Podcast Series: 8 Frequently Asked Questions About Starting A Podcast

Once a business owner begins to think about starting their own podcast, they will often get nervous because they have so many unanswered questions. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about podcasting.   Check them out to help you make an educated decision on whether or not podcasting can help you accomplish your business goals. 

1. What is podcasting?
Podcasting is a way of creating internet-based audio files for the purpose of offering information and entertainment to a wider audience. 

2. How do I create a podcast?
To create your podcast you will need a microphone, some software to record the audio file, and a place to store the audio file so other people can listen to it. 

3. What kind of microphone should I use for my podcast?
Buy a USB one for under $100 that has high-definition sound quality. I personally use the Yeti which I bought off of Amazon for $99.

4. Do I need special software?
The industry standard is Audacity. It does take time to learn, but it is free to use. You can use this if you will be pre-recording shows that need editing.  I use Spreaker which allow me to pre-record my shows or go live.  Most of the time I go live.  I have the pro plan for $19.99 monthly.

5. What should I talk about on my podcast?
Choose a niche or specialized area or topic you want to talk about. It should be something that you are passionate about and have some knowledge about.  If you try to do a podcast on something that you are not passionate about it will come across as inauthentic.  Then think of how you can help people interested in that topic who have problems that need to be solved. Offer free information that will lead to paid product referrals, your own or someone else’s, that will make you money with each podcast.

6. How do I get people find my podcasts?
There are many ways to do this but the simplest way is to share your podcast on your social media pages with your friends and colleagues.  A content provider will create a podcast channel, or feed. Within that channel, they will create programs or tracks. Every time a new track is created, the channel will automatically update content on subscribers' computers. 

7. How can people listen to podcasts?
Your audience can listen to the files on their computer, cell phone, in their car or load them onto an MP3 player such as an iPod.  Many of the newer cars are now coming with podcast players already installed in them.  I don't have a podcast player in my car, but I listen to all of my podcast in my car by connecting my cell phone to the aux jack in my car.

8. How can people subscribe to my podcast?
There are so many ways for people to subscribe to your podcast depending on where your podcast is syndicated.  Here are three common ways they can subscribe. The most popular way is through an online service with software such as iTunes. Or, people can add your feed to their FeedBurner, that is, program that accepts RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feeds. You can also embed your feed into the pages of your blog or website and they can listen to them there.

I hope that this information help you in deciding if podcasting is right for you.  Podcast is one of my passions and as time goes on not only do I want to share my show with you, I want to share my passion for podcasting with you.  I want to be able to help you launch your own podcast, so this is the first in a series of articles about podcasting that I will be writing.  Be sure to check back often for more great information about how to start and grow your podcast.

Until Next Time
Make It A Great Day!
Audrey