Many of you have started podcasting and discovering that one of the most important steps in having a successful podcast is getting your show listed in the iTunes directory (Apple Podcasts). iTunes is a popular digital media player, created by world renowned technology giant Apple, and introduced back in 2001 and even today, iTunes remains the dominant force in the podcasting industry even though Spotify is gaining on them.
Why Should You be Podcasting?
First, let's discuss the benefits of having a podcast. In a previous post, I shared a few strategies for promoting your content with YouTube, yet I realize that many people tend to shy away from getting in front of the camera. Starting a podcast can be the answer to your content marketing prayers. You can create a connection with your audience through a podcast that goes deeper than the bond you create on your blog. Your readers and potential customers will get to hear your voice. This will help them relate to you on a more human level.
Once you start your podcast, you can instantly boost your credibility and elevate yourself as a thought leader and recognized authority figure in your niche. Everyone knows that it takes a certain level of expertise to start a podcast, and it is quickly becoming a key strategy for savvy online entrepreneurs like Pat Flynn of Smart Passive Income, Michael Stelzner of Social Media Examiner and veteran podcasters like Cliff Ravenscraft of Podcast Answer Man.
Recommended reading:
- The Naked Truth About Your Podcasting Stats And Why You Should Host Your Show on Libsyn
- Podcast Strategies: How To Podcast – 21 Questions Answered
- Podcasting Good to Great: How to Grow Your Audience Through Collaboration
In fact, podcasting has become a dominant force in the blogosphere as evidenced by the fact that the upcoming Blog World & New Media Expo has devoted an entire track to the subject of podcasting! They plan to cover everything from creating, recording, promoting and monetizing your podcast and one of the most interesting sessions is called More Traffic, More Authority, More Customers: Why All Bloggers Should be Podcasting.
Listing Your Podcast in iTunes
I recorded the step-by-step instructions for getting your podcast listed in iTunes in a recent episode of my podcast called How to Get Your Podcast Listed in iTunes. You can listen to it here:
The inspiration for this episode came from James Pruitt and a comment from his blog Relationship Marketing Conversations in his post titled Which is Harder Podcasting Live or Produced Podcasts. In the comment section he asked about syndicating his podcast and here is a snippet from my response:
James, it’s not really hard to get your content syndicated. This is the typical set up that most professional podcasters use.
You must get a media host on top of your blog host – the two choices are Libsyn and Blubrry.
Next install the Power Press Plugin from Blubrry and create a category on your blog called Podcast (or you can name the category after your show).
Then get a professionally designed logo/podcast cover art.
Burn your feed from that category you created to Feedburner.
Submit the feed to iTunes with the 1200 x 1200 cover art.
That’s it!
More About Getting Your Podcast in iTunes
I'm not going to lie to you, it takes a lot of work and effort to produce a successful podcast, however Cliff Ravenscraft aka Podcast Answer Man, has made it a lot easier by providing a series of 8 YouTube videos called Learn How To Podcast that you can watch for free. Pat Flynn has also put together a series of helpful videos to get your podcast up and running. I gathered all of the best YouTube videos I could find and put them in one handy playlist.
Click here to watch the top podcasting tutorials on YouTube: Podcast Training Blitz!
Additional Podcasting Resources:
- School of Podcasting
- The Audacity to Podcast
- Podcasts Topic on Scoop.it
- Podcasts and Podcasting on Pinterest
I know you want your voice to be heard and your ready to create a podcast that engages your audience and builds your authority. I'm here for you to answer your questions about podcasting and I'd love to help you get started on your podcasting journey. Have you thought about starting a podcast? What are some of the challenges you are facing with getting your small biz podcast off the ground?