Quick Summary
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Start by defining your niche, format, and target audience. Prepare a content plan and invest in essential recording equipment to ensure high-quality audio.
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Create an account on a podcast hosting platform that distributes to Spotify. Follow the steps to upload your episodes, ensuring proper metadata and cover art.
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Use social media, collaboration, and consistent posting to attract more listeners. Leverage Spotify analytics to track performance and optimize your content.
Table of Contents
Did you know that as of 2024, there are 464.7 million podcast listeners worldwide? And that’s not even the best part! Experts predict that by the end of 2024, this number will reach an astonishing 504.9 million. Learn how to start a podcast on Spotify and tap into this thriving global community.
With over 5 million podcasts, each having over 70 million episodes for you to choose from, covering everything from true crime to comedy, sports to politics, there’s always something for everyone to tune into.
Before diving into How to start a podcast on Spotify in 2024, let’s first understand what a podcast is for those who have yet to be made aware. Podcasting is an episodic series of digital material, primarily audio, that may be listened to, viewed, or downloaded on a device.
The rise in popularity of podcasting has captivated listeners and ignited a passion among some individuals to become hosts themselves. Such a situation begs the question, “How to start a podcast on Spotify in 2024.”
In this “How to start a podcast on Spotify in 2024” guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about podcasting from planning and recording to uploading and promoting.
So, let’s dive in and get started on your podcasting journey!
What is a podcast?
Let’s be honest – most of us have a basic idea of what a podcast is a collection of digital audio or video files available for audiences. However, once you step into the world of podcasting, more questions tend to arise.
A podcast can take on various forms, and it’s ultimately up to you as the creator. It might be a solo voice speaking into a microphone, or even a phone, from an apartment or studio. It could involve two friends or a group of five. The tone can be anything—serious, humorous, lively, thoughtful, quirky, or a blend of these. Essentially, a podcast requires just two key ingredients: an idea and a voice to bring it to life. With video podcasts on Spotify becoming more accessible than ever, the definition of a podcast has evolved even further.
What is a video podcast, and should I try making one?
A video podcast on Spotify combines both video and audio, offering a seamless blend of both mediums. This feature allows existing video creators, as well as audio-only podcasters, to broaden their audience and strengthen connections with their current fans. Uploading a video through Spotify for Podcasters is simple, and once published, your audience can choose whether to watch the video or listen in the background, enjoying your content wherever they are.
What is Spotify for Podcasters?
Spotify for Podcasters is a free platform that supports creators in distributing, growing, and monetizing their shows—making it an essential tool for those learning how to start a podcast on Spotify. Through the app or website, you can access powerful tools to connect with fans, understand how your podcast gets discovered, and stand out on the world’s most popular listening platform. If your podcast is already hosted elsewhere, you can still benefit from Spotify’s growth tools by claiming your show on Spotify for Podcasters, without affecting content ownership or off-platform management. Get started in minutes.
Why should I use Spotify for Podcasters?
Simply put, Spotify for Podcasters is the most comprehensive tool for growing your podcast. You can use Spotify for Podcasters to distribute, analyze, and grow your show, as well as gain access to exclusive earning tools and formats like video podcasts on Spotify. You might be wondering, is it really free? And it is—we’ve made Spotify for Podcasters free for everyone, all the time. So go ahead, focus on your content and we’ll take care of the rest, helping you thrive effortlessly.
Planning Your Podcast
From choosing your podcast topic to naming it, here are the steps on how to create a podcast on Spotify:
1.Choosing a Podcast Topic
Choosing an appropriate podcast topic is the first step in planning how to start a podcast on Spotify. Consider a topic that you’re interested and knowledgeable in. It ensures your podcast is informative and exciting. For example, if your interest and expertise lie in personal development, you could create a podcast about mindfulness, self-improvement, or leadership.
2.Identifying Your Target Audience
Once you know about the podcast topic you are passionate about and confident about, identify your target audience. To determine your target audience, consider demographics such as age, gender, location, and interests. You can conduct market research and surveys to know the audience you want to reach and resonate with your podcast. For example, your podcast topic is “new generation parenting,” your target audience will be parents with young children.
