


# Everything you need to know about podcasts

We've been creating a lot of useful content lately to help you succeed in the world of podcasts, so we thought we'd share a quick summary so that you know what's on offer and where to find it:

First things first, learn [[how to start a podcast]{.underline}](https://transcribe.com/blog/how-to-start-a-podcast-for-your-business). As part of that, discover [[how to choose a topic for your podcast]{.underline}](https://transcribe.com/blog/how-to-choose-a-topic-for-your-podcast) - perfect if you're struggling for ideas.

Get organized by checking out the [[best recording and editing software for podcasts]{.underline}](https://transcribe.com/blog/best-recording-and-editing-software-for-podcasts), and brush up on [[how to conduct a podcast interview]{.underline}](https://transcribe.com/blog/how-to-conduct-a-podcast-interview) to ensure you're prepared for your first guest!

Once your podcast is ready for launch, set it up for success by making it rank with the help of our [[SEO for podcasts]{.underline}](https://transcribe.com/blog/seo-for-podcasts-how-to-make-your-podcast-rank) guide. And discover [[10 unique ways to promote your podcast]{.underline}](https://transcribe.com/blog/10-unique-ways-to-promote-your-podcast) to ensure your content reaches far and wide.

Last but by no means least, find out [[how to transcribe a podcast]{.underline}](https://transcribe.com/blog/how-to-transcribe-a-podcast) in order to improve accessibility, boost SEO, and repurpose your audio into marketing material.

Happy reading!


\
Written By [Katie Garrett](https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-garrett-87714a84/) and [Irina Serdyukovskaya](https://www.linkedin.com/in/irina-serdukovskaya/)

// All about Podcast Launch & Promotion
// We've been creating a lot of useful content lately to help with your podcast. Check out this quick summary of what's on offer and where to find it.

# Everything you need to know about podcasts

We've been creating a lot of useful content lately to help you succeed in the world of podcasts, so we thought we'd share a quick summary so that you know what's on offer and where to find it:

First things first, learn [[how to start a podcast]{.underline}](https://transcribe.com/blog/id15). As part of that, discover [[how to choose a topic for your podcast]{.underline}](https://transcribe.com/blog/id16) - perfect if you're struggling for ideas.

Get organized by checking out the [[best recording and editing software for podcasts]{.underline}](https://transcribe.com/blog/id24), and brush up on [[how to conduct a podcast interview]{.underline}](https://transcribe.com/blog/id52) to ensure you're prepared for your first guest!

Once your podcast is ready for launch, set it up for success by making it rank with the help of our [[SEO for podcasts]{.underline}](https://transcribe.com/blog/id20) guide. And discover [[10 unique ways to promote your podcast]{.underline}](https://transcribe.com/blog/id53) to ensure your content reaches far and wide.

Last but by no means least, find out [[how to transcribe a podcast]{.underline}](https://transcribe.com/blog/id13) in order to improve accessibility, boost SEO, and repurpose your audio into marketing material.

Happy reading!


\
Written By [Katie Garrett](https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-garrett-87714a84/) and [Irina Serdyukovskaya](https://www.linkedin.com/in/irina-serdukovskaya/)

We've been creating a lot of useful content lately to help with your podcast. Check out this quick summary of what's on offer and where to find it.

abtk87.png

All about Podcast Launch & Promotion

# How to start a podcast

If you're a business owner or you're responsible for your company's marketing strategy, then starting a podcast is something you should consider to help you reach a wider audience and grow your business.

You don't need to be super technical to start a podcast, and you don't need a big budget either! In this guide we'll walk you through the benefits of creating a podcast, followed by our top tips for starting a podcast, including the equipment you'll need, how to record and edit your podcast and how to promote it.

**Jump to:**

-   [Why create a podcast?](#why-create-a-podcast)

-   [What should you podcast about?](#what-should-you-podcast-about)

-   [Equipment you'll need to start a podcast](#equipment-youll-need-to-start-a-podcast)

-   [How to record and edit a podcast](#how-to-record-and-edit-a-podcast)

-   [Where to host a podcast](#where-to-host-a-podcast)

-   [How to promote your podcast](#how-to-promote-your-podcast)

## Why create a podcast?

-   **Reach a wider audience**

Your business might already have a successful written blog, but that only caters to people who like to read. What about those who prefer to consume content via audio?

In 2021, the number of monthly podcast listeners worldwide hit [383.7 million](https://www.statista.com/statistics/1291360/podcast-listeners-worldwide/), and this number is forecast to grow year on year. In the US alone, it's predicted that the number of monthly listeners will hit [164 million in 2024](https://www.statista.com/statistics/786826/podcast-listeners-in-the-us/).

That's a big market to tap into!

-   **Connect with your audience**

A podcast is a more personal way of reaching out to your audience (existing or new). Broadcasting regular podcasts with a regular host means that listeners will become familiar with your business, your presenter and your company values, and this familiarity will keep them coming back time and time again.

-   **Grow your authority**

Starting a podcast is a brilliant way to position yourself as an authority in your industry, especially if your direct competitors are yet to create a podcast themselves! Sharing your expertise via podcasts allow you to inject enthusiasm and personality, and add an air of authority to what you're saying. Customers want to associate themselves with brands and companies they can trust, and podcasts help to build that trust.

-   **Brand awareness**

Uploading regular podcasts will help to develop your brand and keep it at the front of your audience's minds. You can integrate information about your products and services as they tie into the different topics covered on the podcast, using the podcast as a subtle way to advertise your business.

## What should you podcast about?

This is probably the hardest part. Deciding the theme of your podcast can take time and a lot of thought, but the most important thing is choosing something that you're passionate about, as this will shine through and help you connect with your audience.

Once you've got a few ideas for themes, write out at least 20 potential episode topics, including what you'd discuss and who you would interview (if relevant). If you can't think of at least 20 ideas, then that theme is probably a no-go.

Consider the goal of your podcast - is it to educate, entertain or a bit of both? Think about your audience and their interests and beliefs. Also think about how your show will stand out. Ideally you'll find an interesting and untapped niche, and the style and personality of your podcast might help make your podcast unique too.

You'll also need to decide on a format. How long will your episodes be? Will your podcast be structured as an interview show, a discussion show with co-hosts, or a solo-hosted show?

