Blogging is a rewarding hobby that may have turned into your career. Visitors regularly stop by your website through new posts and email newsletters, but there’s another way you can expand your audience. This guide explains how to create a podcast for your WordPress blog and use the hosting site to your advantage.
Podcasting is a relatively new industry that continues to boom. Listeners tune in on all devices to hear from their favorite experts and public figures. Thanks to these tips that even new bloggers can implement, you’re about to become the next best podcast in the market.
1. Pick a Topic
Podcasts are easy to access and cover various topics, leading to an industry boom that has bloggers and business owners scrambling to create their own. The number of podcast listeners grew by 32% in 2020 — adding up to 104 million monthly users. They want to learn something new, listen to an entertaining conversation, or hear a well-crafted story.
Your podcast should center around your industry’s topic and appeal to listeners who press play for those reasons. If you operate a virtual tech store, you could publish tech-oriented podcast episodes that show why you’re an expert in your field. Tips and tricks could become your new weekly podcast theme if your blog teaches readers how to improve their lives.
The goal is to get listeners to check out your blog and find more relevant content. Link what you post with what your podcast will discuss so your audience gets more of what they’re looking for either way.
2. Investigate Platform and Hosting Options
WordPress is a popular blogging platform because it has so many unique features. It also includes multiple podcast plugins that make it easier to reach new listeners. Even if you have to pay for the plugins, it’s cheaper than paying monthly for another web-hosting service just to connect to your podcast.
These plugins will store your podcast files outside of your blog so it doesn’t slow down. You can also upload new episodes of your podcast to hosting sites through your WordPress blog with plugins. Play around with various plugins to decide which have your preferred look and features.
You’ll also have to consider various podcast hosting platforms that offer different features. Some apps are automatically installed on devices, like Apple Podcasts. Others, like Spotify or Stitcher, require a separate download and monthly subscriptions.
See which platforms work with your preferred WordPress plugin to get a better idea of which ones your listeners can most easily use.
3. Make a Schedule
Every blogger should have two schedules for podcast creation and publication. Think about how long you’ll need to research each podcast and write it if you choose a narrative structure. You might need to coordinate interviews and work around your guests’ schedules if you interview experts for your audience.
Don’t forget how long it takes to edit your podcast into a timely product. Your audience doesn’t want to hear someone rambling into the mic or stumbling through a story. Finding this balance helps determine if you’ll publish your podcast daily, weekly, or monthly.
4. Consider Your Current Team
Do you already have a team helping run your blog? Your writing staff may not know how to write interview questions or a podcast script. You could get a better finished product by hiring one or two new team members to handle all things podcast.
Even if you do everything by yourself, getting extra help with this new branch of your blog could make your new endeavor sustainable with your current work demands.
5. Create a Logo
Your readers might find out about your podcast through your blog, but what about listeners who tune in after browsing for something new?
Your podcast’s logo is your first impression. Base it on your blog’s theme or make it something new. It depends on your brand and personal preferences. Play around with colors, text, pictures, and themes to find something that speaks to your content and personality.
6. Play With Editing Tools
Before publishing your podcast, you’ll need to run it through editing software. You’ll refine the audio, splice segments, and pull it all together for your first episode. Some programs do everything and others offer only a few specialized tools.
Read reviews to find your preferred software for your skillset and needs. You could dive into the finer details of editing or only need a few tools to finish each episode.
Create a Podcast for Your WordPress Blog
Now that you know how to create a podcast for your WordPress blog, start exploring your options. Play around with plugins to find something that opens the world of podcasting for you. Name a theme and create a logo. You’ll have a great product after using these tips to piece everything together.