3.Developing a Content Strategy
Develop a content strategy which is consistent, informative and engaging to your target audience. Here is how to develop a winning content strategy on Spotify for podcasters:
A. Start by outlining your podcast’s format. The most popular podcast formats that Spotify encourages
are:
• The solo podcast
• The interview podcast
• The roundtable podcast
• The narrative nonfiction podcast
• The fiction podcast
• The reformatted podcast
• The experimental podcast
B. Then, brainstorm potential topics and themes for each episode.
C. Create a content calendar to plan out episodes in advance.
D. Lastly, ensure a good mix of topics that appeal to your audience.
4.Naming Your Podcast
The most crucial step along the way of how to start a podcast on Spotify is naming your podcast. The name of your podcast should be memorable, unique and one that another creator doesn’t already take. For example, if you’re creating a podcast about entrepreneurship, you could name it “StartUp Stories” or “Entrepreneurial Insights.”
Spotify Podcast Requirements
Here is a step-by-step guide to understand the special requirements on Spotify for Podcasters.
1.Podcast Cover Art
Your podcast cover art should range from 1400×1400 to 3000×3000 pixels, with a ratio of 1:1 in PNG, JPG, or TIFF format. This ensures that your artwork appears sharp across all podcast listening platforms.
Here are some tips for creating cover art for your podcast:
- Create a visual identity for your podcast.
- Use high-resolution photographs.
- Consider both huge and small sizes while designing.
- Use complimentary hues that complement one another.
- Make sure the content and font are clear, prominent, and straightforward.
- Employ basic patterns and pictures.
- Employ pictures with distinct topics on a plain background.
- Make your podcast logo stand out in your cover art.
2.Podcast Title and Description
Here is how you can create a perfect podcast title and description for Spotify:
- Keep the description concise, up to three sentences.
- Optimize your description with our new Search Guidelines.
- Pique the interest of the listener with a teaser.
- Write your podcast descriptions collaboratively.
- Use keywords (guest names, locations, and themes) to improve your description.
- Make sure your title and description complement each other.
- Throughout podcast titles and descriptions, special characters must be in HTML. (Please keep in mind that Spotify does not support additional HTML tags such as or . These tags will be deleted from your descriptions before they are published.)
Avoid the following things while writing podcast description:
- Summarising or spoiling the episode.
- Repeat the details from your episode title.
- Using filler language (such as, In this episode)
3.Duration of the Podcast
When uploading a podcast to Spotify, each episode can have a maximum file size of 200MB. This means an episode that is 200MB in length can be up to about 83 minutes long if recorded at 320 kbps. However, if the episode is recorded at 128 kbps, it can be over 200 minutes long.
Steps to Upload a Podcast on Spotify
After you are well aware of the Spotify requirements on how to start a podcast on Spotify, next comes the following step to upload a podcast: how to start a podcast on Spotify
1. Create a Spotify Account
Creating or logging in to the Spotify account is the first step in uploading your podcast. You can skip this step if you already have a Spotify account. Creating a Spotify account is absolutely free for those who wonder how to start a podcast on Spotify for free.
Here are the steps to creating your Spotify account:
- Visit Spotify for Podcasters.
- Click on ‘Login’ from the title bar.
- Fill in the email address and password.
- Your account will successfully be created.
2. Choose a Podcast Hosting Platform
Next, you must choose a podcast hosting platform to upload your podcast episodes. You can select from Anchor, Megaphone or any other hosting platform. Each platform has its unique features and pricing plans. Research and choose the one that best suits your needs and budget.
3. Copy and Paste the RSS Feed Link to Spotify for Podcasters
The next step in our “How to start a podcast on Spotify” guide is to provide the platform with your RSS feed.
Once you’ve uploaded your podcast episodes to your hosting platform, you must copy the RSS feed link. This link contains all of the information about your podcast, including the episode titles, descriptions, and audio files. Next, you’ll need to log in to Spotify for podcasters and paste the RSS feed link into the provided field
4.Add Info and Submit
After pasting your RSS feed URL, fill up some basic information about your podcast, such as the primary language, your podcast hosting provider’s name, and the podcast’s primary category.
Once you’ve entered all of the required information, please review the information entered twice before submitting, as you cannot edit it once submitted.
Your podcast may take a few hours to days to be accepted and uploaded to the Spotify collection.
Monetizing Your Podcast on Spotify
Now the question arises, how to monetize your podcast on Spotify? For this, here are the five options available on Spotify for Podcasters to monetize your podcast:
1.Ambassador Ads
Ambassador ads are for those who are early in their podcasting journey. If you have been a creator within 60 days, uploaded one episode, and gained around 100 unique listeners, then you can record your “host-read ad” (Ambassador Ad). The more engagement with your podcast, the better the chances of earning revenue.
2.Podcast Subscriptions
Podcast subscriptions are another technique for how to monetize your podcasts on Spotify. While no minimum listenership is required to start a subscription, you will get the best outcome after reaching the 100-listener mark.
