What’s a Podcast? How podcasts work and easy methods to get began

New to the world of podcasting? You may be 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 easy methods to get began as a podcast listener or creator. Plus, I’ve a number of free sources for you on this web page that can assist you get began instantly.

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

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

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

Right here’s an instance—an episode of our very personal SPI Podcast, which has been working 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 an especially widespread type of media that’s rising rapidly. The primary podcasts have been produced by people, however now they’re additionally made by firms, information retailers, and different organizations. Podcasting has change into massive 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 straightforward to eat in numerous settings, similar to whereas commuting, cooking, touring, or working.

You possibly can consider podcasts as “background” content material, however you can too give them your full consideration for those who like.

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

Podcasts are sometimes obtainable 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 reveals like AskPat 2.0 and The Group Expertise have been launched weekly (till being sunsetted final 12 months). The Sensible Passive Earnings 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 recordsdata in RSS feeds (see beneath). This concept constructed steam over the following few years, and in 2004 the time period “podcasting” emerged to explain this new approach of distributing audio content material. In 2005, Apple added a podcast subscription function 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 earth proper now!

What are podcasts used for?

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

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

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

One of many key benefits of a podcast for the podcaster is that you simply get to talk on to folks, 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 one of the simplest ways 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 obtainable to listeners by way of a Actually Easy Syndication (RSS) feed.

An RSS feed permits content material creators to publish notifications of latest content material similar to 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 obtainable 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 recordsdata by way of an RSS feed. The podcast host robotically generates the RSS feed to your podcast, after which submits it to podcast directories, similar to Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and others.

You may be considering, Do I’ve to make use of a podcast host? Can I host my podcast on my web site? The brief 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 recordsdata, and permit them to be downloaded by listeners.
• Automate the creation and syndication of your RSS feed to podcast directories.
• Supply built-in analytics, so you may see how your present is rising and which episodes are the most well-liked.

Sure, you may technically host your podcast’s RSS feed by yourself web site. And sure, most podcast hosts price cash, with these prices usually 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 dollars, however in our opinion, the dearth of analytics alone makes internet hosting your podcast in your web site a foul alternative.

Fortunately, you have got loads of choices to select from in relation to podcast hosts. Our really helpful platform is Fusebox, due to 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 straightforward to work with a podcast host. You arrange an account on their web site, the place you may 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 may be considering, Isn’t a podcast host additionally an individual? Sure! A podcast host may consult 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 data, podcasts can take many alternative kinds! Listed here are among the commonest podcast codecs, together with examples.

• Interview: A number invitations a number of visitors to debate a given matter. This present format requires analysis and outreach to search out visitors for every episode. (The Sensible Passive Earnings Podcast, Armchair Knowledgeable, Recent Air)
• Solo Speaking/Storytelling: Because the title suggests, a single host “runs the present.” The time that might 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 matter. (SmartLess, Pod Save America)
• Documentary: Just like a TV documentary, this podcast format sometimes has a narrator, and may embrace interview segments, sound results/music, and even scripted scenes. (Serial, Startup Podcast)

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

Who makes podcasts?

Podcasts could be created by nearly anybody, from a person to a small staff to a big firm!

What’s a podcast producer?

With regards to podcasts, a producer is somebody who works behind the scenes to ensure the present is pretty much as good as it may be. They sometimes 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.

The way to take heed to a podcast

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

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

You’ll want an internet-connected machine, similar to a smartphone, pc, or pill to entry podcasts. Because you’re already studying this put up, I’m guessing you’ve received this one lined. 😉

Whether or not you’re looking for a particular podcast or wish to seek for a brand new one, a podcast app will turn out to be useful. Listed here are among the hottest ones:

Every of those apps could be downloaded to your machine or accessed by way of the net.

So which one do you have to select? To be sincere, there’s not a ton of distinction between them, particularly for those who’re simply getting began as a podcast listener.

In the event you’re a Mac/iOS person, then Apple Podcasts is your go-to, and for those who use an Android cellphone, then the Google Play Music app is the simplest possibility.

Every app additionally gives a podcast listing you could search to search out new reveals. Many of those apps may even present personalised suggestions based mostly on the reveals you take heed to on the app.

