You guys, this is the post I wanted to read last fall but couldn't find. I didn't want extra details. I didn't want to know about why podcasting is good. I didn't want suggestions for how to resonate with my audience. I just wanted a step-by-step how to - preferably with a very short video tutorial. I've done by best to create that for YOU, reader who might be interested, and YOU, random person who just stumbled on this blog after a google search for "how to launch a podcast".
I am on a Mac and so I am sharing how things work on a Mac. BUT, if you are not on a Mac, your really just need to download iTunes and find a program that will let you record your episodes. Other than that, the steps are the same.
how to launch a podcast from elise blaha on Vimeo.
The above video walks you through it. It's BRIEF (less than five minutes) because I just want to give you and idea of the steps and what things look like. Obviously, if you are setting up your podcast for the first time it's going to take a bit longer than five minutes, but really, this is DO-ABLE and FAST.
And here is the numbered break down :
- create a recording. I use garage band (which comes "free" on Apple computers) because it has a "podcast" feature. If you want to host guests, you can set up a call in Skype (also free to download) and let the garage band recording run as you are talking. There are many fancy programs that can be used to record a clearer call but I didn't download them. Eventually I will ELISE GETS CRAFTY a little more "high-tech" but my goal right now is to make it listen-able, not flawless.
- export your recording to your iTunes program (this comes standard on your Mac computer or can be downloaded here).
- create a square graphic for your podcast thumbnail (I did this in PSE and you can see it here).
- set up a hosting account that will generate a RSS feed for your new show. (I use libsyn.com and currently pay $5/month.) Complete the process for naming your podcast and uploading your podcast graphic. This step is pretty self-explanatory, but they have a support team that can help you if you get stuck.
- find the new "feed" for your podcast (it will look something like this) that is generated by your hosting account.
- go to the iTunes store on your computer and under podcasts select "submit a podcast" on the right hand side.
- paste your feed into the box and complete the steps. It might take a day or two for your podcast get approved and to appear on iTunes.
- upload new episodes to your hosting account as frequently as you want (though you may pay more based on how much file space you are taking up).
YOU ARE NOW A PODCASTER.
Really, truly, it's simple. I think I struggled early on because I was getting VERY helpful suggestions (thank you, thank you if you emailed me!!) but they were coming out of order. Sitting down to create that first recording (episode 1) in garage band was REALLY helpful because then I had an actual audio file to "use" and practice with. There are 1,000 ways to do this (I know because I googled and read through them ALL) but this will work. ;)
I want to shout out to Jessica Kupferman's podcasting webinar. Listening to her break it down was the push I needed to really get started and figure out how all this worked. You can find out more about Jessica here and subscribe to her podcast here. Jessica, you don't know me, but thank you!!!
And speaking of podcasting, today on ELISE GETS CRAFTY I am chatting with the awesome stationery designer Katharine Watson about selling your handmade products wholesale. Click here to subscribe or stream the episode from your computer here.
