Quick Daily Podcasting Tips by Alitu

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re going to talk about podcast equipment for online interviews or co-hosts. Typically, the set up here is exactly the same as if you were podcasting on your own. If you listened to the previous episode, then you’ll have heard me talk about the Samson Q2U. This works just as well for remote recordings as it does on the solo podcasting front. You’d then either need online recording software or additional equipment to link up with your guests or co-hosts. We’ll cover software in-depth in a future episode, but you can easily record calls with Alitu, which also does all the cleaning up and volume levelling automatically for you. For a 7-day free trial go to alitu.com, that’s A-L-I-T-U dot com, and check it out for yourself. Back to the equipment though - if you’d rather use hardware than software for remote recording then you might want to check out the Zoom PodTrak P4. This is a great wee podcast recorder that lets you plug in multiple mics, record online calls AND phone calls, and you can even play music and sound effects “as live” in your recordings, too. For most people, though, using call recording software such as Alitu is the best option because of its pure simplicity. But, if you *do* fancy getting yourself a Zoom PodTrak P4, they’re usually available for less than $200 on Amazon. For a more detailed look at choosing the right kit for you and your podcast, go to http://ThePodcastHost.com/equipment

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re going to talk about podcast equipment for solo shows. If you’re podcasting on your own then this makes choosing equipment easy. You’re just going to need a USB mic and some headphones. I say “headphones” but even your trusty earbuds will do the trick here. You’ll use these to “monitor” yourself as you record. That way, you can hear exactly *what* you record, as it’s recorded, and pick up on any sound issues there and then. On the USB mic front, it seems like there are hundreds of quality and good value options on the market these days. This can make choosing one tricky. With that in mind, we’re just going to recommend the one we think is ideal for 98% of aspiring and early-stage podcasters - the Samson Q2U. The Q2U can usually be bought brand new on Amazon for less than $70. You can also buy it in a special podcasting bundle along with headphones and a boom arm for around $95 - which is an excellent deal. Aside from being a great sounding budget mic, the Q2U works in both USB AND XLR form, so, if you want to upgrade to a mixer or digital recorder further down the line, you won’t need to spend more money on a new mic. The Samson Q2U’s availability varies depending on where you are in the world, but an almost identical mic is the ATR2100, so keep that in mind if you have trouble getting your hands on a Q2U. For a more detailed look at the Samson Q2U as the ideal solo podcaster mic, go to http://ThePodcastHost.com/solo

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And over the next few episodes, we’re going to talk about the gear you need to actually record your show. When we hear the term “podcast equipment” it’s easy to imagine a pro-level studio filled with lots of intimidating and very expensive kit. But for the vast majority of podcasters, this looks nothing like their own recording setup. You can break podcast equipment down into categories, based on how you record and capture your voice, from mic to mixer to recorder to computer. The recording process can be made as simple or as complicated as you like. You can record right into your computer, ridding yourself of the need for a mixer or a recorder. Or you can go the full studio route, and use it all. If you use very little kit, the process will be simple, but you’ll also have less flexibility and control. This isn’t an issue for most aspiring podcasters though, as they’ve no intention of becoming an audio engineer – they just want to get their message out there. There is no “one-size-fits-all” podcast equipment recommendation. As we covered earlier in the series, there are a few different podcast format options, and the format you choose will have a bearing on what gear you need. As will, of course, your budget. So over the next few episodes, we’re going to take a look at some common use-cases and give you some recommendations for each of them. On top of that, we’re going to give you some easy-to-understand explanations of common gear-related terms you’ll likely come across, too. For a more detailed look at choosing the right kit for you and your podcast, go to http://ThePodcastHost.com/equipment

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about your show’s cover art, sometimes known as your artwork or your podcast logo. Just like your episode titles, first impressions are everything. Having attractive cover art that stands out is so vital when your show lines up against thousands of others in apps like Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Your artwork should be at least 1400 x 1400 pixels, in JPG form, and it needs to be under 500kb in size. Apple actually recommends 3000 x 3000-pixel files, but we’ve found because they’re much weightier, those big files can cause issues with your RSS feeds further down the line. So I’d usually opt for the smaller formats to help avoid running into the same problem. Your artwork will normally be viewed as a thumbnail - pretty small on-screen, often on a phone - so don’t cram any small text onto it. In fact, the *only* text on there would ideally be your podcast name. Another reason your name should be descriptive... I often think that simpler is better with artwork. Your podcast title, covering practically the whole space, maybe with your brand colours and a background image, or a really small illustration alongside. You can create decent cover art for free on Canva, which I use all the time. They even have podcast logo templates on there. Or, you might want to hire a freelancer on a platform like Fiverr if you’d like someone to do it for you. The benefit of working with a designer is that they can help you to encapsulate your branding. Cover art is a bit like choosing a podcast name, in many ways. You’re trying to find that balance between descriptiveness, cleverness, and quirkiness, all in one static image - and it all still needs to work well when viewed as a thumbnail on a phone screen. For a more detailed look at designing your perfect podcast logo, go to http://ThePodcastHost.com/art

