Exploring the Basics of Podcasting

Main Takeaways

Have you ever fantasized about hosting your own radio show? Or are you an aspiring musician looking to get your tracks heard by a large audience? Years ago, making that happen would have required vast connections or a great deal of wealth.

But today, thanks to the internet and its immediate access to a global audience, those dreams can be realized. Just like blogging and social media empowered almost anyone with a computer to become a journalist, podcasting lets almost anyone with a computer step into the roles of a radio host, talk show personality, or recording artist.

While podcasting initially gained traction among tech enthusiasts, it has since spread to the wider public. By visiting one of many podcast platforms online, you can access content ranging from music and sports to philosophy. Podcasting merges the freedom of blogging with digital audio technology to provide a nearly limitless amount of content. Some claim this emerging technology is breaking down the corporate dominance over traditional radio.

Podcasting is primarily a free service that lets users stream or download digital audio files (typically MP3s) from podcasting websites or platforms, which can be listened to on computers, smartphones, or digital audio players. The term is a blend of iPod and broadcasting.

Unlike internet radio, users don’t need to tune into a specific broadcast at a set time. Instead, they can download podcasts on demand or subscribe through an RSS feed (Really Simple Syndication), which automatically downloads episodes to their devices. This technology works similarly to personal video recorders, allowing users to select programs for recording and automatically storing them for later viewing.

History of Podcasting

In 2004, podcasting was created by Adam Curry, a former MTV video jockey, and Dave Winer, a software developer. Curry developed a program called iPodder, which allowed him to automatically download internet radio shows to his iPod. The idea was later refined by several developers, officially giving birth to podcasting. Curry himself has gone on to host numerous popular podcasts, including his latest, No Agenda.

Currently, podcasting in the U.S. remains unregulated by the government. Podcasters are not required to obtain a license to broadcast like radio stations, nor do they have to follow the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) broadcast decency standards. This means that virtually anything can be aired — from profanity to explicit content. However, copyright laws still apply. Podcasters can copyright or license their content, and Creative Commons is one of the many online resources for these purposes.

While many large corporations and broadcasting companies have entered the podcasting world, the medium is still largely dominated by amateur podcasters broadcasting from their home studios. Unlike traditional radio, where ratings drive content, podcasts can cover a wide array of topics, from the deeply intellectual to the absurd or completely trivial. Podcasters often focus on a particular niche, allowing them to showcase their knowledge and attract a dedicated audience.

Take a moment to check out some well-known podcasts: Welcome to Night Vale tells the eerie and entirely fictional tales from the strange town of Night Vale. Alternatively, the Mortified Podcast offers a hilarious and often cringe-worthy experience as adults read aloud from their teenage diaries.

Podcasts serve a variety of functions, ranging from self-guided tours and talk shows to financial advice, sermons, workout routines, and true crime documentaries, just to name a few.

The top three podcasts at the moment are: "The Joe Rogan Experience" – a podcast featuring long-form discussions with comedian and UFC commentator Joe Rogan; "The Daily" – a daily news show from The New York Times; and "This American Life" – a weekly podcast blending personal stories, documentaries, and fictional works all centered around a common theme.

Podcasting has become a booming industry. According to the Pew Research Center's 2021 State of the News Media Report, nearly 41 percent of Americans over the age of 12 had listened to a podcast in the last month, a significant rise from 37 percent in 2020.

Many podcasts generate revenue through advertising or by offering patrons an ad-free experience in exchange for a donation. While major media companies capitalize on their brand reputation for publicity, independent podcasters have found success with this same model. Advertising networks help connect advertisers with podcasts that align with their target audience. Forbes reported that U.S. podcast advertising revenue is expected to grow from $1.4 billion in 2021 to $4 billion by 2024.

Several independent podcasts have formed their own media collectives, such as Pushkin Industries and Radiotopia from PRX. However, in the 2020s, larger media and tech companies have started acquiring successful individual podcasts or collectives to make them exclusive. For example, IHeartRadio purchased Stuff Media and its Mytour podcasting business in 2018. Spotify acquired Gimlet in 2019, while Amazon bought Wondery in 2020. In 2021, Apple Podcasts announced an update to its app, offering premium podcast subscriptions.

Listening to Podcasts

Listening to podcasts is straightforward. If you own a smartphone, chances are you already have a built-in podcast app as part of your operating system. Alternatively, you can easily download an app through your phone’s "Store" section. Some popular platforms for streaming include Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Stitcher, with various third-party apps offering directories of popular shows.

For those without a smartphone, you can check out online podcast directories like Spotify, or if you know the podcast's name, you can go directly to its website. While the top podcasts are a great place to start, don’t hesitate to explore lesser-known shows and add them to your collection.

Many podcast sites and apps let you listen to one episode at a time, but smartphone and computer apps give you the option to subscribe to your favorite shows. They do this by relying on RSS feeds. When you select a show in your podcast app, the web address is automatically added for you. If a show isn't already listed, you can likely find its RSS feed on the website and copy-paste it into your app or RSS reader to receive new episode updates and have them downloaded to your device.

If you subscribe to podcasts, keep in mind that each episode is an audio file that takes up storage space. Although these files aren’t large by today’s smartphone standards, it’s wise to periodically go through and delete old episodes or shows you no longer listen to. Many podcast apps allow you to choose how many episodes to retain and whether you want them deleted automatically once you're finished.

Creating Podcasts

Have a podcast idea in mind? Recording one might be easier than you think. You don't need expensive equipment to get started. In fact, your smartphone or computer might be all you need. If you're not using an app built specifically for podcast creation, here's a rough outline of the process:

Podcast hosting services may also assist with tracking analytics, promoting your content, and even monetizing your podcast.

Determine how many episodes you want to produce and how often. Will you publish weekly, daily, or monthly? Consistency is key, as maintaining a regular release schedule will keep your audience engaged and eager for the next episode.

One approach is to record multiple episodes in advance and keep them ready for release. Planning your ideas ahead of time can also help you stay on track and meet your deadlines.

Writing a script before your recording session can be helpful, but many podcast hosts prefer to engage in unscripted conversations, freely chatting about various topics. The good news is that modern recording and editing software makes it easy to clean up any mistakes, so don’t stress—just enjoy the process!

Some of the best promotion comes directly from your listeners. Once you start building an audience, word-of-mouth will carry your podcast forward. You could also try to get one of your episodes featured on a popular podcast with a similar audience, helping you expand your reach.

Some podcasters expand their reach by creating video versions of their podcasts in addition to the audio format. These video podcasts may simply be filmed versions of the audio show, but some creators add extra features like animation or video clips to make them more dynamic. These video podcasts can be uploaded to platforms like YouTube.

As you advance in your podcasting journey, you might consider upgrading your recording setup with higher-quality gear and possibly even setting up a dedicated recording space. While you may be eager to purchase all of this equipment upfront, it can be quite costly, so you might want to first explore podcasting to ensure it's the right fit before making such an investment.