Check out our guide on [how to find a topic for your podcast](https://transcribe.com/blog/how-to-choose-a-topic-for-your-podcast) for a more detailed look at choosing what to podcast about.

## Equipment you'll need to start a podcast

Just like we said in the intro, you don't need to break the bank to start a podcast. All you really need to get started is a computer and a microphone. In theory you could get by just with your phone, but audio quality is key when it comes to podcasts. If your podcast doesn't sound great - if it's muffled or there's background noise - then people won't stay tuned in for long.

For that reason, it's a good idea to invest in a decent microphone. USB microphones start at around \$50, or you could fork out a little more for a dynamic mic that's better at eliminating background noise.

As you progress on your podcasting journey, you might want to invest in additional tecchy equipment, such as a mic mount or stand, headphones, an audio interface or mixer, and a pop filter. But to start off with, a microphone will do just fine.

## How to record and edit a podcast

-   **Prepare your surroundings**

Try and find somewhere with minimal noise to record your podcast, and ensure there won't be any distractions - be that from colleagues, children, pets, or your cell phone.

Minimize echo by adding soft furnishings to the room in the form of blankets, curtains and pillows. Soft objects absorb sound and help to create a cleaner recording that'll be easier to handle when it comes to editing.

-   **Choose your audio recording software**

To record your podcast, you'll need to decide which audio recording software to use. [Audacity](https://www.audacityteam.org/) is an audio recorder and editor that's super easy to use. The best bit? It's completely free. If you have a budget to work with, then [Adobe Audition](https://www.adobe.com/products/audition.html) is a more advanced option, and costs \$20.99/month.

Both of these options allow you to record the audio from your microphone and save it as an MP3 file.

-   **Edit your podcast**

You can also use this audio recording software to edit your recordings, which might include stabilizing the volume, reducing background noise and cutting out elongated pauses or tangents.

## Where to host a podcast

After you've finished recording and editing your podcast, you can upload it to a hosting platform like [Buzzsprout](https://www.buzzsprout.com/), [Transistor](https://transistor.fm/) or [Anchor](https://anchor.fm/). They'll generate an RSS feed for you (an RSS feed is the standard way to syndicate content to podcast directories), which you can then submit to your chosen podcast platform!

Apple Podcasts is the largest podcast directory, followed by Stitcher. Spotify is a great place to submit your podcasts too, because of its popularity with music streaming. Other platforms include Google Play, Soundcloud and YouTube.

## How to promote your podcast

-   **Create soundbytes to share on social**

Use tools such as repurpose.io and wavve.co to create little soundbytes of your audio in video format to share on your social channels. Short quotes can also be written up and shared with eye-catching graphics.

-   **Leverage your guests' audiences**

Inviting guests on to your podcast means you can leverage their audience and get new listeners. Make it easy for your guest to share your podcast by providing them with pre-written templates and graphics that they can use on their social channels.

-   **Get a [podcast transcription](https://transcribe.com/industries/audio-to-text-for-podcasters) to boost SEO**

An [audio-to-text transcript](https://transcribe.com/services/audio-to-text) of your podcast, published alongside your podcast on your chosen platforms, will help to improve the visibility of your website in search engine results. You can also repurpose the written transcript, using it to create blog posts that you can publish on your website.

Not only will it work wonders for marketing, a written transcript also makes your podcast more accessible for those who might be deaf or hard of hearing, as well as members of your audience who prefer to consume written content.

And there you have it, a beginner's guide to starting a podcast for your business! Once you've recorded your first episode and you're ready to start sharing it far and wide, check out our guide on [how to transcribe a podcast](https://transcribe.com/blog/how-to-transcribe-a-podcast) to take your podcast promotion to new heights.

\
Written By [Katie Garrett](https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-garrett-87714a84/) and [Irina Serdyukovskaya](https://www.linkedin.com/in/irina-serdukovskaya/)


Starting a podcast is a great way to engage your audience and reach a wider demographic. Check out our top tips for how to start a podcast to promote your business.

abtk15_podcaststart.png

How to Start a Podcast for Your Business

// Podcast Topic Ideas: How to Choose a Topic for Your Podcast
// Looking for interesting podcast topics for your company's new show? Check out our guide for podcast topic ideas and tips for picing the perfect topic.

# Podcast topic ideas: How to choose a topic for your podcast

If you\'re thinking about getting into the world of podcasting as part of your business marketing strategy, then the first and most important step is choosing a podcast topic.

The topic you decide on should be one that will attract the right listeners, engage your audience and keep people coming back for more. Not only that, it should keep you feeling motivated and inspired to keep creating new content.

But where do you start? In this article, we outline the steps you should take to pick a good podcast topic, along with a list of podcast topic ideas to inspire you!

**Jump to:**

-   [How to pick a podcast topic](#toc-1)

-   [10 podcast topic ideas to get you started](#toc-2)

## How to pick a podcast topic // toc-1

Here are five steps to follow to help you carve out your niche and find the perfect topic for your podcast.

### 1\. Think about your target audience

First things first, think about who the intended audience of your podcast is. Is it your existing brand audience? Or is the aim to broaden your horizons and target a different audience through this medium?

Spend time deciding on your target audience and create a persona for your typical listener to help you come up with ideas suitable for them. How old are they? Where are they from? What are they interested in? What are their hobbies? What are their goals? What are their struggles (and how might you be able to help them)?

A well-defined listener profile will help you to narrow your focus and hone in on podcast topic ideas that will be of interest to your specific audience.

### 2\. Consider your passions and interests

Perhaps the most important part of the process is choosing something that you\'re passionate about and genuinely interested in. You want your content to be authentic and engaging, and if you\'re not that interested in what you\'re covering then your audience will pick up on that, as the enthusiasm won\'t be there.

You want your podcast to have longevity, so the topic you choose should be one that will keep you inspired and motivated so that creating new episodes is always a pleasure and never a chore.

### 3\. Decide what makes you different

With so many podcasts out there (there are [[more than four million]{.underline}](https://podcastindex.org/), in fact), you need to find a way to stand out. That\'s not to say you need to find a topic that\'s never been done before - that\'s unrealistic - but the way you approach your topic should be unique.

Take time to research competitors, looking for shows and episodes that cover the topics you\'re considering, then think about what you can do better, what gaps you can fill, and the unique angles you could take to stand out.

