How to launch a podcast in 7 steps? [Complete Guide 2024]
Podcasts are everywhere! In France alone, by 2022 there will be almost 200 million episodes of podcasts are listened to every month. Which is why you're probably also tempted to record and launch your own podcast.
More than just a popular trend, podcasts have become an integral part of French people's daily lives. And there's good reason for this: podcasts can be listened to anywhere, anytime, on any subject.
In this guide, you'll find a list of all the steps you need to take to get your podcast off the ground: choosing the subject, the equipment and the tools to use.
Here are the 7 steps to launch a podcast:
Define the objective, target audience and format of your podcast
Choose a catchy name for your show
Create an impactful cover for your podcast
Have the necessary materials and equipment
Record your episodes
Find a hosting platform
Publish and promote your podcast
Define the objective, target audience and format of your podcast.
The first step in launching a podcast is to define your concept. What topic do you want to cover? Who is your target audience? How will you structure your content? It's important to think these questions through so that your podcast is clear, coherent and appealing to your audience. You can also research existing podcasts in your field for inspiration and ideas.
Objective: first find the subject you want to talk about and a way of developing it pertinently. Then think about what you want to contribute or try to solve with your podcast.
Target audience: think about your audience and their characteristics: their age range, what they're looking for, what moves them and what they need.
Format: now choose the format of your podcast, thinking about the style of content you want to make (a solo podcast, a podcast-conversation, a narrative or fact-based podcast, etc.). Also think about the average length of your episode.
Choose a catchy name for your podcast
The title of your podcast is important: it must be catchy, clear and concise to give listeners an idea of what they can expect when they listen to the podcast.
A good podcast title should be informative and reflect the content of the podcast. It should also be memorable, easy to remember and share.
Titles that are too long or complicated can make the podcast hard to find or understand.
Don't forget to optimize it for SEO to help potential listeners find the podcast when they search on podcast platforms.
How do you find a good title?
Start by thinking about the type of show you want to produce.
Then think of popular names in other genres to stimulate your creativity.
With thousands of shows out there, why settle for a generic name when you could have something truly unique?
AI can be a great ally, so ask it for title ideas and feed it your inspirations.
With these three simple steps, you can find the perfect catchy title for your show.
Create an impactful cover for your podcast
The stronger a media product's identity, the more recognizable and impactful it will be in the information flow. Creating a cover for your podcast is an excellent way to showcase it.
Good podcast coverage is important for several reasons:
Grab listeners' attention : the cover is the first thing listeners see when browsing podcast platforms. A good cover can grab their attention and make them want to know more about your podcast.
Establish a visual identity: the cover establishes a visual identity for the podcast. This can include a palette of colors, shapes, images, a font, a graphic style, a logo or even animations that distinguish your podcast from others. You can use references to the content of your show, making your podcast unique. Your visual identity will enable your listeners to identify you more quickly and recognize your podcast when it appears on streaming services such as Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Evoke the content : the cover should reflect the content of the podcast. It should give an idea of the mood, subject matter and visual identity of the podcast. This can help listeners determine whether the podcast is suited to their tastes and expectations.
Be recognizable: a good cover should be easily recognizable and memorable. This can help listeners find your podcast easily when they're looking to listen to it again.
Have fun creating an attractive cover for your podcast. To do so, feel free to use Canvathe ultimate design tool!
Get the podcast and sound equipment you need
Setting up recording equipment may seem like a daunting task, but it's actually quite simple, even if you're not a technological genius.
All you need is some good hardware, software and a little technical know-how to get started.
Here is a list of recommended equipment for creating a good podcast:
A quality microphone: A microphone is the most important piece of podcasting equipment. We recommend choosing a dynamic microphone to minimize background noise. You can also buy a microphone arm and pop filter to improve the quality of your recording, but these are optional.
Headphones: We recommend using headphones to monitor the sound of your recording.
A computer : You need a computer to record, edit and publish your podcast.
An audio interface: The audio interface is needed to convert the analog signal from the microphone into a digital signal that you can record on your computer.
Audio recording and editing software: You can use free software such as Audacity or professional software such as Logic Pro or Adobe Audition.
It's also advisable to find a quiet, secluded location for your recordings to minimize background noise, and to have a fast Internet connection to upload and publish your podcast.
It's important to note that the choice of equipment depends on your budget and your needs. It's possible to start a podcast with basic equipment and improve it over time.
