Unless you've been living under a rock for the past 2-3 years, you've definitely heard of or listened to a podcast.

Podcasts have become many people's favorite medium when it comes to audio in the ears while going from A to B. The number of podcasts has increased tremendously worldwide in recent years, and hooray for that! There is (almost) a podcast about everything under the sun today. There's even an English podcast about grass. Yes... grass.

My background for being able to write this guide for you, besides being the marketing director here at SoundStoreXL, is that I have created and produced Denmark's largest podcast within the gaming niche. Here I have taken the podcast from an idea, created a visual identity, recorded, post-produced, distributed, and earned money from the podcast.

In this guide, I will both tell you about podcasts and at the same time equip you with how to make a podcast, earn money from a podcast, and much more!

🤷🏽‍♂️ What is a podcast?

In short: In this modern streaming era, podcasts are what radio was in the old days.

Podcast is a form of content that was developed in 2004 when former MTV video geek Adam Curry and software developer Dave Wine developed "iPodder." iPodder was a program that allowed users to download internet radio onto their iPods.

Today, podcasts are somewhat different, but nonetheless, an insanely popular form of audio entertainment.

A podcast is in broad strokes a series of episodes or segments that one or more host(s) publish on various services where you can stream, download, or purchase access to them. Most podcasts typically come out daily, weekly, or monthly, but there are also limited series where, for example, one new episode is released every three months, which is typically a bit longer and goes much more in-depth on a topic.

One of the things I personally love about podcasts is that there is something for every taste and temperament in the podcast world.

At the same time, it is a pretty unique medium because you can make a podcast about almost anything, and in that way, you can find segments that not even Google and Facebook can uncover. It's a beautiful thing!

But is it still a podcast if there is video? Yes, it is. There are podcasts that release their episodes with video of the hosts sitting and talking. In that way, you can also reach an audience on platforms like YouTube or Twitch. Often these episodes are also released as pure audio on streaming services.

Now we have a handle on what a podcast is. Shall we get started with what you came for: How to make a podcast!

🧐 How do you come up with a concept for your podcast?

Before you sit down in front of the microphone, you need to have a plan for your podcast. You don't necessarily need to write a script for each episode, or you might end up sounding like a robot.

However, it is a clear advantage to have a plan for your podcast overall.

Set a goal for your podcast

Why are you sitting down and making a podcast? That's the question you should ask yourself.

Are you making it to earn money?
Are you making it as a hobby project?
Are you making it to share knowledge you possess?
Are you making it to help others with a problem you've had?

There are examples of podcasts created based on all of the above questions.

Personally, I created my podcast because I had a friend who was unemployed, and I wanted to do a project with him. At the same time, I saw a gap in the market for a Danish-speaking Counter-Strike podcast, so we could potentially get press passes to attend major tournaments and meet some of our idols in the sport.

In the end, my recommendation is to create a podcast about something you think is incredibly cool to talk about. It is my belief that passion always wins.

Come up with a title for your podcast

It goes without saying that you need a name for your podcast. Here are also a couple of small hacks that you can use.

See if you can sneak the topic into your title. Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Podimo, and all the other places where you find podcasts have a search engine built into them, while also flourishing in Google and YouTube's search engines.
Imagine having to search for "food podcast," then it would be a big advantage if your podcast is called "Foody: A food podcast for the hungry."

You can also advantageously find a name that rolls off the tongue. Something that is nice to say. It almost goes without saying, but still worth keeping in mind.

Just like with names for all kinds of brands, companies, music artists, etc., it can also be an advantage to find a name that looks cool in writing. For all your future graphics for Facebook, Instagram, etc., it is important that your name is recognizable and looks great with what your podcast should present.

🎧 Find your format

Podcasts come in many different formats, so it is important to find the format that you think suits you and your concept best.

There are many different formats to look into, and there is no right or wrong. Ultimately, it's just about finding the format that's right for you and your podcast.

Live or recorded

Podcasts are mostly known for being recorded formats, where you record the episode and then post-produce it and then distribute it on various services.

However, there are also plenty of live radio programs that are released as podcasts, where they have cut out the music and news. Sara and Monopolet are probably one of the most famous ones.

Often, it is either radio programs or video-based programs that are live first and then released as a podcast afterwards.
Again, there is no right or wrong. It just has to fit what you want!

Conversation podcast

One of the most used podcast formats is the "conversation podcast." It is also generally the most informative format. It can be anything from one host to a whole table full of participants. Many of these types of podcasts are interview-based, which is a discussion between a host and a guest. However, it also applies to, for example, two or more regular hosts.

Often in these podcasts, there is plenty of time to delve into topics, and as mentioned earlier, it can be anything under the sun.

A really good conversation podcast requires that the hosts and any guests are present and give of themselves. A good rule of thumb is that you have succeeded with a conversation podcast if the listener feels like they are present in the room where it is being recorded.

