Starting a podcast is as easy as signing up for a hosting plan. Getting your podcast recorded, edited, and published is a bit more work.
Be honest with yourself in considering the hours involved in creating a podcast and decide if you can commit. Knowing that on average editing an episode requires four times the episode length is one way to consider if you have the availability. Another way to think of this is; A twenty minute episode will take at least eighty minutes to edit.
No matter the type of podcast you are planning to create (solo host, co-host, serialized storytelling, etc.), you need to prepare yourself before recording.
If your show is scripted, run through your script multiple times to ensure you are comfortable reading the material and can catch any tongue twisters that may throw you off. Even if your show isn’t scripted, ensure you have notes available to you to keep the episode’s topic flowing forward.
There are many shows using a free form format without any guidance beyond the general topic. This can produce great content, but it can also create a lot of content you need to massage to create a coherent episode.
With the excitement of launching a podcast, you may think it’s a good idea to get online and buy a fancy XLR microphone and expensive headphones. If you are new to podcasting, consider using your laptop microphone to test record your first few episodes and then progress to a USB microphone. Don’t spend an enormous amount of money until you are sure podcasting is for you. It’s always easier to buy new equipment over trying to return or sell something you bought on impulse.
Put free trials to work while you are getting started. Most podcasting tools will give you a trial period to test out the product. Use this to your advantage for hosting, recording, editing, and transcript generation.
Hosting (We got you!): PodOps Hosting
Recording: Riverside.fm
Editing: Descript
Transcripts: Sonix.ai
Creating a routine for recording and editing your podcast can go a long way to ensure you are successful. For example, if you record on Tuesdays and edit on Wednesdays each week, it is easier to set the time aside and avoid making excuses to not record. Put the time on your calendar and stick to your schedule!
When you release your show, it’s recommended you have three to five episodes on day one. To ensure you have enough content to account for any issues in your schedule try to record ten to twelve episodes for a weekly podcast before going live. This will allow you to have five or so episodes in your pocket.
Continue to record and create content and when possible record additional content. The further out you can plan your episodes, the easier it is to ensure your release pipeline stays full.
