Starting a podcast has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. (I'll tell you why in a little bit.) In this complete tutorial, you're going to learn, step-by-step, how to start a podcast.
Thank you to the thousands of people who have emailed me and also those who have let me know in person that this is the very tutorial that helped you get started. That's why I do what I do, so let's get right to it!
The Basics of How to start a podcast
ALL THE STEPS: AT A GLANCE
When you start a new project, it’s a good idea to know where you’re going. Here’s a high-level look at how to start a podcast:
- Choose a topic you can commit to.
- Define your show description and artwork.
- Set up and thoroughly test your equipment.
- Create a plan for your episodes.
- Record your episodes.
- Edit and publish your episodes.
- Launch your podcast to your audience.
That’s the 30,000 foot view of how to start a podcast—the rest of this tutorial will go into extensive detail on each of these steps. My goal is to make sure that you understand both what to do and why you’re doing it.
In the first three sections, What Podcasting Has Done for My Business, My #1 Lesson Learned from Starting a Podcast, and You're Ready to Get Started, I’ll share with you my experience with starting a podcast and lay out the business case for why podcasting is worth your time.
In the following sections, The One Thing You Must Do Before You Start, How Podcasting Actually Works, and Five Things You Should Prepare Before You Begin Recording, I’ll help you prepare for starting your podcast, taking you through the first two steps in the high-level list above. You’ll learn what you need to be successful, how podcasting works, and how to start planning your podcast.
And finally, we arrive at my favorite section, the Tutorial Videos! I’ll teach you how to set up your equipment and how to record, edit, and publish your show. By the end of these videos, you’ll know everything you need for starting your podcast.
Also, I do have a premium course called Power-Up Podcasting that goes much deeper and holds you accountable to actually getting started. Thousands of students have paid me to help them start their show, many who have since gone on to create successful businesses and generate a lot of income. If you need more help later, that could be an option for you. For now, I'm stoked to see how I might be able to help you get started here.
What Podcasting Has Done for My Business and life
Key Metrics and Other Professional Gains
Since starting The Smart Passive Income Podcast in July 2010, these amazing things happened. I don't share these to show off, I share these because doors opened up I never thought possible, and they can for you, too:
- The show has surpassed 60,000,000 total downloads (as of December 2019).
- The podcast has become the #1 way people who read my blog find out about me—that's above search, social media, and links from other websites (See survey results).
- The New York Times featured an article specifically about me because of my podcast.
- I was contacted by a Hollywood producer who listened to my show to consult as the social media director for a $10M independent film (See IMDb). Because of this, I was able to drive a Delorean. Long story, but it happened (again, because of the podcast).
- Book publishers have reached out to me and asked if I was interested in working with them for upcoming publications.
- Fox News reached out to me to feature my story on the evening news.
- I've been able to connect with and become friends with incredible thought-leaders who I would have never had the opportunity to connect with without the podcast, including Gary Vaynerchuk, Tim Ferriss, Chalene Johnson, Donald Miller, Michael Hyatt,
- I've become more confident as a person and better skilled as a speaker. It was the perfect stepping stone to conquering my fear of public speaking. Now, I do keynote speeches around the world—and I actually get paid for it! (Never thought that would happen!)
- I won an award for Top Business Podcast 2015 at Podcast Movement.
- I was able to build 2 schools in Ghana, Africa as a result of the community I built through the podcast.
My #1 Lesson Learned From Starting a Podcast
The Big Reason Why You Need to Start a Podcast
Most importantly, the podcast has enabled me to build a stronger relationship with my audience—much stronger than I could ever do with just my blog alone. The language that people use when they describe listening to my podcast is as if I was there speaking to them in person:
- “Thanks for keeping me company while I was . . .”
- “I was scrambling, taking notes while you were talking about . . .”
- “Pat, I feel like I know you.”
I've also since started a few other podcasts, like AskPat, FoodTruckr School, and The 1-Day Business Breakthrough Podcast with co-host, Chris Ducker.
It's incredible.
The Smart Passive Income Podcast has been instrumental to my success—so I decided to create more! And guess what? These shows help grow my audience even more!
AskPat 2.0
A weekly coaching call on online business, blogging, marketing, and lifestyle design.