Carve out your niche - perhaps it\'s the type of guests you have on the show, the format of your podcast or the perspective you take - as this differentiator is what will keep listeners coming back for more.

### 4\. Use tools to help you find podcast topic ideas

Your brain is a powerful resource, but you can give it a helping hand with tools to get the cogs turning!

#### AnswerThePublic

AnswerThePublic takes the data from billions of daily Google searches, collecting every phrase and question people are asking about virtually any topic you can imagine. It\'s an excellent tool for podcasters as it helps you to find ideas for fresh, ultra-useful content.

Simply enter a keyword into the search bar that relates to your topic, for example: \"entrepreneurship\", \"restaurants\", or \"DIY\". The tool will then break down your topic into questions, comparisons and an A-Z list of common searches. These are real questions that real people are searching for, and you can use your podcast to answer some of these questions.

#### Social media polls

Social media polls are a great way to ask your audience what they want to hear from you. All you have to do is take a photo or video for a \"story\", select the \"poll\" icon, and add a question that you want your audience to answer. You could ask something like \"What content do you want more of?\" or \"What\'s your biggest challenge right now?\".

The answers you receive can help to influence the topics you cover and the episodes you create, knowing for a fact that this is the type of content your audience wants.

#### Reddit, Quora and other online communities

Online communities like Reddit and Quora are a brilliant place for you to get inside the brains of the public. They feature forums around all manner of different interests, and these forums are a goldmine of information and insight for podcasters.

They\'re filled with questions and discussions, and they attract people who are passionate about that particular topic, so you\'re bound to uncover some gems.

If you end up creating a podcast that answers a question you\'ve found on one of these forums, then you can even promote your podcast here to attract new listeners!

### 5\. Assess the scope of your podcast topic

Once you've got an idea of the podcast topic you'd like to pursue, take time to think about the scope of the topic. If it's too broad, it might lack focus, which will make it harder to attract a loyal audience. If it's too narrow, you'll quickly run out of ideas for future episodes.

It pays to think long term, so sit down and brainstorm potential episode topics. Begin with broader themes that relate to your main topic, and then hone in on more specific areas to develop a series of focused episode ideas. Once you're happy with the scope, you're ready to [[start your podcast]{.underline}](https://transcribe.com/pseudo/blog/id15)!

## 10 podcast topic ideas to get you started // toc-2

Want a bit of inspiration to get the ball rolling? Here are 10 general podcast topic ideas to consider - think about which resonate most with your business, your interested, and your overall goals.

### Industry news

Keep listeners up to date with the latest news in your specific industry. Find an interesting way to deliver the information to make your podcast the go-to place for industry news.

### Expert interviews

Interview experts related to your industry (and get them to share your podcast with their followers to grow your listener base).

### Q&A

Ask listeners to send in their questions for you and your guests. This is a great way to involve your audience, increase engagement and make highly relevant content.

### Tutorials

Create tutorials on a topic that you\'re an expert in. This could focus on one topic for the entire series, or you could change it up every episode with different experts presenting each week. Just make sure there\'s a common theme that links them!

### Advice

Start an advice-column-style podcast focused on your area of expertise, whether that\'s relationships, DIY, or starting a business.

### Entrepreneurship

Started a successful business? Share what you\'ve learned along the way to help budding entrepreneurs follow in your footsteps. You could also invite other successful founders on to your show to share their tips for business success.

### 10-minute summaries

Break down a complicated topic in short, information-packed 10-minute episodes that get straight to the point.

### Behind the scenes of an industry

Give your audience insight into what goes on behind the scenes in your industry. Not only does this satisfy your audience's curiosity, it also establishes your business as an authority in your industry.

### Technology

Publish tutorials, compare products, or provide the latest updates in a particular area of tech, whether that\'s gaming, photography, AI, or energy.

### Funny fails

Start a humbling podcast that shares funny stories of failure. You could invite guests on to the show to share their own funny failures (and what they learned from them), or ask listeners to contribute their own failures that are then shared and discussed on the show.

## What's next?

Once you\'ve chosen your podcast topic and recorded your first podcast, it\'s important to [[promote your podcast]{.underline}](https://transcribe.com/pseudo/blog/id53) via social media, mailing lists, and your guests\' audiences. Creating a podcast transcription can also help with your promotion efforts - in more ways than one.

Publishing a written transcript alongside your podcast will help improve accessibility, meaning that more people can access and enjoy your content. It\'ll also help improve the visibility of your website in search engine results, and you can repurpose the transcript to create blog posts and social media assets to advertise your show.

Find out more about [[podcast transcriptions]{.underline}](https://transcribe.com/pseudo/industries/audio-to-text-for-podcasters) and how they can benefit your business.



Looking for an interesting podcast topic for your business' new show? Check out our guide, full of top tips and ideas to help you find the perfect podcast topic.

abtk16_podcasttopic.png

How to Choose a Topic for Your Podcast


# The best recording and editing software for podcasters

If you're about to get started in the world of podcasting, then one of the first things you need to decide on is the software you're going to use to record and edit your podcast. There's a huge range of software available, but how do you choose the right one for you?

In this guide, we'll talk you through some of the best recording and editing software for podcasting, plus some other useful tools that'll help you in your podcasting journey, from podcast hosting platforms to [transcription software](https://transcribe.com/) so that you can provide written transcripts alongside your audio files.

**Jump to:**

-   [What you need to record a podcast](#what-you-need-to-record-a-podcast)

-   [The best recording and editing software for podcasts](#the-best-recording-and-editing-software-for-podcasts)

-   [Other useful tools for podcasting](#other-useful-tools-for-podcasting)

## What you need to record a podcast

To get started with recording a podcast, there are only three things you really need:

-   **Computer**

It's much easier to record and edit a podcast on a computer than a mobile device.

-   **Microphone**

To ensure good audio quality, a decent microphone is a must. USB microphones start at around \$50, or you could spend a little more on a dynamic mic that\'s better at eliminating background noise.

-   **Recording and editing software**

Podcast editing software typically doubles up as recording software too, so you should only need one piece of software for the whole job.

One exception is if you're recording calls on Zoom or Microsoft Teams. These both have built-in recorders. Once the call has ended and the file has been saved, you can upload it to your chosen podcast editing software and start working some magic.

