Setting yourself up for podcasting success can be quite challenging. With thousands of podcasters out there, it can be hard to stand out from the crowd. In this blog post, I’ll share my 5 Pro Tips to make your podcast an instant success in 2023 and beyond. These are some of the ideas I picked up from working with podcasters since 2010.
Tip 1: Sound Great
The first impression of your listeners comes from Episode 1 of your podcast. With that said, make them stick around by making sure that your audio sounds great.
To make your podcast sound decent and professional, I highly recommend you invest in a really good microphone. If you are wondering what microphone I personally use, it’s the Beyerdynamic Fox USB microphone, which costs around $150.
Here is an Audio Test Sample with the Beyerdynamic Fox Microphone.
Tip 2: Use the right Recording Platform
Using the right recording platform for your podcast offers several benefits over using general-purpose software such as Zoom and Skype. With a dedicated recording tool, you can create high-quality audio and video, make the recording process a breeze, edit the files in the same tool, and collaborate with your team easily.
As for my top recommendation for a dedicated recording platform, it would be the tool called Riverside. It’s a software that enables you to record crystal clear, uncompressed audio and 4k videos. You can even use it using a browser or mobile app.
Tip 3: Plan your Podcast Ahead
By having a clear plan for each episode, you can make sure that your content is high quality, is aligned with your podcast’s goals and vision, and is consistently delivered to your audience.
Here are a few ways to successfully plan your podcast ahead.
- Make use of a planner to write down everything
- Use SEO tools such as Ahrefs and Ubersuggest
- Work on the perfect call-to-action intro and outro
- Record your podcasts in batches
- Schedule content at least a month in advance
Tip 4: Use Audio AND Video
If you are only creating audio podcasts, then you are losing a lot of opportunities to grow in this industry. As someone who religiously makes YouTube videos, I’d say you can reach a wider audience by uploading content on the second largest search engine in the world.
To create a video, simply stick a camera in front of you while you record your podcast episodes, edit the file to make it more professional, and then upload it on YouTube.
If you have a Canon or Sony camera, I would highly suggest you use a tool such as Elgato Cam Link, which connects your camera via HDMI to the USB port of your computer. With this gadget, you can get a really high-quality recording.
Tip 5: Use Headphones
Using headphones when recording your podcast episodes can help you monitor your audio quality. You can hear exactly what’s being recorded, thus, you’ll know how far or close you need to be to the microphone.
In addition, wearing headphones can also stop audio bleeds or echoes especially when you are talking with someone. Overall, using headphones can greatly enhance the listener’s experience.
When selecting headphones for recording podcasts, it’s important to choose headphones that are comfortable and have good sound quality. Personally, I use the Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X, which is specially designed for content creators.
You can check all the tools and equipment I use here.
Final Thoughts + Bonus Tip
Making your podcast an instant success lies in using the right techniques and strategies. As you discover ways on how to grow your podcast, make sure to focus on doing the things that you can control such as making your audio sound great, planning your content ahead of time, and investing in a really good recording platform.
And let’s not forget about audio branding! It’s an essential aspect of podcasting that can help to create a strong and recognizable identity for your show. It involves using unique sounds, music, and voiceovers to create a cohesive and memorable audio experience for your listeners.
Having a strong audio brand can help to make your podcast more easily recognizable and distinguishable from others in your niche. It can also help to build trust and credibility with your audience, as a consistent and professional audio brand can signal that you take your podcast seriously. Make sure to check out our store where we help podcasters like you with their audio branding!
