Creating a podcast is a great way to share your unique voice and perspective with the world and build a connection with an audience you might not otherwise have.
Anyone interested in audio production and sharing a unique perspective can start a podcast. The barrier to entry is low, and unlike blogging, where there are millions of blogs vying for attention, the podcasting landscape is still relatively open.
According to the latest Spotify podcast statistics, over 125 million Spotify users regularly listen to podcasts or roughly 30% of all users.
As of June 2022, it was disclosed that more than 4 million podcast titles are now on the platform. This represents a significant increase from the 2.1 million podcast titles available just a year ago.
Spotify is clearly committed to growing its podcast offerings, and these latest statistics show that the platform is well-positioned to continue its reign as the top destination for audio streaming.
If you are interested in starting a podcast on Spotify, you are in the right place. This step-by-step guide will help you get ready to launch on Spotify, which is the most popular podcast platform.
1. Create A Brand
Creating a brand is the first step in making a podcast on Spotify. What is the name of your podcast going to be? What topics are you going to cover? What tone and atmosphere are you going for?
Furthermore, think about the format of your episodes. Are you going to do a solo show or have guests on? If you’re going to have guests, how many and how often?
After deciding on your podcast format, you need to consider who you will invite as guests. It’s crucial to choose guests who are knowledgeable and passionate about your topic and can contribute exciting insights.
Finally, decide how often you’re going to release new episodes. This will depend on how much time you have to dedicate to podcasting and how often you can secure new guests.
Once you’ve answered these questions, you’ll be well on your way to launching a successful podcast.
2. Register on Spotify
The next step is to create an account with Spotify. You can quickly sign up from the website or app’s login screen.
You can have use your email address or phone number or sign up with your Facebook, Google, or Apple account. If you sign up with your email address or phone number, you will need to provide more details, such as your gender, date of birth, and display name.
It would help to read Spotify for Podcasters terms and conditions before launching your podcast on Spotify. The document outlines Spotify’s policies regarding content, copyright, and other critical legal issues.
Familiarizing yourself with the Terms and Conditions will also help you spot any potential problems that could arise down the line.
3. Choose a Podcast Hosting Provider
While you cannot host your podcast directly on Spotify, you can do it through Anchor, Spotify’s hosting provider.
However, other podcasts hosting sites are available, each with its own features and benefits. To choose the right hosting service, you should consider the following:
Size and Scope of Your Podcast
If you’re starting, you may not need all the bells and whistles that come with some of the more comprehensive platforms. On the other hand, if you have a large and complex podcast, you’ll want to ensure the platform you choose can handle everything you throw at it.
Features
Next, take a look at the features each platform offers. Some platforms offer basic features like storage and hosting, while others include podcast editing tools, analytics, and more. Choose the platform that offers the right mix of features for your needs.
Cost
Finally, consider the cost when choosing a podcast hosting service. While some platforms are free to use, others charge a monthly or annual fee.
You may have to compromise on audio quality with free hosting to save money. Paid hosting, on the other hand, offers high-quality audio that will sound great to your listeners.
Also, paid podcast hosting services offer more reliable uptime, customer support, and advanced features like custom RSS feeds and stats.
Be sure to compare pricing options before making your final decision.
4. Record Your Podcast Episode
Recording your podcast episodes is crucial in starting your podcast on Spotify. There are a few things to keep in mind when recording, such as making sure you have a clear, concise podcast intro and conclusion and keeping your recordings at a consistent volume.
You’ll also want to make sure you have good microphone technique, which means speaking directly into the microphone and maintaining a consistent distance from it.
To have a cleaner recording, it’s essential to edit your podcasts, removing any dead air, background noise, or errors.
This can be achieved with the help of audio recording software such as BounceCast, PodBean, GarageBand, Logic Pro, Adobe Audition, Audacity, and AudioDirector, amongst others.
By recording and editing your Spotify podcast properly, you’ll ensure that your podcast audience has the best experience possible.
5. Make Sure Your Podcast Meets Spotify’s Requirements
Every podcaster should read Spotify’s podcast delivery specification before uploading podcasts to Spotify. This document contains Spotify’s podcast requirements.
To give you a summary, here are five Spotify podcast specifications you must adhere to:
- A high-quality MP3 (at least 128 kbps) or an AAC-LC-encoded MP4.
