Podcasting Q&A

Have you ever tried to explain what a podcast is to a friend or family member? Here's a quick breakdown of how podcasting works and how you can easily find and listen to new shows. Record your podcasting question at Speakpipe.com/Buzzsprout to be featured on a future episode. Send us Fan Mail Have a topic or question we should address on a future episode? Text us or email the Buzzsprout Podca...

Video: How to Start a Podcast: The Step-by-Step Guide [2022] To say podcasting is a growing or popular medium and hobby would be an understatement. Spotify alone claims have added more than 1.2 million new podcasts in 2021. You may be among that group of inspired and motivated future podcasters right at the cusp of starting your own show, and you just need that extra push. In this episode of Podca...

Video: Top 5 Podcast Interview Questions It may seem like getting a guest on your podcast is really simple, right? Send an email and that's it. But the truth is, there are quite a few more steps if you want to seamlessly book your guest, have them have such a great time on your interview that they're excited to share your show, and follow up with them when the episode is actually publish...

Oftentimes, it's not until you begin the research portion of starting a podcast that you realize podcasting has its own language. What is an RSS feed? What is a directory? Why do I need a hosting site? No problem. We are going to go over those terms and more to make sure that you can knowledgeably start your podcast (and impress all of your friends). Record your podcasting question at Speakpi...

Felice from Action Packed Travel asks, "How can I monetize my podcast without doing ads or affiliate promotions?" Ads and affiliates are two popular ways to monetize your podcast, but that doesn't mean they are always the best strategy. Depending on how large your audience is and the payouts offered by the affiliates you choose, you might be better off trying something else. So in t...

There's a lot of moving parts to a podcast, and it can be difficult to fit all of those tasks into your life. So in this episode, we're going to help you break through the overwhelm, so that you can create a show that lasts and overcome "podfade." Record your podcasting question at Speakpipe.com/Buzzsprout to be featured on a future episode. Send us Fan Mail Have a topic or que...

For many podcasters, building a show successful enough to be acquired by a major podcast network is #goals... But if you're someone who likes to create your own opportunities, there's nothing stopping you from building your own podcast network and connecting with other creators in your space. So in this episode, we'll explain the decisions you'll need to think through to create...

Apple Podcasts is one of the largest podcast directories in the world and accounts for millions of downloads every month, so it's important that your podcast is available on their directory. With that said one of the biggest obstacles and headaches a new podcaster can experience when first trying to get the show off the ground are delays and getting listed in Apple podcasts. So in this episod...

Instagram is a great way to promote your podcast, and there are plenty of features you can utilize to create an engaged audience and build awareness for your show. So in this episode, we're going to look at some ways you can effectively promote your podcast using Instagram Stories. Links from this episode: Buzzsprout's Visual Soundbites Wavve Headliner Record your podcasting question at...

If you've been podcasting for any amount of time, you already know that creating content is sometimes the least of what you do. Getting that amazing content in front of your audience and potential listeners is another big piece of what goes into podcasting and social media marketing can be a free, accessible way to do that. So on this episode, we are going to show you the key steps to setting...

Transcripts are a word for word manuscript of your podcast, so creating transcripts from episodes of your podcast is a great idea if you're looking to increase your show's discoverability. So in today's episode, you'll learn about three of the best transcripts and services available to you. Transcription Services we recommend: Otter.ai Rev Happy Scribe  Record your podcasting q...

For the past five months, you've all been asking the same questions (including some of the questions we've been asking ourselves) What is Facebook podcasts? How does it work? And how do I get listed? Well, Facebook just made some big changes. So in this episode, we're going to answer those questions and explain how to add your podcast to Facebook. Check out our Facebook Podcasts blo...

Dana asks, "What's the best way to promote a brand new podcast?" There are so many podcast marketing strategies out there, it's difficult to know which strategy will be most effective for your show (ESPECIALLY if you're launching a brand new podcast). So in this episode, we'll share six proven strategies that you can use to lay a solid foundation and start your show o...

When should you monetize your podcast? That's the million dollar question, or probably more appropriately the $1,000 question, and it's a question that we get a lot at Buzzsprout. So in this episode, we'll break down the benchmarks we recommend for independent podcasters before they start pursuing monetization. Record your podcasting question at Speakpipe.com/Buzzsprout to be featur...

What are you supposed to do when you run out of ideas of things to talk about on your podcast? In this episode, Travis and Gilon will share their best tips and strategies so you never run out of ideas. Record your podcasting question at Speakpipe.com/Buzzsprout to be featured on a future episode. Review Podcasting Q&A in Podchaser or Apple Podcasts to let us know what you think of the show. Se...

If you're about to start a podcast and have started putting the pieces in place (podcast name, artwork, first episode, etc.) you may be wondering... "When is it good enough to publish?" So in this episode, Travis shares some thoughts for when to hold back publishing your first episode and when you should go full-speed ahead. Record your podcasting question at Speakpipe.com/Buzzsprou...

While most podcast episodes are recorded from home, the office, or over the internet, one fun way to change it up is to record in front of a live studio audience! So in this episode, Badr and Travis discuss the pros and cons of recording with a live audience and how to pull off a successful show. Record your podcasting question at Speakpipe.com/Buzzsprout to be featured on a future episode. Review...

What should you do if you've been podcasting for a little while, and you realize that your audience just isn't growing anymore? No matter what you do, or how good the episodes are, you're not getting more listeners and more downloads for your podcast. In this episode, we're gonna talk about three things that you can do to break out of that plateau and keep growing your podcast....

When it comes to interviews, it can often feel like snagging the guests is the most intimidating part of the process. But once you got the guest, what do you do? How do you make the most of that moment with them? You ask quality questions. So in today's episode, we're going to give you five amazing questions to help you maximize the time that you have with your podcast guests. Record you...

There are so many options out there for recording long-distance podcast interviews it can be difficult to know which one will best fit your needs. That's why in this week's episode of Podcasting Q&A, Gilon breaks down our top 3 remote recording software options and helps you decide which one you should go with. Software We Recommend: Zoom Riverside Squadcast Record your podcasting qu...

In this episode, we'll show you how to record, edit, and publish a brand new podcast using only free tools and software. Everything you need to get started: GarageBand (iOS) or Audacity (Windows, iOS) to edit your podcast Canva to design your podcast artwork Free places to find royalty free music Buzzsprout to host your podcast Dive deeper with these videos: How to Edit a Podcast in GarageBan...

Gez from Motivation Without the Hype asks, "How can you ask for listener support without sounding too desperate?" TL;DR Whether it's a one time donation, becoming a member of your Patreon community, or buying your merch, asking for listeners to give you money can feel weird. But the thing is, you'd be surprised at how much your listeners want to support you when given the oppor...

Will from the Skeptic Metaphysician podcast asks, "How would you go about selecting the best category for your podcast?" TL;DR The podcast category you choose for your show helps directories like Apple Podcasts and Spotify index your podcast and make it easier to find for the listeners that will love it the most. But not all podcasts fit neatly into the categories that are available. So...

Felice from the Action Packed Travel podcast asks, "Is there any way of finding out how many subscribers my podcast has?" TL;DR Podcast directories like Apple Podcasts and Spotify have different ways of measuring subscribers. And, unfortunately, it's difficult to make sense of the data that available to podcast creators. So in this episode, you'll learn about a few different pl...

Brad from the Queer Writers of Crime podcast asks, "What is the purpose of having a newsletter for my podcast and what should I include in one?" TL;DR Building an email list allows you to maintain a direct connection with your audience without having to wrestle with any kind of social media algorithms. In this episode, Ona and Gilon discuss the real value of having an email newsletter, w...