1+1 = Podcast: How to Start a Podcast the Simple Way

Whether you’ve been thinking about starting your own podcast and don’t know where to start or you already have a podcast and want to know how to streamline the process, this course will help you simplify the process and give you everything you need to thrive with your own show!

This course will walk you through everything you need to know to start your podcast and get it published on multiple platforms, from iTunes, to Google Play, Spotify and even iHeart Radio. You’ll walk away from this course with all the tools you need need to have a successful podcast in the shortest amount of time.

A podcast has a very defined format, but various other types of media can serve the same purpose...deliver your message to your audience in a clear and concise manner.  This chapter will introduce you to a variety of ways audiences consume content. Understanding each of these methods, will help you figure out the right method to reach your desired audience.

If you have been debating whether or not a podcast is something that is right for you, then this chapter will present 6 reasons to have a podcast and how you could benefit from each.  Whether it's to provide additional value to your clients or to get your brand additional exposure, we take a closer look at these and more.

Learn 5 common podcasting mistakes that many new podcast hosts tend to overlook.  Most of these are industry established best practices, but they all need to be taken into consideration.  If ignored, any one of these could sabotage a new show’s success before it has a chance to really get going. 

You don’t need high end equipment or a professional recording studio to start podcasting. In this video learn how to start podcasting on any budget.

In this video you’ll learn about the different types of microphones you can use to record high quality audio and which one is the right one for you.

Aside from a microphone, here you will learn about other awesome equipment that you can use to create a high quality podcast.

Having a solid plan of action before you start your podcast is going to ensure your success in the long run. In this video, you’ll learn about the 7 P’s of podcasting that you can use to empower yourself and be ahead of the performance curve when you launch your podcast.

Even if you setup your recording in the most quiet environment, there are other sounds and noises that could show up in your recording. In this lesson you’ll learn about some physical ways to have sound quality without breaking the bank.

In this lesson we will discuss how royalty free music can enhance your introduction and the closing of your show.  We talk about resources for free and inexpensive music that you can use without being concerned of copyright infringement.

Having a guest on your podcast can be a great way to provide back and forth conversation, establish credibility and add value by featuring a knowledgeable expert to discuss that episode’s topic.

But, finding qualified guests can be a challenge if you don’t know where to look. This chapter will outline a number of proven methods of finding, contacting and booking interesting and insightful guests that your audience can learn and grow from.

Here you will find the hyperlinks to the application of your choice for connecting with your guests.

Follow the links in this chapter to download your desktop recording software, Audacity.  Don't forget to install the LAME Encoder as well.  You'll need this to export your podcast to the required mp3 format.

In this chapter, we cover a variety of configurations that you can use to connect your equipment and begin recording your podcast.

For this chapter, you will want to have Audacity and the LAME encoder installed.  We will go through every step of the recording process from creating a new recording to importing existing tracks as well as exporting your new recording to an mp3.

In this lesson, we’re going to cover the basics of editing your podcast. As with any technical process, you can make it as complex, or as simple as you like. But, the goal here is to keep it as 1+1 Simple as possible.

Before we start discussing your media host, we need to brand your podcast, or at least provide it with a recognizable logo. To do that you will need to either create, or have someone create cover art for your show. Remember, you’re starting this podcast from a place of relative obscurity, so you’re going to want to put some thought into your cover.

What is an RSS Feed, where do you find it and what is it for?  The first step in creating your RSS feed is to decide on a media host. Although your podcast is normally uploaded to your media host as an mp3, you can usually store a number of other file types as well.

When you submit your podcast to iTunes, the first thing you will need to do is select the iTunes Categories where you want your podcast to appear.  Selecting the right category for your show could be the difference between obscurity and breaking in to the charts.

iTunes is not the only podcast directory where you should publish your podcast.  You can use the hyperlinks included in this document to access each of the podcast directories.

Now that we have a podcast, we’re going to want someone to listen. Let’s face it, mom, dad, your spouse and friends are only going to listen for an episode or two, so we need to figure out a way to dig ourselves out of obscurity and secure some true fans.

Monetization is one of those topics where everyone has an opinion. Some insist their podcast brings in a significant revenue stream, allowing them to quit their day jobs and become a podcasting professional. Others, may see enough income to have a lucrative side hustle and others still - may run their shows for indirect revenue or no revenue at all.

Congratulations!! We made it all the way to the end of the course!

Now that you have a live podcast, you can see how easy it is. 1+1=Podcast really is the equation for podcasting success.