The podcast editing software you choose should, as a minimum, enable you to cut out long pauses or tangents, reduce background noise, and fix volume levels so that they're consistent throughout. Good audio will make the listening experience more enjoyable for your audience.

## The best recording and editing software for podcasts

We've rounded up our pick of the best software for recording and editing your podcasts:

1\.  **Audacity**

If you're a complete beginner and you're looking for software that's really easy to get to grips with, then [Audacity](https://www.audacityteam.org/) is your best option.

Audacity is an open-source audio recorder and editor, and it happens to be completely free, so it's ideal when you're learning the ropes and deciding whether podcasting is right for you. With all the basic features you'll need to edit your recording, it's without a doubt the best free software for podcasting.

2\.  **Adobe Audition**

[Adobe Audition](https://www.adobe.com/uk/products/audition.html) is the best Adobe software for podcasting, and it's one of the most popular professional-grade options out there. If you're already a podcast pro and you want to achieve nothing short of perfection, this one is packed with features that'll help you get there. If you're more of a beginner, it might be a little too advanced.

That kind of quality doesn't come for free -- it costs \$20.99/month, so you want to make sure you're serious about podcasting and your ability to master new software before you invest.

3\.  **GarageBand**

If you're an Apple user and you're looking for a fairly straightforward way to record and edit podcasts, then [Apple's GarageBand](https://www.apple.com/uk/mac/garageband/) is a great free option. It's aimed more at musicians than podcasters, but it works just as well as a basic podcast editor. It's easy to use and it syncs across your Apple devices, for flexibility in how, when, and where you work on your podcast.

4\.  **Alitu**

[Alitu](https://alitu.com/) is another useful piece of audio software for podcast beginners, especially if you're not particularly technical and want to keep things easy. It's designed specifically for podcast recording and editing, with plenty of features to automate the process (balancing out sound levels and doing the audio cleanup for you, for example). In short, it makes things as easy as humanly possible.

It costs \$32/month, but that's a small price to pay for this level of assistance in the podcast editing process!

5\.  **QuickTime**

[QuickTime](https://support.apple.com/kb/dl837?locale=en_GB) is among the best software for video podcasting. It's free on any Mac (but is only available to Mac users), it's very user-friendly, and you can use it to trim, split, rearrange, and delete clips until you're left with a finished product that you're happy with. You can also use QuickTime to record your screen, so you can both record and edit in the same app.

## Other useful tools for podcasting

### Zoom: for recording virtual interviews

If your podcast involves interviewing guests, and you plan to do this remotely rather than in person, then Zoom is the ideal platform. Not only will most of your guests have experience of using it, but you can record your call directly in Zoom, and then upload the file to your podcast editing software to chop and change it before publishing the episode.

### Buzzsprout, Transistor, and Anchor: for hosting your podcast

After you\'ve finished recording and editing your podcast, you'll need to upload it to a hosting platform, like Buzzsprout, Transistor or Anchor. Your chosen platform will generate an RSS feed for you (the standard way to syndicate content to podcast directories), which you can then submit to your chosen podcast platform.

### Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, and Spotify: for broadcasting your podcasts

You'll then need to decide where to submit your podcast to! Apple Podcasts is the largest podcast directory, followed by Stitcher, and Spotify is another great place to submit your podcasts because of its popularity with music streaming.

### Repurpose.io and Wavve.co: for creating soundbytes

Use tools such as repurpose.io and wavve.co to create little soundbytes of your podcast in video format to share on your social channels and encourage people to listen to the full episode.

### Transcribe: for podcast transcriptions

[Adding a transcription to your podcast](https://transcribe.com/industries/audio-to-text-for-podcasters) couldn't be easier with Transcribe. Our AI-powered transcription software means you get high-quality transcripts within minutes, and at the best possible price (our PRO service costs just \$10 a month for 5 hours of transcription time, which works out as just \$2 per hour). You can choose from a range of import and export formats, save up to 500 hours of audio recording in the cloud, and access your files from any device.

Depending on the quality of the audio in your podcast recording, you may need to make some small tweaks to the text once you've received the transcription, but this is quick and easy to do using our app or online editor. Learn [how to transcribe a podcast](https://transcribe.com/blog/how-to-transcribe-a-podcast) with our handy guide.

With the right software, recording and editing your podcast is easy. For more inspiration to help you out at the start of your podcasting journey, check out our guide on [how to start a podcast](https://transcribe.com/blog/how-to-choose-a-topic-for-your-podcast).

\
Written By [Katie Garrett](https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-garrett-87714a84/)

Set your podcast up for success and discover the best software for podcasting, from recording and editing software to hosting platforms and transcription tools.

abtk24_softedit.png

Best Recording & Editing Software for Podcasts

// How to conduct a podcast interview
// Discover how to prepare for a podcast interview, the best questions to ask, and the best interview techniques to use to get the most out of the interview.

#  Top tips for conducting podcast interviews

Interviews are a great way to add authority to your podcast. Bringing guest speakers on to the show means you can provide your audience with a range of different advice, opinions and expertise. You'll get more out of your episode, and you might even learn something yourself! Interviews will also help with promoting your podcast, particularly if your guest works in a similar niche and has a large audience.

When it comes to interviewing someone for a podcast, the questions you ask and your interview skills as a whole will determine how well the episode goes, so it pays to be prepared!

With that in mind, we've compiled a list of top tips for podcast interviews, including how to prepare for interviews and the best types of questions to ask.

**Jump to:**

-   [Do your research](#1-do-your-research)

-   [Think up exciting and probing questions](#2-think-up-exciting-and-probing-questions)

-   [Prepare your guest beforehand](#3-prepare-your-guest-beforehand)

-   [Set up a distraction-free space](#4-set-up-a-distractionfree-space)

-   [Think about post-production](#5-consider-postproduction)

##  1\. Do your research

Once you've chosen your guest speaker, it's time to get Googling. The more you find out about your guest, their field of work and their hobbies, as well as the topic of that podcast episode generally, the more prepared you'll feel - particularly if you're discussing a topic that feels a little out of your depth.

Check out your guest's social media and read up on what they've been posting about recently. This helps to get more of a sense of their personal lives and their interests, making it easier for you to build a rapport.

##  2\. Think up exciting and probing questions

Arguably the most important aspects of a podcast interview are the questions themselves. At least a couple of weeks before your episode goes live, create a well-researched list of podcast questions. Doing this well in advance gives you time to think up additional questions as the podcast recording date gets closer.

