What Is a Podcast? How Podcasts Work and How to Get Started

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 easy methods to get began as a podcast listener or creator.

Desk of Contents

What Is a Podcast and How 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 hear 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 operating since 2010:

For lovely, 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 in style type of media that’s rising shortly. The primary podcasts had been produced by people, however now they’re additionally made by firms, information retailers, and different organizations. Podcasting has develop into 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 varied settings, comparable to whereas commuting, cooking, touring, or working.

You may consider podcasts as “background” content material, however it’s also possible to give them your full consideration in case you like.

Talking of content material, podcast topics can cowl an enormous vary, from true crime to enterprise methods to parenting tricks to comedy or children’ content material. When you have a subject in thoughts, there’s in all probability a podcast on the market for it! And if there isn’t, which may imply a chance so that you can start your own podcast on that subject! 

Podcasts are sometimes accessible both in seasons with a set variety of episodes or in an ongoing collection. Our podcast Flops got here out with an eight-episode season in 2021, whereas different SPI Media shows like AskPat 2.0 and The Community Experience had been launched weekly (till being sunsetted final 12 months). The Smart Passive Income Podcast remains to be launched each week on an ongoing foundation.

How Podcasts Began (a Transient 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 subsequent few years, and in 2004 the time period “podcasting” emerged to explain this new manner 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 earth proper now!

What Are Podcasts Used For?

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

For the listener, a podcast is an effective way to find out about a given subject—and/or be entertained!—in a manner that’s handy to them. Podcasts are free (for essentially the most half) and straightforward to search out, and given their rising reputation, 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 huge. 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 simply get to talk on to individuals, utilizing your voice. Your podcast episode could also be heard by hundreds and even thousands and thousands of individuals, however for every listener, it’s simply you and them.

It’s been stated that podcasting is one of the simplest ways to scale intimacy and make a direct reference to every of your listeners.

What Is a Podcast Host and Why Do You Want One? (How a 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 comparable to weblog posts or, in fact, 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 routinely 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 routinely generates the RSS feed in your podcast, after which submits it to podcast directories, comparable to Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and others.

You is perhaps 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 an alternative of DIYing it. A podcast host can:

• Present storage in 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’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 price cash, with these prices typically rising as your present grows.

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

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

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

Different in style 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 considering, Isn’t a podcast host additionally an individual? Sure! A podcast host may confer with the one who is the face and voice of a podcast. (As an illustration, 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 kinds! Listed below are a number of the commonest podcast codecs, together with examples.

• Interview: A bunch 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 Sensible Passive Revenue Podcast, Armchair Professional, Contemporary Air)
• Solo Speaking/Storytelling: Because the title suggests, a single host “runs the present.” The time that will be spent on visitor analysis and outreach for an interview present is as an alternative 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 totally different personalities and views and typically humorous banter.  (Stuff You Ought to Know, My Favourite Homicide, Flops, The Neighborhood Expertise)
• Roundtable: An expanded model of a co-hosted podcast with extra hosts who have interaction in conversations and banter round a given subject. (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)

Word that many podcasts are a hybrid, incorporating components 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 staff to a big firm!

What Is a Podcast Producer?

In terms of podcasts, a producer is somebody who works behind the scenes to ensure the present is nearly 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 modifying processes, selling the present, and extra.

Learn how to Hearken to a Podcast

How simple is it to hearken to a podcast? Fairly darn simple! 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 system, comparable to a smartphone, pc, or pill to entry podcasts. Because you’re already studying this publish, I’m guessing you’ve acquired this one lined. 😉

Whether or not you’re looking for a selected podcast or need to seek for a brand new one, a podcast app will come in useful. Listed below are a number of the hottest ones:

Every of those apps might be downloaded to your system 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 in case you’re simply getting began as a podcast listener.

Should you’re a Mac/iOS person, then Apple Podcasts is your go-to, and in case you use an Android telephone, then the Google Play Music app is the best choice.

Every app additionally supplies a podcast listing you could search to search out new exhibits. Many of those apps may even present customized suggestions based mostly on the exhibits you hearken 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 arrange a lot of podcast subscriptions. However for 99 p.c of listeners, most apps will do exactly tremendous.

When you’ve discovered the podcast you need to hearken to in your podcast app, you’ll be able to both stream it or obtain it to your system to hear later. Your podcast app must also 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 instantly 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 net participant like Fusebox to play a podcast episode proper on a webpage:

Learn how to Begin a Podcast

Should you’re all in favour of how to start a podcast, you’re in the precise place! At SPI, we have now a ton of sources 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 total scoop, try our “How to Start a Podcast STEP-BY-STEP” information.

It contains the lowdown on issues like:

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

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

You can too try our video information to beginning your podcast!

What Is a Podcast FAQ

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

Why Are Podcasts Referred to as Podcasts?

The phrase “podcast” is a portmanteau (mixed phrase) of “iPod,” Apple’s authentic moveable music participant, and “broadcast.” Some individuals have additionally prompt “moveable 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 a number of similarities, since they’re each audio codecs, podcasts are extra versatile in a number of methods. You may consider podcasts as the subsequent “evolution” of the radio present.

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

• Podcasts are often edited, whereas radio is usually dwell.
• Podcasts might be streamed or downloaded on demand, whereas radio exhibits sometimes 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 aimed 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 sometimes have increased manufacturing prices, in order that they include commercials to assist offset these prices. Whereas podcast promoting is a rising trade, 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?

Top-of-the-line issues about podcasts is that they’re often free to obtain and hearken to. Sure, you’ll want a tool to hearken to them and an web connection to obtain them, however the content material itself is usually 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 in style, though free podcasts are nonetheless much more frequent.

What Is a Podcast Community?

A podcast community is a group of podcasts underneath 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 house owners and are a terrific choice to contemplate 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 spread of matters. The most important podcast networks embrace iHeartRadio, Wondery, PodcastOne, HubSpot Podcast Community, and Audacy.

What Is a Video Podcast?

Video podcasts are an more and more in style 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 might probably 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 “Learn how to Begin a Podcast,” a microphone is an important piece of kit you’ll want to start out your individual present. Nevertheless, there are a number of different items of tech to contemplate:

• A desktop microphone stand
• A growth 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 modifying, comparable to GarageBand or Audacity
• Sound dampening supplies to scale back room echo

Do Podcasters Make Cash from Their Reveals?

They positively can, and lots of of them do!

The most typical manner podcasts earn a living is thru promoting or sponsorships. You can too 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 completely to our group members — is designed to assist podcasters develop and higher monetize their exhibits whereas additionally lowering manufacturing time.

Are You Able 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 develop into a podcaster your self!

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

Professionals and Cons of Beginning a Podcast

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

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

On the similar time, podcasting might not be for everybody. It takes time, power, dedication, and sources to start out and keep a podcast. To achieve success, it’s essential produce a high-quality present and publish it recurrently.

Extra Assets for the Aspiring Podcaster (or simply the Pod-Curious)

If the concept of beginning a podcast remains to be thrilling to you, nice! We’ve acquired numerous useful sources in case you’re able to continue to learn about podcasts and what they will do that can assist you develop your enterprise and join along with your viewers.

Should you’re all in favour of beginning your individual podcast, our How to Start a Podcast Guide offers you sensible subsequent steps.

However in case you’re prepared to start out your podcast in essentially the most streamlined manner doable, 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 our All-Access Pass — membership will get you all our programs and the help of a vibrant studying group to information and encourage you in direction of podcasting success.

You can too discover The Smart Passive Income Podcast and skim extra about podcasting on the blog.

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