If you end up turning into an avid listener of numerous podcasts, you would possibly discover profit from utilizing an app like Pocket Casts, which is designed to filter and set up numerous podcast subscriptions. However for 99 % of listeners, most apps will do exactly nice.

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

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

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

The way to begin a podcast

In the event you’re enthusiastic about easy methods to begin a podcast, you’re in the best place! At SPI, now we have a ton of sources for first-time podcasters (and extra superior podcasters too, however let’s not get forward of ourselves…).

With a view to begin a podcast, you want a number of key elements:

That’s not all, although, and in order for you the total scoop, try our “The way to Begin a Podcast STEP-BY-STEP” information.

It contains the lowdown on issues like:

• Choosing a podcast matter you may decide to
• Writing a compelling podcast description
• Selecting a podcast internet hosting service
• Recording your episodes
• And way more

The “The way to Begin a Podcast STEP-BY-STEP” information makes beginning your podcast straightforward and doable so as to construct your viewers—and even begin and scale a enterprise with the assistance of your new present.

You may also try 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 unique transportable music participant, and “broadcast.” Some folks have additionally prompt “transportable on demand” as a “backronym” for the phrase “podcast.”

Podcasts vs. radio: What’s the distinction?

Are podcasts the identical as radio reveals? Whereas podcasts and radio share plenty of similarities, since they’re each audio codecs, podcasts are extra versatile in plenty of methods. You possibly can consider podcasts as the following “evolution” of the radio present.

Listed here are among the key variations between podcasts and radio:

• Podcasts are often edited, whereas radio is usually dwell.
• Podcasts could be streamed or downloaded on demand, whereas radio reveals sometimes have to be listened to dwell. Radio stations are more and more making their beforehand aired reveals obtainable 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 could be extraordinarily area of interest.
• Most radio reveals have to fill a particular time block, whereas podcast episodes could be any size.
• Radio reveals sometimes have greater manufacturing prices, so that they include ads 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 finest issues about podcasts is that they’re often 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 usually freed from cost.

In recent times, 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 frequent.

What’s a podcast community?

A podcast community is a set of podcasts beneath the umbrella of a single firm, which produces, distributes, and/or makes these podcasts obtainable to advertisers. Podcast networks can present publicity and income for podcast homeowners and are an incredible possibility to contemplate as soon as your podcast has grown a bit.

Some podcast networks are targeted on a single theme, whereas others settle for podcasts throughout a variety of subjects. The most important 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 title suggests, they incorporate video and audio, permitting listeners to see and listen to your content material. Including video to your podcast is usually extra work, however it may possibly assist expose your present to a wider viewers via platforms like YouTube and TikTok.

What gear do you have to begin a podcast?

As talked about above in “The way 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 contemplate:

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

Do podcasters generate profits from their reveals?

They positively can, and lots of of them do!

The commonest approach podcasts generate profits is thru promoting or sponsorships. You may also 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 — obtainable solely to our neighborhood members — is designed to assist podcasters develop and higher monetize their reveals whereas additionally decreasing manufacturing time.

A free guidelines for beginning your podcast

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

Are you prepared to begin your podcasting journey?

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

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

Professionals and cons of beginning a podcast

The advantages of getting a podcast could be quite a few. A podcast will help you:

• Develop your model or enterprise
• Meet new folks
• Develop new earnings streams
• Develop your viewers

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

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

If the concept of beginning a podcast continues to be thrilling to you, nice! We’ve received plenty of useful sources for those who’re able to continue learning about podcasts and what they will do that can assist you develop what you are promoting and join together with your viewers.

In the event you’re enthusiastic about beginning your personal podcast, our The way to Begin a Podcast Information offers you sensible subsequent steps.

However for those who’re prepared to begin your podcast in essentially the most streamlined approach attainable, 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 possibly can take the course as a part of the SPI Group — membership will get you all our programs and the help of a vibrant studying neighborhood to information and inspire you in direction of podcasting success.

You may also discover The Sensible Passive Earnings Podcast and skim extra about podcasting on the weblog.

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