Five years ago I started my first podcast.
It actually was a great resource because it housed all of the interviews I used to help promote my book (but more on that strategy another day…)
Since then, I actually have started four other podcasts of my own, and countless others for clients.
I leverage podcasts strategically for different reasons. But, here’s a quick overview of what they are.
- https://open.spotify.com/show/3d3HxjzcSToAyTX8I2JcpfMarketing Wins Podcast – Interview style podcast on general marketing topics related to the work I’ve done in marketing for over fifteen years. I still do this podcast and use it largely to network and create content for my brand.
- Bound for Bestseller – Short, value-packed solo episodes on book marketing.
- Author Craft Podcast – Private podcast just for members of the Author Craft Community. (Yes! You can do gated, private podcasts)
- IVF & Infertility Meditations – Short affirmations and meditations for women going through infertility and IVF. This one is a passion project related to a personal journey I’ve walked myself. This project has, by-far, been had the biggest organic growth!! (More on that for another time too.) 🙂
But, similar to launching a book, a podcast can feel daunting.
There are so many hosting options.
There are so many microphone and tech options.
There’s a bit of imposter syndrome that creeps in.
But just like writing a book, the most important part is to start! And then, keep taking steps each day…each week.
So, if you’re like I was and thinking about a podcast, but not sure where to start, I want to share with you a few SIMPLE resources that I used and still do to just keep moving forward every day.
Podcast Hosting –
BY FAR the best podcast hosting I’ve found is ​Captivate​. I’ve used a few of the other big names in the past for my own podcasts, and also with client podcasts, but ​Captivate​ has been the best by a long shot! Why, you ask?
Here’s why I love it:
- I can have unlimited podcasts, which has come in handy as I’ve created niche podcasts, private podcasts for members of my author membership group, and more.
- It’s easy. Seriously, the user experience just makes sense. Seems simple, but it’s something that other programs just don’t do well.
- Analytics. I don’t obsess over these, but they’ve made it really easy to pop in and see info on my listeners, best-performing content, and more!
- Pre-roll/Post-roll content/Ads. They make it super easy to add an intro clip so if I want to add any ads or promos at the front or end of my recording (or swap it out across different episodes), I can do so without editing a full episode.
Podcast Microphone:
Purists may hate me, but the ​Yeti Mic​ has worked great to get going. It’s not going to break the bank and it’s easy to set up and use.
Lighting:
My house is a log cabin – literally. That means that some of the rooms are a little darker than I’d like. Enhancing the lighting has been a challenge, but these ​ring lights​ and ​ring lights with tripods​ are nice to help boost the mood and stay compact. I’ve traveled all over with these, AND they work well in my home office.
Don’t let gear or tools get in the way of you starting your podcast. You obviously want it to be decent audio and video, but don’t obsess over making it pristine.