Key Messages
How To Create A Podcast: Strategies From The Mcelroy Brothers
If you’re thinking of creating your own podcast but haven’t taken the plunge yet, now is the time to stop fearing failure and go for it.
That’s what Justin, Travis, and Griffin McElroy did back in 2010 when they launched their podcast My Brother, My Brother and Me.
You don’t need a lot of money or even technical expertise — just an idea that gets you excited about creating something unique.
You also need to stay persistent even if you face failure along the way.
There are plenty of tips in Everybody Has a Podcast (Except You) to help you get started.
You’ll learn why your closet makes the perfect recording studio; how to turn your unique obsession into an entertaining podcast; plus why consistency is key to building a loyal audience.
So don’t be afraid to take that first step and make the podcast you’ve always dreamed of!
Find Your Passion And Unique Angle To Create A Winning Podcast
If you’re a fan of podcasts, then you know how important it is to have a show about something that piques your interest.
That’s why the book Everybody Has a Podcast (Except You) emphasizes the importance of choosing a topic for your podcast that truly excites you.
Your enthusiasm will come through loud and clear when you talk about your subject matter – whether it be reality TV shows, workplace training videos, or even moth mating habits!
It’s this genuine passion that attracts an audience, so make sure whatever subject matter you choose really speaks to you.
Once you’ve identified your topic area and angle, take some time to do some research into what else is available on the same subject.
Unfortunately, with 850,000 podcasts available globally, competition can be fierce so if someone has already beaten you to the punch then consider finding a uniquely different approach instead.
To Build A Loyal Podcast Audience, Make Sure To Create A Consistent Format
Creating a podcast requires planning and it all starts with deciding on the format.
That’s because building a loyal, engaged audience depends on the expectations set for that audience.
If those expectations are met time and time again, listeners will remain dedicated to your show.
That means locking in a consistent format for your podcast is essential.
Do you plan to host it alone? Or will you bring in a cohost? Having someone else there can make things livelier but it’s important to make sure they’re just as dedicated to the project as you are and that they won’t leave halfway through the season.
You also need to think about how long your podcast should last – you don’t want it to just ramble on and fill up space – every minute needs to count!
Lastly, determine how often new episodes can be released while still remaining realistic — consistency ensures loyalty from the listener!
Your podcast won’t reach success overnight – it may take some trial and error before finding what works best for you and your content.
But relentless effort towards creating an ideal format will reward you with an ever-growing loyal fanbase who loves what your show has to offer!
How To Make Your Podcast Interesting With Good Storytelling And Segment Structure
When it comes to podcasting, entertainment is king.
No matter what genre you’re working within–history, medical, interview–you always want to strive for maximum entertainment value with your content so that your listeners won’t be driven away in boredom.
Luckily, Justin and Sydnee McElroy have provided us a great example of how to do this with their medical history show ‘Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine.’ Rather than simply assembling facts into a dull lecture, they used narrative structure and interesting stories to construct an entertaining podcast.
Additionally, they knew when to leave out information that impaired the entertainment factor.
With regards to structure, you’ll also want to give your listeners reliable segments so their expectations are met.
For example, introducing the episode title and giving brief overviews throughout followed by an outro where you can preview upcoming episodes will keep listeners engaged throughout each show.
So whatever genre your podcast may be in, remember the key message: aim for maximum entertainment value when presenting your material!
How To Create A Recording Studio On A Budget: Deck Out Your Closet And Invest In Some Basic Equipment
Creating your own podcast studio doesn’t have to be expensive.
You can easily create a perfect recording studio in your closet with just a few basic pieces of equipment!
The first thing you need is a microphone.
These don’t have to be costly, either.
There are decent mics available for around $100 that will do the job just fine.
USB microphones are great for beginners because they plug directly into your computer without needing any additional cables or soundboards.
If you want something more powerful, then XLR mics might be the way to go and they come with other accessories that help improve sound quality, such as cables and sound boards, which can be bought for around $100 as well.
Then you need a stand for your microphone and noise-absorbing materials—like carpets, books, and soft furnishings—for the space where you’ll record.
You probably already have these lying around somewhere in your home or closet!
Finally, you need software for recording and editing your podcast; open-source programs like Audacity are the easiest way to set up shop.
Professional audio engineer Griffin McElroy used this program to edit complex podcasts with 30 tracks!
So there you have it: Deck out your closet and equip yourself with some basic but high-quality equipment -all at a reasonable price- and you’ll be ready to bring life to your very own podcast studio!
