How to Start Your Podcast on Spotify: Plan, Upload & Grow

As of 2024, there are 464.7 million podcast listeners globally, and this number is projected to skyrocket to 504.9 million by the end of the year! With this unprecedented growth, there’s no better time to dive into the world of podcasting. Learning how to start a podcast on Spotify can help you connect with this massive audience and share your unique voice with the world.

With over 5 million podcasts and 70 million episodes covering topics like true crime, comedy, sports, and politics, Spotify offers something for everyone, making it an ideal platform for aspiring podcasters.

Before exploring the process of starting a podcast, it’s important to understand what a podcast actually is. A podcast is an episodic series of digital content, primarily audio, that can be streamed, downloaded, or even watched on various devices.

The growing popularity of podcasting has captured the attention of millions, inspiring many to take the leap and become hosts themselves. This surge in interest has sparked curiosity about the steps involved in creating a successful podcast.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through all the essential steps of podcasting—from planning and recording to uploading and promoting your episodes—so you can confidently learn how to start a podcast on Spotify and share your voice with the world.

So, let’s dive in and get started on your podcasting journey with Spotify!

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 many forms, and the choice is yours as the creator. It could feature a solo voice speaking into a microphone or phone, recorded from an apartment or studio, or include two friends or a group of five. The tone can be serious, humorous, lively, thoughtful, quirky, or a mix of these. At its core, a podcast requires two key elements: an idea and a voice to bring it to life. With video podcasts on Spotify becoming more accessible than ever, learning how to start a podcast on Spotify allows you to explore new creative possibilities and expand your audience.

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?

Spotify for Podcasters is the ultimate tool for growing your podcast. If you’re wondering how to start a podcast on Spotify, this platform allows you to easily distribute, analyze, and expand your show while providing access to exclusive earning opportunities and features like video podcasts on Spotify. You may be asking, is it really free? Yes, Spotify for Podcasters is completely free, all the time. So, focus on crafting amazing content, and let Spotify handle the rest, helping your podcast succeed with ease.

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:

1. Create a visual identity for your podcast.
2. Use high-resolution photographs.
3. Consider both huge and small sizes while designing.
4. Use complimentary hues that complement one another.
5. Make sure the content and font are clear, prominent, and straightforward.
6. Employ basic patterns and pictures.
7. Employ pictures with distinct topics on a plain background.
8. 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:

1. Keep the description concise, up to three sentences.
2. Optimize your description with our new Search Guidelines.
3. Pique the interest of the listener with a teaser.
4. Write your podcast descriptions collaboratively.
5. Use keywords (guest names, locations, and themes) to improve your description.
6. Make sure your title and description complement each other.
7. 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:

1. Summarising or spoiling the episode.
2. Repeat the details from your episode title.
3. 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:

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:

1. Visit Spotify for Podcasters.
2. Click on ‘Login’ from the title bar.
3. Fill in the email address and password.
4. 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 learning how to start a podcast on Spotify is to connect your podcast by providing your RSS feed. After uploading your episodes to a reliable hosting platform, locate and copy your RSS feed link. This link includes crucial information about your podcast, such as episode titles, descriptions, and audio files.

To make your podcast accessible on Spotify, log in to Spotify for Podcasters, paste the RSS feed link into the designated field, and submit it. Once verified, your podcast will be live on Spotify, reaching its vast and diverse audience. Following these steps is an essential part of mastering how to start a podcast on Spotify and growing your listener base effectively.

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, powered by Spotify Audience Network, connect marketers with millions of listeners, offering seamless monetization. This allows podcasters to earn at scale by featuring ads from top brands and organizations.

4. Selling Merch

Merch like T-shirts, mugs, and stickers lets superfans show their love and support for your podcast. Start selling when you’ve built a strong audience to ensure it’s profitable.

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.

Enhance your audio quality with podcast microphones, including XLR and USB options, and explore our comprehensive podcast equipment guide covering recording software, pop filters, and more. For top-notch results, check out our tips on setting up a podcast studio.

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:

1. Publish your podcast to every podcast app and directory.
2. Choose a very precise audience.
3. Include a video in your podcast.
4. Take part in the podcast community.
5. Make a compelling podcast trailer.
6. Hold a contest or gift in exchange for reviews.
7. Take social media seriously for promotion.
8. Prepare your podcast website.
9. Invest in email marketing.
10. Do interviews to maximize exposure.
11. Promote audience participation.
12. Create a captivating podcast description.
13. Become a podcast guest.
14. Spend some money on advertising.
15. Think about podcast search engine optimization (SEO).
16. Create a marketing pipeline.
17. 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:

1. Planning and defining your podcast’s concept and format.
2. Creating eye-catching cover art and writing a compelling description for your podcast.
3. Submitting your podcast to Spotify through a hosting platform like Anchor or Megaphone.
4. 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.

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