How to Start a Podcast in 2022
Identify the equipment and skills needed to create a successful podcast
Your Voice Matters
Have you thought about sharing your experiences with others? If you’re like most of us, you probably dismissed such an idea straight away. It is rather easy to underestimate one’s ideas and continue standing still in this rapidly changing world. However, our team at Revolancer begs to differ.
In this brief article, we will invite you to think of an alternative. We will explore the question of how to start a podcast in 2022 and provide you with a few action points, which might make you change your mind. Your voice matters as much as anyone else’s and that is why we would like to help you in starting a podcast…
Power of Words
How good of a public speaker are you? If you’re reading this article, you’re probably somewhat interested in or active in freelancing. This might mean your communication skills are better than most of your peers. Why? Because freelancing demands of you the ability to communicate clearly with your audience and employers. The same is true for podcasting.
Words have the power to change the world. For better or worse. Nothing in this world takes place without a word of encouragement or threat, without a word of some kind. That is why starting a podcast might be a well-tailored addition to your weekly adventures. Maybe this is exactly what you need to gain a bigger audience and spread your message further. If you’re struggling to find your voice, try our 7 Steps to Communicate With Impact.
What Are You Going to Talk About
Before we start setting up the recording equipment and figuring out which platform to host your podcast on, you should ask yourself ‘what topics do I want to talk about?’ After all, your podcast has to have an aim, a certain mission. Think about your passions, hobbies, skills, experiences, and knowledge. What can you share with your audience?
Your podcast should be primarily about things you feel passionate about and interested in. Otherwise, when the going gets tough, you’ll quit. It has to be rewarding for you, regardless of the audience tuning in. You should also think whether you’d like to facilitate conversations and interview guests, or would you like to simply talk to the microphone on your own. Whatever works for you is valid, but it is worth thinking about this.
Where to Start
Once you’ve got your podcast idea sorted, you should find the right platform to host your show on. This should ideally be an online platform dedicated to podcasting with a simple, user friendly interface, and little account fee. It’s better to start small, right?
Among the platforms available, our team would like to recommend Buzzsprout or Anchor, which are fairly similar and offer a wide range of directories to publish your podcast with ease. Initially, you might want to open a free account. Once you grow your fan base and create more content, you can easily upgrade the account to a different plan.
Tools You Need
Like with any other task, you will need some tools to create a podcast from scratch. It might feel overwhelming at first, but believe us, it is easy. The bare minimum you need is a set of earphones, a microphone (phone might be enough for the first try), a recording programme on your laptop, and a quiet space to record in. Yes, it’s that simple!
When it comes to earphones/headphones the only rule you should follow is that you use them only if they don’t interfere with the recording. In other words, they should be quiet enough to leave the microphone in peace. The microphone is a piece of equipment you’re probably going to buy. It is worth looking up the best podcasting microphones 2022 to find any up-to-date deals and choose one that is right for you. Finally, the programme you’ll use to record your sound should be just that – a recording tool. Programmes like Audacity or Garageband are a perfect choice for a beginner. Their use requires little expertise and allows you to create a podcast episode without much difficulty. It is a perfect solution for any first-timer.
Recording an Episode
By now, you should have the equipment you need and be ready for your pilot episode. Find a quiet space, turn off your phone, and press play on the recording device. You are ‘on air’. Creating entertaining material might be a challenge, but with time you will get better at it.
Throughout the ‘take’ try to keep any noises to minimum and focus on your audience. Talk to them. Why should they listen to your voice? What do you have to say? Do not be afraid to make mistakes, as you’ll be able to edit the recording afterwards. Experiment with the style of your podcast and see what feels most natural to you. Once the recording is complete, press stop and make sure to save the file straight away. You don’t want to lose any material.
Editing and Promotion
So, you’ve done your first session and the episode is registered in the programme of your choice. That’s great! Now, with the use of simple and straightforward tips you should edit the sound to reflect the initial vision of your podcast. At this stage ask yourself if an intro or a soundtrack is something you’d like to add. It is best to organise all of these before your first episode goes live. No rush!
Once edited, your podcasting adventure needs to be promoted. It is necessary for two reasons. One – you will give others a chance to listen to your ideas, and two – you will see whether your recording is interesting to people other than yourself. After all, you are doing your podcast for someone else to listen to. When you advertise your work, focus on the aspects of it that make it different from others. Figure out the way to entice others to follow your work and see where this takes you.
The Future is Yours
If you’ve taken the time to create this first episode, then you’ve made a great step towards your podcast success. To start is always the most difficult part. Research podcasting equipment, become familiar with the programmes to record sound, and figure out what it is that makes your work fun to listen to.
With these in mind, you are on the right track to founding a successful podcast with high-quality content. If this is what you want to do in the year 2022, we hope we were able to help you! Good luck!
Before You Go
If you liked this article, check out ‘How to Promote Your Freelance Services’. And if you’d like to become a freelancer and earn money with your podcasting skills, register on Revolancer today!
Freelance marketplace: Revolancer