Choose a topic
Decide what genre and format your podcast will focus on. Podcasts that have a very specific niche generally do better than open ended and random episodes that change week to week. What do you want to talk about? Will you have guests? How long will an average episode be? How often will you publish new episodes? Will you have a co-host? Would you find this interesting if you were to listen to it? Make these decisions before you move on to the next step.
Equipment
Microphones are one of the most important items you will need to start a quality podcast. If you have more than one person talking, there may be a need for multiple microphones. Will you be recording on location or out and about? Will the majority of your episodes be done inside a quiet location? Depending on what your goals are, you may require different types of sound equipment.
Software varies from free to premium depending on your needs. Skype, Facebook calls, and Google hangouts are a great way speak with remote guests and even co-hosts. You will need some kind of recording software like Audacity (free) or Adobe Audition (paid) to start. You will also need a desktop or laptop computer to record your shows and upload them for distribution.
Make sure you test all of your recording equipment and software before you start or invite anyone to the show. Ensure you have good sound levels and quality, eliminate distracting background noise and resolve any technical issues before your first attempt to record a real episode.
Choose a title
Choose a title that fits your genre and/or topic and that is not already in use. Do a quick search to make sure there is very little or no competition for the name. Some show names usually explain the the topic or show genre within the name itself.
Create podcast cover Art
Create or find someone to create an album cover for your podcast. Eye-catching, well designed covers can attract more listeners. Why did you buy that most recent book, movie, or item at the store instead of the one next to it? The cover art, or design might be why. You need to make a good first impression, and your title and cover art will play a large roll in that.
Organization & Distribution
It’s a good idea to keep show notes to help you improve as you progress through your podcast journey. Scheduling upcoming recording sessions, documenting contacts, and organizing/naming recorded shows are all great habits to form early on. A naming structure for your recordings should look like this. The .mp3 file if the most widely accepted format that websites and sound libraries accept, we highly recommend that you save your audio using this format when sharing your content online.
EPISODE NUMBER EPISODE NAME – PODCAST NAME.
Example: 01 Fan Fiction – Harry Potter Podcast .mp3
We will email instructions for uploading audio and more helpful tips after your free membership is approved and your podcast has been verified.