1-Day Business Breakthrough
No one has a monopoly on good ideas. Discover yours today.
PODCASTING IS NOT EASY, BUT I'M HERE TO MAKE IT EASIER
You're Now Ready to Learn How to Start a Podcast
I first announced my interest in starting a podcast back in December 2008. And yet, I didn't publish my first podcast episode until July 2010—a full year and a half later!
At first, I was bad at podcasting. I was confused about how to structure a show and navigate a listener through it. I wasn't sure what gear I should use to record and produce my show. But most of all, I wasn't confident on the mic, and it showed.
Listen for yourself using the player below. It's the first short test recording I did as a part of my announcement post in 2008. Listening to it now, I cringe. Personally, I find it very hard to listen to. But you know what—it shows just how much I've improved my skills.
And that's the point—you just have to get started!
I also delayed launching the Smart Passive Income Podcast because setting it up was a lot harder than I expected. Podcasting was brand new to me, relatively technical, and I just didn't know where to begin.
After trying to figure it out on my own, I gave up and put the project aside until I finally asked for help from two dear friends of mine: Jason Van Orden from Internet Business Mastery and Cliff Ravenscraft from Podcast Answer Man. Both Jason and Cliff inspired and personally helped me set up my podcast. Thank you both if you’re reading this!
Since I became interested in podcasting, a lot of great “how to start a podcast” tutorials have popped up on the internet. I wish these had been around when I first started!
The tutorial that you're reading today was not created to outdo any of the other podcasting tutorials out there. I created mine because I know I have a particular style of teaching that resonates with a lot of my audience, and I always keep things up to date for you, too.
And so, without further ado, here is my version of how to start a podcast. I hope you enjoy.
Don't Skip This
THE ONE THING YOU MUST DO BEFORE YOU START PODCASTING
Podcasting is extremely fun and exciting, but there is one thing you must do before you start podcasting:
Commit.
You must internally commit to podcasting, as you have to do with anything that is potentially beneficial but takes some time and effort.
You have to say to yourself: “This is something I'm going to do, and this is something I'm going to keep doing.”
It's easy to get excited about the potential of podcasting and what it can do for you and your brand. The possibilities are endless, but only if you keep at it.
My best advice is to enjoy every single part of it. Once you start thinking, “Ugh, I have to record another episode soon,” that's when you should remember why you started podcasting in the first place.
Results take time, so you might as well enjoy it.
An Overview
How Podcasting Actually Works
Before I get into the step-by-step videos, I wanted to give you the roadmap so you know where we're headed.
Setting up a podcast is not push-button easy, but it's not rocket science either, and once you set things up the first time you'll have done most of the work. Then, all you have to worry about is producing more audio content and posting it to your blog. Everything else happens automatically.
Your Audio File
Each particular episode of your podcast show is an individual audio file, typically an MP3 file, since this format is the best balance between sound quality and file size. We'll talk more about recording equipment and which elements to include in your show later in this tutorial.
For the purposes of this example, let's say that you record your first episode and export the recording as SPI001.mp3, which is now on your desktop.
Before you upload this file anywhere, you need to provide some more information about this specific piece of audio. This is what is called “tagging the file,” or in technical terms, editing the metadata or ID3 tags. You need to include this additional data along with your audio file so that media players can understand and display things like the title of the podcast, your name, the episode number, and even the artwork for your podcast. I won't get into too much detail here in the roadmap, but when I talk about each of these parts individually I'll give you all of the tools and resources you need.
After you have your audio properly tagged, you must upload and store SPI001.mp3 onto a server somewhere so that whenever a media player wants to play it (from a website, from iTunes, from a mobile device, etc.), it knows where to call that audio file from for streaming or downloading. You could store your audio files on your own website's server, but I do not recommend that because you could easily run into bandwidth issues and your site could slow down or even crash as a result. If you upload your audio onto a separate server dedicated solely to your podcast media, you run no risk of overloading your own site and you'll be able to provide a better experience for your audience too, because the audio will stream much faster.
Once you upload SPI001.mp3 onto a server, you'll get a link that points directly to your site, such as:
This link is important because, as I said earlier, this is the link that media players and directories like iTunes use to play your podcast episode.
