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Define goals -

Start by asking yourself, “Why do I want to start a podcast?” Whether it’s to have fun or to be recognized as an industry leader or something else entirely, make sure to be realistic.

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Pick a theme or topic -

Research ideas that you’d be excited to talk about on a regular basis. Once you have your idea, be sure to do some market research and survey the competition.

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Pro tip -

To test if your podcast idea is likely to work, try to map out 10 episode ideas. If you’re unable to or the ideas don’t come easy, you might want to switch topics.

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Make it specific -

Focus on a particular niche or subcategory to attract a more engaged and specific audience. Distill down your idea from high-level to specific.

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Example of finding a niche - Instead of just mental health, consider mental health for dentists, or nutrition for those with celiac disease versus just general nutrition.

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Name your podcast - Names should be informative and compelling while containing the following characteristics: being specific and succinct, available, memorable, and similar to the business name or brand (if there is one).

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Choose a podcast format -

Ask yourself where you get your energy: does connecting with and interviewing people sound exciting, or are you best when solo?

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Optimal podcast length -

While the length of your podcast can vary from just a few minutes to the length of a small audiobook, the most common episode duration is 20 to 40 minutes.

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Publishing schedule -

You can make podcasting whatever you want, from a side hustle to a full-time gig. The most common publishing frequency, though, is every eight to 14 days.

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The importance of microphones -

Be sure to purchase and use a quality mic, as it will enhance the audio quality and make editing easier.

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Dynamic or condenser -

Dynamic microphones are easier for podcasting as they pick up less background noise that you’d eventually have to edit out. Condenser mics are better for music.

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XLR or USB - Though XLR mics give you the most flexibility, USB microphones are less expensive and plug directly into your computer.

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Remote recording software -

There are multiple affordable and high-quality options including Riverside.fm, Squadcast, and even Zoom.

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Podcast editing software -

Whether free or paid, editing software can make all the difference. Think of using software such as GarageBand or Audacity.

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Write an outline for your first episode -

Take a few minutes and jot down basic bullet points of where you envision the episode going. This can dramatically improve the flow.

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Pick a good place to record -

Recording in a quiet room is ideal. If there's also lots of furniture, curtains, rugs, etc., that’s great, as it helps eliminate noise.

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Mic technique -

Position the mic 2 inches (5.08 cm) to 4 inches (10.16 cm) away from your mouth so you get the cleanest sound possible.

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Record test track -

Record yourself talking at a consistent volume and change only the different positions of the mic. Then, listen back and see which gave you the best audio quality.

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Edit audio -

Use editing software to clean up the audio and make basic changes to the structure. Make sure to keep things simple, as focusing on this step can make things complicated.

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Create an engaging intro -

The introduction will tell your audience what you’re about and the value you provide. It's what hooks listeners and convinces them to stick around.

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Edit first for content - In your first pass-through, make sure to edit for content only and not noise issues or distractions. Getting the content right in the beginning makes the process easier.

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Export audio file -

After you edit the podcast, export it as a .WAV file or whatever format your hosting platform recommends.

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Create podcast artwork -

The podcast cover art is the first thing potential listeners will see on streaming platforms and social media alike. Good art work implies quality content.

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Set up hosting - There are numerous podcast hosting services where you can store your audio files and distribute them to podcast platforms. Think of Buzzsprout as an example.

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Get listed in podcast directories -

Podcast directories like Apple Podcasts or Spotify Podcasts are centralized places where listeners can find new shows to enjoy.

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Launch and grow your show -

There are several strategies for launching your podcasts. From picking a launch date in the future and hyping it up, to releasing a few episodes with a ‘soft open’ approach, it's all valid.

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Post episodes on social media -

Social media can help you build a community and connection with your listeners. Whether you choose Facebook, Instagram, or any other platform, be sure to share.

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Celebrate your launch! - You’ve made it this far! You’ve launched your podcast, now take a minute and celebrate this huge accomplishment!

Sources: (Buzzsprout)

See also: How podcasts are shaping the future of entertainment 

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