Podcasting has been on the rise throughout 2020 - with over 10 million people tuning in to a podcast every week.
Even former royals Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have turned to the airwaves to put their views across in their own personal podcast - Archewell Audio - which released its debut episode on Tuesday 29th December.
So as we step into 2021, podcasting is the perfect New Year’s resolution project to make a clean break with the past 12 months and embrace a fresh and forward-looking creative field - especially if you've received a podcasting gift this Christmas.
If you’ve got a unique story, narrative or point of view that you’re burning to share, there’s a huge audience out there waiting for you to hit that upload button. Just need that little push to help you get started? Audio-Technica has put together their Top 5 Tips to help you unleash your creative energies and make your podcast stand out from the crowd...
Archewell Audio’s holiday special from The Duke and Duchess of Sussex offers hope, reflection, and honest conversations as we put 2020 behind us and look ahead ✨https://t.co/NlM2LsaP6hDecember 29, 2020
1. Make sure you’re passionate about your topic
This is our most basic tip when it comes to podcasting, but it’s the most important one by far. If you’re going to make a success of your new podcast, it’ll be easier and much more fulfilling to talk about something you really care about. Think long and hard about what sort of topics you want to cover before recording even a second’s worth of content.
2. Find the right format for you
It’s fine to take inspiration from your favourite podcasts, but ask yourself if there are more effective ways to present your subject matter. It’s not just about the story you want to tell either, there’s your personality to take into consideration. Are you best suited to delivering a narrative, chatting with guests your listeners would be interested in, or presenting as a co-host with friends?
3. You’re going to need the right equipment
Stand out from the crowd with a polished and professional final product, using the perfect kit for getting started in podcasting. Audio-Technica’s Creator Pack comes equipped with a crisp ATR2500x-USB Microphone and immersive ATH-M20x Professional Monitor Headphones, as well as a desk boom arm and handy tripod stand.
4. Equip your laptop with recording and editing software
If only podcasting was as easy as saying your piece and sending it out to the world. Recording and editing software is absolutely essential for making your podcast shine. Thankfully there’s a wide range of options available to suit any budget, from premium products like Pro Tools to impressive free options such as Audacity and GarageBand.
5. Get on the right bandwidth
When your podcast sounds appropriately amazing and you’re ready to get it online, you’ll need a hosting service to handle bandwidth demands. The good news is there are plenty of affordable platforms out there, all with their own set of advantages. Blubrry works well with WordPress sites thanks to its plugin PowerPress, while Buzzsprout has gained plenty of fans thanks to its user-friendly interface.
The DIY podcasting boom is set to extend well into 2021, with huge interest sparked by Harry and Meghan’s deal with Spotify and success stories like the BBC Sounds app. And with more people being told to stay home in lockdown as part of the tier system, put your creativity to use....