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about your show’s description. Did you know that this is THE most important thing potential new listeners will judge your show on? This is in that crucial period where they’ve found it, but haven’t hit play yet. By the way, this isn’t my opinion - it’s right from the horse’s mouth, via our Podcast Discovery Survey, which you can find at [ThePodcastHost.com/discovery](http://ThePodcastHost.com/discovery) So, a quick bit of clarity on what’s meant by “podcast description” - this is the summary of your podcast in its entirety. So don’t confuse it with the shownotes that accompany each episode. Podcast descriptions are often written as an afterthought, but they’re worth spending a good bit of time on. In them, you should talk about *who* the show is for and what they can expect from it. We’ve covered this already in our “who” and “why” episodes, so you’ve done the groundwork, here - now, you just need to make it clear to your would-be listeners. You’ll also want to let them know what to expect in terms of format and schedule. Do new episodes drop each Friday? Or do new seasons run every second month? Of course, you probably want to mention a bit about yourself, too. For example, who you are, what your angle is and why you’re doing this show. Credibility is good, but the big key here is to make it all about *them -* the listeners. Just imagine someone reading it and thinking to themselves “what’s in this for *me*?”. For a more detailed look at writing the perfect summary for your show, go to http://ThePodcastHost.com/description

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about how to name your podcast *episodes.* We spent a bit of time earlier on talking about what to call your podcast as a whole. But how you title your episodes can be just as - or maybe even more - important! The biggest mistake when it comes to naming your episodes is to pop in meaningless details. Like Episode 1: This time I talk with... blah blah blah. You’ve already lost them by the time they hit the 5th word. Instead, you need to front-load the title with value, really give them a reason to listen What’s the meat of the episode? What problem are you solving? What solution are you offering? This is a big clue as to what your episode title should be. That’s what draws people in. We find a lot of good *and* bad examples of episode titles with interview shows. If you have a guest on, don’t just call the episode “A chat with Jane Smith”. If your listener has never heard of Jane, why would they care? But as it happens, Jane could be an expert on something they’re really struggling with, so this would be the perfect episode for them. It’s your duty as a host to signpost the value to them as much as possible. Without meaning to blow our own trumpet, take a look at the episode titles for this very podcast. I’d like to think they’re clear and deliver on what we promise here. The added benefit of descriptive episode titles is that they’ll show up in search in most listening apps. So if someone types in a “how to” question on your own topic, and you have an episode on it, then there’s a much better chance of them finding your show. Everyone wins! For a more detailed look at naming your podcast episodes, go to http://ThePodcastHost.com/episodetitles

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about releasing podcast episodes in seasons. On the last episode, we talked about the tricky balance of finding your ideal release frequency. So, what if the podcast you’d like to create is a really in-depth, highly produced show, that goes out every single week? But, you know that, in the long run, that weekly schedule is a bit unsustainable? The ideal answer could be to take a leaf out of your favourite TV show’s book, and podcast in seasons. Here, a “season” represents a block of episodes. The “How many” is up to you. For some, it’ll be 6, for others, it’ll be upwards of 20. This means that you can really throw yourself into creating some great content, and then, take a well-deserved rest before going on to tackle the next season. The beauty of this approach is that seasons can be “themed”, which makes your show really accessible and appealing to new listeners. Our fitness podcaster, for example, might do an entire season on upper body strength, whilst our zombie podcaster could do one on post apocalyptic video games. Podcasters who take this “themed season” approach also benefit from repurposing and monetising their content. We’ve seen many ebooks and courses created from them, because a lot of the work in the planning, structure, and organisation, has already been done. One common critique of seasons is that listeners will “forget about you” during your breaks. This doesn’t need to be the case. So long as you make it clear to them how the show works and how long the break is - then they’ll know what to expect. You’re also asking them to subscribe on their listening app of choice, too. So they never need to “remember” you’ve come back - your next episode will be delivered to them automatically, without any effort on their part. Sell that benefit to them, and all will be well! For a more detailed look at podcasting in seasons, go to http://ThePodcastHost.com/seasons

