Podcasting typically boils down to three areas of study; creation, growth, and monetization. Podcasters are always seeking resources to help them create a better podcast, grow their show and reach new audiences, and eventually earn revenue for their hard work.
This comprehensive guide points you toward the resources you need most to make your podcast as successful as it possibly can be!
And for even more helpful resources, see our guide from 2024.
Happy Podcasting!
Creating Your Podcast
Everything you need to know about creating an engaging podcast! Learn how to craft a compelling script, how to best utilize editing tricks, what sort of technology you need to actually create the podcast, and much more.
Creative Side
Tips & tricks to creating a captivating podcast!
- The Art of Storytelling: Mastering the careful art of storytelling can elevate your podcast to new heights. Understanding the importance of storytelling can make your podcast stand out among the millions of others.
- How to Write a Podcast Script: Podcasters pour a great deal of effort into crafting their shows for the best listening experience. Part of creating a good listening experience is creating a script for your episodes. See how good podcasts become excellent through a little bit of prep work!
- Why You Need a Trailer Episode: Besides creating hype for the launch of your show or new season, a trailer episode can help you start off on the right foot.
- How to Use Music in Your Podcast: Music can play an integral role in your podcast, but only if you know how to employ it correctly. Learn how to best use music to your advantage!
Technical Side
It’s important to understand how podcasts work on a more technical level so you can troubleshoot any minor issues that might come up. Knowing how a podcast is made and how its published will give you the experience you need to make an amazing show!
- Podcast RSS Feeds 101: You can’t have a podcast without an RSS Feed! Learn what RSS means and why this Feed URL is so incredibly important to the podcasting industry.
- The Technical Side of Podcasting: Do you know what LUFs are? What about equalizing and normalizing? Check out this blog article if you need a refresher on the more technical side.
- Best Practices for Podcasting: Learn the ins and outs of podcasting and make your listening experience one-of-a-kind!
- 4 Things To Do Before Redirecting Your Podcast: Thinking about moving your podcast to a new hosting platform? Make sure you’ve checked these off your list before migrating!
Growing Your Podcast
The next step after creating your show is making sure it reaches as many ears as possible. There are so many different ways to do this so don’t read everything as if written in stone. Explore what works for you!
Distribution
One of the best ways to reach wide audiences is to ensure that your podcast is available on every listening platform possible (that includes video!)
- Distribute Your Podcast for Maximum Reach: Reach a large amount of people by sharing your podcast on the various listening platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Podcast Addict, and so many more!
- The Benefits of Video Podcasting: Learn why posting a video version of your podcast can help grow your audience.
- How to Break Into Apple Podcasts Collections: Podcasters big and small all want to be featured on their many collections, and for good reason! These collections can help to expose your show to a wider audience and can boost your perceived value to new listeners.
Community Building
Once you’ve reached some listeners through traditional means like distribution, you can expand to other channels to increase your listenership.
- How to Build a Loyal Podcast Community: Learn how to cultivate a thriving and active community for your podcast. Create a space for your listeners to interact with you and each other. Loyal listeners are an excellent way to share the good news about your show!
- How to Turn Followers into Listeners: If you have a decent social media presence, then you can encourage your followers to become devoted listeners.
- 5 Stars: How Reviews Can Help Your Podcast Grow: Reviews aren’t just meant to air grievances! They can be used to share positive experiences and encourage others to give your podcast a try!
- Podcast Guest-iquette: Guesting, and inviting other guests, on a podcast can help you reach audiences with similar tastes. They may end up loving your show just as much as the one you’re guesting on!
Analytics
Finally, analytic data on your podcast can help you make informed decisions when it comes to growth. Utilize your analytics to help you grow!
- Leverage Your Analytics for Growth: Use data like download time of day, geolocation performance, and more to figure out your audience’s behavior. This can grant you invaluable insight into how they feel about your podcast and how you can appeal to their tastes.
- Understanding Your Download Numbers: Podcasters and advertisers alike see them as the total composition of a show, but they’re really just one part of what makes up a show and its success. We’re here to help dispel the myths of downloads and to better understand what they mean for you and your podcast.
Monetizing Your Podcast
After pouring a lot of love and a bit of effort into creating and sharing your podcast, you’re now ready to start monetizing! For a brief summary of all the ways you can earn money for your show, check out The Quick Guide to Podcast Monetization.
Sponsorships & Audience-Based Monetization
If you’ve cultivated an engaged audience, then exploring ways to provide even more value for you and your listeners might be the way to go. Plenty of podcast listeners want to contribute to their favorite shows, and if they get something in return then the more likely they are to support you!
- Give Your Revenue a Boost with Listener Subscriptions: Learn how to set up listener sponsorships and give your earnings a boost.
- 5 Reasons You Should Create Bonus Content: Besides earning some extra income, bonus content is a great way to share something extra with your most loyal listeners. Give them a behind-the-scenes look at your show, access to special interviews, and a ton more!
Understanding Podcast Ads
Before you can start to monetize through ads, though, you need to brush up on your vocab! Don’t be caught off-guard by the world of podcast advertising.
- Podcast Advertising Terms You Need to Know: A comprehensive list of words that are important in podcast advertising. Commit them to memory so you know exactly what you’re getting into!
- Programmatic vs. Host-Read Ads: Learn more about these different ad types and see which ones work best for you and your show.
- Seasonal Changes: The Cycle of Podcast Advertising: Podcast advertising is a cyclical beast. Learn what to expect throughout the year so you’re best prepared!
- The Optimal Way to Insert Ads: Believe it or not, there’s an ideal way to insert advertisements in your podcast.
Utilizing the RedCircle Ad Platform
Now that you have a better grasp on podcasting advertising as a whole, dive into the inner workings of the RedCircle Ad Platform (RAP) and see what RedCircle can do for you!
- How to Sell Your Show to Potential Brand Partners: One of the best ways to secure a future opportunity is to put your best foot forward when responding to brand inquiries. See what works and what doesn’t!
- How to Make Your Vetting Responses Stand Out: Here’s what you need to know before responding to Brand Inquiries on RAP (the RedCircle Ad Platform.)
- The Not-So-Secret Recipe of a Great Host-Read Ad: Creating a stellar Host-Read Ad can be tough if you’ve never done it before. Check out this guide for useful tips on crafting absolutely amazing Host-Read Ads that will leave them wanting more.
- How to Impress Brands and Get a Renewal: These three simple things can help you to impress your brand partner and make sure they send you more offers.
- Are You Maximizing Your Revenue?: You may think you’re earning the most revenue, but our blog may expose some holes you didn’t even know were there!
There’s a lot that goes into podcasting but the three most important things to focus on are carefully crafting your show, taking every opportunity to help it grow, and learning how to monetize effectively.
We hope this guide helps point you in the right direction and helps you get the most out of podcasting!
Interested in taking your podcast to the next level? Give RedCircle a try! We offer *free* 7-day trials for all of our plans. So, see what we can do for you before spending a dime.