Podcast Feeds
But here's where it gets a little tricky. Now we'll talk about feeds, which is a technical term that always seems to confuse people, including myself at times.
A feed is a standardized way to syndicate written content so that it is more easily read by other websites, applications, and directories. The specific technical format of a feed makes it so that you, the end user, can read data in a way that is more pleasing and easy to read.
A blog is a specific type of feed, so if your website is on a blogging platform like WordPress, you're already set up with a feed. People who are subscribed to your feed will automatically get your new content whenever you publish that new content on your site.
So how do feeds relate to podcasting?
Podcast directories such as iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, and others read your feed, scanning it for properly tagged MP3 files. That's how they know a new show came out, because it's shown in your feed.
Unlike what I had originally thought, you submit your feed address to podcasting directories like iTunes—you don't upload each individual episode to them. This is why after the initial setup, all you have to do is keep publishing audio content on your website and iTunes, and other directories will automatically get updated when new episodes come out.
Don't worry if all of this sounds a little too technical right now—trust me, I understand. The rest of this tutorial will make it much easier for you than it was for me when I first started.
Pre-Production Tips
5 Things You Should Prepare Before You Start Recording
Before you start recording, and even before you dive into the tutorial videos below, there are five things you need to prepare. Have all of this stuff handy for later—you'll thank me for it.
1. Your Podcast's Title
You're going to need a title for your show. For most of you, the name of your blog, or the name of your brand along with “podcast” will make the most sense, but you also have the opportunity to add a few extra words to target specific keywords that you'd like to rank for in iTunes.
iTunes is a search engine—don't forget that.
Don't go crazy with the keywords, though. Don't keyword stuff by adding a billion keywords to your title! Try to keep your title as natural as possible, so select your keywords carefully.
My podcast's title, for example, is:
The Smart Passive Income Online Business and Blogging Podcast
Open up iTunes and search for “online business” or “blogging.” Scroll down to the Podcasts and Podcasts Episodes sections and you'll see what I'm talking about.
An iTunes search for “online business”
2. Your Host/Talent Name
This is, of course, your name—but you can add a little bit more to help your show rank higher for certain keywords in iTunes. Just as with your podcast's title, don't go crazy with it. But, at the same time, don't be afraid to help people (and the iTunes search algorithm) understand who you are.
My host/talent name, for example, is:
Pat Flynn.
You can also add what you do. For example: Pat Flynn, Blogging and Podcasting.
Look up the word “blogging” in iTunes and scroll down to the podcasts section—you'll see what I'm talking about.
An iTunes search for “blogging”
3. Your Podcast's Subtitle
iTunes and other directories may ask for a subtitle for your show. iTunes and many other directories don't actually show the subtitle anywhere. That's not to say they will never show the subtitle (or don't use them in search), which is why it's important to create one anyway. It's always helpful to have a short, small description for your podcast handy for later. A couple sentences should suffice.
4. Your Podcast's Summary/Description
This is the main description for your podcast. In iTunes, you can have up to 4,000 characters to describe your show. Your copy should be engaging and descriptive, but also include keywords that you'd like to target in iTunes as well.
A great description that relates to your show will naturally include keywords anyway, so keep that in mind.
Write your description down and save it for later so you can easily copy and paste it when you need to share a summary of your show.
The current description for the Smart Passive Income podcast is:
Pat Flynn from The Smart Passive Income Blog reveals all of his online business and blogging strategies, income sources and killer marketing tips and tricks so you can be ahead of the curve with your online business or blog. Discover how you can create multiple passive income streams that work for you so that you can have the time and freedom to do what you love, whether it's traveling the world, or just living comfortably at home. Although Pat confesses he is not a millionaire, he's been supporting his family 100% with passive income generated online, easily earning a six-figure salary while working only a few hours a week. Automation, outsourcing, crowdsourcing, search engine optimization, building authority and trust, niche sites, social media, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Podcasting, eBooks, online courses, affiliate marketing, getting the smart things done and everything that works (and doesn't work) to help you better understand how to crush it with your online business. 🙂
5. Your Podcast's Artwork
Your podcast is going to need some artwork—a square image that represents your show. As much as podcasting is an auditory medium, the graphical, visual element that represents your podcast plays an extremely important role.