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking how often! As in how frequently should you be releasing podcast episodes? Just like the “ideal length” question, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. The best podcast release schedule is really the most regular one that *you* can stick to, on a consistent basis. So, if you can only manage once a month, that’s fine. If you can manage every 2 weeks, even better. If you can manage weekly, then that’s about ideal. You can still have a big impact with a fortnightly, or monthly show, but people plan their lives around what day of the week it is. It’s the routine at the forefront of our lives, so tapping into a weekly release schedule can be powerful, and build a strong habit in your listeners. Now, what about daily, though, like this show? Daily podcasts tend to have shorter episodes, and you can often batch it - plan, record, and schedule a week or two’s worth in just one day. So they can actually be *more* sustainable in certain cases. But, as always, it depends entirely on what works best for *you, and for your listeners. Do they really want what you’re offering, every day? Or would they prefer something deeper, once a week?* Ultimately, remember that it’s down to quality. Sticking to a deadline which reduces the quality of your episodes, is pointless. You’ll have a bigger impact if you put out one excellent episode a month instead of a totally average episode every week, or even - every day. If you’re still totally undecided on this, too, then don’t worry. We’ve got a tip for you on the next episode that can help you find the perfect work-life balance, so be sure to join us again for that. In the meantime, for a more detailed look at how often you should podcast, go to http://ThePodcastHost.com/frequency

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about how long your podcast episodes should be. Here’s the bottom line - podcast length depends solely on content. Don’t cut down good content - or, pad out succinct work! How long does your episode need to be to get the message out? Then that’s the ideal length for you. If you asked most podcast listeners, a “short” episode would probably be anything under 15 minutes. And a “long” episode would probably be anything over an hour. Anything from 20 to 45 minutes seems to be the “typical” episode length, but again, let your content dictate. Just try to aim for some ballpark consistency from episode to episode. Doing 5mins one week then 2 hours the next is going to be a bit jarring for your audience. Podcast listeners like to know what to expect! For a more detailed look at podcast episode lengths, go to http://ThePodcastHost.com/length

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about using your own name in or as your podcast’s name. If you’ve heard of Tim Ferriss or Joe Rogan, then you’ll know what we’re talking about here. Podcasts that are named after their hosts generally have one thing in common – the host already had an audience *before* they started the podcast. These names offer no hints about the show's content. If you've never heard of Tim Ferris, his show could be about literally anything. As it happens, the podcast is about “interviewing world-class performers” in all fields, linking together the similarities and routines that connect them. If nobody knew Tim Ferris, he'd probably have put a bit more description into his title. Something like “How to be World Class” would certainly catch the eye of his target audience. Bottom line? If you already have a strong personal brand then this can work well for you. If you’re a bit more early-stage, though, then opt for a more descriptive podcast name instead. For a more detailed look at choosing a name for your show, go to http://ThePodcastHost.com/Names

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about clever, quirky, or even, mysterious podcast names. Famous examples here include The Moth, and 99% Invisible. Creative or “clever” names are often built around puns, plays on words or in-jokes from the show's topic or niche. Many of these names make sense when you look deeply enough into them. But others are just plain abstract and offer no hint into the show's actual content. If you already have an audience, a reputation as a good content creator, or a big marketing budget, then this won't necessarily hold you back. If enough people check out your show and enjoy it, then you'll do fine. But if you're starting completely from scratch then you need to ask yourself what your target audience are searching for online – and if your podcast name is going to show up in these searches. Does this sound more like your own situation? If so, then you might want to opt for the descriptive naming route instead! For a more detailed look at choosing a name for your show, go to http://ThePodcastHost.com/Names

**Choosing a Descriptive Podcast Name** Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about “descriptive” podcast names. Famous examples of descriptive names are The Property Podcast and Football Weekly. This type of name can be described as “doing exactly what it says on the tin”. You might think of this as the “boring” option, but as long as your content isn't boring, nobody's going to care. Descriptive podcast names are immediately identifiable to their target audience. And they're easier to find because they perform better in searches. However, if you have a really creative or clever name picked out for your show and are desperate to use it, you can always find a way to merge it with a descriptive title, too. Is there a pun or reference in your niche that you could work into your show’s name somehow? For a more detailed look at choosing a name for your show, go to http://ThePodcastHost.com/Names

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about one of the biggest decisions made by new podcasters - naming your show. There are 3 main camps when it comes to naming your show - you might simply use your own name, or, you might opt for something clever or descriptive. We’re going to look at each option, in more depth, over the next few episodes. Start by creating a shortlist of potential podcast names. Then, do a search in a directory or app like Apple Podcasts to see if any of them are taken. If your perfect show name is being used by a podcast that stopped publishing episodes 10 years ago, then this can be frustrating. There are plenty of shows out there with the same name as one another - however, it’s better not to cause confusion to your audience by joining their ranks. So try to come up with something new and unique, here. That’s ultimately going to give your podcast the best chance of being discovered and growing to its maximum potential. For a more detailed look at choosing a name for your show, go to http://ThePodcastHost.com/Names

