So, you want to know how to start a podcast on Spotify? Probably because you’re trying to increase your reach or set up some brand identity. And whether it’s catching the morning news with The Daily or conversations with Joe Rogan – Spotify has over 100 million tracks and 5 million podcast titles. Now, if you’re ready to go from a podcast listener to a podcast producer – there are a few things you need to prepare for.
At Voice123, we’ve spent years navigating the audio industry, including podcasts. So, in this post, we’ll share our insights on how to start a podcast on Spotify for free and how to leverage the Spotify podcast charts to market your audio projects. It’s time to tune in, turn up, and take in the untold stories behind the mic!
What is Spotify
Spotify is a digital audio, music, and podcast streaming platform with over 517 million users worldwide that offers free and premium subscriptions featuring occasional ads or interrupted streaming. Listeners can access an extensive library of audio content, music, and podcasts ranging from true crime to education. While Spotify initially focused on music, it’s now a significant player in the podcasting industry with multiple networks and Spotify podcast charts. The platform also features playlist creation, a show following, and personalized recommendations. Spotify follows a data-driven approach to attract creators and advertisers, allowing them to gain insights into audience demographics, listening behaviors, and engagement levels. So how do you start a podcast on Spotify?
How to start a podcast on Spotify
You can start a podcast on Spotify by following these steps: 1) Plan the podcast, 2) develop engaging content, 3) get good equipment, 4) record and edit, 5) host and publish on Spotify, and 6) promote your podcast.
Here’s more on each step!
1. Plan your podcast
Define your podcast niche by identifying the topic you’re most passionate about. Determine your target audience’s age, interests, and background, so you can create content they want to hear. Then decide on the format for your Spotify podcast, like interviews, storytelling, or educational discussions.
2. Develop engaging content
Research compelling topics or talking points to keep your episodes informative and entertaining. Consider inviting guests or experts to provide different perspectives and insights. Develop a unique style that showcases your personality, humor, or storytelling skills. And encourage listener engagement by inviting feedback, questions, or suggestions.
3. Get good equipment
A good quality microphone, microphone stand, headphones, and pop filter will help to minimize background noise. You also need recording software and a digital audio workstation (DAW) like Audacity (free) or Adobe Audition (paid). Alternatively, you can outsource your podcast to a talented voice actor on Voice123 to create a professional recording you’ll be proud to put your name on.
4. Record and edit
Set aside enough time to edit your recordings which improves audio quality, removes mistakes, and enhances the overall listening experience. During this process, you can also add podcast intros and outros, music, sound effects, and other creative elements to make your podcast more engaging and professional for listeners.
5. Host and publish on Spotify
You can upload and store your podcast episodes once you choose a podcast hosting platform like Anchor, Libsyn, or Podbean. Next, submit your podcast’s RSS feed from the hosting platform to Spotify for review and distribution. Once the podcast is approved, it’ll be available on the Spotify podcast charts for listeners to discover and enjoy.
6. Promote your podcast
Promote your podcast through social media, collaborate with other podcasters, or interact more with your audience to grow your listenership. Starting a podcast requires consistency, dedication, and continuous improvement; the results ultimately depend on how well you promote the podcast to audiences.
Now that you know the basics of Spotify podcasts, the question is how to start a podcast on Spotify for free.
How to start a podcast on Spotify for free
To start a podcast on Spotify for free, you can use Spotify’s free podcast hosting option called Spotify for Podcasters. Once you’ve registered on the platform, you can submit your podcast’s RSS feed for review and distribution. This option also provides access to Spotify’s podcast analytics, which measures your podcast’s performance through metrics like total streams, unique listeners, average listening duration, and geographic distribution. It’s also a convenient way for creators to share their content while maintaining ownership control.
How to upload a podcast to Spotify
You can upload a podcast to Spotify by using Spotify for Podcasters.
- Start by creating an account on their website.
- Claim your podcast by providing the RSS feed
- Manage your podcast through the dashboard.
Alternatively, you can use a podcast hosting platform like Libsyn or Anchor.
- Sign up for an account
- Upload your episodes in the best audio format, usually MP3.
- Attach the necessary metadata
- Follow the instructions to distribute the podcast on Spotify.
- Connect your hosting account
- Grant permissions
- Upon approval, your episodes will become available to Spotify’s users.
So once your Spotify podcast is up and running, how do you use it to market audio projects?
Use a Spotify podcast to market audio projects
Spotify’s advertising options allow you to reach a wider audience through curated playlists related to your podcast’s genre, and you can promote your podcast to specific demographics. You can also leverage Spotify’s podcast-specific features to increase audience engagement, like episode trailers, or you can incorporate Spotify Canvas – a visual component to create immersive and eye-catching artwork.
Cross-promotion is another effective strategy; you can collaborate with other podcasters for guest appearances or conduct joint episodes to expand your podcast’s reach. Advertising on social media, like sharing episodes on Twitter or creating teaser clips on Instagram, can also increase visibility and attract new listeners. Finally, don’t forget to use the power of voice. There are thousands of professional voice actors on Voice123 who can voice your Spotify podcast, so listeners keep coming back for more.
Final thoughts on starting a podcast on Spotify
And there you have it! Everything you need to know on how to start a podcast on Spotify. By planning your podcast, developing engaging content, using quality equipment, recording, editing, hosting, publishing, and promoting your content, you can deliver an immersive listening experience. You can also upload your podcast to Spotify for free with Spotify for Podcasters. And whether you need a voice for a podcast episode or an expert to record and edit your podcast, the professional voice actors from Voice123 are ready to add some vocal flair to your project. So, are you ready to create art by audio?
FAQs
Yes, it’s free to start a podcast on Spotify. Anyone can upload podcasts without upfront charges or fees. However, some optional expenses might be involved in podcast production, like equipment or software costs, but these are independent of Spotify’s services.
It’s free to start, upload, and distribute a podcast on Spotify without direct costs. However, podcast production can involve expenses like recording equipment, editing software, hosting services, and marketing, which are separate from Spotify’s platform fees.
Spotify does offer podcast monetization options for creators, although not all podcasts are by Spotify directly. Spotify has different programs like Spotify’s Podcast Monetization Program and Spotify’s Ad Studio, where podcasters can earn revenue.
Yes, you can. Spotify makes it easy for podcasters to submit shows through Spotify for Podcasters. Once you’ve created an account and prepared your podcast episodes following Spotify’s guidelines, you can submit your podcast for review.