Why automated transcription should be part of your podcast equipment
Believe it or not, it's easy to start a podcast - all you need is the right equipment. From a quality microphone to the podcast editing software, use this checklist to not only produce a winning podcast, but to know how to market a podcast so it reaches the greatest number of ears - and eyes - possible.
Did you know that 6 million people listen to weekly podcasts? The popularity of the audio storytelling format has skyrocketed in recent years, with lots of people listening to podcasts at home, when traveling from point A to point B or to pass a lunch break. Put simply: podcasts are great - when done right.
Creating a knockout podcast that people return to week after week requires a few essential pieces of equipment - and we're not just talking about a microphone, either. These don't have to cost a lot, but there are a few pieces of hardware and software that podcasters can't go without. We've created the list of the best equipment to start a podcast, as well as a few tips on how to market your podcast.
How to start a podcast
Getting your podcast on the airwaves isn't hard, you just need the right equipment and a few handy tools to do the legwork for you. If you're ready to take the plunge, here are the steps to starting a podcast:
Pick your topic What should you talk about in a podcast? Choose a clear, consistent topic to discuss.
Define your audience Who are you speaking to? This will influence your content in a big way, so have a clear group in mind.
Get the gear Beyond the microphone, consider what other equipment you'll need to get up and running, including both hardware and software
Make it accessible People not only need to find your podcast, some need will to consume it without audio. Make sure it's transcribed - this is a breeze with automated transcription services like Trint. Take a look at how Trint makes podcasting easier for everyone on this production team:
When you're ready to dive in, use this checklist to make sure you've got all the equipment to make your very first podcast episode - and make it well.
A good microphone Nobody wants to listen to muffled, poorly recorded audio, so let your vocals shine by investing in a high-quality recording device. Check out some expert suggestions in this piece and pick the right fit for your budget.
Headphones These don't need to be top of the range, but it's important you can hear yourself - and any interviewees - as you're speaking.
Online conference software You'll need to chat to some of your interviewees remotely, that's for sure. So sign yourself up to a service like Zoom.
Automated transcription service You don't want to be stuck transcribing your interviews and podcast audio manually. It's time consuming and mind numbing. Sign up to an automated transcription service like Trint to harness the power of artificial intelligence and let the bots type for you.
Why is automated transcription so important for podcasters?
Transcription is an essential part of any good podcast - it's your secret weapon in optimizing your time in post-recording. Getting to your finished product can be time-intensive, and that's where transcription saves you a lot of time: instead of taking hours or days to transcribe the files yourself, or spending tons of money to pay a human transcription company, pop your podcast audio into Trint for transcripts in minutes.
Transcribing your audio for listeners will widen your scope: by attaching a transcript to your podcast online, search engines will be able to find your podcast and show it in search results. That means listeners will have a better chance of finding you online. Search engines can't search the words in an audio file without a transcript, so your podcast is pretty much invisible without it. With Trint's help you'll also create a podcast that is accessible to those hard of hearing - a huge audience you can't afford to miss out on.
How to market your podcast: 3 quick tips
Once you're all set up with your equipment and you've recorded that content to pull in the listeners, it's time to spread the word. Knowing how to grow a podcast audience can be tough, so get started on the right foot with these three tips:
Publish on streaming platforms If you want to have any audience at all, you'll need to submit your podcast to the popular streaming platforms, such as the giants at iTunes and Google Play, Spotify and SoundCloud. Pay attention to which categories you upload to - listeners searching for content about cleaning won't become loyal listeners to your history of pop culture broadcast simply because they stumble across it in the wrong category.
Launch a website Secure your podcast its own online real estate and launch a website. This doesn't have to be extensive, but it's a great way to create supporting content that's optimized to boost your search engine ranking. You can host your podcasts and transcripts on the site, and use it to field incoming feedback from listeners. It's the face of your podcast.
Go social Today no marketing plan is complete without social media. It's your podcast's secret window into audience growth. Make sure your podcast has a Twitter account at least - sharing your broadcasts with relevant hashtags helps you reach an engaged audience that will benefit from your content. You could also launch an Instagram account to put a face to the broadcast. Have fun with it - experimenting with social will help you find the audience you need.
