Podcasting 101
Have you ever wanted to create your own podcast? It's really easy and inexpensive! Here's a quick guide to how to record & launch a podcast in (almost) no time.
Note: There are links throughout this post, but none of them contain referral links. I am not promoting any services or software.
This guide was inspired by Veronique in an email exchange about zines. I've done my best to keep this guide short and simple to make it easier to follow, and faster for you to get up and running. I've also attempted to structure the guide so that you can follow it a piece at a time.
Things you'll need
There are some basics that everyone will need in order to launch a podcast. There is a very low barrier to entry when launching a podcast, and you likely have many of the tools you need already. This short list is a mix of what is required, and what is recommended. As you follow along the guide, I made sure to mark what is required and what is optional.
- Something to record with
- Audio editing software
- Somewhere to host your podcast
- An idea or topic you wish to record about!
Let's go through these four items one-by-one.
Something to record with: Since you're recording a podcast, you need something to capture your voice. Some podcasting guides may suggest specific high-quality equipment; the reality is you can get decent quality sound recording with your smartphone. While a dedicated microphone is technically better, it's not required. As I'll explain further down, your recording environment is as important as the equipment you're using. Play around with your voice recorder on your phone and play it back to hear what it sounds like.
Audio editing software: Similar to the bit about recording devices, I consider audio editing software optional to the process. It depends on what you want to do with your podcast: Do you want to add intro music? Do you want to edit out any awkward pauses or "umms" and "ahhs"? Then you will need editing software. You could use Audacity for this; it's free and open source. If you use a Mac, you could also use Garage Band.
All editing software will have a learning curve to it, so consult some YouTube videos for help getting started.
Somewhere to host your podcast: Podcasts are delivered using RSS feeds, and most hosts will do the legwork to distribute your show. You can use paid hosts (I use Pinecast, and pay $ 5 USD per month for an unlimited number of shows), but there are also free options: Spotify for Creators or YouTube, for example.
An idea or topic: This should be obvious. \you might be reading this guide and have something in mind already. But don't feel locked-in on a single subject. Like blogs, a lot of advice will suggest you "find a niche" - don't worry about that. Create what you want, how you want. Personally I choose to record what I would want to listen to.
Recording
Recording is one of the toughest things to get "right"; it's difficult to get audio that sounds excellent but very easy to get lousy quality. The good news is that for most podcast listeners, they expect "good enough" at minimum. That's one of the reasons I suggest using your smartphone to record. If you want to give yourself a little bump in quality, there are some things you can do.
Record in a quiet place. This is especially important if you're using a device that picks up a lot of background noise - like a smartphone. Background noise can be distracting and it's difficult to edit out without drastically affecting your recorded voice.
Recommendations for quiet spots: your car; in a closet surrounded by clothes. In general you want to record somewhere the sound is absorbed and doesn't bounce off walls. That's why a closet is a good idea: clothing absorbs the sound really well.
A lot of people are self-conscious when they record, and this is hard to overcome. I can't give any specific advice other than to reassure you that it gets easier with practice. You might find that you'll start and stop a lot in your first few sessions. That's okay! It's a learning process.
Uploading your podcast
I'm going to skip the editing process, because that would elevate this guide to Podcasting 201 and there are too many things to consider when it comes to audio editing. For now I'll assume that you've recorded your audio using your phone.
Most recorded audio is recorded as .m4a or .wav, which may or may not be accepted as a valid file type by your podcast host. For example, my host, Pinecast, only accepts .mp3 files. Your host platform will tell you what you're able to upload. If you need to convert it to .mp3 there are free conversion tools online (and depending on your audio recording app, you may be able to change the file type in the settings).
Different hosts will have different options and requirements when uploading your audio, but at this stage you'll have to provide:
- Episode title
- Show Notes (a brief write-up about the contents of the episode, and any links you want to include)
Your podcast host service will guide you through the process and indicate what fields are required.
That's it!! You created and uploaded a podcast! It's that easy.
Important things to consider
Podcasts don't need to be perfect to release. Everybody starts somewhere, and today's starter equipment is leagues above what we had 20 years ago. I started recording using a Rock Band mic! I've since upgraded to a Yeti, and I love it; but I've also recorded things from my phone and it sounds fine1.
The most important thing to consider: no matter what your intentions are, you need to be having fun. And don't force anything; in my experience it gets harder to record and release things when you feel pressured to keep to a schedule.
Good night, and good luck.2
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