Podcasting is a constantly growing medium with a very low barrier to get started. However, many myths and misunderstandings seem to surround the waters of the audio waves.
One of the hardest parts of podcasting is simply starting the podcast. Once you can break through any confusion about the industry, you can start recording and growing your audience.
1) You need expensive equipment to start a podcast.
You do not need everything you see professionals using to create your first podcast. No matter what, your podcast should have a microphone, a camera (for video podcasts) and a computer to run them.
A podcast is primarily a listening experience. Therefore, if your voice is unclear to listeners, you are not set up for success. An external podcast microphone can provide professional-quality sound, and they are not always expensive.
For video podcasts, it is important to use a good camera that makes you and your guests look good. Modern smartphones and webcams are great starting points if you cannot spend any extra money on a camera.
While you can record your podcast on a smartphone, using a computer helps to create a higher-quality podcast. If you want to record while traveling, you may want a laptop with a long battery life to avoid recording interruptions.
The type of computer you choose may change depending on what editing platform you want to use. Some software is exclusive for Mac or PC, but others work with both. Browser-based programs such as Riverside work on all systems and are good for talking with virtual guests.
It is not a bad idea to also have headphones to monitor audio quality while you record. Good headphones can pick up on audio issues such as background noise to prevent your interview from being ruined without you noticing.
2) You need a large audience to make money.
Several years ago, WNYC Studios surveyed over 600 podcasters and found that the median hourly earnings were between $30 and $44 an hour. There is no single way to have a successful monetary podcast, as there are many types and sizes that make money.
Even with a small audience, the listeners' enthusiasm can make you money. Engagement is vital to a podcast. According to Kit, 52% of creators most enjoyed the platform that had the most engagement.
Your topic also plays a role in the type of engagement your podcast gets. A genre is generally more profitable when people are willing to spend money to solve problems. According to Kit, business podcasts earn a median of about $47 an hour, while music podcasts are the least profitable, with an hourly pay of about $27 an hour.
3) There are already too many podcasts.
Saying there are too many podcasts out there is like saying there are too many movies or songs. As of June 2024, there were only about 460,000 active podcasts on Apple Podcasts.
Millions of new books are published each year, but that does not mean there is no longer a need for books. Many people have a story to tell, from entrepreneurs to comedians. Like movies and songs, there will be good podcasts and bad ones.
Although the podcasting community has expanded over the years, there are still plenty of opportunities for newcomers to have their voices heard and make their mark.
Many listeners follow multiple podcasts at once and continue searching for more. There is always something new to create, and maybe the podcast you want to listen to does not exist yet.
4) Longer episodes are better.
There is no one correct podcast length. When creating content for people to fit into their day, you must avoid stretching it out or shortening it to fit a specific timeline.
Podcast intros are normally anywhere from 15 to 30 seconds long, giving listeners a reason to stay around, according to PodcastBuffs. The intro sets the tone for the entire episode, especially for new listeners.
Creating an outline for your podcast episodes can provide a consistent episode length, creating and continuing to meet audience expectations.
The length of your podcast should reflect the amount of quality content you have to offer on your topic. Some subjects are naturally longer, while others can be covered in a short amount of time.
Overall, the key is finding the sweet spot that allows you to address your topic without overwhelming or underwhelming your audience. This keeps the podcast both fun and informational.
5) You need to be an expert to start a podcast.
The dictionary definition of an expert is "a person who is very knowledgeable about or skillful in a particular area."
To be an effective distributor of this knowledge, you must be an effective communicator. As a podcaster, you have the opportunity to share your message by talking directly to your audience.
You can add value to the conversation without being an expert, however.
In a Podcast Host survey of 780 podcast listeners, the least important aspect of a podcast was that they had heard of the host before, which suggests that they value good content over the words of an "expert."
6) You need to post a new episode every day.
Once a week is a good place to start your podcast, according to Rob Cressy, an entrepreneur and personal growth coach.
Posting an episode a week allows your audience to get in the flow of a consistently published show. It also helps you build a commitment to the show, which puts you in a better position to succeed.
Showing up consistently helps to generate growth and impact. With that in mind, quality overpowers quantity.
If you release episodes frequently, you can become repetitive. If the content sounds rushed or does not deliver on its promises, listeners will not stay around.
Some topics, such as news, need regular release schedules in order to stay relevant. Overall, your topic and frequency may need to change depending on what you are capable of. If you struggle with a daily release schedule, pick a topic that allows you to post less often.
7) Social media will grow your podcast by itself.
According to a Podcast Host survey, 40% of podcast listeners find podcasts by searching their podcast app's directory, and 18% ask someone they know for podcast recommendations. Only 15% find their podcasts on social media or in online communities.
Podcasting is very social and relies on other people to shape what the show evolves into. This extends beyond the people listening to your podcast.
Using an interview-style podcast to connect with guests in your industry can lead to word-of-mouth promotion of your podcast. Inviting another creator onto your show creates a shared audience and creates new subscribers for each podcast.
Having a podcast website is a good way to get discovered by people who use search engines to find their next listen. A basic website works, but podcast-specific website builders, such as Podpage, offer more tools for podcasters.
An email newsletter with each episode is another way to stay in contact with your audience. You may eventually use email content that extends beyond your episode content. This could include behind-the-scenes updates, product sales or special offers.
8) Success happens overnight.
Over 450 million people listened to podcasts in 2023, and numbers are expected to reach 619 million by 2026, according to Riverside. The journey to podcasting success involves plenty of strategy and time.
Implementing guests, social media, collaborations and advertising are just a few strategies that you can use to grow your show. For your marketing to work and your show to expand, your strategy must be aligned with the challenges and requirements of your show.
Audience growth can be slow and steady, while other podcasts may plateau and shift their focus to creating and capitalizing on content for their audience.
The more you consistently put out good-quality episodes regularly, the more you will show listeners that you are professional and knowledgeable.