News podcast

It almost goes without saying, but a news podcast is a podcast that delivers current news - typically in a slightly shorter format.

They provide an overview and a brief analysis. The most popular news podcasts actually come out daily and provide a brief and effective news overview, and both DR, Børsen, etc., use the format for their users.

It is a difficult market to tap into, but nonetheless worth considering.

Reportage podcast

A more rare player in the podcast market, but a format I personally hope becomes even more widespread in the future.

Being out in the field and working with the sound around you while recording. It is a reality-based format that has a lot to offer because you cannot control everything that happens, as you can at home in your studio or living room.

In the USA and England, there are a number of blogs that both broadcast live and produce podcasts where they are out in the field and meet people, at parties, events, and other things related to the topic they have as the focus of the podcast.

There are also more and more podcasts that host live events where they exactly rip the microphones out of the stand and go out in the field and broadcast live. Often with an audience, but you still get some of the reality with that.

Of course, there are even more formats, but I have chosen to cover the broad strokes in this article.

🎙 Podcast equipment

The cornerstone for even being able to start a podcast, and probably one of the most discussed topics within the podcast universe, is the equipment.

We cannot avoid how important and essential it is to have some equipment that allows you to record, produce, and create the sound that is your podcast.

Therefore, I will take you through all the equipment you need, and trust me, I've been through it all. I'm a huge gear nerd in this area. I will also give you some ideas for buying equipment at different budgets, so you can get started regardless of your budget.

Podcast environment

When you are going to record a podcast, it is important that the environment you are sitting and recording in is "podcast-friendly". You can easily record a good-sounding podcast without a dedicated sound studio. The sound you pick up in the microphone or microphones is also naturally dependent on which microphone you use, but you can reduce noise and external factors by being in a good environment.

A real sound studio, of course, has its advantages by being a light-regulated room, and you will find that sound recorded in such a room just sounds great - almost on all equipment.

The only reason I have chosen to mention the environment is actually to assure you that it is not the room, but the equipment that makes a good podcast for you - so don't worry! My podcast was first recorded in a sound studio and today it is recorded in one of the host's living rooms in an apartment in the middle of Aarhus C, and it sounds just as good because we upgraded the equipment.

If you have a place where you experience some reverberation, which you find difficult to get rid of, you can advantageously hang up some sound-absorbing foam, which takes care of the worst reverberation for you.

Podcast microphone

The microphone is without comparison your most important tool in the pursuit of a successful podcast. Either you are the type who wants to know exactly what you are buying, or you are the type who just wants to know what is best and then buys it.

For the nerds out there, I'll just briefly touch on the two types of microphones that are typically in play for a podcast.

• Condenser microphones: You get a really sharp, rich, and full sound, but a condenser microphone is also very sensitive. That means it picks up sounds in the room such as noise from the neighbors, a washing machine that is on, or a car outside on the street. Therefore, these microphones are often best in sound studios.
• Dynamic microphones: Here you also get - depending on the quality of the microphone - a really good sound. Dynamic microphones are less sensitive, and precisely for podcasts, it is a big advantage. They are great for speech, especially if there may be a little noise around you.

So unless you have a sound studio available, I would without a doubt recommend a dynamic microphone for your podcast to avoid too much noise.

Which microphone should you choose?

Condenser Microphones

Here are 3 condenser microphones for 3 different budgets.

Audio-Technia AT2020 XLR - €99

This is the same microphone I started with for my podcast when we recorded in a studio environment.

It's a fantastic microphone for the price. You get a microphone with clean and clear sound, and when you are in the right environment, you cannot hear that it only costs 649 Danish kroner.

I would recommend using a pop filter with microphones to reduce noise, but as mentioned earlier, a studio environment can take care of the worst.

sE Eletronics X1S - €149

This microphone is in a completely different league, but still at a very good price!

The X1S'eren was introduced as a microphone for recording instruments, but can certainly also record voices. Here, I would also recommend using a pop filter to reduce the first noise.

Blue Spark SL - €200

This Blue model is a condenser microphone in a class of its own. A hand-tuned microphone head with a high-pass filter that helps keep low-frequency noise out.

It is designed for vocals, gaming, voiceover, and audio production, so it's certainly a high-class microphone for podcasts. Despite being a condenser microphone, it preemptively solves a large part of the noise problem as well.

Dynamic microphones

Here you get 3 different dynamic microphones for 3 different budgets.

RØDE PodMic Microphone - €135

As the name might indicate, RØDE's PodMic is a dynamic microphone designed for podcasts, streaming, gaming, and other speech-based purposes.

It comes with a built-in pop filter and also has a built-in shock mount, which minimizes vibration noise that may occur from stand to microphone. You get a fantastic podcasting microphone for 799 kroner, and you don't need to upgrade later.