When it comes to the type of questions to ask, try to make sure they fit into some, if not all, of these categories:

-   **Open-ended questions**

In other words, do your questions prompt more than a yes or no answer? The aim is for your interview to flow as naturally as a conversation. Using open-ended questions that begin with 'who', 'what', 'where', 'when' and 'how?' encourages your guest to provide a richer response, getting the most out of your interview.

*Some good examples of open-ended questions include:*

*"When did you first realize that you had a passion for interior design?"*

*"How did it feel to have your first book published"*

*"What does your typical morning routine look like?"*

-   **Engaging questions**

For each question you draft out, ask yourself "would my podcast's audience be interested in hearing the answer?" Gripping, enticing questions engage not only your audience but your guest too. And when your guest is engaged, it means they're enjoying themselves, which makes for much better listening.

-   **Relevant questions**

While juicy, nitty-gritty questions are always going to do well, you need to make sure that they're relevant to your podcast. Have a clearly defined topic or theme for each podcast episode, and review each of your questions to make sure they stay on track and contribute to the bigger picture.

-   **Rapport-building questions**

Show you've done your research and ask your guest about things they have going on in their lives currently. They'll be flattered that you're showing some interest and may be more willing to open up and share.

-   **Follow-up questions**

While it's important to go into a podcast interview with a pre-prepared list of questions, don;t be afraid to go off script. The biggest mistake that many interviewers make is not asking follow-up questions, but it's often these questions that lead to the most engaging and interesting conversations. Stay engaged, and if there\'s a point that inspires further explanation, then keep the conversation going!

##  3\. Prepare your guest beforehand

While you don't want to rehearse your podcast as such, it's good etiquette to let your guest know roughly what you're going to be asking so that they can get in the right mindset and carry out their own preparation too. Once you've finalized your list of questions, send them over for your guest's approval. Ask them if there's anything they do or don't want to talk about; some topics may be more sensitive than you'd think.

Similarly, make sure your guest knows the specifics of your podcast interview, such as the date, time and location. This will help the day of the interview run as smoothly as possible.

##  4\. Set up a distraction-free space

Before you start your interview, set up the perfect space for hosting your guest. You'll need somewhere quiet with no background noise and distractions, preferably in a professional studio. The audio quality of your interview is most important, so make sure you have the right [[recording and editing software]{.underline}](https://transcribe.com/blog/id24), and once your guest has arrived, make sure they're happy with the microphone placement. Always run a soundcheck before you get started to be sure that everyone's voice can be clearly heard.

##  5\. Consider post-production

Interview complete! Now it's time to think about post-production. Make sure your podcast flows naturally and keeps the audience engaged - don't hesitate to cut out sections where the conversation isn't particularly interesting or relevant, or doesn't add value.

[[Transcribe your podcast]{.underline}](https://transcribe.com/blog/id13) so that you can share a written transcription alongside the recording. A written transcription makes the content more accessible for members of your audience who might be deaf or hard of hearing, or for those who find it easier to read than listen to the language in the recording.

A podcast transcription can also be used to create marketing material - you could turn it into a blog post or pull out quotes to share on social media.

A great podcast interview should be well-researched, well-thought-out, and engaging (for both your guest and your audience!), and it should be filled with open-ended questions and follow-up questions to keep things flowing nicely.

Once you've recorded the podcast interview, [[download the Transcribe app]{.underline}](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/transcribe-speech-to-text/id1241342461) or launch the [[online editor]{.underline}](https://transcribe.com/edit.html) to see for yourself how a transcription could benefit your podcast.


\
Written By [Katie Garrett](https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-garrett-87714a84/) and [Irina Serdyukovskaya](https://www.linkedin.com/in/irina-serdukovskaya/)

Discover how to prepare for a podcast interview, the best questions to ask, and the best interview techniques to use to get the most out of the interview.

abtk52.png

How to conduct a podcast interview

// SEO for Podcasts: How to Make Your Podcast Rank
// Find out ​​everything you need to know about SEO for podcasts, with top tips to help increase your podcast ranking and make your podcast searchable.

# SEO for Podcasts: How to Make Your Podcast Rank

Whether you already have a podcast or you\'re thinking of starting one, chances are you want it to be successful, and a big part of that is your marketing strategy. There are a whole host of steps you can take to [[promote your podcast]{.underline}](https://transcribe.com/pseudo/blog/id53) and grow your listening base, but one of the best places to start is with SEO.

SEO - or search engine optimization - is all about getting your podcast to rank as high as possible in search engine results. And when we say search engines, we really mean Google. There are a whopping [[99,000 search queries every second]{.underline}](https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/google-search-statistics) on Google, which represents a HUGE opportunity to get new customers. But these new listeners need to be able to find you.

With that in mind, we\'ve put together this guide on everything you need to know about SEO for podcasts, with top tips and best practices to help you increase your podcast ranking and ultimately grow your podcast.

**Jump to:**

-   [How does SEO for podcasts work?](#toc-1)

-   [How to optimize your podcast for SEO: 8 best practices and top tips](#toc-2)

    -   Create a website for your podcast

    -   Choose a relevant theme

    -   Pick topics based on keywords

    -   Add keywords to your episodes

    -   Include a podcast transcript

    -   Promote your podcast

    -   Ask listeners for reviews

    -   Invite experts on to your podcast

-   [Summary](#toc-3)

## How does SEO for podcasts work? // toc-1

Until relatively recently, podcasts and other types of audio content were not seen as direct SEO assets. Google couldn\'t index or crawl audio files, but this started to change in 2019, when the search engine announced that podcasts would be indexed and appear in search results thanks to the advancements in AI and natural language processing. Google created a specific platform for it \'[[Google Podcasts]{.underline}](https://podcasts.google.com/)\'.

When it comes to optimizing your podcast for SEO and increasing its chances of ranking, there are a number of things you can do, both within the audio of the podcast itself, and using written content. In the next section, we\'ve outlined eight podcast SEO tips to help make your show SEO-friendly.

## How to optimize your podcast for SEO: 8 best practices and top tips // toc-2

### 1. Create a website for your podcast

Creating a website for your podcast can work wonders for SEO. A dedicated website will make it easier for Google to discover your podcast and your new episodes, and it will index your written content, which will increase your chances of ranking. This will make it easier for your audience to find you.

