What Is A Podcast? And How Do They Work?
A podcast is a digital audio episode available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or other podcast distribution platforms to listen on the Internet while using a computer or mobile. Starting a podcast is an independent way to broadcast your messages to the world and build a community of people with similar interests.
In today’s world, there are podcasts from individual contributors companies (large and small size), radio networks (like NPR), T.V. networks (CNN, Fox, ESPN, etc.), and podcast networks (Gimlet is a great example), comedians, storytellers.
What Are the Types of Podcasts?
There are more than 850,000 active podcasts available on the internet for download while writing this article. We can easily understand that so many podcasts are out there for listening by this number.
Solo Podcast
Obeydul Haque Podcast is the perfect example of solo podcasting, where I talk about how to start, grow and monetize a podcast in 2024. Check out the latest episodes of the Obeydul Haque Podcast on Apple podcasts.
Interview-style Podcast
The interview-style podcast consists of at least one host and one guest. Very often, In this type of podcasting format, the guest is invited on the show to share some experience or specific knowledge with the audience.
To run this type of show, the podcast host researched a lot about the guest to draw out the most exciting stories from the podcast guests.
The Query with Cameron Esposito and Masters of Scale with Reid Hoffman podcast is the best example of this podcasting format.
Conversational Podcast
Similar to a traditional radio show where two hosts have entertaining conversations about a particular topic. However, In conversational podcasts, the host discusses the trending stories and answers questions from the audience.
As a result, this kind of podcast show format requires a high level of comfort and familiarity between the hosts—conversational Podcasts.
Unsolicited Advice with Ashley and Taryne is the perfect example of a conversational podcast show.
Monologue Podcast
The GaryVee Audio Experience is the perfect example of a monologue podcasting format. To run a podcast show on this format, the host requires high-level expertise on a specific topic,
Storytelling Podcast
We love storytelling podcasts because it connects us from the deep. In this podcasting format, the host tells us an entire story in one single podcast episode. My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff is the perfect example of a storytelling podcast.
Roundtable Podcast
In a roundtable podcast, the hosts talk and share their opinions on a specific topic. Very often, this type of podcast format is called panel shows. Joe Budden Podcast is the perfect example of a Roundtable podcast.
Theatrical Podcast
In Theatrical Podcasts, a single podcast host narrates a story similar to an audiobook. The host strives to create fictional worlds that entertain the audience.
You can go for this format when you have the creativity and experience to keep your listeners engaged.The Left Right Game is a perfect example of a theatrical podcast.
Repurposed podcast
This kind of podcasting format serves different needs using different media. Repurposed podcasting format works fine to build a sales funnel on the internet. The Rachel Maddow Show is the perfect example of the repurposed content podcast.
The History of Podcasts
Podcasting started almost 20 years back when Apple launched its first iPod.Although, they weren’t the first to offer portable MP3 players on the market. Fortunately, The first iPod release coincided with the major radio and music streaming services such as Pandora.
When iPod gained so much popularity, people were looking to download radio shows into their devices to listen offline. Then, two entrepreneurs Adam C,urry and Dave Winer, created an RSS software called iPodder and made the impossible possible.
Using this RSS software, people could download radio broadcasts into their iPods using the internet to listen to them offline.
According to Dave Winer, The first podcast episode was an interview recorded with Christopher Lydon. Meanwhile, The world’s first podcast service provider name is — libsyn.com .’ Then in 2005, Oxford Dictionaries Named the word “Podcast” 2005 Word of the Year.
Podcasts are generally more curated compared to the radio show as every podcast producer can edit them as they wish before publishing them on the internet.
How Does Podcasting Work?
Podcasting works just like this:1)Podcasters record mp3 files using the anchor app or other podcast recording apps, 2)They edit the mp3 file and add intro/outro music to the file, 3)They host these mp3 files to the podcast hosting company, 4)Podcast Hosting company creates a unique RSS feed for the podcast, 5)The podcast host submits the RSS feed to podcast directories such as-apple podcasts, google podcasts, Spotify, and other podcasting platforms to list their show.
Initially, podcasting was started as an audio-based platform, But in this 2020s world, people are starting video podcasts also. The most popular video podcast is “The Joe Rogan ExpeExperience.” According to Listen Notes research, over 2.6 million podcasts are available for listening online, and 17% of them include visual elements.
So the question is: why are podcasts so popular now? First of all, podcasting is getting so popular day by day because they are more convenient for listening. This means it only requires passive attention to listen to a podcast. You can easily listen to podcast episodes even when you are running, cooking, and cleaning, along with all other scenarios.
In addition to that, they allow you to get information most easily while doing other stuff. In conclusion, podcasts will enable listeners to get educated on a particular topic without spending lots of money.
How To Start A Podcast In 2024 ?
This section of the article will cover how to start a podcast in 2024. You need to look at a few things when creating a podcast show.
Choose A Podcast Host
You need a podcast host to host your audio files and get a podcast RSS feed to submit them on podcast listening platforms. Buzzsprout is the best easy-to-use podcast hosting platform to start with. You can sign up for podcast hosting completely free of cost. They allow you to host up to 2 hours of podcast episodes for 90 days. After that, if you feel serious about your show, then you can upgrade to their paid plan; otherwise, your podcast episodes will be deleted after 90 days.