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about documentary-style and fiction podcast formats. Documentary podcasts are often referred to as “BBC-style” or “NPR-style”. These shows mix in multiple voices, musical elements, and actuality to add an extra layer of production and storytelling. The end product can sound great, but the time and work needed to put them together will increase drastically. Another high-production format is the fiction podcast. These come in many forms, from “audiobook style” to fully soundscaped audio dramas, where every footstep is accounted for. Again, the end result can be fantastic, but running a fiction podcast is a big time investment, especially if you want to publish episodes on a regular basis. Of course, the reward for such a heavy workload is that these shows can *really* stand out, which helps them to grow fanatical audiences. They also make great showcases for a multitude of skillsets, from writing and storytelling, to recording and production. Some fiction podcasts have even been adapted into TV shows! For a more detailed look at which podcast format is the best fit for you, go to http://ThePodcastHost.com/Formats

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about the roundtable podcast format. A “roundtable” refers to the idea of getting a larger number of participants together to discuss a set topic. Normally there would be at least one regular host, if not two or three. Then the rest of the ‘table’ is made up of guests who are experts in the topic at hand. Your job as host is to direct the roundtable, asking questions and steering the topic, so that everyone gets a turn and contributes to a great conversation. The roundtable format can be a good way to build authority in your niche. This allows you to invite prominent guests to the show who’ll share their wisdom and experience. That said, organising multiple guests and finding suitable recording times can be a big challenge. Each person you add to the mix adds another layer of complexity. Only the most organised of people can pull this off in the long run. For a more detailed look at which podcast format is the best fit for you, go to http://ThePodcastHost.com/Formats

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about the interview podcast format. This is where you ‘borrow’ the expertise or entertainment value of others. With this style of podcast format, a huge benefit is getting to talk to your heroes. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to have a chat with people in your space that you’ve always looked up to. On top of that, your guests will have their own audiences who may listen to the interview and end up subscribing to your show. If done right, you can really grow an audience this way. On the flip side, interviewing is a skill that you’ll need to hone through practice, so don’t approach the A-listers in your field straight away. There are other challenges, too. You’ll need to constantly find and approach potential guests, schedule interviews, and rely on others to show up – either in-person or digitally. And, you’ll also need to rely on the technology to work properly throughout each call. For a more detailed look at the interview podcast format, go to http://ThePodcastHost.com/podcastinterviews

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. On this episode, we’re talking about the co-hosted podcast format. This is when you present your show alongside another regular host - whether it's a friend or a colleague. This is a great format for anyone, but particularly early podcasters. It reduces that ‘mic fright’ you get when recording solo, or the possibility of being a bit monotone. Instead, find the right co-host and you can have a totally natural conversation. Someone to bounce off, debate with, or even take mickey out of. The best co-hosted podcasts have great chemistry between the presenters. You end up being a fly on the way of a great, funny, informative conversation. That creates a first-class listening experience. As always, though, there are challenges. Suddenly you have to coordinate with someone else's calendar when you arrange to record, for example. Then, there’s the question of ownership: who’s podcast is it? Do you split any future income 50/50? And what happens if your co-host loses interest or just can't do it in the future? So if you do opt for this style of show, definitely have that conversation with your co-host up front, before hitting record on that first episode. For a more detailed look at which podcast format is the best fit for you, go to http://ThePodcastHost.com/Formats

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about the solo podcast format, AKA - the monologue. Each podcast format comes with its own pros and cons. The big benefit of a solo show is that you don’t need to rely on anyone else to record your episodes. On top of that, it’s YOU who’s building a reputation as the authority on your subject. The podcast is also exclusively yours, so you can make all the calls on sponsorship and monetization. And you don’t need to split the profits with anyone. There are potential downsides too, though. A solo podcast is perhaps the most intimidating style of show for a beginner. One of the biggest challenges of flying solo is getting over the feeling that you’re ‘talking to yourself’ and realising that you’re actually talking to your listener. For a more detailed look at which podcast format is the best fit for you, go to ThePodcastHost.com/Formats

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about choosing a format for your episodes. The format you choose is really personal, and depends on who’s involved. If it’s just you, you’re not doing a co-hosted show any time soon, for example None of this is set in stone, either. So whilst it’s good to have an ‘average’ format, so your listeners know what to expect, you don’t have to stick to it every single time. You might do your first few episodes using a certain format – for example, solo - then decide it isn’t for you. In this case, you could pivot and start doing interviews. Or, you could bring on a regular co-host. The first format you try might feel perfectly natural to you, in which case, great. Or you might opt for a ‘mixed bag’ approach where you never stick to any one set format. The beauty of it is that it’s *your* podcast, and you get to make the rules. We’re going to dig into the pros and cons of each podcast format in the next few episodes, so make sure you’re subscribed to the show on your listening app of choice!

