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New to the world of podcasting? You may be questioning, what precisely is a podcast? And the way do they work? On this article I am going to cowl what a podcast is, what they’re used for, and tips on how to get began with your personal podcast.
Desk of Contents
What Is a Podcast and How Do They Work?
A podcast is a digital audio “present” or program you can obtain or stream from the web in your smartphone, pc, or pill and hear when it’s handy for you.
Podcasts are a particularly standard type of media that’s rising shortly. The primary podcasts have been produced by people, however now they’re additionally made by corporations, information retailers, and different organizations. Podcasting has develop into huge enterprise, with corporations 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 devour in numerous settings, similar to whereas commuting, cooking, touring, or working.
You possibly can consider podcasts as “background” content material, however you may also give them your full consideration in case you like.
Talking of content material, podcast matters can cowl an enormous vary, from true crime to enterprise methods to parenting tricks to comedy or youngsters’ content material. When you’ve got a subject in thoughts, there’s most likely a podcast on the market for it! And if there is not, that may imply a possibility so that you can begin your personal podcast on that matter!
Podcasts are usually accessible both in seasons with a set variety of episodes, or in an ongoing sequence. Our podcast Flops got here out with an eight-episode first season in 2021, whereas different SPI Media reveals just like the SPI Podcast and The Neighborhood Expertise are launched weekly on an ongoing foundation.
What Are Podcasts Used For?
So what’s the purpose or goal 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 matter—and/or be entertained!—in a method that’s handy to them. Podcasts are free (for essentially the most half) and simple to search out, and given their rising recognition, 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 monumental. Podcasts are an effective way to construct and serve an viewers by entertaining and/or educating listeners on a given matter.
One of many key benefits of a podcast for the podcaster is that you just get to talk on to individuals, utilizing your voice. Your podcast episode could also be heard by hundreds and even hundreds of thousands of individuals, however for every listener, it’s simply you and them.
It’s been stated that podcasting is one of the best 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?
Podcasts are made accessible to listeners through a Actually Easy Syndication (RSS) feed.
An RSS feed permits content material creators to publish notifications of latest content material similar to weblog posts or, after all, podcasts.
Here is how that works. The podcast creator submits their podcast’s RSS feed to a listing, which makes it accessible to listeners through a podcast app or the creator’s web site.
A podcast listener can obtain new installments or episodes of a podcast robotically 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 host is available in.
A podcast host is a service that gives a spot to retailer and distribute your podcast’s audio information through an RSS feed. The podcast host robotically generates the RSS feed to your podcast, then submits it to podcast directories, similar to Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and others.
You may be pondering, 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 to your podcast episode information, and permit them to be downloaded by listeners.
- Automate the creation and syndication of your RSS feed to podcast directories.
- Provide 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 growing as your present grows.
However for many creators, internet hosting your podcast by yourself web site is far more bother than it’s price, as Pat explains on this episode of AskPat.
You may save a couple of bucks, however in our opinion, the dearth of analytics alone makes internet hosting your podcast in your web site a nasty selection.
Fortunately, you’ve loads of choices to select from in relation to podcast hosts. Our really helpful platform is Buzzsprout, because of its ease of use and useful options. [Note: That link is an affiliate link, which means we earn a small commission if you purchase after clicking it.]
Kinds of Podcasts and Podcast Examples
As a medium for entertaining and sharing data, podcasts can take many various varieties! Listed here are a few of the most typical podcast codecs, together with examples.
- Interview (SPI Podcast, Armchair Skilled, Recent Air)
- Solo Speaking/Storytelling (Hardcore Historical past, Revolutions)
- Cohosted (Stuff You Ought to Know, My Favourite Homicide, Flops, The Comunity Expertise)
- Roundtable (SmartLess, Pod Save America)
- Documentary (Serial, Startup Podcast)
Notice that many podcasts are a hybrid, incorporating parts of a number of codecs. For instance, The Neighborhood Expertise is a cohosted podcast that includes interviews.