On your website, you can target relevant keywords (more on that later), create blog content to be published in tandem with the release of new episodes, and link to other related episodes to keep your audience engaged and to help them discover new content.

### 2. Choose a relevant theme

To give your podcast the best chance of doing well from an SEO perspective - but from a general perspective too - it\'s a good idea to choose a theme that people are genuinely interested in. Start by thinking about your target audience and their interests, and, if you\'re a business, the themes that are appropriate for you to cover.

Use Google Trends to research themes, looking at what people are searching for, what\'s trending, and what\'s set to continue trending. Use this as inspiration for your podcast theme.

### 3. Pick topics based on keywords

Once you\'ve chosen a theme, you need to think about topics for each episode. Again, it\'s a good idea to look at what people are searching for so that your podcast can target these keywords and rank in the search results for these queries.

Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, and Ahrefs are examples of keyword tools that you can use to pick topics. Enter a keyword that you\'d like to do an episode on, then use these tools to identify exactly what people are searching in relation to this keyword or phrase.

You don\'t necessarily want to pick the questions or keywords with the highest search volume - a super-relevant keyword with a low search volume is a great choice, as are keywords with low competition.

### 4. Add keywords to your episodes

Your keyword research is well underway, so once you\'ve decided on your topics, use the keywords you\'ve identified to create an optimized title and description for each episode. This will help make your podcast searchable and discoverable, making it easier for your audience to find you on your podcast hosting platform. Make sure the title and description are catchy and appealing - this is what will make the audience decide to listen to your show!

Make sure you include the keywords throughout your episode too, where possible, so that when Google crawls the audio it picks up on them and knows to include you in the rankings for these search terms.

These keywords can also be used on your website to create optimized content and metadata.

### 5. Include a podcast transcript

Although Google now crawls and indexes audio content, it still does a better job at indexing text. [[Transcribing a podcast]{.underline}](https://transcribe.com/pseudo/industries/audio-to-text-for-podcasters) from audio to text is good for SEO as it helps search engines understand your podcast in more detail, and therefore increases your podcast\'s chances of ranking.

Ensure the transcript is optimized with keywords and well structured, then publish it on your website to improve the discoverability of your podcast.

Find out [[how to transcribe a podcast]{.underline}](https://transcribe.com/pseudo/blog/id13) with our useful step-by-step guide.

### 6. Promote your podcast

Chances are that you\'ve already thought about how you\'re going to promote your podcast - uploading it to different podcast-hosting platforms, sharing it via your social media channels, using paid ads, etc. Another great way to promote your podcast and add SEO value is by getting your podcast featured on other websites.

Think about the sort of websites that might like to know and talk about your podcast. That might be publications that discuss the latest in business, tech, travel, food and drink, or fashion. Browse the internet for websites that write about the top podcasts in your field, and reach out to them to see if they\'ll include you in their next feature.

Links to your podcast from other websites not only help you to reach their target audience, they add SEO value too, as Google takes these links as a sign that your podcast is relevant and trustworthy.

### 7. Ask listeners for reviews

Another way to show search engines that your podcast is authoritative and worthy of a high ranking is through reviews. Encourage your listeners to leave a review if they enjoyed your podcast, and make the process as simple as possible for them so they don\'t get put off. Reviews will also attract new listeners, helping to grow your podcast audience.

### 8. Invite experts on to your podcast

Inviting experts to feature on your podcast will help with SEO in several ways. Firstly, your association with experts will signal to Google that you\'re an expert in your field. Secondly, if your expert shares it with their audience (which you should certainly encourage them to), you\'re bound to get more traffic and listeners. And thirdly, if your guest links to your podcast from their own website, you\'ll get a valuable link!

## Podcast SEO FAQs // toc-3

### Does SEO work for podcasts?

Yes! Podcast SEO tactics can help your podcast to rank higher in those all-important search results.

### How do I optimize my podcast for SEO?

To optimize your podcast SEO, try following these 8 steps:

-   Create a website for your podcast to make it easier for Google to discover your podcast

-   Choose a relevant theme using Google Trends

-   Pick topics based on keywords

-   Add keywords to your episodes

-   Include a podcast transcript

-   Promote your podcast and try to get links from other websites

-   Ask listeners for reviews to boost your authority

-   Invite experts on to your podcast

### How do I find keywords for my podcast?

Use a keyword tool like Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, or Ahrefs to find keywords for your podcast. Simply enter a keyword that you\'d like to do an episode on, then use these tools to identify exactly what people are searching in relation to this keyword or phrase.

### How does Spotify use SEO?

Spotify operates in a similar way to Google when it comes to SEO, so to improve your chances of ranking in Spotify's search engine, make sure to optimize your podcast metadata, use relevant keywords, and promote your podcast to increase listeners and engagement. This will signify to Spotify that your content is valuable.

### What is keyword ranking for podcasts?

Keyword ranking for podcasts is about how high a podcast shows up in search results when someone searches for certain keywords. Higher rankings can lead to more listeners and subscribers.

### Why isn\'t my podcast showing up on Google?

Your podcast may not be showing up on Google for several reasons:

-   It might not be indexed properly, meaning Google hasn\'t discovered it yet

-   Your podcast\'s website or platform might have SEO issues, like poor use of keywords or lack of metadata (titles and descriptions)

-   If your content is very new or has low engagement, it might rank lower

To improve visibility on Google, make sure your RSS feed is accessible by Google, use relevant keywords, and encourage listeners to rate and review your podcast.

## Ready to work some SEO magic on your podcast?

With Google now recognizing podcasts as SEO assets, there\'s no better time to focus on your podcast SEO strategy. Follow these eight podcast SEO tips and, over time, your show will gain authority and begin to climb the rankings.

Once you\'ve chosen your theme and topics, researched your keywords, created a website and started recording, allow Transcribe to help you with your podcast transcription. Simply [[download the Transcribe app]{.underline}](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/transcribe-speech-to-text/id1241342461) or launch the [[online editor]{.underline}](https://transcribe.com/pseudo/app) to get started.


Find out ​​everything you need to know about SEO for podcasts, with top tips to help increase your podcast ranking and, in turn, grow your podcast audience.

abtk20_ranks.png

SEO for Podcasts: How to Make Your Podcast Rank

// 10 unique ways to promote your podcast
// Learn how to promote your podcast to grow your listener base, reach a wider audience, and increase your chances of success - whatever that looks like for you.