A small side note about RØDE's PodMic is that it is not particularly suitable for much else besides voices and speech.

Shure MV7 Podcast Microphone - €269

You might sense that when we move into dynamic microphones, there is simply a range of microphones made specifically for podcasts. That's also the case with Shure's specially designed podcast microphone: MV7.

The reason MV7 was made was to take some of the pressure and cost from its big brother "SM7B."

Click the link and read about all its beautiful features. I'm not going to reproduce it because the product text covers it all. I can just say that it's a fantastic podcast microphone - nothing less.

Shure SM7B - €399

And then to MV7's big brother: SM7B.

Arguably the world's most popular microphone for podcasting - and actually also for singing and recording. Shure SM7B is a legendary dynamic microphone, used for example on Michael Jackson's album "Thriller" and all the studios in DR city are equipped with it. With so many years, so many recordings, podcasts, albums, and everything else under its belt, Shure SM7B speaks for itself.

It is, without comparison, the most popular microphone for radio, podcasts, and other voice-based recordings for a reason.

XLR cables

Depending on how many microphones you need for your podcast, you need the corresponding number of XLR cables, which connect your microphone to your sound card or recorder.

If you are using a USB microphone, you are beyond this problem and simply need to connect your microphone to your computer via. USB.

As a conclusion to your most important weapon, the microphone, I will give you a piece of advice based on my experience: You can always upgrade. The used market for microphones is huge, and there are always people looking to save some money on such equipment. So, if your budget doesn't stretch to a Shure SM7B from the start, start with a RØDE PodMic or Blue Spark SL. You can always sell them when you upgrade later. That way, the upgrade doesn't have to be as expensive.

I would recommend exporting your audio files to .wav as it is the best quality, but MP3 is also acceptable and typically takes up a little less space.

📡 Distribution of your podcast

Now you've simply made your first podcast episode - congratulations!

But no one can really listen to it when it's just sitting there on your computer, right? We need to do something about that.

There are also a handful of options on the market with both advantages and disadvantages. The most important thing is that they should produce an RSS feed for you, which you can place on the platforms you want to use. It's actually the RSS feed that pushes your episodes out to the platforms all by itself.

Soundcloud

Soundcloud is a free solution to start with. You can upload x-amount of GB and then you may need to look at their Pro solution.

Podcastpusher

If you want it to be really easy and cheap, there is actually a Danish provider that makes life easy for you: podcastpusher.dk.

Here you set up your podcast, pay 50 DKK per month, and then you can upload as many episodes as you want, and they will automatically be synchronized to the platforms you choose. Their analytical part is not 100% finished yet, but nevertheless, it is a cheap solution where you also support a Danish startup. It's easy to set up and it works!

Simplecast

Simplecast is one of the world's largest podcast distributors and it's a really cool system. They are one of the few systems that are Spotify partners and have really good and accurate reporting. They are also suppliers to companies like Facebook, Nike, Twitter, and many other of the largest companies in the world.

It costs around 300 kroner per month, but it's also worth the money in my opinion. I use it myself and have been incredibly happy with that solution.

Which platforms should you be on?

You should be out there and available to as many people as possible, and not everyone listens on the same platform, even though it would have been easy, right?

As a starting point, it's best to be available to as many as possible. However, there are some platforms that you cannot do without and some that may not be as important.

Here's a small list of the most important ones when it comes to Danish podcasts:

• Apple Podcast
• Spotify
• Google Podcast
• Podimo
• Castbox

The rest of the options can simply be signed up for, then you are assured. It doesn't cost more or less to be on as many as possible.

💵 Make money from your podcast

Now you've been doing your podcast for over a year and the number of followers has really picked up. There are more than 1000 listeners per episode, and you get a lot of good feedback. Your Facebook page is booming, and your Instagram gets followers every day.

But...

You also spend a lot of time on it, and almost all that time can't be justified because there's no income. Maybe it shouldn't be your primary income, but you would like to have your time "covered" as a contribution to the project, if you will.

I firmly believe that if you've made a cool project, there will eventually be an outcome. The podcast world is incredibly young when it comes to advertising and economics.

You don't get paid for streams yet. There is no portal where you can submit your podcast for brands to see, etc. Either you just have to push on and try to grow your follower base with the passion you have for the project, or you have to be proactive. It's damn hard work to make a podcast if you're out to make money, but go for it! Passion will win in the end.

That being said, there are some ways to get started:

• Podads.dk
• Acast.com
• Cold canvassing sales
• Partnerships
• Sell your podcast to a relevant company/media channel

Patience is the key to making money from your podcast!

🟢 Final words

Podcasts are here to stay and there is enormous growth in the market. So if you have a podcaster in you, you really just need to go for it and get started. It's not as difficult as it might sound at first.

Feel free to give us a call and get started if you have any questions!