Are you looking to publish your podcast, but you are stuck? If the answer is yes, you are in the right place. In this article, I’m going to share with you a step-by-step guide to publishing a podcast.
Here are the Steps to Publish a Podcast
1. You need to Set your Podcast Up on Podbean or Another Hosting Provider
Once you have recorded, edited, and saved your audio file, you will need podcast hosting to kick start your publishing process.
It is extremely important that you take the time to choose the ideal hosting provider for your podcast because there are many platform providers out there offering different packages.
You can use multiple hosting if you like, but still, you will have to choose the best platform.
Podbean is one of the most popular podcast hosting providers offering services that you might need. The platform was designed mainly for podcasting, with plenty of features to help you publish your podcast.
It is user-friendly and extremely easy to set up.
Setting your Podcast Up on Podbean
The first thing you want to do is set your show title, category, logo, as well as a short description of your podcast.
If you have an account with Podbean, log in and proceed to “Settings”. From there, go to the “General” page to edit the Podcast Category, Podcast Title, and Brief description.
Once you are done, upload your logo, ensuring also that you upload your custom artwork if you would wish to submit your podcast to directories.
At this point, just click “Update Options” and save the changes you have facilitated.
Now you have set up your podcast on Podbean and are ready to proceed to the next step.
2. Produce and Publish an Episode
You can do this in a variety of ways. For one, you can produce your show using your smartphone if you are just starting out.
If you take this route, you should get:
- A decent pair of headphones
- A recording app
Note that every smartphone comes with an integrated mic, so you will probably need a recording app to get started.
You need to figure out the topic for your podcast and make sure you write a script. Writing a script really helps with the flow of the podcast and keeps you on track.
After producing your podcast, you need to edit and save the audio before publishing. There are varieties of free programs you can use to edit and save your audio, such as ‘Audacity’.
Note that editing audio might require some skills and practice. But, the main aim of this process is to help you publish your podcast.
At this juncture, you will need to import your audio files into your editor and start editing.
Once you are done with editing, save the audio in WAV file format. Though this is a large format compared to an MP3, the benefit of it is consistency.
You will be able to prevent sound inconsistency in your podcast episodes.
3. Sign Up for Podcast Directories
A podcast directory makes it easier for users to find and consume your episodes. In most cases, directories will be alphabetized or categorized by genre to make it easier for users to discover new podcasts.
Thankfully for podcasters, you can publish your show in every possible directory if you wish and there will be no downsides.
By doing this, you will increase your show exposure and boost your views.
To get started, sign up with the most popular directories as these are platforms listeners come to when looking for a podcast.
Head over to their submission page, complete the form, and send wait for an email with manual approval.
4. Post your RSS Feed URL to Different Podcast Directories
An RSS feed is the technology responsible for powering all podcasts on the internet. Your podcast RSS feed has crucial information about your podcast and every episode.
It sends this vital information to podcast directories such as Spotify and Apple Podcasts each time you publish a new episode.
So in order for your show to appear on podcast directories, you need to give these directories your RSS feed URL.
Ideally, if you set up your RSS feed properly, the directories should have everything needed to showcase your podcast.
5. Promote
This can be achieved in a bunch of ways, but the best techniques include:
- Promoting on social media
- Launch your podcast with at least 3 episodes
- Convert your audio into a YouTube clip
- Submit your podcast to aggregators and podcatchers
- Transcribe your audio
- Organize a giveaway contest
- Become a guest on other shows
- Build an email list
Here is a List of Top Directories to Submit To
1. Apple Podcasts
Formerly known as iTunes, Apple Podcasts is considered the biggest and most popular podcast directory around. It has been growing rapidly since it launched in 2005 that it forcing Apple to rebrand it as a separate product rather than being a part of iTunes.
As a result, it should be the first directory on your list to submit your new podcast.
Here is how you do it:
1: Publish your show to a host
2: Find the RSS feed of your podcast
3: Create your new Apple ID
4: Sign in to Apple Podcasts Connect
5: Add your podcast to Podcasts Connect
2. Google Podcasts
After shutting down Google Play Music, Google Podcast is now the only way to access podcasts on Google.
The platform was launched in 2019 and it is designed in a way that it crawls the internet to collect podcast content.
Here is how to submit your podcast to Google Podcasts:
1: Log into your podcast Google account (it could also be your personal Google account)
2: Submit your podcast RSS feed to Google
3: Claim your podcast on Google Podcast Manager
4: Paste your podcast RSS feed
5: Preview the RSS feed
6: Confirm ownership of the podcast
3. Amazon
Publishing your podcast on Amazon makes it available on Alexa-enabled tools as well as on Audible, the most popular audiobooks platform in the world.
Here is how you can get your podcast in Amazon Music:
1: Head over to the submission page at Amazon Music for Podcasters and click “Get Started”
2: Log in using your Amazon account or if you don’t have one, create a new account
4: Submit your podcast RSS feed
5: Very the information about your podcast
6: Wait for the verification code via the email you provided
7: Submit the code and you are done
4. Spotify
With more than 270 million active monthly users, Spotify is one of the most popular podcast directories.
Of all the podcast directories out there, Spotify is far from being straightforward. You must make sure your podcast meets the requirements of the platform.
After you have ensured your show meets Spotify’s demands, use the steps below to submit your show.
1: Create an account
2: Agree to the platform’s T&C
3: Submit your RSS feed
4: Verify your podcast ownership
5: Enter your podcast details
6: Review and submit your show
FAQs
Q: What is a Podcast Directory?
A podcast directory is simply an app that enables users to discover, download and listen to your podcast. They can also subscribe and review the show.
Q: What is the Difference Between Hosting a Podcast and Publishing on a Directory?
Hosting a podcast is uploading your show to a hosting platform after you have finished editing. A hosting platform is just an online storage podium for your audio files. Publishing on a directory means you place your podcast where users can discover, listen, rate, and download your podcast. A directory is a listening app.
Q: Can You List your Podcast Feed to your Website?
You can list your podcast feed on your site by copy-pasting your show RSS feed onto a page on your website. Some hosts can provide an embeddable player which you can copy and paste onto your site.
Do I Have to Submit My New Podcast to Each Directory Every Time?
If you could, submit your new podcast to each possible directory every time. This way, you open new paths for increased audience and listeners.
Q: Where do you find the RSS Feed URL?
The easiest way to find your RSS feed URL is from your hosting provider.