#  10 unique ways to promote your podcast

You've made the leap and decided to [[start a podcast]{.underline}](https://transcribe.com/blog/id15) - congratulations! Creating a podcast comes with lots of decision-making, from [[choosing a podcast topic]{.underline}](https://transcribe.com/blog/id16) to deciding on the format, episode-length, structure and style.

Once those all-important decisions have been made and your podcast finally comes to life, you can turn your efforts to marketing it!

The podcast market is incredibly saturated, with thousands of different niches and creators. Promoting your podcast will help you to get more listeners and ensure your content reaches far and wide! Let's take a look at some unique ways to promote your podcast.

**Jump to:**

-   [Harness your guests' audience](#1-harness-your-guests-audience)

-   [Share your podcast on social media](#2-share-your-podcast-on-social-media)

-   [Speak with journalists to build authority](#3-speak-with-journalists-to-build-authority)

-   [Listen to what your audience is saying](#4-listen-to-what-your-audience-is-saying)

-   [Host your podcast on multiple platforms](#5-host-your-podcast-on-multiple-platforms)

-   [Create a website for your podcast](#6-create-a-website-for-your-podcast)

-   [Cross-promote your podcast](#7-crosspromote-your-podcast)

-   [Partner with brands who have a similar audience](#8-partner-with-brands-who-have-a-similar-audience)

-   [Promote your podcast through newsletters](#9-promote-your-podcast-through-newsletters)

-   [Get your podcast featured on listings](#10-get-your-podcast-featured-on-listings)

##  How to promote your podcast

### 1\.  Harness your guests' audience

As well as enriching your content and providing expert information, hosting a guest speaker on your podcast is a great way to gain new listeners. Fans and subscribers of your guest speaker will tune into your podcast to listen to your guest - and if they like it, they may well stick around.

Bring in guests with a similar niche to your own and encourage them to share the episode with their audience afterwards - you could even provide them with content and assets so that the hard work is done for them. Even better if your guest has a large fanbase!

### 2\.  Share your podcast on social media

Social media is one of the best places to promote your podcast for free. For maximum visibility, we'd recommend sharing your podcast across as many platforms as possible. Facebook. Twitter. Instagram. YouTube. TikTok. The list goes on!

If you don't have time to harness the power of every single channel, consider your target audience and which one or two channels will be the most beneficial for your podcast.

### 3\.  Speak with journalists to build authority

If you have a podcast, you probably have an area of expertise. And sites like [[HARO]{.underline}](https://www.connectively.us/) and [[Terkel]{.underline}](https://terkel.io/) are looking for just that - experts. These sites will match you with a journalist who may be looking for expert quotes in your niche, and you could be just the person to help them.

Getting featured in a magazine, newspaper, or blog is a great way to build your authority, develop connections, and reach a wider audience.

### 4\.  Listen to what your audience is saying

Your listeners are your biggest motivation, so every podcasting decision you make should be for them. Sites like [[Mention]{.underline}](https://mention.com/en/) and [[Google Alerts]{.underline}](https://www.google.com/alerts) help you follow topics related to your podcast on forums such as Reddit or Quora.

Being clued up on what your listeners are saying helps your podcast stay relevant. You can talk about up-to-date topics that your audience is actively engaging in.

### 5\.  Host your podcast on multiple platforms

Everyone has a favorite platform for hosting, but bear in mind that your listeners will also have their own favorite platform, which may not necessarily be the same as yours. To increase your audience, it helps to host your podcasts on multiple platforms. Popular podcasting platforms include:

-   Apple Podcasts

-   Google Podcasts

-   Spotify

-   Stitcher

-   Soundcloud

You can also upload your podcast to YouTube for those who prefer a visual element. Simply record your podcast with video, and remember to optimize your video titles and descriptions to help your video rank higher.

### 6\.  Create a website for your podcast

Every reputable podcast is backed up by a website, and it's a great opportunity to showcase more about yourself and your skills. Hire someone to create your website for you or have a go at creating your own; there are plenty of free online themes you can use.

Most importantly, your website should be SEO-friendly. The higher it ranks on Google and other popular search engines, the more your podcast will get noticed. Brush up on Google's rules to make sure you're maximizing your chances of ranking.

You could also upload [[podcast transcriptions]{.underline}](https://transcribe.com/pseudo/industries/audio-to-text-for-podcasters) to your website to generate more traffic and improve accessibility.

[[Find out more about optimizing your podcast for SEO]{.underline}](https://transcribe.com/blog/id20).

### 7\.  Cross-promote your podcast

Having a guest speaker is one way to cross-promote your podcast, but if you want to target as many new listeners as possible, try collaborating with other podcast hosts. These can take the form of:

-   Paying other podcast hosts of a similar niche to mention your podcast

-   Creating an advertisement that can be played on other podcasts

These ads will introduce your podcast to a new targeted audience who may then go on to subscribe.

### 8\.  Partner with brands who have a similar audience

Similarly, you can create a mutually beneficial relationship with brands who have a similar audience to you. If your podcast is in the cooking niche, for example, partnering with a cookware brand will help you to reach a new audience who are likely to be interested in your podcast.

Often, the brand will reach out to the podcast host to discuss a partnership. But while that's usually the case, there's nothing stopping you from reaching out to create that partnership yourself.

### 9\.  Promote your podcast through newsletters

Email marketing is one of the more traditional forms of marketing - and it's stood the test of time for a reason!

Use a website like MailChimp to send emails to subscribers and check stats, such as how many of your subscribers opened the email, how many link clicks were made and so on. Email marketing is a great way to boost your listenership.

Try sending out a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly newsletter to promote your podcast . But try not to go overboard, as people often unsubscribe if they're receiving too many emails.

### 10\. Get your podcast featured on listings

The more mentions your podcast gets, the better. So try getting your name out there through high-ranking websites. A quick Google search will bring up plenty of 'the best podcasts for...' articles. Simply find the articles ranking highest in your niche and ask the author if yours can be included in the list.

For example, if your podcast specializes in knitting tips, then search for articles along the lines of 'the best knitting podcasts' or 'the best arts and crafts podcasts'. The most popular articles will come up first in your Google search - and while page owners may not always get back to you, it's worth a shot!