Record your episodes
Recording and editing your own episodes is a great way to have total control over the sound of your podcast. It can give you creative control and help you produce something truly professional.
It can be complex, so make sure you do your research and practice before you jump in.
The tools you use will have a huge impact on quality, so be selective in your choice of recording equipment and editing software.
Recording a podcast episode may seem daunting, but it's actually quite simple with the right equipment and a little planning. Here are the basic steps to recording a podcast episode:
Plan your episode : Before you start recording, plan what you want to cover in your episode. Write a detailed script or outline to help you stay on track.
Choose your equipment: You'll need a quality microphone and headset to record your voice and listen to other speakers if there are any. You may also need recording software, a computer and a reliable Internet connection.
Set up your recording space: Find a quiet, peaceful place to record where there will be no unwanted background noise. Avoid rooms with echoes or lots of ambient noise.
Test your equipment: Before you start recording, make sure your microphone, headphones and recording software are working properly. Do a quick test to make sure everything is in order.
Start recording: Once you're ready, press "record" and start talking. Keep in mind the plan you've prepared and stay on track. If you're recording with other speakers, make sure they also have quality microphones and a stable internet connection.
Pause: If you need to pause, stop recording and resume later. Be sure to mark where you stopped for easy editing.
End recording: When you're finished, stop recording and save the audio file in an easily accessible location.
Edit the episode: You can use audio editing software (see previous point) to add transitions, cut out unnecessary parts and improve audio quality.
Although creating a podcast can involve some technical elements, with hard work and perseverance you'll be able to record and edit episodes with ease!
Find a hosting platform
To get started, research different types of hosting platforms and choose the one that best suits your needs.
Consider factors such as cost, scalability, ease of use and availability of support before making your decision.
There are several hosting platforms for podcasts. Here are a few steps to find a platform that suits your needs:
Do your research: Search online to find the most popular hosting platforms. You can also check forums and newsgroups to see what other podcasters are recommending.
Evaluate features: Compare the features offered by different hosting platforms. Some platforms offer listener analytics, promotion tools, monetization options, and so on.
Evaluate costs: Compare the hosting costs of different platforms. Some platforms offer free options with limited functionality, while others offer paid plans with advanced features.
Check storage and bandwidth limits : Make sure the hosting platform you choose offers enough storage space for your audio files and enough bandwidth for your listeners to listen to your episodes without interruption.
Check compatibility: Make sure the hosting platform you choose is compatible with your podcasting software. Most hosting platforms support the most common audio file formats, but it's important to check whether your software is compatible with the platform.
Here are some of the most popular podcast hosting platforms:
It's important to note that the choice of hosting platform depends on your needs and budget. We recommend choosing a platform that meets your current needs, and that allows you to update and change plans if necessary in the future.
Finally, take the time to familiarize yourself with the user interface of your chosen platform, so that you can produce quality recordings with minimum effort!
Publish and promote your podcast
Want to share your show with the world, but don't know where to start? With the right strategy, you can take your show from a small show to a viral podcast.
Publishing on a streaming platform is an essential part of promoting your show, but it's not enough if you want a truly successful launch.
Here are 7 useful steps for publishing and promoting a podcast:
Choose your hosting platform: Choose a hosting platform for your podcast (see my previous answer for recommendations). Upload your first episode to the hosting platform and fill in the episode information, including title, description and keywords.
Submit your podcast to directories: Submit your podcast to popular podcast directories such as Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and Stitcher. Listeners will be able to find your podcast by searching these directories.
Promote your podcast on social networks : Share audio excerpts from your podcast on social networks such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Use relevant hashtags to reach a wider audience.
Collaborate with other podcasters: Collaborate with other podcasters in your niche by inviting guests or guesting on shows. This can help expand your audience.
Ask for reviews and comments : Ask your listeners to leave reviews and comments on your podcast. Positive reviews can help attract new listeners.
Use ads: use targeted ads on social networks to promote your podcast to a specific audience.
Participate in events and trade shows: Taking part in events and trade shows related to your niche can help promote your podcast to a wider audience and build contacts.
Promoting your podcast can take time and perseverance. It's important to maintain a constant presence on social networks and interact with your audience to strengthen your relationship with your listeners.
By following these simple steps, you'll be on your way to launching a successful podcast that will captivate and entertain your listeners. Put in the time and effort right from the start to ensure that your show is of the highest quality.
With a little hard work, you'll be able to create a podcast that you'll be proud of, and that your audience will love!
