Now that Present Poetry is (thankfully) gaining some traction, I thought it’d be fun to take you behind the scenes and show you how I organize, record, edit, and publish my episodes.
Hopefully, it gives you the inspiration (and courage) to try your hand at podcasting and add your voice to the rest of the world!
It’s easier than you think!
Have an Idea
The hardest part of any podcast is knowing what to record. Present Poetry is my third attempt at becoming a podcaster. My previous ideas included a podcast on better communication, a book review podcast, and a podcast where I talked about anything and everything.
The communication one was moderately successful, but the others didn’t work because I didn’t know what I wanted my podcast to become- and, just like with writing, you have to know your subject if you want it to succeed.
Find your idea. Research it, then check similar podcasts and see how you can make it unique. Then, set it in stone.
Organize and Schedule Your Episodes
Even if it’s topic ideas, write them down in a document and figure out a tentative posting schedule. The internet thrives on consistency, so having a schedule and recording episodes in advance will help keep you organized and in the minds of your audience.
For Present Poetry, I use a spreadsheet to list the author, their poems, when the episode should air, and if I’ve recorded the episode. That way, I can open my file and know where I stand at a glance.
10/10, do recommend.
Invest in a Microphone
Podcasts are all about the voice, so you want a reliable microphone that captures everything in crisp detail.
I use the Yeti Blue– a stereo microphone that’s made a TON of difference in my podcasting journey. It’s about low to mid-range on the price scale at $129, but in the four-ish years I’ve had it, I’ve never had a problem with it.
However, microphones range from $30 and up, so there’s sure to be one that fits your budget!
Download Audacity
Audacity is the best recording software for beginners, and it’s completely FREE! There is a slight learning curve if you’ve never messed with audio software before, but Audacity makes it easy to learn and easier (thank goodness!) to undo any accidents or mistakes.
I like to record my episodes in chunks, so every poem has its own track. So far, Audacity has absolutely no problem handling the load and letting me edit them individually and collectively as needed.
Then, save it as an MP3 file, and you’re good to go!
Get a Profile on Anchor
Finally, get your free profile on Anchor and publish your podcast! Anchor offers simple episode builders (you literally plug in your MP3s and let Anchor do the rest) with a variety of transition sounds and background music to make your podcast shine. Then, you can preview your episode and modify it as needed to make it perfect.
But that’s not even the best part! Once you publish your podcast and have your first episode, Anchor distributes it to ALL the major podcast platforms. Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more!
You also get an RSS feed that lets you incorporate your podcast into a website, share it to social media, or add it to archives that Anchor may not have.
And eventually, if you get enough listeners, you can create ads and earn some revenue!
I’ve used Anchor with all my podcasts, and I love how simple it is to create and publish my episodes! It’s perfect for beginner podcasters looking to get their feet wet.
Spread the Word
Now that you’ve published your first episode, it’s time to tell people about it! Announce it on social media, send it in your newsletters, tell friends and family, and let everyone know that you’ve faced your fears and added your voice to the sounds of the universe!
And if you have any questions, I’m happy to answer what I can!
