To celebrate the launch of my podcast (The Career Climb) here’s a short guide on how to start your own podcast as either a side project or to help enhance your professional brand and create even greater awareness of your business.
Today’s issue takes about 3 minutes to read. Enjoy.
I’m going to explain the key steps you need to take to start your own podcast.
You may want to do this just for a bit of fun, or you may do it to build awareness of who you are and what you do professionally.
In either situation, you can create something incredible of which you’ll be really proud.
Unfortunately, many people don’t see a podcast as something that is available to them.
People think podcasts are expensive to create
There’s also a host of other beliefs stopping people;
Podcasts are only for famous people
You require professional editing experience
You need to have loads of time to dedicate
Podcasts are for people with public speaking experience
Indeed, these are some of the beliefs that I had when I started out.
But I’m going to dispel them and show you how to start your first podcast.
Here's how, step by step:
Step 1: Select your podcast style and theme
This is critical. If you get this wrong, you won’t proceed.
Get it right, and you’ll fly!
There are many different podcast styles out there including;
Interviews
News updates
Instructional guides
Once you’ve got that decided, you need to work out your theme. If this is a personal podcast, it might be your favourite hobby or interest. If it’s a professional podcast, think about how you can best showcase your work.
For example, when I started out, I was certain I wanted to interview other people.
Initially, I was going to interview other professional coaches about their favourite coaching questions…It didn't feel right.
When I decided to change that to interviewing business founders and senior leaders who had been through interesting career transitions, I found myself much more excited about what I was going to create!
Step 2: Buy a good quality microphone
This might sound obvious, but it’s hugely important because if your sound quality is terrible, nobody is going to listen.
I bought a Blue ‘Yeti’. It was about $100 and the sound quality is wonderful.
If you’re using your computer for video calls and conferences regularly, you can use the microphone for those as well.
It’s one of the best investments I’ve made this year.
Step 3: Test the quality and adjust
You’re ready to have a practice go.
Download the free software ‘Audacity’ and give it a try.
Audacity is really easy to use and you don’t need any previous experience in editing etc.
Try the microphone at different positions and distances from you.
Record, listen, love. (Or delete and try again!)
Step 4: Record!
Once you’ve done your microphone check, you’re ready to record!
If you’re recording on your own, or you’re in the same place as your guest, you can do this through Audacity.
If you involve someone else, you can do this through Zoom and save the recording.
If you want to make some edits at this point, you can, but if it’s close enough to begin great… Go with it!
People embrace authenticity more than ever before. Don’t seek perfectionism.
If you do want to work with a professional editor, I would recommend James Ede who provides a great service. Check him out here: beheard.org.uk
Step 5: Upload to a hosting platform
You’re now ready to upload to a podcast hosting platform.
This is where your episodes will be hosted and then ‘pushed out’ to streaming platforms like Spotify.
(You don’t upload to streaming platforms directly)
I use Libsyn and it costs me only $5 per month.
Follow the simple instructions to get your podcast established on the hosting platform, adding the podcast description and any artwork you may have created.
NB. You’ll also need to head over to the Apple podcasts site to set up the link back to your hosting page but this is straightforward and only takes a short time to approve.
That’s it!
TL;DR
Select your podcast style + theme
Invest in a good quality microphone
Test the quality and make adjustments
Record your first episode and make small edits
Upload to a hosting platform and publish to the world!
That’s it. A simple 5 step process to launching your first podcast.
Good luck!
If you enjoyed reading this newsletter, the best compliment you could pay me would be to share it with others using the links below.
Thanks, Jamie