If you’re a business owner, podcasts can be a great way to connect and connect with your listeners and potential customers. Thanks to a podcast they can hear your words, hear your voice, and this helps immensely to humanize your relationship.
It is clear that written content cannot have the same effect.
Also, offering your audience different ways to interact with you and your brand can only bring benefits.
Podcasting also helps build a reputation and gives you a sense of authority within your niche. You can use podcasting to drive traffic to your online store, thanks to the backlinks you can place in directories and thanks to the ability to directly invite your listeners to visit your site at the end of each episode.
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What are podcasts?
If you are wondering what podcasts are, the answer is quite simple. These are audio recordings of a discussion on a certain topic, such as business or travel. You can find them on iTunes or Spotify, or on independent websites. They are a particularly dynamic means of communication, and could be the perfect way to share your pearls of wisdom with your listeners.
You don’t need to make huge investments or have technical skills to know how to make a podcast. In this article, you will find a step-by-step guide on how to create a podcast and why you should have one for your store. We will also explain what the different types exist and what you need to create a successful podcast.
If you’re passionate about podcasts, what they are and how they work, this article is for you.
What does podcast mean?
Podcast: what does it mean? It is a form of audio transmitted over the web. You can listen to them on the go, on your way to the office or even while you work. It is a means of communication that does not require the full attention of your target market , and in this it differs from a video or a blog post.
Podcasting is constantly growing, even in the Italian market:
Nielsen research for Audible in the Italian market in 2019 shows that 1.8 million more listeners were recorded in the last year compared to the previous year.
As listeners increase, more and more entrepreneurs begin to notice their potential. That’s why, if you’re wondering how to make a podcast, you’ll first need to decide what kind of podcast you want to create.
Types of Podcasts
1. The podcast with interviews
This style is where one or two hosts interview different guests in each episode. This is a popular format because it doesn’t require a lot of background work.
Preparation usually includes finding the subject to be interviewed and drawing up a list of questions to ask. Of course, you will need some skills to create such a podcast, such as getting guests to participate, knowing how to interview, and being able to produce episodes on a regular basis.
“ Breaking Italy Podcast ” is a series by Alessandro Masala where in each episode, available in both video and audio format, a different guest is interviewed.
2. The personal podcast
If you’re wondering what kind of podcasts could I make ?, this might be one of the best formats. They are typically presented as a monologue, with a single individual (in this case you) running the show.
Content for personal podcasts can be based on your own opinion, news, question and answer format, or any other style that can only be broadcast by one person. From a technical standpoint, this is an easy format to produce because all you need is your voice, know how to make a podcast, and have a topic to talk about.
3. The podcast with multiple presenters
This type of show has two or more presenters, which can help make the show more dynamic than a podcast presented by a single user. If you’ve researched how to make a podcast and have a business partner, this might be the perfect choice.
Multi-presenter shows offer discussions all india mobile number database that have different opinions and perspectives, which can bring more entertainment value to listeners who like to hear conversations and debates instead of a single person speaking. It also creates less pressure for creators to keep audiences engaged and interested, as there are more people and more ideas.
“ Muschio Selvaggio ” is the podcast created by Fedez and Luis Sal which is having success thanks also to the variety of guests present at each episode.
Of course, you don’t need to limit yourself to one of these formats. Feel free to combine different styles to create a podcast that represents you and helps you stand out from the crowd.
Podcast: How Does It Work? Useful tips
With hundreds of new podcasts hitting the market virtually every day, you might suspect that you are late – and that’s understandable.
But trust me, you are never too late. If you can get a podcast started that resonates with the audience, you are on the right track.
Sure, there is competition, but careful planning and well-structured episodes will really help you overcome the obstacles surrounding your niche . Here are some tips for starting a successful podcast.
1. Create a preview of your format
Turning on the microphone and starting to speak out can seem like a brave act. But if it works for some listeners, it’s annoying for others. If you’re creating multiple episodes, consider the possibility that your listeners will want to know what to expect, and try to use a consistent format for your podcast.
A great tip for those wondering how to create a podcast is to have a special guest to introduce at the beginning of the recording, or to include recurring sections like the hottest topics or the ability to ask any kind of question.
These sections can then be subdivided with transitions that inform the listener of the beginning and end of each section. Using a repeating formula not only helps build content more effectively, it can also help the listener hear their favorite sections directly.
2. Follow best practices
Ideal length and frequency are heated discussions in the world of podcast hosting. Some say it’s best to follow a weekly posting schedule. Others say one episode a month is enough. But what is best for your podcast? Use these podcast tips from Buffer to decide which format and which frequency to follow.
Ideal frequency to publish a podcast: weekly
44 percent of the top 25 podcasts publish one episode per week. The second trend in order of popularity is to release two episodes a week.
Ideal length for each podcast episode: 22 minutes
Stitcher , an online radio and podcast site, says the average listener is fully engaged for up to 22 minutes.
Ideal day to post a podcast: Tuesday / Wednesday
60% of podcasts post new episodes early in the week, before Wednesday. The most popular day for posting is Tuesday.
3. Find your niche
Not even the best podcasts in the world are for everyone.
Instead of trying to broaden your audience, start by trying to find your niche.
Think about who your main audience will be, and work first to attract listeners.
Once you’ve built your own following, you can start thinking about how to go about attracting a wider range of listeners.
4. Relax, enjoy, and be prepared
When organizing a podcast following the interview template, chat with your host before you start recording. This will help you be more relaxed during the conversation. Also, don’t forget to have fun. The best presenters have a relaxed tone of voice because they are in no rush to move on to the next question.
One of our podcast tips is to always do research on the host you will be interviewing. Google him, check his social media profiles and see if he’s already been interviewed by other podcasters. If so, collect the interviews and use them to improve your show. The more time you spend understanding the host, the smoother and smoother your episode will be.
What do you need to create a podcast?
In this section we will briefly talk about the equipment and software you will need when learning how to create a podcast. The bare minimum is a microphone, which can be more or less cheap. You can purchase an XLR microphone (XLR is a type of electrical connector, used mostly on professional audio equipment) that plugs into a mixer, which can give you high quality sound. However, the audio quality offered by a good USB microphone works just as well for most people.
Best USB microphones for podcasting
Most computers have at least one USB port that allows you to plug in a microphone. Most USB microphones are plug-and-play, which means no installation or drivers are required.
Here is our list of some of the best USB microphones:
USB Tonor Microphone
Price: € 43.99
Perfect for Mac and Windows, it features a convenient foldable kickstand and pop filter to ensure crystal clear sound. This microphone is aesthetically beautiful, well finished but above all with an impeccable sound.
Blue Yeti USB microphone
Price: € 139.99
This USB microphone has four sensing modes that offer incredible versatility and allow you to make recordings that would normally require multiple microphones, you can adjust and rotate the microphone to suit your needs and is fully compatible with any platform.
Best professional microphones for podcasting
Shure SM58 microphone
Price: € 117.10
This is a hand held microphone commonly found in concerts, mostly in the hands of a solo singer. The SM58 microphone can be knocked down, dropped or crushed and still survive, so it can be the perfect choice for anyone wanting to make podcasts more adventurous than just studio recordings.
RODE PODMic professional microphone
Price: 115.00 €
The PodMic is a dynamic broadcast type microphone designed for podcast applications. With a built-in pop filter and rich, smooth sound, it will give your voice a professional quality. The PodMic can be used with any XLR interface, but is optimized for use with the new RØDECaster Pro.