- A maximum of 12 hours per episode.
- Podcast images need to have a fully squared (1:1) aspect ratio. They should always be delivered in the highest resolution available to support all Spotify screen sizes.
- The accepted image formats in order of preference are TIFF, PNG, or JPEG.
- Consumer-facing elements (except episode and podcast description) should be at most 20 characters to ensure a good fit for all Spotify clients.
6. Upload Your Podcasts to Spotify
Now that you’ve created some great podcast content, it’s time to get it out there for the world to enjoy. Uploading your podcast on Spotify is pretty straightforward.
First, you have to upload your audio files to your preferred podcast hosting service. Make sure to correctly upload your podcast information (podcast title and description) so listeners will know what they’re tuning in for.
Next, head to your Spotify account, click on the “Your Library” tab, and then select “Podcasts.” Here you’ll see an option to “Add a Podcast.” Click this and then enter the RSS feed from your podcast hosting service. Spotify will start importing your episodes.
Once your episodes are imported, they’ll appear in the “Episodes” section of your Podcasts tab on Spotify.
7. Promote Your Podcasts
Now that you’ve created a brand, found your niche, have great content and are passionate about your topic. How do you get people to actually listen to your podcast?
To promote your podcast and attract new listeners, you can use a few key strategies. First, make sure your podcast is easy to find by optimizing your website and using keywords in your titles and descriptions.
You can also submit your podcast to major podcast directories like Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, and Stitcher. Once people are aware of your podcast, it’s essential to keep them engaged with fresh content and exciting guests.
If you can consistently produce high-quality episodes, your podcast listeners will continue to tune in week after week.
Finally, remember to use social media to spread the word about your show. By promoting your podcast on platforms like Twitter and Instagram, you can increase your podcast subscriptions and reach a whole new audience of potential listeners.
Frequently Asked Questions on How to Make a Podcast on Spotify
Yes, it is free to create a podcast on Spotify. You can use the same account that you use for your music streaming, and there is no need to sign up for a separate account.
The process is simple and straightforward: just click on the “Create Podcast” button on the Spotify website, and follow the prompts. There is no need to download any special software or purchase any equipment.
There are a few ways to make a podcast for free. One way is to use a simple recording program like Audacity, which is free to download. Another way is to use a free online service like Podbean.
To get started, all you need is a microphone and an internet connection. Once you have those, you can record your podcast and upload it to Podbean for others to listen to. You can also promote your podcast on social media or through word-of-mouth to help increase your audience.
Despite what you may have heard, starting a podcast is not as difficult as it seems. In fact, with a little planning and the right equipment, just about anyone can start their own podcast. The first step is to decide on a topic.
Once you have an idea of what you want to talk about, the next step is to gather your equipment and record your first episode. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect–you can always edit it later. After you’ve recorded and edited your episode, the final step is to upload it to a hosting platform like iTunes or SoundCloud.
It is possible to make a living off podcast. Although, this largely depends on the quality of your content, how often you release new episodes, whether you monetize your podcast and a number of other factors.
For example, many podcasters release ad-free content and instead rely on listener donations or Patreon support to make ends meet. Others sell branded merchandise or promote affiliate products..
No. You don’t need to be a famous person to begin podcasting or become a successful podcaster. In fact, many of the most popular podcasts are hosted by regular people who are passionate about their topics. So, if you’re thinking about starting a podcast, don’t let your lack of fame hold you back. Just focus on creating interesting content that will engage listeners.
Wrapping Up
Creating your first podcast in today’s world is a simple process. If you produce high-quality content and market your show effectively, you can quickly build an audience of loyal listeners.
Still trying to figure out what you want to do? Try listening to podcasts produced by different people to observe how they interact with their audience and get people to keep listening to them.
By investing your time to learn the elements of a popular podcast, you’ll be well on your way to producing a show that will be well received. Now is the time to act; set out and accomplish something.
With close to 5 years of experience, Oluwatosin has honed his skills as an SEO content writer, editor, and content marketing manager. He has written articles, conducted extensive research, and managed projects for clients in the Tech, Finance, Web3, Real Estate, E-commerce, Education, and Health industries. His expertise extends to SEO content optimization, content re-purposing, keyword research, competitor analysis and web content management.
