"Motherhood is a joy." In her article, she will tell you step by step how to become a podcast author, protect from common mistakes and teach how to promote your channel.
I will tell you by my example how I managed to understand the algorithm of creating podcasts in the largest podcast aggregator and display my podcast " Now I know how it does it!"on the 5th place in the category "For the whole family". My actions were to consistently answer questions:
What are podcasts?
What is iTunes?
How to record podcasts?
How do I find podcast hosting?
How do I create my podcast on iTunes?
How do I add releases?
How to promote a podcast?
What are podcasts?
Podcasting (eng. podcasting, from iPod and persistent. Broadcasting is the process of creating and distributing audio or video files (podcasts) in the style of radio and television programs on the Internet. As a rule, podcasts have a certain theme and frequency of publication.
This is an audio recording on a specific topic: about marketing, healthy eating, for example, or your point of view on events in the world. You can be the only voice on the recording, or you can use the interview format.
You can listen to them while driving in the car, cooking dinner, Jogging or while walking with a stroller. In Russia, this format is still gaining momentum, but in the US podcasts listen to millions of people.
My podcast is called " Now I know how she does it!". I record inspiring interviews with mothers who not only successfully cope with motherhood, but also realize themselves in other areas: organize a business or their own projects.
What is iTunes?
This is the official content repository for iPhone, iPad and Mac users. There are movies, music and a separate section for podcasts.
Podcasts on iTunes
How to record audio?
I use two types of recording: voice recorder and Skype. If I meet a guest in person, I tape it on my phone. The recorder itself is better placed on a level with the mouth of the speaker to better capture the sound. Someone records and professional equipment, it all depends on the level of your perfectionism.
If we call each other on Skype, I use a free program to record calls MP3 Skype Recorder. When turned on, it automatically records all calls and saves the recording in mp3 format.
So, let's say you already have several recorded releases of your podcast in mp3 format.
Hosting storage podcast
You need a place to store releases that can generate RSS feed. There are different services: Libsyn, PodBean or Spreaker.
I use SoundCloud, it has to store podcasts Websarafan Show. Please note, on this service, the free version assumes only 3 hours of the duration of your records. For me this lack only on 6 outlets. Expansion to 6 hours costs 65 dollars a year, to unlimited loading of tracks-135 dollars, this version I use now.
An important point: you need a quality picture for the cover of your podcast, from 1400 * 1400 pixels. I did my cover using the service Canva, chose the option "Use custom dimensions" and put the size 1450*1450, to be sure.
After registering on SoundCloud you need to fill out a profile:
Podcast for beginners
You need to specify: the name, your name, biography (podcast description) and links (blog, social networks, etc)
Podcast for beginners
Upload your releases using the "Upload"function. You need to fill in all the fields in the download window, I do my picture and description for each podcast, so they appear then in iTunes.
How to record a podcast
When your profile is ready, the releases are loaded, go to Settings (click the three dots in the upper left corner, then Settings)
Podcasts on iTunes
Tab Content and copy yourself RSS feed, it will soon be needed.
A lot of useful information on working with SoundCloud, including short video instructions, is here (all in English).
Check in iTunes
Apple's official guide to podcast authors.
To be a podcast writer on iTunes, you must have an Apple id. If it doesn't exist, create it here.
Visit the website to register podcast authors. After authorization, click on a large plus sign (this is adding a podcast).
Check in iTunes
In the new window you need to copy the same code (RSS feed) that we saved earlier. This code iTunes "pull" all the information from your profile and downloaded tracks on SoundCloud.
Errors
Sometimes, at this stage, the site gives an error without explanation.
First of all, check the cover photo, I lost about 30 minutes at this point.
Second-check your code on this site. It will highlight what is wrong. It helped me to see that iTunes didn't miss one of the Emoji in the podcast description.
Podcasts for beginners
If everything is OK, the podcast gets moderated. Usually, it takes several hours to verify a podcast.
The next day, check out the Podcasts app on your iPhone and search for your podcast in the search to see what everything looks like in the app.
Podcasts iTunes
Here you can copy the link to share it in social networks or newsletter.
Adding new releases
You upload a new track to your SoundCloud profile, after a while this release will automatically appear in iTunes.
Promotion
Podcast ratings are influenced by several factors:
User ratings;
Number of auditions;
Regular updates.
So don't forget to add new releases regularly and ask your friends to give feedback on your podcast.
By the way, this can be done only if you have an Apple-id, ie if you are a registered user of AppStore or iTunes.
Another tip is to download the podcast to iTunes when you've already accumulated a few releases, so that new users can see the variability of the content, and not lonely 2-3 tracks.
My progress in releasing podcasts on iTunes
At the moment I am 9 months engaged in the project " now I know how she does it!"During this time, 12 issues have accumulated. The most popular issue – an interview with Oksana Stasi (author of a series of books "once upon a time Seryozha") downloaded more than 600 times.
In iTunes, my podcast recently (since September 11, 2017), so far the rating changes almost every day, was 60th and 4th place in the category "For the whole family". For myself, I set a goal to get and stay in the TOP 3 by December 2017. So I will be glad of your support.