Find out how to Take heed 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, similar to a smartphone, pc, or pill to entry podcasts. Because you’re already studying this put up, I’m guessing you’ve obtained this one coated. 😉
Whether or not you’re looking for a particular podcast or wish to seek for a brand new one, a podcast app will come in useful. Listed here are a few of the hottest ones:
Every of those apps might be downloaded to your system or accessed through the online.
So which one do you have to select? To be sincere, there’s not a ton of distinction between them, particularly in case you’re simply getting began as a podcast listener.
If you happen to’re a Mac/iOS person, then Apple Podcasts is your go-to, and in case you use an Android cellphone, then the Google Play Music app is the best choice.
Every app additionally offers a podcast listing you can search to search out new reveals. Many of those apps may even present personalised suggestions based mostly on the reveals you hearken to on the app.
If you end up turning into an avid listener of numerous podcasts, you may discover profit from utilizing an app like Pocket Casts, which is designed to filter and arrange numerous podcast subscriptions. However for 99 % of listeners, most apps will just do high quality.
When you’ve discovered the podcast you wish 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 also needs to can help 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 through a web-based podcast participant like Fusebox.
Right here’s an instance of an episode of tips on how to use an embedded internet participant like Fusebox to play a podcast episode proper on a webpage (on this case, our AskPat podcast):
Find out how to Begin a Podcast
If you happen to’re enthusiastic about tips on how to begin a podcast, you’re in the precise place! At SPI, we’ve a ton of assets for first-time podcasters (and extra superior podcasters too, however let’s not get forward of ourselves…).
With a view to begin a podcast, you want just a few key components:
That’s not all, although, and if you would like the total scoop, try our “Find out how to Begin a Podcast STEP-BY-STEP” information.
It contains the lowdown on issues like:
- Choosing a podcast matter you’ll be able to decide to
- Writing a compelling podcast description
- Selecting a podcast internet hosting service
- Recording your episodes
- And far more
The “Find out how to Begin 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 too can try my video information to beginning your podcast, up to date for 2022!
What Is a Podcast FAQ
Listed here 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 urged “moveable on demand” as a “backronym” for the phrase “podcast.”
Podcasts vs. Radio: What’s the Distinction?
Are podcasts the identical as radio reveals? Whereas podcasts and radio share plenty of similarities, since they’re each audio codecs, podcasts are extra versatile in plenty of methods. You possibly can consider podcasts as the subsequent “evolution” of the radio present.
Listed here are a few of the key variations between podcasts and radio:
- Podcasts are normally edited, whereas radio is usually reside.
- Podcasts might be streamed or downloaded on demand, whereas radio reveals usually have to be listened to reside. Radio stations are more and more making their beforehand aired reveals accessible on-line, however most radio content material should be accessed when it goes reside.
- Most radio content material is aimed toward a broad viewers, whereas podcast content material might be extraordinarily area of interest.
- Most radio reveals must fill a particular time block, whereas podcast episodes might be any size.
- Radio reveals usually have increased manufacturing prices, in order that they include ads to assist offset these prices. Whereas podcast promoting is a rising trade, many podcasts don’t embody advertisements as a result of the fee barrier to entry for podcasting is a lot decrease than for radio.
Are Podcasts Free?
Probably the greatest issues about podcasts is that they’re normally 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 mostly freed from cost.
In recent times, some podcasters have begun creating extra paid content material for his or her subscribers. These paid podcasts have gotten more and more standard, though free podcasts are nonetheless much more widespread.
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!
If it is the latter, you’re in the precise place in case you’re able to continue learning about podcasts and what they will do to develop a enterprise and join with an viewers.
You possibly can discover the SPI Media household of reveals, and browse a few of our hottest podcasting-related weblog posts.
And in case you’re enthusiastic about beginning your personal podcast, our Find out how to Begin a Podcast Information is absolutely the good place to go subsequent!
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