The
Podcasting
Playbook
MODULE SIX
Podcatchers | A home for your show
Sharing and Success: The Home Stretch
You’ve put in all your hard work and now it’s time to share the fruits of your labour. There are many platforms that podcasts can be hosted on and this module will inform you on how to go about making your podcast accessible to your soon-to-be fans. It doesn’t end there though, once your podcast is uploaded you’ll have to garner the attention of listeners to ensure podcasting success and build a devoted listenership that will eagerly await new episodes of the masterpiece you’ve created.
Home Sweet Home: Acast Does It All
Acast is a great option for your podcast hosting needs as it does just about everything you need for free and gives you the option to choose paid tiers for extra benefits but is in no way needed to find podcasting success.
Uploading your podcast to Acast provides you with an RSS feed for your show, a crucial thing needed to have your show hosted anywhere online as this is what you’ll submit to podcatchers to allow upload.
From Acast you can distribute your shows to Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google podcasts, Amazon Music, Samsung Free and hundreds of others. A lot of these can be done via a click of a button on Acast but if this is not the case, Acast guides users on how to upload to different platforms so you are able to do it regardless.
Step 1: Create an Acast Account
Visit the Acast website and sign up for a new account.
Step 2: Set Up Your Podcast
After creating your account, you can set up your podcast within the Acast dashboard. Fill in details such as your podcast's name, description, and artwork.
Step 3: Upload Your Podcast Episodes
To upload your podcast episodes, navigate to the "Episodes" section in your Acast dashboard.
Click on "Upload Episode" or a similar option, depending on Acast's interface.
Select the audio file of your podcast episode and fill in the episode details.
Step 4: Add Metadata
Provide metadata for your episodes, including episode titles, descriptions, and relevant keywords or tags. This helps with discoverability on podcast platforms.
Step 5: Configure Distribution Settings
Acast allows you to select the podcast platforms where you want your podcast to be distributed. Ensure that you choose platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts.
Step 6: Verify Ownership
Acast may require you to verify ownership of your podcast by adding a unique code or DNS record to your podcast's website or domain. Follow the verification steps provided by Acast.
Step 7: Submit for Review
After configuring your podcast details and distribution settings, submit your podcast to Acast for review. This step ensures that your podcast complies with Acast's guidelines and content policies.
Step 8: Wait for Approval
Acast will review your podcast submission, which may take some time. Once approved, your podcast will be available on Acast and the selected distribution platforms.
Step 9: Promote Your Podcast
Start promoting your podcast to your audience and on social media. Encourage listeners to subscribe and leave reviews on popular podcast platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Step 10: Monitor Analytics
Acast provides analytics tools to track your podcast's performance. You can view metrics like listener demographics, download numbers, and more to understand your audience better.
Step 11: Manage and Publish New Episodes
As you create new podcast episodes, use the Acast dashboard to upload, manage, and publish them. Acast will automatically distribute these episodes to the platforms you selected.
Spotify for Podcasters: Your Gateway to Podcasting Success
Spotify for Podcasters is a valuable platform that empowers podcast creators to share their content with a vast and diverse audience. As one of the world's leading music and podcast streaming services, Spotify offers an incredible opportunity to showcase your podcast to millions of potential listeners.
Getting Started with Spotify for Podcasters
-
Create a Spotify Account
If you don't already have one, sign up for a Spotify account. You can use your existing account or create a dedicated one for podcasting.
-
Prepare Your Podcast
Before you upload your podcast, make sure you have your podcast episodes in a suitable format, typically MP3. Ensure that your episodes are edited and ready for publishing.
-
Access Spotify for Podcasters
Visit the Spotify for Podcasters website (https://podcasters.spotify.com/) and log in using your Spotify account credentials.
-
Claim Your Podcast
If your podcast is already available on Spotify, claim it by searching for it in the Spotify for Podcasters dashboard. If it's not on Spotify yet, you can submit your podcast for review.
-
Provide Podcast Details
After claiming your podcast or submitting it for review, you'll need to provide essential information about your show. This includes your podcast title, description, cover art, and relevant metadata.
-
Submit Your Episodes
Once your podcast is claimed or approved, you can start uploading your podcast episodes. Simply follow the prompts to upload your MP3 files and add episode details, such as titles, descriptions, and publication dates.
-
Review and Publish
After uploading your episodes, review them to ensure accuracy. You can set a publication date in advance if needed. Once you're satisfied, hit the "Publish" button.
Optimising Your Podcast on Spotify
-
Customise Your Podcast Page: Personalise your podcast's Spotify page with a compelling description, cover art, and engaging episode titles and descriptions.
-
Promote Your Podcast: Share your Spotify podcast link on your website, social media, and other promotional channels to attract more listeners.
-
Engage with Your Audience: Respond to listener comments and feedback on Spotify to build a community around your podcast.
-
Track Analytics: Spotify for Podcasters provides valuable insights into your podcast's performance, including listener demographics and episode statistics. Use this data to refine your content and grow your audience.
By utilising Spotify for Podcasters, you can tap into Spotify's extensive user base and make your podcast easily discoverable to a global audience. Keep creating quality content, engage with your listeners, and watch your podcast thrive on Spotify.