Two things to watch out for!
To make a grand entry into the podcast space, there are two things that matter the most. Firstly, your content needs to be crispy and fresh, and Secondly and probably even more important is how you are reaching your target audience.
“Dish out your fresh content to your target audience”
Get the word out!
When one starts a podcast, they need to make sure that their show is available on all platforms where regular listeners are frequent customers, which means that it needs to be in the main podcast directories.
For apps like Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify to recognize your offering to podcast space, it is kind of a given that you make these channels aware of your presence.
“No better time than the present to promote yourself to the big leagues”
Steps to distribute your content to major Podcast Directories —
Here are the steps for submitting your podcast to Apple Podcasts:
Step #1: Create a new Apple ID
One would require an Apple ID to make use of the Apple Podcast Connect. Also, it is generally recommended to not use your personal Apple account for the same.
It is preferable to create a new Apple ID that you will be mainly using for podcasting. One more thing to be kept in mind is that you verify your newly created Apple ID. This could be done via logging into the iTunes store either from your desktop or phone before you log in to Podcast Connect.
Step #2: Sign up for podcast hosting
Hosting a podcast is distinct from hosting a website because it provides unique tools targeted for maximizing the experience of the subscriber.
It is important for you to choose a tried and tested podcast hosting platform as this will help you increase your audience faster and make it easier to manage your podcast files.
Popular podcast hosting services include - Podbean, Buzzsprout, Transistor, Listnr, and many more.
Step #3: Publish at least one episode
It is recommended that you go ahead and record at least one episode and upload it to your preferred podcast hosting service before heading to publish on Apple Podcast Connect.
Step #4: Log in to Apple Podcast Connect
After successfully logging in to Apple Podcast Connect with your newly created Apple ID, Now login into your host account and copy and paste your RSS feed URL.
Copy your podcast’s RSS Feed URL to Apple podcast Connect and Click Validate.
Step #5: Podcast Validation
Apple will provide you with a preview of your podcast’s information, including any content you have in the feed. The validation process takes around 5–8 days and occurs only once.
How to submit your Podcasts to Spotify:
- The very first thing that you need to do is to head over to Spotify for Podcasters. Now log in to your Spotify account, or create one if you don’t already have one. You can select “Log In” or “Get Started” to proceed.
- Login to Spotify with your preferred email account.
- After you have logged in, select “Get Started” on the “Add your podcast” page.
- If prompted, read through the terms and conditions of the Podcast License Agreement, check the box, enter your legal name and then click on “Continue.”
- Enter your podcasts’ RSS feed URL into the provided box and select “Next.” If an error pops up after filling out the RSS Feed URL, there will be a prompt below the RSS feed box notifying you of the issue.
- On the “Add podcast info” page, select your country, language, category, and hosting provider and press “Next.”
- Review your podcast details and finally click on “Submit.”
How to submit your podcast to Google Podcasts
- Head over to the Google Podcast Manager portal and click on Start Now.
- Add your podcasts RSS feed and click on “Next Step”Preview the Feed (changes can be made in ‘Show Settings’ in your Simplecast dashboard)
- Preview the Feed
- Send Verification Code (if the email address in the RSS Feed is different than the email used in Google Podcasts Manager)
- Verify Ownership
- Click Submit
- Ownership Verified
- Click Get Started
- Publish your podcast and wait for approval. This could take a couple of days, as someone has to manually approve your feed
Wrapping up
Once you have narrowed down the list on which leading directories you will be sharing your newly launched podcast, the next big thing would be to carve up a promotion strategy to engage more and more audiences and jump on the podcasting bandwagon.