for his or her subscribers. These paid podcasts have gotten more and more widespread, though free podcasts are nonetheless much more widespread.

What’s a podcast community?

A podcast community is a set of podcasts below the umbrella of a single firm, which produces, distributes, and/or makes these podcasts accessible to advertisers. Podcast networks can present publicity and income for podcast homeowners and are an excellent choice to think about as soon as your podcast has grown a bit.

Some podcast networks are centered on a single theme, whereas others settle for podcasts throughout a variety of matters. The largest podcast networks embrace iHeartRadio, Wondery, PodcastOne, HubSpot Podcast Community, and Audacy.

What’s a video podcast?

Video podcasts are an more and more widespread type of podcasting. Because the identify suggests, they incorporate video and audio, permitting listeners to see and listen to your content material. Including video to your podcast is often extra work, however it could actually assist expose your present to a wider viewers by platforms like YouTube and TikTok.

What tools do you should begin a podcast?

As talked about above in “Learn how to Begin a Podcast,” a microphone is an important piece of apparatus you’ll want to begin your personal present. Nevertheless, there are a number of different items of tech to think about:

• A desktop microphone stand
• A increase arm and shock mount to scale back undesirable vibrations
• A pop filter to scale back plosives (harsh sounds from sure syllables) in your recordings
• Software program for recording and enhancing, reminiscent of GarageBand or Audacity
• Sound dampening supplies to scale back room echo

Do podcasters become profitable from their exhibits?

They undoubtedly can, and lots of of them do!

The commonest method podcasts become profitable is thru promoting or sponsorships. You too can use affiliate marketing online to advertise merchandise in your present and earn a fee when somebody purchases them utilizing your hyperlink.

Our Amp’d Up Podcasting course — accessible solely to our group members — is designed to assist podcasters develop and higher monetize their exhibits whereas additionally decreasing manufacturing time.

A free guidelines for beginning your podcast

Be sure you don’t miss a step! The Podcast Cheat Sheet provides you all of the steps you should begin your present.

Are you prepared to begin your podcasting journey?

I hope this primer on podcasts was useful! Possibly you’re impressed to go discover a new present to subscribe to, and even grow to be a podcaster your self!

Earlier than you leap, nevertheless, it’s essential to weigh the professionals and cons of podcasting.

Execs and cons of beginning a podcast

The advantages of getting a podcast might be quite a few. A podcast may help you:

• Develop your model or enterprise
• Meet new individuals
• Develop new revenue streams
• Broaden your viewers

On the identical time, podcasting might not be for everybody. It takes time, vitality, dedication, and assets to begin and preserve a podcast. To achieve success, you should produce a high-quality present and publish it commonly.

Extra assets for the aspiring podcaster (or simply the pod-curious)

If the thought of beginning a podcast continues to be thrilling to you, nice! We’ve acquired a lot of useful assets when you’re able to continue to learn about podcasts and what they will do that will help you develop your online business and join along with your viewers.

Should you’re inquisitive about beginning your personal podcast, our Learn how to Begin a Podcast Information provides you sensible subsequent steps.

However when you’re prepared to begin your podcast in essentially the most streamlined method potential, our Energy-Up Podcasting® 2.0 course is for you. It’s a step-by-step information to launching a profitable podcast that will get discovered and grows your on-line model. You may take the course as a part of the SPI Group — membership will get you all our programs and the help of a vibrant studying group to information and inspire you in the direction of podcasting success.

You too can discover The Good Passive Revenue Podcast and skim extra about podcasting on the weblog.

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