Released 28 Sep 2015, Last Updated 08 Apr 2022
Once upon a time, the only way to get your voice over the airwaves would have been to get a job as a radio DJ. However, thanks to the advances of modern technology, many of us can now easily create our own shows to be published online.
Indeed, according to statistics website Statista, the popularity of podcasts is growing. As much as 17 per cent of US citizens had listened to one of these shows in the past month prior to Statista's survey this year, compared to 15 per cent in 2014 and 12 per cent in 2013.
If you're thinking about starting a podcast series of your own, you will need to think about subject matter, in addition to which digital voice recorder you are using. Here we've outlined our tips on the matter.
There are a number of factors that should be considered when designing your show. For example, what will you talk about? If you look at the many successful podcasts in existence, chances are they achieve a number of things: They are unique to their niche, entertaining to listen to (or informative, if that's what the subject matter should be) or contain celebrities that boost ratings with sheer star power.
You will likely not have the lattermost straight away, so focus on the first two. Before you record, ask yourself this: Would I listen to what I intend to talk about? Unfortunately, it might not be the best idea to talk about something generic, as it may already have been done - and already be a hit. Indeed, Apple has over 1 billion podcast subscriptions, so the market is already huge. Digital Trends recommends finding a theme that handles a topic few other podcasts do as well, so you'll be well on your way to offering a unique selling point to potential listeners.
If someone is going to listen to you speak for upward of 60 minutes, the audio quality should be to standard. That means investing in quality podcast recording equipment.
If you don't have a lot of money, or a high-end sound recording device, the affordable RØDE Podcaster could work well for you. It can produce broadcast-quality sound, but still only requires a USB connection. This particular mic also has a built-in pop filter, helping minimise harsh plosives sounds. Not only that, it is relatively inexpensive compared with many other mics on the market, making it perfect for someone keen on committing to a new podcast.
Make sure you also record in a suitable location. You may not recognise how much your home echoes until you listen back to your voice. Wooden floors, bare walls and other large, flat surfaces can cause sound to bounce around. Even with a good directional microphone, you are likely to pick some of these up. Try to record somewhere with the opposite of these features: soft furniture, thick or shaggy carpets, closed curtains and so on.
There are a number of different platforms for hosting podcasts, which would require an entire article of their own to fully describe in detail. Here are some of the more popular ones, which we recommend researching before selecting - to see which suits you best.
In order to gain any semblance of a following, it would be wise to create a website for your show, so people have a place to view any and all information relating to it in a professional format. Social media is also a great idea. Considering Facebook and Twitter have over 1.7 billion monthly users combined, getting your name out there is the first step to going viral.