For one, it's what people will see in podcasting directories (such as iTunes) before listening to a single spoken word and before reading any written words about your show in the description or summary. Your artwork is your podcast's first impression, and it's also what competes for attention with every other podcast that's out there.
For iTunes specifically, a visually appealing podcast image gives your show a better chance of being featured in highly visible sections of iTunes, such as their “New & Noteworthy” and “What's Hot” sections for your show's category.
And lastly, your artwork is what people will see on their media players—on their computers and mobile devices—when they listen to your show. It's an important element for reinforcing your brand identity to your followers.
The iTunes image specifications change periodically. This is the most recent update, from 2018:
- You will need one (1) image that you feel best represents your podcast. Current maximum size is 3000 x 3000 pixel image (minimum size is 1400 x 1400 pixels) at 72 DPI (dots per inch). I recommend using the maximum size, which is indeed quite large, in order to support the high resolution capacity of new media players available on the market (such as Apple's media player on Retina displays).
- This image should be in .jpg or .png file format and in the RGB colorspace.
- Any text should also be readable at a much smaller file size. Many directories and mobile media players will automatically shrink the larger image size to fit smaller containers. Text that is small at 3000 x 3000 will become unreadable when you shrink the logo down to 300 x 300. My recommendation to keep in mind during your logo design process is to optimize your text for a 150 x 150 resolution. If it looks good at that size, it should read perfectly everywhere else.
- In addition to the one (1) 3000 x 3000 pixel image, you will need the same image with a slightly different file name at 300 x 300 resolution. You'll use this when uploading your artwork.
To illustrate the difference in file sizes, here is my AskPat Podcast logo at the full 3000 x 3000 resolution:
and here it is at 150 x 150 pixels:
Once you get these five items in place, you're ready to go. Now it's time to get your show up and running on your site. Here's how to get it done.
HOW TO START A PODCAST: TUTORIAL VIDEOS
Video 1 of 3
How to Start a Podcast: Equipment and Software
In this video, I go over some equipment options including microphone and microphone accessories (with audio examples of each), as well as the software you need to record yourself and interviews for your show.
Video 2 of 3
Top Podcasting Tips for Recording, Interviews, and Exporting
There's a lot that goes into recording a high-quality, engaging show. Here are my top podcasting tips for recording, conducting interviews, and exporting your podcast files.
Video 3 of 3
Podcast Hosting and Submission Made Simple (Apples, Stitcher, Google Play)
Once you finish recording and editing your show, how are you going to submit your podcast to Apple, Stitcher, Google Play, and other directories? Watch the video to figure out your podcast feed, publish new episodes, and more.
What's Next?
Download the free Podcast Cheat Sheet
Sign up for my free Podcast Cheat Sheet! This checklist will help you stay on track as you go through the steps I've outlined above so you can learn how to start a podcast, the smart way. All the steps (and more) to help you launch and grow your podcast.
Are you ready to start a podcast?
The Essential Free Checklist for Planning and Starting Your Podcast
The Podcast Cheat Sheet includes a highly detailed checklist that walks you through the technical setup of your podcast.
What to Expect
After you request the Podcast Cheat Sheet, you'll receive an email with the download, as well as a link to my free, on-demand webinar that will walk you through the Cheat Sheet.
Together, we'll cover:
- How a podcast will help you grow (or launch) your business.
- How to use the Cheat Sheet to keep track of your entire launch process.
- What you need to make your podcast pass the iTunes guidelines and tips for getting it to stand out in the crowd.
- Resources for getting help if you get stuck.
Thank You!
I Appreciate You!
I truly hope you enjoyed this tutorial about how to start a podcast. I spent over 50 hours putting this tutorial together for you and I know it'll help you fast-track your way to a successful podcast.
If it has helped you in any way, please do me a favor and share this tutorial with whoever else you know might be interested in starting a podcast.
Cheers, and I'll see you and your podcast on Apple (and other directories) very soon!
Lastly, if you still feel like you need more help and guidance to help you launch and market your podcast, check out my course, Power-Up Podcasting, for more help!