3.Automated Ads
Automated Ads are the next choice in podcast advertising. Spotify Audience Network, Spotify’s podcast ad network that links marketers with millions of listeners, powers automated ads. When the Automatic Ads run, an appealing monetization channel provides simple access to well-known companies and organizations, allowing you to earn at scale.
4.Selling Merch
Merch is something that all superfans like. T-shirts, stickers, patches, coffee mugs, caps, and whatever else you can think of are all possibilities for merch. When listeners purchase merch, it demonstrates their love and support for your podcast. You may begin selling these branded things at any moment. Still, it would help if you generally waited until you had a large enough following to justify the expense and generate a profit.
Listener Support
The Listener Support feature of Spotify for Podcasters is the simplest method to encourage people to donate to your podcast. There is no minimum listener requirement for the creator. Listeners can contribute three monthly sums via easily automated withdrawals.
How to choose your podcast equipment
You can record solo or host interviews directly on the Spotify for Podcasters website using its new integration with Riverside, a top platform known for its AI-powered recording and editing tools suitable for creators of all levels.
For those looking to enhance their audio quality, there’s a range of podcast microphones available, including XLR and USB options. If you want to explore podcast technology beyond your phone, check out our comprehensive podcast equipment guide, which covers everything from recording software to pop filters and cables. Interested in optimizing your recording environment? Our guide on setting up a podcast studio provides tips for achieving the best results.
Growing Your Podcast’s Audience
After understanding how to start a podcast on Spotify and uploading your shows comes engaging with your podcast audience. Growing your podcast’s audience is important to keep your podcast running successfully.
Here are the 17 most effective strategies to grow your podcast audience:
- Publish your podcast to every podcast app and directory.
- Choose a very precise audience.
- Include a video in your podcast.
- Take part in the podcast community.
- Make a compelling podcast trailer.
- Hold a contest or gift in exchange for reviews.
- Take social media seriously for promotion.
- Prepare your podcast website.
- Invest in email marketing.
- Do interviews to maximize exposure.
- Promote audience participation.
- Create a captivating podcast description.
- Become a podcast guest.
- Spend some money on advertising.
- Think about podcast search engine optimization (SEO).
- Create a marketing pipeline.
- Use Spotify’s podcasters’ Q&A polls.
If you want to How to start a podcast on Spotify in 2024, this guide covers you. It’s a step-by-step walkthrough of everything you need to know to get your podcast up and running on the world’s largest audio streaming platform.
Some of the key takeaways from the guide include:
- Planning and defining your podcast’s concept and format.
- Creating eye-catching cover art and writing a compelling description for your podcast.
- Submitting your podcast to Spotify through a hosting platform like Anchor or Megaphone.
- Promoting your podcast through social media, email newsletters, and guest appearances on other podcasts.
Starting a podcast on Spotify in 2024 can be a challenging but rewarding experience as the worldwide podcasting market is expected to reach 94.8 billion USD by 2028. With the right tools and strategies, you can reach millions of listeners and build a loyal audience for your content.
Want to earn money at the comfort of your home? Dive to our guide of Online Jobs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How do I upload my podcast to Spotify?
Here are the steps to upload your podcast on Spotify:
1. First, make sure your podcast meets the Spotify requirements.
2. Next, create a free Spotify account.
3. Checkbox the terms and conditions (T&C). If you want, read the T&C.
4. Enter your RSS feed link.
5. Verify that you own the podcast.
6. Fill in the necessary details about your podcast.
7. Crosscheck all the information entered and submit your podcast.
2. How do I promote my podcast on Spotify?
Spotify Ad Studio is the simplest method to begin promoting your podcast. Through Spotify Audience Network, you can build and manage podcast campaigns that engage listeners, and expand your reach, ultimately helping your business thrive. You can start promoting your podcast on Spotify for $500.
3. How do I measure the success of my podcast on Spotify?
The eight simple components to measure the success of your podcast on Spotify are:
1. The number of listeners.
2. The number of downloads for each episode.
3. Advertisements and sponsors.
4. Reviews from the public and critics.
5. Traffic to the website and social media.
6. Participation in advertising materials.
7. Referrals and networking.
8. Content reused.
Moreover, you can see stats for your podcast in your Spotify for Podcasters Dashboard
4. Can I make money from my podcast on Spotify?
Yes, you can make money from your podcast on Spotify through the ads that come along with your podcast. You can pick the number and type of ads (depending on which they qualify for) to add to your podcast’s episodes. Along with ads, you can utilize advertisements with fan-support initiatives such as podcast subscriptions to increase your earning potential.
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