There are plenty of ways to promote your podcast and gain new listeners, many of which you don't need a fully-fledged marketing team for.

If you'd like to try transcribing your podcast as a means of promoting it - whether that's as an article on your website, or trimmed down for quotes to share on social media or with journalists - then check out our guide on [[how to transcribe a podcast]{.underline}](https://transcribe.com/blog/id13).

\
Written By [Katie Garrett](https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-garrett-87714a84/) and [Irina Serdyukovskaya](https://www.linkedin.com/in/irina-serdukovskaya/)

Learn how to promote your podcast to grow your listener base, reach a wider audience, and increase your chances of success -- whatever that looks like for you.

abtk53_waytoprom.png

10 unique ways to promote your podcast

// How to Transcribe a Podcast
// From SEO to accessibility, podcast transcriptions offer a range of benefits. Learn how to transcribe your podcasts with our step-by-step guide.

# How to Transcribe a Podcast

If you're a podcast host or you're delving into the world of podcasts as part of your business marketing strategy, then [podcast transcription](https://transcribe.com/pseudo/industries/audio-to-text-for-podcasters) offers numerous benefits to both you and your audience.

But manually typing out the content of the podcast is a long and arduous task, especially if your episodes are nearing the hour mark. Fortunately, other methods are at hand, and in this guide we'll walk you through your options and give you step-by-step instructions to help you transcribe your podcasts quickly and easily.

**Jump to:**

-   [The benefits of transcribing a podcast](#toc-1)

-   [3 ways to convert a podcast to text](#toc-2)

-   [How to transcribe a podcast with Transcribe](#toc-3)

-   [How to transcribe podcasts to text for free](#toc-4)

## The benefits of transcribing a podcast // toc-1

-   **SEO**

SEO (AKA search engine optimisation) is about improving the visibility of your website in search engine results. Since Google crawls written content far better than audio content, providing a written transcript alongside your podcast helps to boost your searchability, improve your rankings and ultimately reach a wider audience and increase your traffic. [One study by SEO experts Moz](https://moz.com/blog/podcast-transcripts) saw a 15% increase in organic traffic and a 50% keyword lift after adding podcast transcripts.

Find out more about [SEO for podcasts](https://transcribe.com/pseudo/blog/id20).

-   **Accessibility**

Creating a written transcription of your podcast makes the content more accessible for members of your intended audience who might be deaf or hard of hearing. It also makes your podcast more accessible for members of your audience who find it easier to read than listen to the language in the recording.

-   **Marketing material**

Once you've got your written podcast transcript, there's no limit to how you can use it. Turn it into a blog post, pull out quotes to share on social media or repurpose it into training material for your workforce.

**Read more: [The ultimate guide to content repurposing](https://transcribe.com/pseudo/blog/id134)**

## 3 ways to convert a podcast to text // toc-2

-   **Manual transcription (the DIY method)**

If time isn\'t an issue, then the good old-fashioned method of speed-typing a podcast transcription is one option. It\'s not one that we would recommend though, especially for long podcasts - with all the rewinding and re-listening, manually transcribing takes even longer than you might expect!

-   **Human transcription services**

Transcription services using real-life humans promise accuracy, but since a human can only work so fast, these services are far slower and generally far more expensive than automated services. [An hour of audio takes approximately four hours](https://www.espressotranslations.com/transcribe-1-hour-of-audio/) for a professional to transcribe, and the average price is [75 cents to \$1.50 per minute](https://www.thumbtack.com/p/transcription-rates). That works out as \$45-\$90 per hour of audio transcription.

-   **Automated transcription services**

Automatic transcription services like [Transcribe](https://transcribe.com/pseudo/) offer a faster and more affordable alternative. Since the process is automated, using AI-powered software, you'll get a podcast transcription within minutes of uploading the file. Depending on the quality of the audio in your podcast recording, you may need to make some small tweaks to the text, but this is quick and easy to do using our app or online editor.

## How to transcribe a podcast with Transcribe // toc-3

1\.  **[Download the Transcribe app](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/transcribe-speech-to-text/id1241342461) or launch the [online editor](https://transcribe.com/pseudo/app)**

![](/uploads/p13_image4_39d2b3a8bc.png)

2\.  **Upload your podcast**

You can import audio files from any app or cloud storage system, including Google Drive and Dropbox. Supported file formats include mp3, m4a, wav, m4v, mp4, mov and avi. If your podcast is in a format that isn't supported, get in touch and we'll help you to convert your file.

The clearer your podcast recording is, the more accurate the transcription will be, so take care to ensure that voices can be clearly heard, speakers don't talk over one another and there's no background noise or echo.

3\.  **Choose your language**

Select the language of your recording from more than 120 languages and dialects.

![](/uploads/p13_image2_10750038be.jpg)

4\.  **Start the transcription process**

Your podcast transcription will be ready within minutes, so make yourself a coffee and we'll send you a notification when your transcription is complete.

![](/uploads/p13_image1_043ac18fc7.jpg)

5\.  **Your transcription is ready!**

Now that your podcast transcript is ready, you can proofread and polish the text in the app, online or in your preferred file format - with or without timestamps and speaker separation. With our standard version you can export your transcribed text to TXT, or upgrade to our PRO service to export to PDF, DOCX, SRT and JPG.

![](/uploads/p13_image3_f3e511da20.jpg)

Then all that's left to do is upload it to your website, add it to your playlist description on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and repurpose the content to your heart's content!

## How to transcribe podcasts to text for free // toc-4

With Transcribe, you can enjoy the first 15 minutes of transcription time for free, so if your podcast recording is on the shorter side then this could work out as an entirely free option.

Once you've used up your free credit and seen for yourself whether our service meets your needs, you can buy additional credit for just \$5 an hour, or get 10 hours for just \$30 (\$3 an hour). Better still, upgrade to our PRO service for \$14.99/month or \$99.99/year, and you'll receive an additional 5 hours of transcription time each month - ideal if you publish weekly episodes.

## Ready to transcribe your podcasts?

[Download the Transcribe app](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/transcribe-speech-to-text/id1241342461) or launch the [online editor](https://transcribe.com/pseudo/app) to get started.


From SEO to accessibility, podcast transcriptions offer a range of benefits. Learn how to transcribe your podcasts with our step-by-step guide.

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