How to Start a Podcast

Enjoy this bonus podcast episode where we went back through the Podcasting Q&A and 5 Minute Mondays archives to find the top 10 things we wish we knew before starting a podcast.

10 Tips (Check the Chapter Markers for time stamps)

1. Focus on audio quality
2. Podcast intros
3. Ideal podcast length
4. Go on other podcasts
5. Guest promotion tips
6. Use templates
7. Format your show notes
8. Do you need a website?
9. Promoting on social media
10. Batch your episodes

In this special bonus episode, Travis sits down with one of the godfathers of podcasting - Eric Nuzum.

Eric created and developed podcasts such as TED Radio Hour, Invisibilia, Fresh Air with Terry Gross, and many others and he shares that wisdom and expertise in his new book Make Noise: A Creator's Guide To Podcasting And Great Audio Storytelling.

Buzzcast is the newest podcast from the people at Buzzsprout.

Listen on your favorite podcast app or at Buzzsprout.com

Need some help with your podcast? Join the Buzzsprout Podcast Community on Facebook to get the help you need from podcasters just like you.

In this episode we cover: 

1. How to select your podcast's "Grand Opening" date 
2. Overcoming "launch anxiety"
3. Strategies to promote your podcast launch

Download the “How to Start a Podcast Checklist”, a FREE, step-by-step guide designed to help you get your podcast off the ground without feeling overwhelmed. 

Start your podcast for FREE with Buzzsprout

In this episode we cover: 

1. Where to get great podcast artwork 
2. What to include in your show description 
3. How to submit your podcast to the top 5 directories 

Stuff we mention in this episode:

• Fiverr
• 99Designs ← Use this link for $20 off any design contest with 99Designs

Download the “How to Start a Podcast Checklist”, a FREE, step-by-step guide designed to help you get your podcast off the ground without feeling overwhelmed. 

Start your podcast for FREE with Buzzsprout

In this episode we cover: 

1. Where to get your podcast theme song 
2. How to edit and export your podcast episode 
3. Our favorite post-production software for optimizing your audio 

Stuff we mention in this episode:

• Soundcloud
• Audio Jungle
• Blog: How to Record, Edit, and Mix a Great Sounding Podcast
• Blog: How to Get the Best Sounding Audio for Your Podcast
• Pat Flynn's Audacity Tutorial for Podcasters
• Video: How to Edit a Podcast in GarageBand

Download the “How to Start a Podcast Checklist”, a FREE, step-by-step guide designed to help you get your podcast off the ground without feeling overwhelmed. 

Start your podcast for FREE with Buzzsprout

In this episode we cover: 

1. Why you should always make an outline first 
2. How to get the best sound quality from your microphone 
3. How to record your audio

Stuff we mention in this episode:

• Multi Track Recording in Audacity
• Multi Track Recording in GarageBand

Download the “How to Start a Podcast Checklist”, a FREE, step-by-step guide designed to help you get your podcast off the ground without feeling overwhelmed. 

Start your podcast for FREE with Buzzsprout

In this episode we cover:

1. The best USB microphone for starting your podcast 
2. The software you need to record and edit your podcast 
3. Our favorite online interview software 

Stuff we mention in this episode:

• Audio-Technica ATR2100
• Foam Cover for the ATR2100
• Samson Q2U
• Scarlett 2i2
• Zencastr
• GarageBand
• Audacity

Download the “How to Start a Podcast Checklist”, a FREE, step-by-step guide designed to help you get your podcast off the ground without feeling overwhelmed. 

Start your podcast for FREE with Buzzsprout

In this episode we cover:

1. The top 3 podcast formats 
2. Deciding how long your episodes should be 
3. How often you should publish new episodes 

Download the “How to Start a Podcast Checklist”, a FREE, step-by-step guide designed to help you get your podcast off the ground without feeling overwhelmed. 

Start your podcast for FREE with Buzzsprout

In this episode we cover:

1. Knowing the "why" behind your podcast 
2. Coming up with your podcast idea 
3. Naming your podcast 

Download the “How to Start a Podcast Checklist”, a FREE, step-by-step guide designed to help you get your podcast off the ground without feeling overwhelmed. 

Start your podcast for FREE with Buzzsprout