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about niches (nitches?) and narrow topics. There’s a bit of a misconception in podcasting that, the wider and more open your topic, the bigger your audience will be. I know, it makes sense because covering lots of ground means there's loads more people who *might* be interested in your show. The reality, though, is that listeners love podcasts that feel like they were made *just for them*. So instead of our personal trainer doing a podcast about general health, diet, or exercise, it might be “the fitness podcast for single parents”, or “the keto diet podcast for vegetarians”. In other areas, niche podcasts could be “The travel podcast, for D&D players”, or “The business startup podcast, for military veterans”. You might have a fear that this'll limit your audience, but, actually, the opposite is true. When your target listeners find your show, and see how closely it scratches their itch, they’ll think “this is perfect!”, hit subscribe, and go on to become fanatical fans. On the other hand, if keep it general, everyone just sees it, goes 'meh' and moves on. When you try to target everyone, you really target no-one in particular. So what would you rather have - a tight, defined group of fanatical listeners, or a big group who just *might* be interested in listening? For a really detailed look at defining your niche topic, go to http://ThePodcastHost.com/topic

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re talking about giving your audience a no-brainer reason to listen. This, my friend, is all about supplying value in your very own unique way. But what does that *actually* mean? Well, let’s take the example of our personal trainer, I mentioned last time. If they’re serving up content that helps their listeners to, let's say, complete a couch to 5k, then they're providing value. If they can help a listener lose a few stone, or run a faster race, then that's a LOT of value! Or what about our zombie podcaster? They might do an in-depth interview with a top author in the space. They'll dig in to unearth some anecdotes and insights that you've never heard anywhere else before from that writer. In that, they're providing some really unique value. If you do something similar on your show, not only have you given your audience a reason to listen, you've also given them a reason to come back for more, every week. This is absolutely vital for you to think about in the planning stages. So can you write down 10-15 potential episodes that you think your target audience would love to listen to? If you're teaching, it's often about considering the most common problems you can help them solve. And if it's entertainment, it's finding new content, or entertainment that scratches that person's personal itch. And, for a more detailed look at giving them a reason to listen, go to http://ThePodcastHost.com/unique

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. On this episode, we’re asking a big question: Who are you making your podcast for? The thing is, unless you know exactly *who* you’re making your show for, and *why* you’re doing it, you’ve got no chance of growing an audience. Let’s imagine a personal trainer who’s making a health and fitness podcast to market their business. Their target audience might be people who are interested in healthy eating, weight loss, or HIIT training, or bodybuilding. Or, let’s imagine a hobbyist who loves zombies and post-apocalyptic fiction. Their target audience would simply be folks with the same really specific passion. They might be fans of TV shows like The Walking Dead, and video games like Resident Evil. It's a good idea to sketch out what’s known as your “avatar”. An avatar is a made up person that represents your ideal listeners in the real world. You make this detailed - with a name, age, job, background, likes, dislikes. You make this as real as you can, so it's someone you can know, deeply. The benefit then is that, with each episode you plan out, you can ask yourself the question “would Jane (my avatar) like this?” Asking that question is the key to making really compelling content, every time. For a really detailed look at how to create your avatar, and a bunch of examples, go to http://ThePodcastHost.com/listener

Welcome to Pocket-Sized Podcasting, brought to you by Alitu: The Podcast Maker. And on this episode, we’re asking the question “Why?” Why do you want to make a podcast? Are you a freelancer?  A business? Or working for a company? Whatever you do, you'll know that podcasting's a great way to build trust and authority. Plus, of course, give your customers or your audience a whole bunch of valuable and entertaining content. The other option is that you're in podcasting as a hobbyist? That could mean you'll be creating a show in your spare time, and on a subject you're passionate about. Anything from knitting, to craft beer, to horror movies. Either way, figure out your why. It could be making more sales. Or growing a community. Or getting famous! They're all valid. And they're important to keep in mind so that you can stay motivated, even when life throws you those inevitable curveballs. Podcasting isn’t always easy, but if your “Why” is worth it, you’ll push on through.