How To Become A Great Podcast Host: Focus And Enthusiasm Are Key
Good hosting is an essential skill for a podcaster, and it requires focus and enthusiasm to be successful.
You can be yourself while hosting a podcast, but you need to bring your best version of yourself.
Be the person that is fun and engaged when telling stories at a party, not your hungover self mumbling to your mother on the phone.
Before starting to record, make sure that you are in a good mindset and that all distractions are eliminated.
This means closing all browsers and turning off your phone so nothing can pull away from you.
While recording especially with others present, it’s important to actively listen and use body language to show them you are with them every step of the way.
Maintaining your concentration also means being able to think of responses that contribute positively as well as incorporating improvised techniques like “yes, and…” or “no, but…” while conversing with cohosts or guests.
Editing is another important aspect of podcasting because it helps correct any lulls in conversations or remove outside noise like dogs barking in the background.
So if done right, hosting a podcast with focus and enthusiasm should allow for both improvising on conversations as well as tidying up anything that needs editing later on.
Editing A Podcast Is Similar To Carving Michelangelo’s David: A Step-By-Step Guide
Editing a podcast is no easy task and requires more than just taking out the bad parts – it’s a multi-stage process that requires your utmost attention.
From hacking out the chunks you don’t want to keeping, to deciding on what content should stay, to refining those last few peices of audio detail, the polishing stage is quite something!
The editing process starts with you listening to the entire recording and making a list of all the edits you want to make – but definitely not cutting anything just yet.
After you’ve got all of your desired components, it’s time to really take some time and polish off those transitions.
If you can add in music as well – like from smaller bands or even self-made music with GarageBand – then even better!
Once you feel like your podcast is up to scratch, it might be worth sending it out for feedback from someone whose opinion matters.
Make sure that person knows specifically what kind of changes you’d like them to look out for.
Once the advice has come back in and after one final round of editing, that’s when you’re truly ready for launch!
How To Launch Your Podcast: Tips For Finding And Using A Good Hosting Service And Building Your Audience
If you’re looking to get your podcast up and running, the first step is often overlooked – but it’s a critical one.
You need to find a hosting service that is reliable and secure.
This is where you will store your files and provide access to anyone who wishes to listen.
When selecting a hosting service, make sure they have been around for some time, are trusted by good podcasters, and also consider their fees.
Some may offer free uploads when starting out while others might charge for their services or give access to advertising networks that can retroactively insert ads into podcasts.
Also take into account whether the service provides analytics information such as how many times your podcast is downloaded or where listeners come from.
Additionally, check if the hosting service gives you value in terms of its web presence so people can easily access and listen to your podcast with an embedded player.
Without a good hosting solution paired with an online presence, it will be hard for people to even find your podcast!
So set yourself up for success by doing some thorough research before making a decision about which host to go with.
Make Money From Your Podcast With Crowdfunding, Merchandise, And Advertising
Making a living from podcasting is possible, but it requires creativity and hard work.
With the right strategy, you can turn your podcast into a viable income source – if you’re resilient and relentless in your goals.
One of the most straightforward methods for creating an income is through crowdfunding.
Platforms such as Kickstarter or Indiegogo allow fans of your podcast to donate money directly to your project, helping you finance its production as well as spreading publicity about it.
If you already have a built-in audience, you could explore selling branded merchandise or organizing live events to make money from them too.
All these strategies demand significant time and effort – however they also help deepen engagement with your listeners.
Advertising is without doubt one of the biggest moneymakers in podcasts industry.
Agencies mediating between podcasts and commercial brands negotiate rates based on the size of your audience and the amount of work that goes into running campaigns linked with your show.
Alternatively, participating in sponsored episodes is another way for you to generate income– provided there’s a good match between product & content being promoted on each episode and quality remains consistent across all iterations of a hosted show.
Wrap Up
The Everybody Has a Podcast (Except You) book is a great resource for aspiring podcasters.
The key message from the authors is that starting a podcast only requires persistence and the willingness to learn new things.
It doesn’t require fancy equipment, or any special talent or skills.
The most important thing is to always respect your audience’s time by making every minute of your podcast count.
In terms of actionable advice, one tip is to find the perfect microphone for you by listening to demos on YouTube.
This way, you can get an idea of how the microphone sounds and what characteristics it offers that will best suit your podcasting needs.
Overall, this book provides valuable insights into podcasting that are sure to help kick-start any aspiring podcaster in their journey!