Record Your First Episodes
The easiest way to record a podcast is using the anchor mobile app. It’s completely free of cost and easy to use. If you are looking to record long-distance remote podcast interviews, start with Riverside. FM.
Upload Your First Episodes
To upload your first podcast to the podcast host, sign up for the Buzzsprout free plan and enter some details they asked for, such as your name and email address. On the dashboard, create a new show and save your podcast show details such as podcast show name, description, podcast artwork, etc. now it’s time to upload your first podcast episodes. Under the dashboard, click on the episodes tab; you will see Upload a New Episode, click on that button and upload the mp3 files. In the next step: add your podcast episode title, description, and episode artwork and click on the publish button. Now it’s time to collect the podcast RSS feed and submit it to all podcast distribution platforms.
Podcast Distribution
Under the directories tab, you will find the unique podcast RSS feed created for the show. Simply copy it and submit it to all podcast directories listed on the Buzzsprout platform.
What are the Common Questions on Podcasting?
In this section of the article,i listed some commons you may have about podcasting, lets get find the answers:
What are the differences between a Podcast vs. a Podcast Episode?
A podcast is a collection of podcast episodes. When you are talking about a particular podcast, we are referring to the whole show. But podcast episodes only refer to a single recording from that entire podcast show.
Why Do You Start A Podcast?
People start listening to a podcast for hundreds of reasons. Maybe they want to learn something from the internet, or they are just wasting their time by entertaining them.
Most people start a podcast as a passion project because they want to use this platform to build their brand by distributing valuable information.
What are the Most Popular Podcast Distribution Platforms in 2024?
Here is the list of top podcast distribution platforms in 2024, where people spend their time listening to a show.
- Apple Podcasts
- Google Podcasts
- Spotify
- Audible
- Stitcher
- TuneIn Radio
- Pocket Casts
- Laughable
- Himalaya
- Cast box
- Precast
- Luminary
How To Make Money Podcasting?
Most podcasters make money in different ways from their content. Here are some popular ways to make money podcasting. 1)Podcast Ads 2)Affiliate marketing 3) Selling digital products 4)Collecting donations using Patreon etc.
How Many People Listen to Podcasts?
Almost half of the U.S. population listens to a podcast a minimum of once a month. According to the recent research of STATISTA, most users who listen to podcasts are between 12 to 34 of age.43% of U.S. men and 39% of U.S. women of America listen to podcasts, and the numbers are increasing day by day.
What is a podcast, in simple words?
Audio entertainment anywhere, anytime, about anything.
What is a Podcast Listening App?
A podcast app is an audio player by which people listen to podcasts. The platforms like Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify are the most listened to podcast apps in today’s world , and they allow you to find, subscribe to, and listen to podcasts.
What is a video podcast?
A video podcast contains the visual elements of the content. The Joe Rogan Experience on youtube is the best example of a video podcast. Check out this video podcast to learn more.
However, People love video Podcasts because humans are visual creatures. 30% of our brain is devoted to our eyes, and psychologists believe that visual features provide more data than spoken language. To sum up, a video podcast allows you to reach a wider audience, as 79% of internet users have a youtube account.
What is a Podcast Network?
A podcast network represents a platform where people produce, distribute and advertise on podcasts through a single company or network.Needless to say, all podcast networks do that same thing.
If you want to join a podcast network, the network managers can get advertisers interested in your show.
What is a Podcast RSS Feed?
Podcast RSS stands for “Rich Site Syndication” or “Really Simple Syndication.” This is a script that people can subscribe to access updates to online content. A podcast hosting company always creates the Podcast RSS feed to make the podcast available on other podcast-listening apps.
What is a Podcast Host?
A podcast host is a place where you store your podcast audio files. Plus, when you upload an mp3 file to the hosting platform, they automatically create an RSS feed so that you can submit it to podcast directories like Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify.
What is a Podcast Download?
The podcast industry uses the term “download “to measure how many people are listening to a given show.
Different podcast players count this differently: In Spotify: at least 60 seconds of listening. In Apple Podcasts: it’s the “number of unique devices played for more than 1 sec counts as 1 download.When it comes to Google Podcasts: it’s the “number of times a user listened to this show for at least 5 seconds. On that day.”
What is a Podcast Script?
A podcast script is a roadmap of a podcast episode. Most importantly, it tells you what to cover from A-Z for a particular podcast episode. However, you can make notes of every detail you want to go through while recording the podcast. In other words, It gives you your podcast episodes structure, direction, and conciseness.
What is a Live Podcast?
Live podcasts are more like radio shows compared to traditional podcasts. It’s like streaming your podcast while you are recording it in real time . In general , a podcaster uses live broadcasting software such as Riverside.fm to share the podcast on different social media platforms for consuming content at the time of recording.
Final Thoughts
In summary, A podcast is a collection of multiple digital audio files hosted to a podcast host for listening on major podcast distribution platforms such as apple podcast, spotify and google podcasts in 2024. Buzzsprout is my #1 pick for storing audio files on the internet and making them accessible on major podcasting apps.
